Natural and Sustainable

Nike sells organic workout clothes now along with Timberland, where they have earth-friendly footwear. Now another major brand is vying for a chunk of the ecomarketplace. Levi’s recently debuted eco-jeans: The Capitaol E, with a hand-sewn 100% organic and recycled rivets, runs $250 fgor men and women; a cheaper line sells for $70.

All the disposable clothing is taking its toll on the environment, and people want a guilt-free way to enjoy fashion. Plus, organic cotton is super soft and easy fitting, so it’s a winning situation for everyone. Still, don’t expect to see green denims crowding the racks anytime soon. While organic cotton is saoring in demand, it makes up less than 1% of the world’s cotton supply.

Women can choose from several styles: the Ruler jean is a flattering straight cut that can be worn long with heels or cuffed with flats; the Skimmer is low and snug with an extra-long leg to scrunch up at the ankle or to be tucked into boots; the Swank is a low-rise boot cut; the Trouser is a tailored low-rise pant with a slightly flared leg; the Vintage Flare, inspired by the 646 cut, has a mid-rise body, and is straight and slim through the thigh; and the Tapered Crop is relaxed on top and snug at the bottom.

The line also includes a fitted and feminine vest, the Ruler Short — sleek, low and slim fit shorts that hit just at the knee, and the Trouser Mini, a very short mini skirt meant to be worn low on the hips.

The men’s line is just as modern and attractive. The Skinner is a slim boot-cut jean that goes with a dressy shirt as well as a casual sweater. The Ambler is a relaxed bootcut with a mid-rise that’s full through the leg with a wide bottom opening. The Strummer fits low on top and has a skinny straight leg.

The Offender is a one-button ultra-low rise jean that fits tight in the seat and thigh, cut straight from the knee down. The Chino Trouser is a mid-rise relaxed bootcut jean with traditional trouser styling and the Stacked Skinny is slightly low rise with an extra long leg that bunches up at the ankle. The brand’s first design, the original 501 jean, and a three-button blazer that conveniently goes great with jeans round out the men’s line.
(Source: SF Station 2008)

Other companies jumping on the Eco-bandwagon:

• Fishing Lures: Made of recyled bottle caps.

• Menorahs: With erngy-efficient fluorescent lightbulbs.

• Go-Karts: That run on emissio-free hydrogen fuel cells.

• Caskets: Made of cardboard, compressed newspaper or pine; cemetary plots on pesticide-free grounds.
• Lipstick Tubes: Made of biodegradeable corn.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: According to the UN, livestock is more responsible for global warming than all the cars in the world combines. Methane gas from cows causes 20 times more global warming than carbon dioxide. Holy Cow!

These following companies consider the environmental as well as social causes when producing their clothing line.

• American Apparel: Makes its clothes in the U.S. and offers organic items.

• Droopy Knickers: Makes sustainable clothing with organic cotton, water-based inks and discharge printings.

• Fable: Supports fair trade, promotes sustainabale employment in developing countries and works in children’s charities to boost literacy.

• Fig: Clothes are made from certified organic cotton in factories that treat employees well.

• Happy Green Bee: Makes its comfortable, colorful clothing from from organic cotton.

• H&M: Has recently added an extensive line of organic clothing for the entire family to their collection.

• Indigenous Designs: Is a pioneer in the organic and fair trade apparel market. Its children’s offerings now include sweaters and cotton wovens.

• Kate Quinn Organics: Is committed to fair trade and the earth. They use only certified-organic cotton.

• Levi’s: Ten-piece organic eco line includes a variety of bottoms, the classic denium jacket and T-shirts. The zippers are formed from recycled metal and the jeans are colored with natural dyes.

• Morfs: Uses recycled goods and vintage fabrics to create fashionable new clohtes for kids.

• Nina and Tom: Donates both clothing and a percentage of profits to charities. Garments are made with organic cotton and silk-screened with water-based inks.

• Patagonia: Makes apparel with low impact dyes, organic cotton and recycled fibers. Additionally, its buildings are made from recycled materials and powered by the wind and sun.

• Planet Earth: Edgy Green label line uses natural and organic fibers to create apparel that’s a cross between urban cool and California lifestyle.

• Pura Vida NYC: Ises organic cotton for its clothing. The line’s designs make references to the environment, art and politics from around the globe.

• Quiksilver: Now offers organic items, with a portion of sales going twards conservation and activism efforts. Through the Quiksilver Foundation, the company raises money for the environmental causes currently plaguing our Earth. Such as cleaner beaches and helps creat events for a greener planet.

• Sternlein: Uses organically grown textiles in its wide variety of tights and socks.

• The Shoe Garden: The store donates mopney to local eco-initiatives and buys its power from an environment-friendly utility.

• Under the Canopy: Cutting-edge styles are made from organic cotton, soy, bamboo, linen, wool and silk.

• Uniqlo: New to the U.S. from Japan, conducts a successful “Thank You Recycling” program. Gently used clothing items that are brought back to the stores are sent as a relief clothing to developing countries or recycled into either fiber for new matierals or fuel.

• Zutano: Is a community initiative include enrichment programs for kids, clothing drives and services for working mothers.

**Need to learn more about carburetors and how they work? Over at Motor Musing, Dorrington Williams does just that. Check out everything you ever needed to know about carburetors by clicking here.**

*Natural and Sustianable Living Tip: Give your car a tune-up so it drives more efficiently. With gas prices the way they are currently and the cost to get that gas to us to put in our cars, everything little bit will help out.