New Identity Magazine

God in focus. World in scope.

  • About
  • Grow
    • Spotlight: In Perspective
    • Growth & Maturity
    • Foundation
    • Practical Application
    • Jargon
  • Connect
    • Community
    • Discovering God
    • God Talk
    • Life Together
  • Live
    • Give Back
    • People
    • Culture & Creativity
    • Careers & Callings
  • Back Issues
  • Write
    • Submit an Article
    • Writer’s Guidelines
    • House Style Guide
    • Content Submissions Agreement
    • Jargon Substitutions
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact

Eco-Fabulous

By Wendy Van Eyck Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you but when I hear the term green clothing my first thoughts are, ‘What shade of green?’ and ‘Will it bring out my eyes?’ Thoughts of whether or not my fashion choices are good for the environment and humanity don’t spring to mind and neither do the words, “Bamboo,” “Hemp,” “Soya” or “Cotton.” But they should. Every item of clothing that we cover ourselves with impacts the environment and the sustainability of the planet. Knowing what your clothes are made of, who made them, where they were made and how they were made all impact how green your clothing is.     

But let’s start at the very beginning with what eco-fashion is. In short, green fashion consists of clothing and accessories that are either reused, recycled or made from sustainable fabrics and are usually made completely or primarily with organic fabrics like hemp, bamboo, soya or cotton which have been naturally dyed, without chemicals. Eco-chic doesn’t end with what you put on, green fashionistas also care about who made their clothes and where and how their fashion choices fit into the sustainability of a community and the planet at large.      

Telling your organics from your synthetics     

Still a little confused by all this fabric speak? Then this might help you clear it up. There are basically two types of fabrics, those which come from natural fibers and occur in fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, silk and hemp and the second type of fibers which are human-made and synthetic and are found in clothing like acrylics, polyester, rayon, acetate, nylon and just about anything labeled static-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press, no-iron, stain-proof or moth-repellent.     

So why are synthetics so bad for the environment and for you? Well, lets take a pair of nylon stockings as an example. Just to begin with, nylon (and polyester) are made from petrochemicals, whose production creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that’s 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The nylon is then treated with a formaldehyde product to prevent shrinkage, since this is applied with heat it remains in your stockings permanently. If you’re starting to wonder if you should go barelegged then you might not want to think about the suspected carcinogens in acrylic fabrics, or the caustic soda and sulphuric acid that is used to treat the wood used in rayon.     

Even when it comes to natural fabrics some are greener than others so it pays to read the labels. For instance, the label might say 100% cotton but did you know that although conventional cotton is marketed as clean, fresh, and natural, it takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for one T-shirt? In fact, 10% of all agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides in the U.S. are used to grow cotton so you might want to think twice before you pull that cotton T-shirt over your head. However, not all fabrics are bad for the environment. If the label says “made from organic cotton/hemp/linen” then you can be sure that it comes from all-natural materials (no synthetics like polyester or rayon) and there are no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, radiation or genetically modified organisms. 

Green Fiber     

There are six main sources of sustainable fibers for eco-friendly fashion so if you’re thinking of going green with your wardrobe here’s a quick guide to separating your hemp from your bamboo. The most common form of green fabric is sourced from organic cotton fields. Organic cotton is more expensive than conventional cotton because it uses a farming system that reduces environmental impact and increases human participation. It’s worth checking labels at large retailers, who often blend organic cottons into fabric. While 5% organic cotton may seem like a drop in the ocean, the large amounts ordered by these companies help smaller organic farmers make ends meet and grow their farms.     

Other eco-fashion items might be made from organic wool, from sheep that are not dipped in synthetic chemicals. While organic wool is soft to the touch, hemp material has a rather rough feel that softens with washing. Like hemp, bamboo is a rapidly growing plant, adding not only to saving the environment but the sustainability of the fabric too. In addition, bamboo is naturally odor resistant, anti-bacterial and more absorbent than cotton. The last natural fiber you’ll need to know to green your wardrobe is soya. This soft, silky fabric is often seen as a replacement to petrochemical-based synthetic fabric. Finally, there are recycled synthetic fibers. Normally, made from recycled polyester from plastic bottles, these items are a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle while you stay warm in winter. 

Fashionably Green     

If you’re worried that your greener wardrobe might make you look like a hippie you don’t need to worry. With more and more fashion designers and clothing retailers intentionally becoming greener, finding garb that is both fashionable and eco-conscious is becoming easier and easier. Stella McCartney and Edun are two labels that are leading the way in being responsible and trendy at the same time. South African designer, Craig Jacobs, keeps wastage to a minimum by sending offcuts to a group of destitute woman to make quilts and blankets, and by donating last season’s clothes to the homeless. If designer labels aren’t quite in your budget, the Internet is a great place to source environmentally friendly clothing. Visit www.treehugger.com or www.ecofashionworld.com if you need some inspiration for your eco-friendly wardrobe.     

Eco-chic doesn’t end with what you put on, green fashionistas also care about who made their clothes and where and how their fashion choices fit into the sustainability of a community and the planet at large.

Being a green fashionista isn’t just about checking the label for the percentage of natural fibers used; it’s also about not throwing out torn or damaged clothes but taking them to a tailor to be repaired. It is also about developing relationships with people and organizations in your community which will allow you to resell, pass on and redistribute your old clothing. Being eco-friendly can even involve getting creative and modifying existing garments rather than just tossing it out. It can also mean buying from second hand stores or simply washing your clothes with eco-balls rather then harmful detergents. Simply changing the way you wash your clothes can have a big impact on the environment.     

One of the easiest ways to green your wardrobe is simply to buy locally. Buying clothes made in your own country, or even better in your own home-town, reduces the carbon emissions, creates jobs and uses less fuel. It can also give you peace of mind that your clothes aren’t being made by people under poor working conditions or in sweatshops, as it’s possible to stop by the factory and see how it is run. In the end going green is all about living a sustainable lifestyle for this generation and the next.

Share with friendsShare on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email to someone
email

Filed Under: Careers & Callings, Featured, Live Tagged With: Issue 10

Related Posts

  • What Happens In Mexico Will Not Stay In MexicoWhat Happens In Mexico Will Not Stay In Mexico
  • Making Sense of the ReformationMaking Sense of the Reformation
  • Ready, Set, PrayReady, Set, Pray
  • Ministry 101Ministry 101
  • Worthy of RelationshipWorthy of Relationship
  • The Undiscovered CountryThe Undiscovered Country

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Current Issue

Current Issue

Read Now

newidentitymag

New Identity | Exploring Faith
We hope you enjoy the new issue! Check out the lin We hope you enjoy the new issue! Check out the link in our bio! Happy Fall/Winter! 🍁
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
How should we be using our money? - We're looking How should we be using our money? - We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on the topic of praying continually and what that can look like in our fast-paced society, please leave us a comment! 😊
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio
Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on ou Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on our own is in vain. We can never hope to achieve the same level that Jesus was on while we are still here on Earth. We’re like little kids, struggling just to walk. But that’s why Jesus gave us an example of redeemed followers in the form of the Apostles, who were his close group of students here on Earth. He chose a group of broken, sinful men, and ultimately shaped them into the group responsible for continuing his ministry here on Earth. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Tim VanDeWalker in "Running By Example" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's th "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." –Desmond Tutu
The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not t The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not to become like it. The New Living Translation puts it this way, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Rom. 12:2a). Some have interpreted this as an instruction to reject anything that isn’t explicitly Christian. But I don’t think that’s what this verse is getting at. I think it means much more.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lindsey Beharry in "Choosing Wisely" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
If you desire to serve, seek to form groups withou If you desire to serve, seek to form groups without age distinction. Maybe you want to form a group in your church. Avoid just inviting members from your age group. Seek out people older and younger than you to invite to meet together. Find that person who sits alone and talk to her or him. Instead of a focus on building groups that have the same characteristics to “relate” with one another, you center your discussion in the work of Christ. He will bring the group together. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Russell Almand in "Community and Age Diversity" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"If we put our faith in temporal things, they will "If we put our faith in temporal things, they will inevitably let us down. They were never meant to be enough for us. Not alone. When Barnum finally does hit bottom, he recognizes that his heart has been led astray, fooled into thinking that fame or fortune could satisfy him."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "The Greatest Showman" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the ex "Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the extent of its effects on the brain, relationships, and society at a time when sexually explicit content is just a click away. Christians have recognized pornography’s negative impact for decades, yet it is still often considered a “male” problem within the Church. This can leave women who struggle with porn addiction feeling isolated and alone. The organization SheRecovery (formerly Dirty Girls Ministries) aims to change that and has become a resource for women with porn addiction. You can read more about their ministry at the link in our bio. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lisa Gagnon in "Dirty Girls Ministries" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The presence of my sin reminds me of my great nee "The presence of my sin reminds me of my great need for grace, and good works are the outpouring of a grateful heart; being a good child is not a means of earning the favor of God."⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Sally Blotzer in "Forgiving Failure" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by "As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by how we handle our daily lives, much like those around us, but also by an added component: our faith. How we pray and worship and spend time with our fellow followers provides additional meaning to our lives."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Matthew Hamilton in "Does Your Form Determine Your Function?" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others an Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others and not to judge. I forget that when he said, “Come follow me,” he wasn’t just inviting us to a strict set of rules but to a real and exciting life whether you turn out to be a pastor, a doctor, designer or simply “Dad.” Sometimes I forget one of his main messages was that he came to give us a better life than we could ever dream of—life to the fullest. Jesus wasn’t locking us down to a vocation or job title. It’s as if he was saying, “Real, vibrant life is available to you now. Following me, loving me and living like me is your real calling…the rest is just there to aid you in following, loving and living.”⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Wendy Van Eyck in "Living For A Purpose" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” There is yet another parallel between the Christian story and The Matrix, simultaneously the most foundational and the most captivating. It’s that something which is missing, something which is not quite right with the world. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know that it’s there. At the outset of the first film, Neo is searching for it. Trinity asserts that “it’s the question that drives us.” Morpheus claims that “you can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes.” The question is: What if I’ve only ever scratched the surface of all that life has to offer? What if there is a deeper, truer current of reality, ever-present behind all of my life’s experiences, to which I might awaken at any moment?⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Tumbling Down The Rabbit Hole" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because "I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because we all struggle with temptations to sin. And we all struggle to live in a way that honors God. Like Augustine we all feel the tug of our past sins that say, 'Don’t you want to enjoy us?' And Augustine’s story relates to Galatians 5:16-26 where Paul tells us about how the Christian life is like a walk. In a way, walking is a metaphor for the Christian life." ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like livin "The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like living, and for serving others." Where in your life or in what ways has the Spirit enabled you this week? We'd love to hear, tell us in the comments below!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott  in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

More Articles

A FORK IN THE ROAD

Conviction and condemnation are distant cousins. I wouldn’t call them siblings, but they do belong in the same family. They both have to do with the way we deal with … [Read More...]

Life Rolls On

Imagine you’re an up-and-coming surfer, gaining more and more national attention with each surf contest you enter. You have sponsorships coming in regularly, … [Read More...]

HEAVEN AND HELL

Heaven and hell. For years, these two concepts have been loosely used by believers and non-believers alike. There is an overall understanding among both groups of … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2023 New Identity Magazine. All Rights Reserved · Log in