Natural and Organic Fashions Are Now Chic

Back in the rebellious sixties the back-to-nature movement rejected manmade fibers, the manufacture of which took its toll on the environment, in favor of cotton, linen, and wool. Indian print dresses, bulky sweaters, and vintage clothing made before the introduction of synthetics offered a quirky counterculture look with lots of room for variety.

The natural fabrics movement has grown up, with clothing designers and manufacturers offering an increasingly broad variety of fashions for an environmentally conscious and often affluent clientele. Easy-care cotton in an amazing number of finishes ranges from simple woven fabric to soft jersey knits, and can even be fashioned into luxurious sateen for evening wear. Cotton is arguably the most versatile fiber there is.

Unfortunately cotton, although a natural fiber, can have a severely negative impact on the environment. Cotton is a demanding crop; it leeches nitrogen out of the soil, rapidly depleting the land in which it is grown. Farmers and environmentalists around the globe have responded to that by deciding to promote organic farming methods, rotating crops to replenish the soil and abstaining from the use of pesticides. The buying public has responded; many consumers have opted to spend more for garments and accessories fashioned from organically grown cotton.

Some new manmade fibers, although not natural, have found acceptance with environmentally conscious consumers because they are made using recycled materials. EcoSpunTM fabric, made entirely of discarded plastic soda bottles, has found its way into products ranging from practical tote bags to roomy, warm winter parkas.