R.A.G. New York

The world is waking up. Society is finally realizing that “going green” is important, necessary and totally cool. Saving the environment is practically the hottest new trend there is. We try to go green everywhere we can – from how our cars run to how we use energy in our homes to the foods we eat and water we drink. Why should our style and fashion be any different? It’s possible to green your wardrobe, too.

Clothing is such a basic and essential part of everyday life (for most of us, anyway). Every day we get up and get dressed. Picking our outfit is an important decision – what we wear reflects the image we want to portray to others. It’s inherently a reflection of our self. So put even a little more care and consideration into your clothing. Make style choices that are an extension of the healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle you already live. Here are some tips to help you green your wardrobe.

Recycle

First, make sure that you never just throw away any clothes you no longer wear. Find a way to give them a second life! Donate them to charity, pass them on to a friend, or find a way to repurpose them into something else entirely, if you’re crafty like that. Always recycle your clothes!

And on the flip side, expand your wardrobe with recycled clothes. Rather than buying new, shop thrift stores or do clothing swaps with your friends. Not only will you be helping the environment by reducing clothing waste, you will probably score some really one-of-a-kind clothes with personality and charm.

Go Organic

Yes, you can get organic clothes, too. Cotton is one of the most popular materials for clothing. It’s so comfortable – but it can also be so bad for the environment. Cotton is grown in fields full of fertilizers and pesticides, just like vegetables. And just like you don’t want to eat those vegetables, you don’t want to wear that cotton. To reduce the toxic chemicals and pollution that your clothes have spurned into the environment, buy organic cotton. Check your labels. As organic cotton is getting more popular, it’s also getting easier to find and less expensive.

Buy Local

Don’t encourage the wasteful or greedy practices of many large corporations by buying their mass-produced clothing. And if that argument is too political or heavy for you, just focus on the benefits of small business. When you buy local, you are helping promote and profit the average entrepreneur. Locally-produced clothing doesn’t involve a lot of packaging and shipping waste. It might even be of higher quality craftsmanship and be much more unique.

Green How You Clean

One of the most wasteful parts of your wardrobe is how you wash it, so don’t forget to green how you clean. When you use the washing machine, use as little water as necessary and wash on a low temperature setting. Use detergent that is phosphate-free and biodegradable, and use less than the recommended amount, which is way more than you need anyway. For your dryer, use the minimum heat and time necessary to dry your clothes. Or, the best option is to put up a clothes line and dry your clothes naturally. Reduce the amount of laundry you do by re-wearing your clothes as many times as you’re comfortable with (as long as they don’t smell, please).

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