we can all care... in our own ways

we can all care... in our own ways, a set on Flickr.


When it comes to clothing - whether you are into fashion or pure function - you make choices every day about what you wear. It is a part of your identity and it is a means of communication to the world around you. But how much do you really know about the articles of clothing that you wear? Where does the fabric that you wear come from? How is it made? Who is it made by and under what sort of conditions? How can your sense of style act as a form of art? How can you express yourself responsibly?

Interview with Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead

LaGrande, Oregon

Interview by Michele of Trendy Earth

the psychology of fashion

While compiling some of our sustainable outfits to share with you, we thought about the link between our clothing and how it affects our perceptions of ourselves and of others. Psychological research has been conducted on this subject suggesting that there is indeed a significant correlation between appearance and perception. We found this interesting site that shares some papers on the matter from Northwestern University. Check it out and tell us what you think!

expose:

Cotton

why you can't necessarily trust cotton...

Interview with SuperJennyLove!

Jenny Hogin, Hatmaker

Bozeman, Montana

Interview by Michele of Trendy Earth

Fashion Picks: Kate's Beach Walk at Sunset

(Machja Dorothea Dress)

(Mata Traders Macrame Glass Bead Necklace, $22)

(Mata Traders Leaf Cuff, $18)

(Mata Traders Tube Bag, $38)

the Uniform Project

Sheena Matheikan, Uniform Project

Sheena Matheikan took the sustainable fashion world by storm in May 2009 with the Uniform Project - an endeavor to wear the same black dress for 365 days, with the commitment to make it look unique every day without buying anything new (she accepted many donated items or bought vintage accessories). Sheena took the experiment a step further by making the project a fundraiser to help send kids to school. If you haven’t seen her website, prepare to be inspired.

Tom Binns earrings

Revived Ribbon Necklace

Freitag

Freitag is a Swiss company that creates stylish messenger bags and other accessories out of recycled transportation equipment, such as truck tarps, old airbags, and bike tires! Check out their concept and production methods for a step by step description of how a dirty tarp can become a totebag.

(via StyleSeekingZurich) 

Ribboned heels DIY

Eco-friendly Fashion: not an oxymoron

Looking for ideas to breathe life into those old items? Guest blogger Joy Thomas of StyleConscious.org shares how-to's for designer-inspired projects. Enjoy!

Eco-friendly fashion: not an oxymoron

The fashion industry is notorious for promoting wasteful consumption, but that doesn't mean you can't be stylish and still do your part for the environment!  Over the next few days I will be sharing three easy DIY projects to help you reduce, reuse, & recycle. Look out for Lanvin-inspired ribboned heels later tonight!

Joy

H&M

H&M now has a “Conscious Collection” (!) which launched in April 2011

"The Conscious Collection is centered on environmentally adapted and sustainable textiles, such as recycled polyester, organic cotton and linen, and Tencel, a biodegradable cellulose made from wood pulp. It’s an ongoing line that will be featured at H&M stores at different times throughout the year, and in different forms.”

--NW Source

Fashion Picks: Time (in clothing) is Money (Michele)

To me, sustainability in fashion also means spending less. While I love the look and feel of new sustainable materials that "green" companies are using, as a grad school student and a nonprofit employee living from paycheck to paycheck, I usually just can’t afford those items.

Here’s another thing that concerns me - according to the EPA office of solid waste, we each throw about 68 pounds of clothing per year. This seems to sum up the ultimate dilemma when you put the words “fashion” and “sustainability” together. Traditionally, fashion as a culture is a temporary thing as the industry relies on constant change in order to sustain itself. Unfortunately that means a lot of clothing is only worn for about six months before it is discarded.

Luckily, as the youngest of a big extended family that hates to throw things away, I’m used to wearing hand me downs, so I’m right at home in a thrift store. And I just love the satisfaction of finding those second-hand pieces of clothing that suit me my personality so well and cost so little.

Here is an entirely second-hand outfit that I put together on etsy.com. These pieces are very “me” – even in the spring I am attracted to darker colors, simple elegance, and warmth.

The best part? This entire outfit cost me exactly $100. Normally I would try to spend only half of that, but these items seem like they will last me a long time, so it’s worth it.

(Yours and Mine Vintage, Pleated black blouse, $32)

(heartcity, 60's High Waist Camel Herringbone Secretary Skirt, $14)

(ReInvintage, Red Aigner Ankle Boots, $32)

(VintageFashionRetro, Knit Never End Circle Scarf, $22)