People need to worry less about their stupid clothes (and their egos). They will not last anyway. Worry more about the planet that gives you life and have respect for her. She won't last forever and the way things are going her demise is quickly approching. If everyone would sacrifice something they desire but is harmful to the earth, we may be granted a little more time. If not, then we deserve to be extinct.

Reply

ABSOLUTE HOGWASH! YOU ALGORE TYPES NEED TO READ A LITTLE MORE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION BEFORE YOU SPOUT OFF THIS KIND OF CRAP. GO TO GOOGLE OR ASK.COM AND READ SOME REAL STUFF BY REAL SCIENTISTS!

Reply

I definately dress for the Earth. And there are eco-friendly fashions out there as well, so one doesn't have to sacrifice too much to dress "ecologoically correct." The organic cotton industry is booming now, as conventional cotton is one of the most heavily spray crop, contributing to runoff and groundwater pollution or non-point source pollution. Its soft and often recommended for those with skin sensivities. Also Hemp grows organically as does bamboo. Hemp is strong and last a lomg time as well. I have a beautiful Tencel skirt, that looks like its made of demin as well as "Eco-Spun" T shirt made from 50% recycled plastic bottles. Organic materials are just one step in the right direction however. Another way to help is to buy clothes made in the USA, so they are not shipped all over the world first wasting fuel from freight carriers. If that cant be helped. then seek out FAIR TRADE items from other countries, FAIR TRADE help insure the folks who make them are paid a living wage and have benefits and freedoms (think anti-sweatshop). They are ususally produced in worker owned co-ops where they often grow their own raw materials, and to be certified FAIR TRADE, they must use sustainable growing /sowing practices. You can vists www.organicconsumers.org, for more info on Organic references as well as FAIR TRADE. Wanishi, (Walk in Beauty)

Reply

I was explaining to a new friend about what to do with clothes that I have had for a few years, and she told me how she keeps clutter down. Every 3-4 months she gives all her clothes to goodwill, and buy a new wardrobe! Well, that went againt what I believed, as mens clothes can be traditonal, expensive, and still cool! But I guess that is what the mindless mall people do, so I will give it a go! One thing that must go is my tradional cashmere overcoat. It is now 2 years old, and people are like....didn't you wear that last year? I fugured it was a black tradional coat that would not ever go out of style, but people remember!

Reply

I definately dress for the Earth. Today there are many eco friendly fashions/materials out there so one does not need to sacrifice fashion to be "ecologically correct." The Organic cotton industry is booming, offering soft cottons, often recommended for those with skin sensitivities. Unlike conventional cotton, it is grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers contributing to non-point source pollutions. Tencel makes a great fabric too. I have a Tencel skirt that looks just like a rich denim. I also have a nice T shirt made from "ECO-SPUN", a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Hemp grows organically too and is very strong and last quite some time. Bamboo is another option.

Another thing one can do is buy clothes raised and made in the USA. This eliminates the need for items to be shipped around the world wasting fuel. If USA made is not available, buy FAIR TRADE made. FAIR TRADE ensures the workers who make them are paid a living wage and have benefits and freedom and help eliminate poverty(think anti-sweatshop). Most items are made in a worker owned co=op, many of which grow there own fibers. Items also have to be sustainable raised to be certified FAIR TRADE. For more info on FAIR TRADE and ORGANICS, please visit the www.organicconsumers.org. Wanishi (Walk in beauty), Raven

Reply

Jonathan is right about the global environment; now how about the personal environment of the workers who produced the cheap goods that Americans crave. Slavery is not dead. It is alive and thriving in countries that produce our cheap goods. I believe in a global economy, but to me that means share the wealth, not exploit the labor of those who enable us to change our wardrobes at our whimsy. So webguy, take a stand, though I suspect you of playing devil advocate by threatening to through out your cashmere coat. Give it away, if you must, but not for some fashion whimsy but because as someone I know once did, because you see someone cold on a grate and know that you can get yourself another.

So to Jonathan, thank you for introducing the importance of thought beyond fashion to your readers.

Reply

2 posts and they are from the total opposite poles. AMAZING!
I was going to write that, just as your friend was wearing expensive boutique shoes, but bought those, that some people will just buy & buy no matter what the price is. Then there are people like me that keep the same clothes for as long as they're in that size. I have had clothes that I wore for almost 10 years that because I am a very attentive washer (I pay clothes attention to the laundry. haha) have looked about the same the whole time. I do not buy designer, boutique, etc. I buy usually very inexpensive because I am like a bird...cheap, cheap, cheap. I also sew some, not usually my own clothes, but have and I redo items. I also will shop at the thrift stores and now I've introduced my daughters to them, and we have redone clothes from them. I'm a Girl Scout leader and we have done this as a troop even as part of Sew Glam, an e-badge.
We also donate our clothes to thrift stores (and you know, what they don't sell at the stores they sell to fabric recyclers in bulk, some give clothes to people in desperate need in our country or others).
My thoughts are: think about what you want, what you "need", and use resources wisely.
Check out this clip also, made me think even more! Disgusting!
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/tech/2007/01/17/ray.china.dirty.city.itn

Reply

Fashion expresses individualility. The consumer is free to purchase a fad at any time. The only concern for the environment is CO2. In my past investigation aerosol spray cans were responsible for South Americas greenhouse effect. I believe the companies should take social issues more seriously about the environemnt around the world.

Reply

THINGS ARE JUST GONE BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS WHEN GOD CREATED THE EARTH.
I WOULD NOT BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE BUY .
IN FACT BUY MORE.
DRIVE THE GLOBAL WARMIMG PEOPLE NUTS.

Reply

The only thing that is causing global warming is reading pathetic writings of this group

Reply

We want to feel good about ourselves so it's understandable that people flock to new, inexpensive clothes. There are more enduring paths to happiness. If we ask ourselves do we want to do what's best for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren and live gently on the earth, or do we want to consume for ourselves, most people will gladly conserve for the future. We just need to re-educate and re-align ourselves. Everyone needs help getting there.

Reply

Global Warming is a sham. Not shame, people...sham. God created enough to sustain life for as long as He deems fit. The World won't be destroyed by rising ocean levels or increased UV exposure. It will be destroyed by fire... when God decides it's time.

Reply

Who gives a stinking crap about fashion! This is the Earth that keeps you alive! It provides food water shelter and air and your thinking about destroying it for how you look??!! People get stupider and stupider everyday!!

Reply

It never ceases to suprise me how prevalent the need most have to be bedecked with the latest trends is no matter what their age, or the actual impracticality of the stylish getup for the situation they're in.
For example if you are living here in the northeast in this cold snap, how many are wearing that just so darling outfit while important body parts are snapping off due to their being frozen.

Reply

It pisses the hell out of me when I hear the 'oh, I can't wear that. It went out of style last spring.' First of all, if something is truely stylish it never will go out of style, (like 'the little black dress', or plain jeans). A trend does not express individuality, it expresses a culture obbsesed with what is 'cool' or what is MTV. In a month that trend will be sitting in a pile somewhere in your room. Then eventually you'll throw it a way or tell youself that 'if I give this to a charity then I can go buy new clouths.' Like your give you old shirts and pants to a charity deserives a pat on the back. I'm not saying that giving stuff to charity is bad, but do it does not mean you get to spoil yourself. Give because you generally want to give, not so that when you come home with your shopping bags and your melted credit card your conscience will comfort you on the fact you gave your unwanteds to charity. When you buy clouths buy something that you can wear year after year. I have tank tops that I've had for over 4 years. It is possible. I totally agree with Girl Scout leader who can sew. Buy what you need. Not what your t.v. or magizines tell you to.

Reply

Recycling clothing can be tough but with a co-op of people in agreement to preserve the amount of clothing we buy and passing down to others or trading clothing with one another would be a good use of our resources. Children had it best when they would trade clothing with one another except for the problems of lice and other health related issues I think they had it right. The art of hand me downs has had a bad rap but needs to be revisited. How many Nigerians would apreciate some new to them clothing or even children and single parents right here in the good old USof A?
We can if we will change this diplorable waste. heaven and earth will pass away with a fervent heat from all the waste and there *Will* be a new heaven and a new earth this would be good training ground now to see how we will treat the ones on the way.
Good Blog thanks for the chance to Share
CherylBNapier.

Reply

We've got it REAL GOOD here. Too bad greed and waste follow folly. No wonder other less fortunate parts of the world resent the "Western Ways."

Reply

Also, some of the so call throw aways are cotton and wool and useful for house cleaning and other jobs for old rags. Use your imagination and recycle people!

Reply

Look, these people must be ignorant. Fashion, nevermind fasion, nevermind commercialism. Anybody that buys into trends are truly american, and anybody who is truly american is truly ignorant. Maybe this is just my input, but as people keep typing in adages that make lees than sense, I feel obligated to write something. Rock a white collar shirt, with khakis, or a blue collared shirt and forget to put on pants, see how I care substantially less then all of you. And I am but seventeen years of age. It's time some people start growing up.

Reply

Maybe, just maybe the globe's temp is rising. If there was a bonafide way we as humans could cause this to happen, it would be remarkable indeed. We would have a sense of power, like I have when I deck out for the club. I'll tell you what. There is a lot of heat in that room. If anything, moi and the gogo girl I'm gr__ding with are raising global temperatures. But to think the manufacture of my 12 dollar shoes is causing global warming. That is a fantasy. Besides, I don't think my Hollywood buddies is gonna keep their duds for more 'an 6 months to save the world...like they think their movies are doing.

Reply