28 Feb Fashion – You are not my friend.

When I was in high school in Florida, the thrift store was not cool. It was not a sign of independence and social status based on your superior knowledge of how to combine the 60’s proper bomber jacket with a pair of checked, flare-legged, hip huggers – self-cropped just enough to show the to of your fab Chuck-e-T’s.

No, we had Z Cavareechee’s and Sam & Libbys, and jelly shoes. And “organic” was just a vocab word in biology class, which I’m pretty sure jelly shoes could not make the grade in either.

Organic cotton came out on the first world market somewhere in the realm of the enlightened 70’s. I need a citation for that.. but let me digress and restate that a gentleman 20 years my senior at the WWDMagic trade show some years ago told me he invented organic cotton in the 70’s. Some would argue that it began with the invention of cotton agriculture nearly 8000 years ago and was corrupted through modern man’s tendencies to be drawn to convenience of chemicals first – ask questions later. But for sake of this intro, we’ll stick with our pop-history.

The history of eco-minded fashion — through the eyes of myself — goes something like this: Organic cotton-balls. Hemp rope. Hemp rope sandals with tires for the soles. Drawstring pants. Rene Geneva.  While I may be able to get my dog to agree with me quite eagerly, we all have to admit that sustainable fashion has come a long way through the decade. Yep, decade.

And yet, the only times I really see eco-fashion on the scene, is either in green-specific mags or right before April. While I think that spring is a great time to celebrate organic fashion at it’s finest, I do recall wearing clothing during the other months of the year. We have green-digs available to us in so many categories now days — and Austin is a tribute. We are lucky to have our choice between the specialty boutiques, the thrift stores, or even Target. The sooner we admit that it’s fashion in the main stream (if yer wearin’ it – I’ve got news for ya), the sooner it will become a more main stream ideal, and the more easily it will come to mind when you need a new dress or Tshirt.

When I was at the Austin Eco Network meeting for bloggers a couple of weeks ago, I was asked what category my blog should go under. I said ‘Fashion’. AEN replied, “Arts and Culture?” and I said “Noo, “Fashion”. And I received a phone call a few days ago saying “Social?” — “Fashion” — “Are you sure not “Arts?” — Fashion. And that’s my big point… Fashion is here to stay, it isn’t something to be fought.

We will always be spending money on clothing, and the “fashion industry” employs millions of people world wide – from the farmers to the scientists, to the designers, the retailers, the cashiers. Aside from food, it may be our biggest expense. Though some may suck their eyeballs into their heads a little at the thought of figuring out what to wear to a cocktail party, it does matter what it is made out of, and whom it was made by.

In these days where our dollars count most, I’m voting for sustainable clothing with mine.