Review: Big Ideas for a Small Planet/ Episode 4: WEAR

 [This is an upcoming episode on The Sundance Channel's The Green, check your local listings or visit http://www.sundancechannel.com/thegreen/ to learn more.]

I had a friend once ask me for a recommendation of a brand that sells eco-friendly shoes. My mind came up empty, so I had to search for the answer and ask around. After watching Episode 4: WEAR, I learned that eco-friendly fashion is not only available it is beautiful. I’ve been aware for some time that there is clothing made with organic cotton. I also sit here and write this wrapped in a fleece blanket that is made from recycled soda bottles. Prior to watching this episode I did not know that eco-friendly clothing is now more than just organic cotton, ‘earth toned’ hemp clothing, and fleece.

This episode shows the viewer that there are designers in the fashion world that are making a difference. Designer Linda Loudermilk does a great job with her contributions to this episode. She speaks of eco-friendly fabrics that she uses (including those made from seaweed and bamboo). Good quality fashion does not have to harm the consumer and the planet, and Loudermilk is a strong advocate of this. She now has a purpose behind her designs for men, women, children, and the home.

Gone are the days where eco-friendly fabrics were comprised mainly of hemp products (in beige, green, and cream). Now there are even high fashion options for making everything from the everyday (jeans) to the special (silk ball gowns). Another topic discussed in this episode is making what is old new again. Patagonia has a program where you can bring in your old clothing to be recycled into a new product. They have drop-bins in their stores. This was news to me—I do not have a Patagonia store near me, so I was not even aware of the program. I wondered to myself why other retailers don’t hop on board with this type of program.

Another growing trend is where certain cities have swap events. For a small fee you can bring old and vintage clothes and make new ones from the piles. They showed dozens of people making innovative fashions from clothing that would have ended up in a landfill without this program. The swap meet has sewing machines set up and a whirlwind of creativity. I for one do not throw clothing away, I donate it to charity. But what happens after that clothing gets a second life is anyone’s guess. Chances are it just gets thrown out with the trash.

I also enjoyed the other episodes of Big Ideas for a Small Planet (including Episode 1: FUEL and Episode 2 BUILD). Clean building solutions are always on my mind because back in 2003 my husband and I began construction of our off-the-grid home. I found Episode 4: WEAR very educational and not at all ‘preachy.’ Right after I finished watching I went online to learn more.

As I glance outside I can see the sun hitting the solar panel that hangs off of my deck. I type this into my laptop that is plugged in while charging. It just so happens that the energy flowing into this laptop is entirely from the sun. In this home we are forced to make our own energy. We are 1 mile from the nearest power lines. Our lights have compact fluorescent bulbs. Currently we have to bring in all of the water we use from a local spring. There is a common misconception that alternative energy solutions are expensive. I learned by watching Episode 2: BUILD that Energy Star appliances can save the average consumer $600/year. If you do your research you really can save money by implementing green solutions. The last time we purchased a clothes dryer we saved (versus a non-Energy Star dryer) because the Energy Star label had an additional rebate.

Using eco-friendly products in your home may actually cause them to last longer. You may throw away less by using the organic products—Episode 4 shows that some of the products are actually made with better quality. The example of the $3 T shirt was great. If you get a really cheap T shirt you really don’t think of all that goes in to making it that have a negative impact on the Earth. For example, it may be made in a factory that is filled with mask-wearing workers. These workers are wearing a mask because each day at work they are exposed to toxins. That example was an eye-opener to me! The last time I bought a T shirt it only cost me $6. That single T shirt cost the planet (and the workers) much more than that…it certainly is not made of anything that is eco-friendly or recycled.

I also learned that organic cotton is more expensive to grow (because it takes twice as much crop to produce the same results). Organic cotton is a great alternative, but I was very interested in the fabric made from seaweed after watching Loudermilk talk about it. The fact that the fabric is actually soothing to the skin is amazing! I typically keep an item of clothing longer than most. I take a lot of care using my favorite clothes. I shop at thrift shops and reuse what would have otherwise been thrown away. I would love to attend one of those swap events with an armload of vintage clothing in tow. I would also really enjoy a fashion show that has an eco-friendly theme.

I encourage each of you to consider eco-friendly fashion the next time you are looking for an item of clothing for yourself or another individual. Most of the clothes featured in this episode are high-end but eco-friendly products can be purchased at stores like Patagonia. After seeing this episode, I agree with Loudermilk’s website: “Change is inevitable.” The next time you are looking for new spring clothes, consider the eco-friendly options!

Visit the site below for an episode guide:

http://www.sundancechannel.com/series/thegreen_bigideas