Earth Day Fashions

By: Ratasha Smith

For the average fashionista the concept of going green may be one that has been overlooked. Saving the planet might have taken a backseat to the fashion trends…or has it? As designers experiment with sustainable fabrics and the stores stock up on the latest eco-fashions, we may discover that we can strap on our faux patent leather Mary Jane pumps and help save the world through fashion.

What is eco-fashion? It’s clothes, shoes and accessories created from eco-friendly items such as organic raw materials (grown without using pesticides), recycled products, and without harmful chemicals or bleaches. Celebrities and designers have all jumped on the eco-fashion train.

The Black Eyed Peas joined the movement by making all of their concert merchandise in their current 2010 tour, from eco-friendly products. Lindsay Lohan has chosen to go green by recycling— recycling clothing that is. Lohan has sworn off buying the latest designer fashions and has decided to only shop second-hand, also known as vintage. She teamed up with UK Swap campaign,  encouraging people to swap their unwanted clothing at Visa Swap, the biggest swapping event.  Recycling clothes as you do when you shop vintage, helps save some of our natural resources and helps you save money.

Designers are dipping into eco-fashion, too.  But for those who can’t afford Lady Muse or Barbara Boswell’s fresh off the runway eco-fashions, stores like H&M and even Walmart—the home of Faded Glory and Miley Cyrus by Max Azria collection—are places you can scoop fun eco-friendly pieces.

Here are some tips on eco-friendly shopping from Ecouterre.com, “a website devoted to the future of sustainable fashion.”

• Buy clothes that are multi-funtional. Buy a sexy dress you can join with a cardigan and wear to work during the day and then lose the cardigan at night and hit up the clubs.
• Shop your own closet.  Something you might have not worn in a while might be just what you are looking for.
• Swap like Lindsay. Join up with your friends and raid each other’s closets.
• Accessorize, adding items like a scarf can give new life to a bland outfit.  (And look for accessories made from recycled products.)
• Tap into your inner seamstress and make your own clothing. Either create your own outfits with fabric from your local fabric store or reuse fabric from old clothing you already have.

Happy eco-friendly shopping!