by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

A few things we just have to get new - like underwear. So, I was happy to see Green LA Girl’s post on buying them responsibly by going organic and fair trade. This post says it all, so check it out. I also want to point out that an 8$+ pair of undies is a reasonable cost for something that should last a good, long time (I’m going on 7 years with some of mine) so spending more up front for sustain-a-wear is definitely the eco-friendly and eco-nomic way.

As long as we’re going under, once you’ve worn a pair of organic cotton socks, you’ll never go back to enviro-ugly 3 packs at the chain stores. I promise - try one pair of Maggies Organics socks and you’ll be hooked for life and for the planet. Maggies also brightened up my under life with all the warm and friendly earth colors - including tie dye - available in both socks and tights. You can find Maggie’s Organics, including camisoles and women’s tops, at many stores which carry health foods and/or products or you can visit their website and be inspired by their story. This company is on a mission of sustainable practices both for the planet and people and committed to making good quality stuff. Really, I challenge you - try one pair!

Remember those bamboo t-shirts I love? Well, Bamboosa now makes socks! Bamboo has the added benefit of being moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial, so these crew, 1/4 and ankle socks are a great choice for sports or your average smelly feet. Besides offering green products and using sustainable practices, Bamboosa is a member of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of businesses donating 1% of their sales to environmental organizations.

I have discovered that all my clothes hold up best when washed in cold water and dried on a clothesline, which, of course, saves tons of energy, too. Hang a good day!

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Can a business be socially, environmentally and economically responsible and still be fun? Utilikilts says yes and then some. Yep, I’m talking men in kilts and not just the Scottish variety (no plaid flannel going on here) - think Mel Gibson crossed with Metallica.

These are no ordinary kilts - they are as utilitarian as the name implies, constructed from American-made sturdy fabric, complete with enough cargo space to house a six pack. There are different styles for doing just about any damn thing (snowboarding was on the list) - as the photo gallery on their web site demonstrates. Here’s head Changer, Jerry, in his Utilikilt (UK) at Sami’s wedding.

The mission? To set an example of more conscious captialism. The fun? To create an alternative to jeans that provides comfort, edgy style and freedom. If you want to know what men are freeing themselves from, go to the Customers Top 100 Reasons (now up to 135) To Wear a Kilt complied by a loyal fan base of both men and women.

After the fun read, I was really smiling when I read their Mission Statement, part of which I’ve reprinted here:

“Utilikilts seeks to set a global example, defining “business with a conscience”, driving a worldwide paradigm shift toward a more conscientious form of capitalism, and channeling company gains and resources back into the community.

1. The Utilikilts Company does not accept preconceived limitations as our own.
2. Utilikilts Company will only be publicly represented by actual and proven Utilikiltarians.
3. The management of the company will not exploit cultures, peoples or environments to achieve capital gains.
4. The company will only grow, act, and react at the speed our customer base demands.
5. “Form Follows Function” is our modus operandi.”

By Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I love art and I love clothes and here’s a green trend that combines both! Refashioned fashion marries thrift and reuse with creativity. Artists have a special talent for remaking with flair but we can all feed our inner style child through some simple reworking at home. Last Summer, I made two halter tops from second-hand fabric - they are super comfy for hot days. It was so fun and easy that I then made several personalized versions for friends.

This experience so fed my DIYness that this time I’m going to try a T-shirt redo via Megan Nicolay’s new book, “Generation-T - 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt”. (I read about this book in the May issue of Plenty Magazine.) Don’t underestimate the influence of creative ingenuity - Megan’s book was released in March 2006 and she has since toured 15 cities and appeared on Oprah. Megan “I could so make that” Nicolay published this book in the spirit of environmentalism and anti-consumerism and as a way to “bring fashion to the people.”

Refashioning is not just for thrifters. Style Will Save Us, a green-minded digital magazine, put a well-deserved spotlight on Parisian collaborative, Andrea Crews, an art and fashion collective whose designers have been establishing the true cool of reused since 2002. The movement also works to connect sustainability with art and commercial fashion, fostering social consciousness in both industries. Like all things both smart and cool, this trend is catching on quickly, with refashioned designs showing up in stores, including BTC Elements, one of my favorites in online eco-fashion shopping.

Refashioning is a way to refresh your old stuff and find your own style as well as feed your creative side. And I’m all for any efforts which bring us closer to our authentic selves. For, once we’ve realized our true selves, we can reach out to the rest of the world.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I love shopping at thrift and vintage stores for eco-conscious reasons and for fun. But, if I do buy new, I make sure I’m buying Fair Trade, organic and/or sustainable products. I found all of these things at Bamboosa, a privately-owned company designing and manufacturing clothing locally from bamboo for men, women and babies. If you haven’t yet seen or touched clothing made from bamboo, please find a way to do so! Not only is the fabric soft and silky (bamboo - who knew?) but it’s also one of the most sustainable resources available. It’s a great wear - durable and naturally antibacterial - go ahead, sweat in it! Bamboo is one of the grooviest renewable resources going and you can make almost anything from it, from bicycles to toilet seats to underwear.

Speaking of groovy stuff that is good for the planet and you, don’t forget about hemp - it’s not just for hippies anymore and it’s pretty darn hip in the green department as well . I’ve found everything from shirts, skirts, scarves, hats, belts and socks to bags and jewelry. My most awesome find was a shower curtain made from hemp. No liner required - antibacterial, remember? Visit one of the many hemp dealers in your neighborhood or online.

By Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Style may not feed your soul, but it does feed something internal that both links us to our culture and to ourselves. Can you have you style and eco it, too? Thrifting has been around, but it now can make fashion sensible. Thrift/trade/vintage/consignment, whatever you call it, shopping this way saves resources, money, and tells good stories. Although the thought of shopping in a mall is my own personal idea of hell, I admit it - I’m hooked on thrift stores.

It’s not just about the clothes, but about creativity, experience and yes, style. In contrast, my self-professed trendaholic friend who can’t stay away from malls, lamented recently, “After all the money is spent, I don’t even feel that stylish.” Somehow, thrift shopping can move you more towards self-expression and away from following the crowd. Here are some of my recent fashion finds.

The more industrious thrifties may enjoy web shopping for pass-alongs and there is even a new site announced at SWSU that allows you to join a clothes swapping community, which is pretty cool. I’ve found a few treasures myself this way but coming to terms with the eco-expense of shipping has kept me using this option sparingly.