Go Green, Look Good...Save Money

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So you’re already recycling, buying organic, and maybe avoiding plastic bags. More and more of us are trying to be environmentally friendly, but what about the clothes you’re wearing?  Have you considered their environmental footprint?  Fashion expert Rachel McCollin has...

Traditionally the green movement, particularly green clothes, have had a homespun, hippy image – all hemp and sandals.  But more and more designers are bringing out green gear. Even the high street is cottoning on…there are even ways you can dress ethically and save money too.

Why Go Green?
Did you know that it takes 150g of pesticides to produce the average T-shirt –a quarter of its weight?  And have you thought about the history of that cheap top that looks like such a bargain?  Chances are it was shipped all the way from China or Bangladesh, with the carbon emissions that journey involves.  Some of the cheaper retailers have even been accused of using sweatshop labour: it’s estimated that the person who made a garment was only paid 0.5% of its retail value.  For a £5 top, that’s just 2½p.

Designer Green Gear
Lots of designers sell eco-friendly fashion via online stores.  Some are greener than others, but they all want your custom not for being worthy, but for competing in the fashion stakes.  Adili and Natural Collection have large collections for men, women and kids, Seasalt have a Boden feel, Edun, run by Ali Hewson, AKA Mrs Bono, are younger and trendier, while Terra Plana stock cruelty-free and sustainable shoes.

The High Street
More and more high street shops are launching organic ranges.  Ok, so they’re often only available in the larger shops, but try taking a look online (check out Next’s range of organic T-shirts and undies).  Cheaper fashion brands New Look and H&M have organic cotton clothes similar to their main ranges and not much more expensive. While High Street stalwart M&S are now doing organic shirts and smock tops.  And even Topshop, normally associated with throwaway fashion, have organic T-shirts while their flagship Oxford Street store stocks fair-trade brand People Tree.

Charity Shops
Not very trendy, I hear you say.  But charity shops are green (saving your old clothes from going into landfill), cheap and ethical.  If you’re smart you can save a fortune on the basics, leaving more to spend on high-fashion ethical clothes.  For example, lots of people give perfectly good jeans to charity shops because they’ve stretched or shrunk, and don’t fit anymore - which means a pair of charity shop jeans will stay the same shape and size.  If they’re too long, just cut off the bottoms.  Other things you can pick up are summer trousers, which don’t go out of fashion so quickly, and T-shirts.  Keep your eyes open for unusual things – serial charity shopper Tansy Adcock found a bargain wedding dress in Oxfam; “It was originally £12.99 but they were having a 99p sale!”  It’s all about knowing how to shop – visit http://www.charityshops.org.uk/members/locator.php to find what’s near you, shop in areas where people wear clothes you’d want to buy, and if you make a mistake, just think of it as a donation to the charity and give it back!

pictured: Edun Spring/Summer 2007 range

Rachel McCollin, MyVillage: , 10th August