| Many American families are looking for ways to | | | | replacing your wardrobe all the time is hard on |
| reduce their carbon footprints, reuse, recycle, and | | | | both your wallet and the environment. It may |
| otherwise help to preserve the earth's precious | | | | cost you a little more upfront to purchase solid |
| resources. Most of us already know the basics: | | | | garments, but they will last much longer and |
| don't throw away newspaper, avoid plastics | | | | serve you better. |
| whenever possible, start and maintain a compost | | | | -- Become a fan of thrift shops, consignment |
| heap if room allows. But there is a less well-known | | | | shops, and vintage clothing places that are in the |
| way to help our planet: making the unconventional | | | | business of reselling gently used clothing. Smart |
| choice to "go green" when it comes to the | | | | shoppers can find excellent wool coats, evening |
| clothing we wear. Here's more about it. | | | | wear, shoes, and perhaps even a treasure from |
| From raw materials to manufacture to shipping: | | | | another era to liven up their wardrobes while |
| nearly all of the clothing we wear carries some | | | | helping to cut down on environmental stress. |
| kinds of cost to the environment. We can make a | | | | -- Make a conscious effort to seek out and |
| conscious decision to choose apparel that makes | | | | support the manufacturers of "green clothing." |
| less of a footprint and that still looks and feels | | | | Many ecologically-minded online merchants carry a |
| great. | | | | line of clothing made entirely from organic |
| -- Choose clothing that is made in America. We | | | | materials such as soybean and bamboo. Many of |
| don't realize it, but if we look at our clothing labels | | | | these materials are recycled, and you can even |
| closely, we may see the words: "Made in China," | | | | purchase a brand new jacket that is made from |
| or India, Bangladesh, etc. That new dress or shirt | | | | recycled polyester fleece to keep you warm this |
| had to be shipped clear across the world, | | | | winter. Green clothing is attractive and comes in |
| producing travel emissions as it went. By buying | | | | many of the most popular classic styles. |
| American, you are not only supporting American | | | | It doesn't have to cost the shirt off your back to |
| workers: you are also cutting way down on the | | | | make more informed and earth-conscious |
| carbon footprint cost of shipping. | | | | decisions when it comes to choosing clothes: it |
| -- Buy clothing that is classic and well-made that | | | | just takes a little more awareness, and a |
| you won't be tired of in a year. Although it may | | | | willingness to make a difference. |
| be fun to follow the trends and fads of the day, | | | | |