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Organic clothing
Unfortunately, not all organic clothing carries a symbol that will assure
us of the organic credentials of the garments we buy. Though the Soil Association have developed new standards for organic clothing. Under the new Soil Association guidelines, clothes that display their symbol will have met a number of rigorous standards, more details of which can be found on their site.
An easy assumption
to make is that, in general, 'natural' products are necessarily better than synthetics.
The reality is, surprisingly, quite the opposite when it comes to the
material used for 1/2 of the worlds fabric requirements:
Cotton is almost exclusively grown using the most intensive
methods and accounts for a staggering one third of world pesticide use.
More than this, chemicals have to be used to scour off the fibres waxy
outer layer to allow dye retention, raw cotton is bleached white with
chemicals like chlorine, and cotton crops can be genetically engineered
to resist the bollworm pest. Conventionally produced it's a nasty product!
A small proportion of the world's cotton crop is 'organic', meaning
it is free of chemicals and pesticides, or 'green' which generally means
that no chemical finishes have been used. Unbleached cotton may have
been
grown
with pesticides so this label means little else.
Alternatives
Bamboo Clothing
Bamboo clothing will become a 'must have' item because of it's remarkable
natural characteristics: it’s as soft as cashmere, naturally wicks
moisture, is naturally antibacterial, is highly breathable, stays cooler
in heat, warmer in the cold and is the most environmentally friendly
raw material on earth, even when compared with organic cotton. These
qualities combine to offer a new level of luxury and comfort, in a sustainable
and ethical way. In Paris, Le Monde is calling
it "A Textile Revolution". Find
out more about bamboo clothing.
Hemp
A once vital crop that has fallen into disfavour, with
the final nail in the coffin being driven in by the anti-drug lobby.
Now making a comeback due to its remarkable nature, outgrowing weeds
so no
pesticides are needed, and being highly resistant to pests, its high
yields make it the crop to watch in the future. Politicians should note
that
crops grown for fibre contain virtually none of the active substances
that have made marijuana so popular.
Linen
Having been pushed into the background by synthetic fibres
Linen is now starting to reclaim a tradition going back to Roman times.
The fibre flax plant grows more quickly than cotton and needs less chemical
weed control. It produces a strong, dirt resistant fabric that is exceptionally
cool in summer.
Eco-fleece
It takes 25 plastic 2 litre bottles, a cunning reclamation
process and hey presto you get a rather natty fleece pullover. Not
exactly organic but it sure beats stuffing more plastic into a landfill.
Organic clothing - featured retailers:
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Bam - Bamboo Clothing
161e Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1YS
Tel: 020 8940 3958
Website: www.bambooclothing.co.uk
Email: enquiries@bambooclothing.co.uk
Performance sportswear and casual clothing made from bamboo. Luxuriously soft and comfortable, cool in the heat, warm in the cold, moisture wicking, highly breathable, antibacterial, and anti static. Touching is believing! Bamboo is 100% Grown wild, and Bam products are ethically made. We even plant a tree for every single product we sell.
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Organic clothing retailers:
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Spirit Of Nature Ltd
Unit 7 Hannah Way, Gordleton Industrial Park, Lymington, SO41 8JD
Tel: +44 (0)870 725 9885 / Fax: +44 (0)870 725 9886
Website: www.spiritofnature.co.uk
Email: mail@spiritofnature.co.uk
A great range of natural, organic clothing from outerwear and shirts
to socks, underwear and sleepwear. |
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Anatomy Fashion
Tel: 01803 839 013 / Mobile: 07976 919 056
Website: www.anatomyfashion.co.uk |
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By Nature
By Nature Ltd, 71 Avoca Road, London SW17 8SL
Tel: 0845 456 7689
Website: www.bynature.co.uk
Email: info@bynature.co.uk |
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Conscious Elegance
48 Hallgarth Street, Durham, DH1 3AT
Tel: 0191 3839263
Website: www.consciouselegance.co.uk
Email:
info@consciouselegance.co.uk |
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Curious Tales
1-3 Exchange Place, Off Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2NA
Website: www.curioustales.com |
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Cut4Cloth Ltd
4 Fore Street, Constantine, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 5AB
Tel: 01326 340956
Website: www.cut4cloth.co.uk
Email: info@cut4cloth.co.uk |
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Dogbog Clothing
Dogbog, PO Box 273, Penzance, TR18 9AX
Tel: 020 7617 7546
Website: www.dogbog.com
Email: stuff@dogbog.com |
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gonegreen Ltd
Rhiwfforest, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion, West Wales SA389PX
Tel: 0845 241 9690
Website: www.gonegreen.co.uk
Email: info@gonegreen.co.uk |
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Gossypium.co.uk (Vericott Ltd)
Unit 1 Shepherd Ind Estate, Brooks Rd, Lewes, BN7 2BY
Tel: 0870 850 9953 / Fax: 01273 481027
Website: www.gossypium.co.uk
Email: info@gossypium.co.uk |
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Greenfibres
99 High Street, Totnes TQ9 5PF
Tel: 01803 868001 / Fax: 01803 868002
Website: www.greenfibres.com
Email: mail@greenfibres.com |
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Green Squirrel
15 Princes Street, Perth PH2 8NG
Tel: 01738 444491
Website: www.green-squirrel.co.uk |
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HUK Apparel
Clarence Rd, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9UH
Website: www.hukapparel.co.uk
Email: chew@hukapparel.co.uk |
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Motherhemp
Tilton Barns, Tilton Lane, Nr Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LL
Tel: 01323 811909 / Fax: 020 7691 7475
Website: www.motherhemp.com
Email: info@motherhemp.com |
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Natural as Nature
209 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1JH
Tel: 0845 890 1665
Website: www.naturalasnature.co.uk
Email: info@naturalasnature.co.uk |
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ONE
1 Peter Lane, York
Tel: 01904 675987
Website: www.responsiblygorgeous.co.uk
Email: shop@responsiblygorgeous.co.uk |
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organicboutique.co.uk
XTC Clothing Co Ltd, 2 Lord Hills Road, Paddington, London W2 6PD
Tel: 0207 2867277 (office - mornings only) / 07787 115324 (mobile)
Website: www.organicboutique.co.uk
Email: simrit@xtc-clothing.co.uk
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Quail By Mail
56 Higher Street, Brixham, TQ5 8HW, United Kingdom
Tel: 07966 876539
Website: www.quailbymail.co.uk
Email: contact@quailbymail.co.uk |
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Texture - Textiles from Nature
84 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AP
Tel: 0207 241 0990 / Fax: 0207 241 1991
Website: www.textilesfromnature.com
Email: jag@textilesfromnature.com |
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Uniqlooks
35 Swift Close, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4LL
Tel: 07092 886902
Website:
UniqLooks - Nettle, Cashmere Pashmina and Lambs Wool Scarves
Email: enquiry@uniqlooks.com |
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