Organic Clothing Information
Forget the old-school organic fashions that looked like flour sacks. Modern eco fashion is trendy and young, with bright colors and cutting-edge design. As organic living rises in popularity, brand-name clothing stores are now beginning to offer organic options for the same price as conventional clothing. No matter what your style, there's sure to be a rising label that will suit your sartorial needs. Does this Spark an idea?
What Makes Organic Clothing?
Organic clothing is produced from materials that fit a number of criteria. First, the textiles must be cultivated humanely, with minimal impact on the environment. Also, all raw materials must be raised without chemical fertilizers or aids of any sort. GMO (genetically modified) seed is absolutely forbidden, as are harmful pesticides and herbicides. Growers have to be certified by a third-party organization and are regularly inspected to make certain that they're up to national and industry standards.
The Size of the Organic Clothing Market
The Organic Trade Association states, "In 2006, organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26 percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million, according to the. . . 2007 Manufacturer Survey." The organic clothing market started out very small but has now expanded to include luxury designer fashion, fashion tee shirts, denim, shoes and accessories. There is also a bustling market for men's and children's fashion, with a niche market in cloth diapers and organic infant wear.
Organic Clothing Cost
The expanded availability of organic fibers, coupled with designer ingenuity, has brought down the cost of organic fashion considerably in the past decade. For instance, a pair of organic sneakers from Autonomie Project costs $50 or $60, and a t-shirt less than $30. Name-brand chain stores are also getting into the act, with Banana Republic, Target and H & M all selling organic clothing within their normal price points. Eco-friendly apparel is now available for the same cost as conventional fashions.
Who Buys Organic Clothing?
According to Eva Anastasiou, editor of Eco Fashion World, "[Organic fashion is] for sexy, trendy hippies and all the followers who desperately want to look as good as them." Many organic clothing buyers are fashion-conscious people who wish to live a life of low environmental impact. Buyers are likely to have knowledge about the organic and eco-friendly clothing industry and may also use other organic products. In fact, some may purchase their organic clothing while shopping at Whole Foods or at a farmer's market or local bazaar.
The Universality of Organic Clothing
As Anastasiou explains, there is now an organic fashion line to suit practically every style. She highlights a line for retro lingerie, designer panties and boxers, hip-hop, plus-size and avant-garde designer. Many celebrities also bring their star power to organic clothing, organizing and participating in fashion shows to bring attention to sustainable fashion. Worldwide, organic fashion is advancing into the marketplace as a viable alternative to conventional, pollutant-filled apparel.
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