Why? This is what I had dreamed of. How could I not be happy?

I started doing my own research into the production of clothing and the first thing I learned was that it’s one of the top polluters.

Working at a higher level in the fashion industry gave me the bird’s eye view of the business end of things. I was awakened to how much of the goods we sell come from China and are produced very inexpensively. This means that the people sewing, cutting and stitching those clothes are getting paid next to nothing and working in dangerous conditions.

I have always been quite sensitive to energy, at this point in my life I was still sedating a lot of that, but all of those clothes coming in, beautiful as they were, didn’t feel good to my soul. I could feel this darkness around them.

I started doing my own research into the production of clothing and the first thing I learned was that it’s one of the top polluters currently on this planet. Right up there with oil, fuel, and power.

I know, you wouldn’t think it, but here are a few ways that the fashion industry pollutes:

• By using pesticides on the crops that grow the fibers, like cotton (Those pesticides kill 30,000 workers per year and hospitalize 2 million.)
• Using chemicals and dyes when processing the fibers and putting that waste into rivers and lakes
• Carbon emissions into the atmosphere, from the machines that make the garments and from shipping them all over the world
• Throwing the garments into landfills when you are done wearing them. (Synthetic fibers, like polyester, do not biodegrade and just emit toxins into the air… forever.)

15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the United States alone.

Not only is this industry terrible for the planet, but it can be terrible for the workers. I went to a panel discussion about Eco-conscious fashion and one of the speakers had worked for a major fashion brand. She actually had to go to their factory in China and was horrified by what she saw.

The workers rent little, stacked cages to sleep in between their shifts, they are fed “slop” for all intents and purposes and the most horrifying part was that outside of the windows were large nets to prevent the workers from jumping out and taking their own lives. (Pst, this is why we avoid the ridiculously cheap clothing.)

Now I was understanding the darkness I was feeling in these garments and the harm it was causing our planet.

I started dreaming up Lighthorse Studios and how we could reuse materials that are already in existence. We could use them to create new garments and keep that material out of the landfills. I started dreaming of a world tour to learn more about handmade garments and from European companies that are leading the way in Eco-Conscious Fashion. That site I worked for ended up closing during this world-tour-manifestation time. I ended up with a nice severance package and booked my plane ticket.

Eco Fashion Tips

There is just so much to learn about all of this, so I’ll break it down into a few simple concepts and things to look for:

1. Avoid Fast-Fashion. This means Forever 21, H&M and Zara. If the clothes are cheap you can guarantee that the people helping to make the clothes were not paid very well. H&M and Zara are putting out press saying they will be trying to change, but wait until they actually do.
2. Go organic. Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton to keep our soil and the workers free of those deadly chemicals.
3. Shop secondhand and vintage. Not only is this so much fun, finding one-of-a-kind treasures, but it’s one of the best things you can do for the environment. By re-using the materials that already exist on the planet you avoid using all the coal and energy it takes to produce, dye and bleach the new garments, not to mention 6-9 trillion liters of water each year. Upcycling is also becoming a popular way to re-use existing materials in the fashion industry.
4. “Buy Less. Buy Better.” A famous quote from Vivian Westwood that all the eco-fashionistas are adopting. If you spend more on a higher-end garment you will likely have it for life, thus generating less waste. I choose this route for more classic items like a pair of loafers or booties, a blazer, a coat, jeans, etc. These items won’t go out of style and you’ll look fabulous in a high-end tailored garment.
5. Stick to Natural fabrics. Bamboo. Hemp. Linen. Organic Cotton. Wool. Soy cashmere/silk. Peace silk. Tencel. Check out this article from EcoWatch for more info.
6. Don’t follow trends or seasons. Create a wardrobe of timeless pieces that you can wear all year round and for many years.
7. Keep wearing your clothes as long as possible. This means taking good care of the items, getting them mended as they wear. I’ve repaired so many shoes, it’s so worth it. Especially since you invested in a really good pair that you want to have as long as possible, right?
8. Make sure each piece is something that you LOVE. If you don’t really like it, or if it’s not quite right, it doesn’t matter how eco-friendly it is, because you won’t end up wearing it. Leave it on the rack for someone else to fall in love with.

Yes, that means your beloved yoga pants are falling apart and ending up in the fish we eat and the water we drink.

I know, what the heck is a microfiber?! So, our acrylic, nylon, and polyester clothing essentially sheds in the washing machine and then goes out into the water, eventually ending up in the ocean. Yes, that means your beloved yoga pants are falling apart and ending up in the fish we eat and the water we drink. Eek!

Good thing someone thought of the Guppy Friend! …which you can buy at REI. I’ve been using these for a few months now and it captures the microfibers which you then just throw in the trash. This video does an excellent job of explaining microfibers in a super simple way. Here are other ways you combat this icky business.

How to Part with Your Clothing the Eco Conscious Way

Okay, you’ve done a great job on informing yourself. You’re buying things that are good for the environment, you’re feeling empowered, you’re buying less and there still comes a time that you are ready to part with some of your clothing. There are two tracks here, one if it is still in good condition and the other if it’s just seen it’s last day.

If you’re done with a garment and it still has life left in it, consider trying one of these options:

1. Give high-end items to a consignment shop and make some of that money back.
2. Try to resell it on Poshmark if you feel like you might be into that kind of thing. 
3. Donate it to a thrift store. Check in with the store you are donating too, make sure their values are in alignment with yours.
4. Host a clothing-swap party. These are so fun! Get your ladies together, dump all of your clothes in the middle and start digging for some new ones.

If your garment is at the end of its life, bag it up and drop it off at your local textile recycling center, like this one in the Twin Cities.

Oh my goodness, there is so much to know about all of this. As I always say, just start somewhere! Maybe you start buying organic-cotton underwear, or the next time you need to purchase clothing you look into some of these eco-friendly brands.