TODAY’S GREEN MANTRA: My cessation with the desire of procurement will begin with the smallest of things and soon include all things as I learn how to think about the circular story behind each object mankind has created
Day 19 / 365
Undies are not normally on the top of the priority list when
it comes to talking about eco fashion. But aside from socks, they’re an
important component in our everyday life and sit directly on bits most of us hold dear.
behind most other basics (socks, stockings, jeans, leggings, shirts) and they so easily go under the radar when it comes to conscious curation of ones
wardrobe.
as many as possible and pay next to next to nothing for them monetarily. Because
of this, there are a series of harms caused: to the planet, to people and to
ourselves.
been sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals which end up polluting the
water and air, causing both planets and humans to get sick.
grown good.
organically in places where the plant is indigenous, then the plant can live off the rainwater it is naturally fed (so long as global warming hasn’t shifted its weather patterns too much).
panties are a tell tale sign of wrong doing, the price of things indicates that those pretty
undies that Victoria Secret just emailed you about are full of chemicals and made
with manufactured synthetic or irresponsibly procured fabrics. It also tells
you, (based on the same calculations given when I wrote about SustainableStockings) that the person who made those underwear is likely
earning less than 0.30 CENTS PER
HOUR, which means they’re walking away from 12 hours of non-stop sewing with about $3.60 for their efforts.
Sounds condescending, I know, but it is a necessary part of the growth process towards a higher state of wisdom and awareness for anything. You’ve got to start thinking about the circular
story of every single thing you touch. It is overwhelming at first, but it
subsides. Once you start thinking in this circular way, the transition into paying more for something which is created consciously, when you could pay less for something which causes you, the planet and our society harm, becomes easier.
When your purchases become a cognitive choice, chosen carefully, and consciously, you begin to loose the need for fulfillment of what you classify as ‘needs’ but are actually just the unconscious reactive tendencies of a lifelong addiction to ‘wants’, which our unconscious society has gleefully encouraged you and rewarded you for having.
chemicals and made immorally makes us less in touch with ourselves and the
world around us. Before, if I was in a bad mood, I would hit the high street
for some mindless shopping, even if I didn’t buy anything, somehow the
distraction of consumption soothed me. Since making efforts to separate myself
from that world, I’m able to better communicate with myself, which makes me
a happier person overall. And I fill the space that used to be filled by lust
for stuff with stuff that gives me a lust for life instead.
which cater to men, women and children. There are thousands out there that are putting
incredible amounts of energy into being transparent. Transparency is key. If
the company isn’t offering you the full circle story of the product they’re
selling then don’t buy it. You need to know what it is made of, where it is
made, and how it is made, or no deals. You have that power. And that power can change the world.
in transparency. (I’ll post on sexy
underwear closer to Valentine’s day)
+ ETHICAL HOW? They’ve transformed profit from one dimensional to Business
In 3D, bringing profits back to the social, environmental and financial
part of their business, making business profitable for both people and the
planet, rather than just to the pocket. The organic indigenous cotton which is
rainfed and cared for by tribal
farmers in Odisha is then
sent to their carbon
neutral factory where the workers who produce their collection are
paid a fair and
living wage.
TO BUY? CLICK HERE
Trade Certified item they buy, they pay a premium, that premium is controlled
by the workers who decide how they’d like to invest that money into their
community. At the bottom of each product on their site, you can see where your
item was manufactured, the men’s underwear for example, is manufactured in the
US at one of two factories. Their
men’s underwear is made out of PCR® (recycledplastic soda bottles) and treated with Polygiene®, which controls the odur of your undies.
Just about everything, including underwear.
family-run farms, they use non-toxic ingredients to produce their collection in
a sweatshop free environment. Which just so happens to be powered by renewable
energy (and hopefully Love). They’ve partnered with OCS (Organic Content Standard), GOTS (Global Organic
Textile Standard), and Fair Trade USA to certify their clothing is made
ethically and sustainably.
[LUVA HUVA]
ECO + ETHICAL HOW? Handmade in London with ethically sourced sustainable fabrics and end of the line remnants or vintage lace.
WHAT DO THEY SELL? Beautiful basics, pjs, and luscious lingerie.
WHERE TO BUY? CLICK HERE
[LA GIRAFE BLEUE]
ECO + ETHICAL HOW? This Canadian family owned business makes handmade underwear for women and men with recycled material. They’re “colourful, comfortable, original and above all, each pair is absolutely unique.”
WHAT DO THEY SELL? Eco, ethical underwear for mena nd women and paper mache mobiles as well as pompoms and colur-in mandalas
WHERE TO BUY? CLICK HERE
[SOME SMALLER BRANDS MAKING BEAUTIFUL BASICS]
Ohhhlulu, Katastrophic, Living Crafts (they have stuff for kids too)
Follow my Pinterest board HERE on Eco Undies for updates on new brands I find
Such a fantastic line up! I've made a plan to buy second hand or ethically. I came across a brand called Colorio Organics which had bright playful undies. Ps Great blog!