Eco fashion and a giveaway!
Shopping with a conscience
It's important to question your shopping habits to ensure your purchases do everything to help the environment. Just because shopping for clothing is fun, it doesn't mean you should check your morals at the door. It's easy to be eco-friendly when shopping, you just always have to remember to read the labels. Look for clothing made from: organic cotton, bamboo, hemp or organic wool. It's not as hard to find stores and brands that carry clothing made from these materials, which require less (or no) pesticides to grow, as it used to be.
It doesn't stop there, though. It's also very important to consider buying clothes that are fairly traded to ensure they aren't manufactured in a sweatshop.
The best eco-friendly shopping is also the most fun. Head out to your local vintage and second-hand stores to rummage through funky clothes. You'll almost always find a hidden gem.
I also love shopping online (I'm not one for hitting up downtown on a busy Saturday afternoon). One of my favourite sites is www.etsy.com, which is an online community where people buy and sell handmade goods (accessories, clothing, furniture, jewellery, you name it!). Visit the site, I guarantee you'll be occupied for hours.
Lastly, when you do go out shopping, always remember to bring your re-usable shopping bags!
Speaking of eco-friendly fashion, Fashion Takes Action (whose mission is to have a socially and environmentally positive impact on the fashion industry) is hosting an Earth Day party on Friday, April 24. This fundraising event looks like it's going to be a great time, with live entertainment, an open bar (featuring eco-friendly beverages) and a eco-designer challenge where 10 Ryerson University fashion students will design a garment from packaging and waste (you can buy tickets to the event here). I'm offering up two tickets to the event. so if you live in Toronto or can get yourself here (the event takes place at the Burroughes Building at 639 Queen St West). All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog and leave a message here telling us about your favourite eco-friendly clothing line. I'll announce the winner of the two tickets on Wednesday, April 22! How exciting.
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my friends who live outside of Toronto. I have another FilterForGood prize pack to give away.
Subscribe to this blog and YOU COULD WIN a FilterForGood Prize Pack including:
Say yes to tap water!
• Brita Pitcher Water Filtration System (Grand model – 10 glass capacity)
• 3-pack of Brita Pitcher Replacement Filters
• FilterForGood reusable, BPA-free water bottle
All you have to do is be a subscriber to this blog. I'll pick a winner at random and announce it here on Earth Day (April 22).
April 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I would love to have a FilterForGood Pize Pack! I once had a Brita jug, but in my most recent move it cracked in half. I haven't replaced it since (there's only so far once income can stretch...especially with an 11yr old in the mix!). This week I'm participating in Pitch-In Canada week. My daughter and I are equipped with our huge yellow Pitch-In Canada garbage bags and it's out into our community to clean up the mess for us!! What a perfect opportunity to fill up with filtered water in our water bottles eh?
Happy Earth Day everyone! Get out and do what you can!
April 20th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Rawganique is a great line of clothing for men women and children as well as having linens and towels and many many other beautiful bits and bobs. They are a canadian company based in Vancover and not only are we supporting the enviroment by buying from them we are also shopping canadian.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I am a subscriber.
I did some quick reading on Fashion Takes Action. Just because it's recycled material doesn't mean it's gross. It's creative. I love the whole concept.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I shop at second hand shops for clothing once in awhile because i want to find something that is not so expensive and you can always find something toys and house hold items at used stores. I just say check things over and make sure that the clothing does not have any rips in it unless you can repair it. Good luck to all.We are water drinkers so this giveaway would be great.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
My favourite website is http://www.heartonyoursleeve.ca. They are eco-friendly, and best of all, Canadian! Heart On Your Sleeve offers fashion and accessories. If you live in the Toronto area, they even offer a "green delivery" for the same price as shipping, which is basically delivery by bicycle. Buying eco-friendly fashion and promoting eco-friendly practices (ie. green delivery)... that's like a two in one! On top of that, the company is also a member of many cruelty-free organizations, such as the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Green is in!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am
Im 44 and I still shop in my mom & dads closet..Im lucky she never threw out much. My kids were thrilled when we found them a bunch of izod and ralph lauren shirts(from the 80s) It never cost them a thing . It all seems to come back in fashion. So i guess we make our own eco friendly line.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I want to throw my name in the hat for the Brita pitcher as I have been meaning to buy a new one for some time now. It would be fantastic to win it instead. The new Presidents Choice Advertisment really hits home the point of how these save on so many bottles hitting the recycling bin. (p.s. I am a subscriber!)
April 21st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I have already left a comment on this blog but it didnt come up for some reason so sorry if at some stage they are both up here for the world to see my sillyness! I would like to throw my name in the hat for the Brita Pitcher as I need a new one and they save the world from having all those extra plastic bottles in the recycling bins - and the garbage for those who do not have a recycling system in place. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I don't live in Toronto, but would love to win this Brita gift set, I would always have good cold water.
May 21st, 2009 at 1:42 am
It was nice reading your post. I needed to know such kind of information to update myself. I work in my friend’s boutique of flower girl dresses and also help in the online promotion.