Why eco-friendly fibers matter

• Low-impact manufacturing: Traditional methods of manufacturing can have a negative impact on our environment every step of the way. Take cotton farming: Pesticides used to treat cotton disrupt the natural harmony of the people, animals, soil and water surrounding the fields.

  Switching to organic alternatives benefits the manufacturers and, in turn, our environment. Clothing produced in sustainable conditions creates products without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. Instead of using chemicals that contaminate our air, soil and water, sustainable methods use earth-friendly farming and renewable resources.

• In favor of fair trade: Buying environmentally-friendly clothing also supports fair trade working conditions (some companies outsource clothing production to workers in third-world countries, many of whom are women and children) and animal welfare. The cost may be 20 to 50 percent more in order to offer fair wages to workers in disadvantaged countries and support the smaller companies that offer organic options.

Clothing swap: Try these on for size

Fibers grown without the use of chemicals are actually softer and gentler to the skin. This is perfect for those with sensitive skin, because these fibers breathe and absorb moisture better than their synthetic counterparts. Babies and children especially benefit from organic fibers, because they won’t irritate or scratch. Here’s a selection of fibers to look for.

• Bamboo: Natural and renewable, bamboo appears in everything from t-shirts to socks. It grows quickly and can be manufactured without fertilizers, pesticides or toxins. Bamboo is also soft and breathable. Plus, authentic bamboo products kill odor-causing bacteria.
• Cotton: Organic cotton is becoming an increasingly popular option and with good reason. Grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizers, organic cotton wears better than synthetic cotton and doesn’t pill or emit static electricity. It’s more breathable than synthetic cotton, which often traps perspiration.
• Hemp: Stronger and longer-lasting than cotton, hemp has the added benefit of mildew resistance. Easy to grow, it requires less fertilizers and pesticides than cotton. Beyond clothes, hemp can serve as a replacement for anything made of cotton, timber or petroleum.
• Wool: Organic wool is used to make everything from jackets and sweaters to chairs and mattresses. Wool can both absorb and repel water, keeping you warm during the wintertime and cool in the summer. Easy to dye, it has natural elasticity and can stretch without losing its shape. It also resists dirt. While many synthetic fabrics are treated with antimicrobial and fire-retardant chemicals, organic wool is a naturally fire-retardant fabric that repels moisture, resisting mold and mildew.

• Silk: Look for "Ahimsa Peace Silk," which is made from the cocoons of wild moths in India. The habitats of these moths are left intact by allowing the pupae to come out of their cocoons naturally before harvesting.
• Wild alpaca: Free-range Alpacas are found in the Andes Mountains and are cared for humanely, without antibiotics or hormones. The fibers are either dyed with low impact dyes or left natural, in shades of crème, gray, black or brown. The resulting product, according to Totally Organic, is "stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down and wool, and breathes better than thermal knits."
• Soybean: Blended with organic cotton, the silky fibers of the soybean are manufactured by the company Of the Earth to make unique garments with names like the Tofu T, Tamari V-Neck and Edamame Wrap. The light soybean fiber retains warmth, wicks away moisture and is cashmere-soft.

Other ways to go green

If organic fibers are out of your price range or unavailable in your town, here are other ways to shop that have little to no impact on the environment. Remember that the Internet is a goldmine of green products, but make sure to do extensive research on companies that sell green clothes.

• Recycled clothing: Though you’d hardly link the two together, plastic soda bottles and clothing do go hand-in-hand. Take EcoSpun fleece, which is made from recycled plastic soda bottles. The resulting fabric is made into gloves, hats, jackets and more.
• Buy local: Check for clothes labeled "Made in the USA" that are made with union labor. Check www.uniteunion.org or www.unionlabel.org for directories of North American companies that use union labor.
• Second-hand clothing: Looking for a cheaper sustainable option? Buy your clothing at thrift stores or consignment shops, which can save you a lot of money.
• Do it yourself: Knit, sew or crochet your clothing using soft threads from organic wool to wild alpaca yarn. The colors and styles are all under your control.
• Fair trade accessories: As jewelry becomes a hot topic in fair trade law discussions, eco-jewelry is gaining popularity. Companies that produce this jewelry primarily use gems from the U.S. to ensure that all gems are extracted under fair conditions. Hand tools replace heavy machinery, so there’s little environmental destruction. Care is taken to restore the mine to its original condition once the job is completed. And eco-jewelry can be created using recycled or renewed gems. Old jewelry is melted, refined and then recast.

Learn everything you need to know about a natural skincare and beauty routine in our Natural Beauty Handbook.