Health consists of many factors. We live in a world where literally everything influences it; the clothes we wear can make an important contribution to our health. We can refuse harmful products food, move to an environmentally friendly place, but clothes remain with us almost all the time. In this regard, the choice the right clothes it is necessary to devote a little more of our attention than usual.
The market offers us enough a large number of materials from which clothing is made. In this diversity, you often have to make a choice only on the basis of your taste preferences, beliefs by the seller and a vague idea about the properties of the fabric.
Let's look at the modern materials from which clothing is made.
All materials are divided into natural and synthetic, and natural fabrics also include fabrics made from wood fiber (cellulose) - viscose, bamboo fabrics.
However, most often they are made chemically using various reagents, which bring this fabric closer to the category of synthetic.
Mainly to natural fabrics include 4 types: cotton (calico, chintz, satin, flannel, corduroy, etc.), wool, linen, natural silk. 
Synthetic fabrics much more, they are made from man-made polyester fibers, petroleum products, coal and even natural gas! These include: polyester, fleece, acrylic, membrane, elastane, Polartek, microfiber, nylon, polyamide. 
Sometimes it is difficult to understand what type of fabric the clothes are made from, since the chemical industry skillfully makes synthetic things closer to natural to the touch; for this you need to know the markings on the labels of the item.
Natural fabrics : cotton – marking Cotton, Baumwolle, CO, ALG; flax - marking Flax, Li; wool – marking – Wool, W, WP (alpaca wool), WL (llama wool), WA (angora); silk – marking Silk, SE.
Chemical fabrics : viscose - marking viskose, Vis, VI; acetate modular fibers marking - siblon, modal, CVI, MD; AC; polyester fibers marking - polyester, PE, PE, PES, PL; polyacrylonitrile markings – acrylic, PAN, PAC, RS; polyamide markings - polyamide, PA, RA; polyurethane markings - polyurethane, elastane, PU, PU, EA.
If you do not find markings on the label or there is no label, then such an item is not worth buying, or you can check the naturalness of the fabric yourself. Pull a few threads from the seam or take a scrap of spare fabric from your clothing and try setting it on fire. Natural materials quickly burn, flaring up, and synthetic ones melt, the burned residue of cotton turns into powder, and synthetics into a hard black ball.
Synthetic fabrics are somewhat cheaper than natural ones, do not wrinkle much, do not shrink, however, they have disadvantages:
- clothing made from such fabrics does not allow oxygen to pass through easily, making it difficult for the skin to exchange air with the environment; the body sweats faster in it and skin irritation may occur;
- cools and heats up very quickly;
- accumulate static voltage and become electrified;
- do not absorb moisture well;
- since the fibers are made from chemicals, they can cause allergies in people with sensitive skin.
But clothes made from natural fabrics have the opposite properties - these clothes are hygroscopic, breathable, and retain heat well. Obviously, you should buy mainly clothes from natural fabrics, from artificial ones, the most acceptable may be viscose and bamboo.
However, even when purchasing clothes made from cotton, you need to be careful and not buy clothes from cheap manufacturers (dubious Chinese underground factories) since there is a high probability of an allergy to cheap, unstable chemical dyes for fabric. Unscrupulous manufacturers skimp on paints and treat clothing with compounds containing formaldehyde. 
Cotton clothing is often treated with improvers that maintain the shape of the clothing and prevent it from creasing, remaining smooth, etc. All these compositions may contain synthetic resins, chlorine, formaldehyde, which provoke allergies. If you buy clothes with the inscriptions “mercerized”, “easy to care”, “does not require ironing”, “does not fall”, “wash without restrictions”, then remember that these clothes have been treated with chemicals.
It’s best if you find clothes in stores labeled 100% Organic Cotton, which are made from environmentally friendly raw materials without the use of chemicals. Or you can choose clothes made from linen fabrics - practically no chemicals are used for its production. 
However, all types of clothing must be washed before wearing for the first time, this will protect yourself from skin problems. Buy clothes famous manufacturers in a network of branded stores that are responsible for the safety and quality of their clothing. It doesn’t have to be expensive - there are popular mass brands for the average consumer.
How do you choose clothes?
Fashion industry is a field that is constantly evolving, but this applies not only to how clothes look. Environmental responsibility and green fashion are becoming increasingly important to consumers, and some labels are taking this fact into account more than others in the fashion industry. If you are committed to an environmentally friendly lifestyle, discover clothing brands that are considered eco-friendly: from small businesses to industry giants that are increasingly going green. StellaMcCartney When it comes to clothing made without harmful influences and cruelty to animals, Stella McCartney is one of the most eco-friendly brands in the fashion world. The McCartney line is committed to radical vegetarianism, and its clothing designs keep pace with innovations in technology to reduce its environmental impact. One example is the brand's use of biodegradable plastic for the sole of its shoes. Edun Edun Founded Ali Hewson and her husband, Bono, Edun is one of the most active brands in this field of activity. Clothes are created in Africa, and resources are also obtained there. Edun is both a growing fashion brand and a humanitarian initiative. Clothes from this label are always natural, organic fabrics and non-carcinogenic dyes are used. H& M
H&M Fashion often has a huge impact on the environment, but the Swedish clothing manufacturer H&M has taken several steps in the right direction towards organic production. IN Conscious Collection The label uses only eco-friendly fabrics, and clothing recycling programs have also been launched in many countries. It may not be the greenest brand, but it is certainly trying to reduce the industry's impact on the environment. 
Loomstate 100% organic is the main principle of the label founded Scott Mackinlay Hahn and Rogan Gregory. Ideas like these around caring for the environment are very important to the brand. MaidenNation
Maiden Nation Combining "ethical fashion" and the fight for women's rights, he collaborated with several feminist icons - including Gloria Steinem and Yoko Ono. This is one of the best eco-friendly brands because the designers are able to combine the work of two plans - creating beautiful clothes and conveying important messages to people, both about the importance of protecting the environment and about women's rights. 
Ethica This brand cares about the execution of its ideas regarding “green fashion”. Their eco-friendly designs include a variety of fun prints created using non-carcinogenic dyes and gorgeous handbags. Founders Melissa and Carolina Canto r confirm that “ethical” fashion can be even more interesting and beautiful than traditional alternatives. MelissaJoyManning
Melissa Joy Manning If you care about the sustainability of everything you wear, including jewelry, then you won't go past this label. Hand-made products created using gems and reused precious metals are very popular. produces her jewelry in a green-certified studio in California, showing us that sustainability can go perfectly with high fashion. CarrieParry
Carrie Parry Made from sustainable materials, clothing from Carrie Perry won the Innovation Award at the Ethical Fashion Forum in 2011. Environmental sustainability is a given when it comes to Carrie Perry, and the choice of fabrics also has a social impact, through collaboration with artisan communities in poor countries. M.
Patmos
Marcia Patmos has already proven that sustainable style can be luxurious, its own Lutz & Patmos collections. But she goes further, using Japanese seamless knitting technologies. This is one of the best eco-friendly brands, from materials to social impact. PeopleTree
People Tree One of the best eco-friendly labels, is also a project dedicated to the most isolated societies in the world. With connections to more than 50 Fair Trade groups, Fair Trade is turning fashion into a way for poor countries to grow and develop. Also Emma Watson worked with the brand on their collection. There are quite a few places in Moscow where you can buy clothes made from recycled materials, organic and environmentally friendly materials, or at least items from brands that care about the environment. In addition, online stores always come to the rescue. LookBio has compiled several eco-friendly clothing brands and where to find them in one review.
Since 1985, the company has donated 1% of its turnover to environmental organizations around the world - the amount of subsidies already exceeds $46 million. Patagonia is a truly unique and environmentally friendly company. Judge for yourself: in 1996, the company switched entirely to “organic” cotton in its products. This means that any cotton you find in the brand’s clothing is organic.
Patagonia specializes in the manufacture of clothing for climbing, trekking and outdoor activities in general: storm and insulated clothing, thermal underwear, etc. The brand also has more universal items - summer shorts and dresses, thick shirts and trousers, skirts, swimsuits, underwear. By the way, the company does not use violently obtained fluff in its jackets.
The most interesting thing about this company is not the things themselves (which, by the way, are very cool, high-quality and long-lasting), but its marketing policy, which fully complies with the environmental principles of its founder. The company consistently supports environmental activists, conducts amazing campaigns to optimize human interaction with the environment (here trailer documentary about the campaign to break up old dams that do more harm than good - with the participation of Patagonia), and on sales days the company encourages consumers to buy less new clothes, avoid being drowned in shopping waves and repair their old clothes to minimize their environmental impact Wednesday. They even made a film about it.
H&M
Firstly, all H&M stores (except stores in Surgut, Irkutsk and Tomsk) have a Garment Collecting promotion - you can bring worn, torn or out of fashion items, and for each package of clothes and home textiles you will receive a 15% coupon in return. discount. “Every year, tons of textiles end up in landfill, 95% of which can be reused. That’s why we started collecting old clothes and textiles for the home,” the brand writes on its website. Stores accept clothing and textiles of any brands, of any quality and in any condition, because... they will all be recycled. 
But secondly, the brand has a collection called H&M Conscious, made from organic cotton and silk, recycled polyamide and Tencel (a fiber from a renewable resource - plants - and produced with minimal impact on the environment) and other materials that are more or less environmentally friendly. One thing: in Moscow stores, unfortunately, not everything that is on the Internet is available - we checked. There are no stunning dresses, trousers or tops announced in the collection in Russian stores, but, as a rule, there are simple basic things: alcoholic T-shirts, multi-colored T-shirts with short and long sleeves. In addition, the series in stores is not “concentrated” in space, but is scattered throughout the store area, and consultants are not always aware of where it hangs. Of course, if you have time, you can simply look for green tags yourself, but there is always a risk that you will miss something. And the online store is not functioning in Russia now, but there you can at least get acquainted with the collection.
You can find your nearest store throughout Russia, and you can read about H&M’s environmental policy in English.
Lindex
Lindex is a Swedish clothing brand that produces a line of eco-friendly clothing made from organic cotton and Tencel. Our editor-in-chief Tatyana Lebedeva wrote about Lindex not long ago: “The Moscow Lindex stores sell women's and children's clothing. Children traditionally wear a lot of soft organic cotton items. At the same time, prices for products made from organic cotton either do not differ at all, or practically do not differ from similar products made from conventional cotton. Another big plus of Lindex for children is its modern design, which can appeal to both children, hipsters, and children of hipsters.
Lindex Mega Khimki found wonderful T-shirts with a V-neck in several colors and almost all sizes at a price of 399 rubles. XS was only found in the color of freshly laid asphalt, while white, red and sorry-I-don’t-remember-which colors are available in different sizes. The T-shirts are made from the finest cotton that feels almost like satin. You usually don’t want to get out of such clothes, because your body gets used to them. You can identify organic cotton clothing, of which there is a lot, at Lindex using green paper circles with the words “Sustainable Choice” and craft green labels with the Organic Textile logo.”
The addresses of Lindex stores in Moscow (there are only two) can be found.
C&A
C&A was named the world's largest organic cotton retailer in 2012. The company has also launched a Green Chemicals Action Plan and is committed to achieving Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals across its supply chain by 2020. Since 2011, C&A has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 5% across its European manufacturing operations. 
C&A, as follows from the above, has a collection of organic cotton clothing - for example, you can see what you can buy in France (as well as in European countries). As for Russia, there are no guarantees here - you need to go to the store and look for eco-shirts and eco-pants on the spot.
You can find your nearest C&A store.
The Asos online store does not have physical stores, but there is a special Green Room section, which contains eco-friendly collections from various brands from the UK, USA, Sri Lanka, and Africa.
In the “Green Room” you can find dresses, shirts, crop tops, shorts, all sorts of large, or, as they say now, oversized things, as well as a lot of jewelry and accessories. Well, if you need a summer sundress, a cute backpack from artificial leather or another pendant or bracelet from base metals, why not choose an option whose production does not harm the environment?
Stella McCartney is a defender of animal rights - she does not use fur and leather in her collections, although she does not abandon silk and wool. In cases where there are wooden parts in the product (for example, the heels of some shoes), the designer chooses FSC (sustainable forest management) certified wood.
Shoes from Stella McCartney. The top is Alter Nappa material, the top layer of the platform is FSC certified wood.
The brand has also developed an innovative material Eco Alter Nappa, the coating of which is 50% vegetable oil, which reduces the need to use petroleum products. You can read about the environmental responsibility of Stella’s company and its position in general in English here.
The collections can be viewed and purchased at the Flagship store in Moscow (in the Vremena Goda shopping center on Kutuzovsky Prospekt).
Instead of an afterword
Of course, these are not all brands that take care of the environment in their activities. And that's great. It’s also great that there are a lot of people who come up with amazing projects, showing not only the eco-oriented nature of their views, but also their imagination. Here are a couple of interesting foreign projects for inspiration:
From Somewhere is a British brand that sews clothes from the remnants of the textile industry, that is, scraps from other people's production.
The EcoChic Design Awards is a sustainable fashion competition that challenges young designers to create mainstream clothing while producing minimal textile waste.
Pure Waste is a brand from Finland that creates sweatshirts, t-shirts and hoodies that are made from 100% recycled textile waste.
Christopher Raybourne is a British designer who makes clothes from unusual recycled materials - decommissioned army rafts, military parachutes, etc.
There is an opinion that eco-clothing is clothing made from natural fabrics. Some people believe that something that is made from recycled materials is environmentally friendly. There are also those who call a product eco-clothing manual labor or locally produced. This list is far from complete, so today I propose to finally understand the concept of eco-clothing: what applies to it and what does not.
To begin with, we note that in the world of eco-friendly fashion there are two key concepts: organic clothing and “sustainable” (tracing paper from English: sustainable). The definition of so-called sustainable fashion is broader than organic. These categories have both similarities and differences. While organic clothing has its origins in organic farming, "sustainable" clothing is a product of the environmental movement. In both cases, the final goal is the same, but if organic is about the earth and caring for it, then “sustainability” is based on the principles of reusing and recycling goods.
Sustainable clothing
Sustainable development of the company in general, and clothing in particular, and thereby reducing its impact on the environment is not limited only to the processing and use of secondary raw materials. A holistic approach is important, including the use (including recycled) of environmentally friendly packaging, reducing harmful emissions and pollution from production and operating activities, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing energy consumption, moving towards the use of renewable energy sources, increasing efficiency in logistics, and also the creation of a product that complies with these principles.
The topic of responsible attitude towards nature is not new in the world, and over the course of its development, a number of rules, laws and even individual organizations have appeared that help companies and industries become more environmentally friendly. For example, several companies and institutes have developed sustainability standards for the textile industry to ensure order in processes throughout the chain - from the procurement of raw materials to the transport of finished products. By meeting these standards, companies can be awarded the corresponding responsible manufacturer status.
Here are the aspects that are taken into account when assessing:
Safe for health and environment
-renewable energy and energy efficiency
-materials: bio-origin or recycled
-production capacity
-recovery, reuse and product life cycle management
For each parameter, there are a number of other criteria and an evaluation system, which I will not dwell on; we have already grasped the essence. I will only single out the change in approach to design and creation of products. If traditionally a product is created according to the “cradle to grave” principle, meaning that the thing is sent to a landfill at the end of its life cycle, now humanity is realizing that it is more reasonable to follow the “cradle to cradle” principle, initially creating a product in this way so that it can be reused later. In my opinion, awareness of the importance of such a transition in thinking, and subsequently in production, is key to the sustainable development of fashion and the economy in particular.
As you may have noticed, clothing and its manufacturer do not have to be made from organic fabrics to be considered sustainable. Thus, something made of polyester can also be environmentally friendly. It sounds a little strange, but this also happens. Polyester, nylon and acrylic are known to be synthetic materials made from products of the petrochemical industry, i.e. non-renewable resource. But firstly, these fabrics can be obtained from recycling, for example plastic bottles. And, secondly, if polyester, nylon and acrylic are not mixed with natural fabrics, then they can be classified as sustainable materials, since they can be processed into new fabrics and products. Plus, to bear such a proud title as environmentally friendly synthetics, it is important not to forget about other aspects of production, dyeing, energy efficiency, transportation, etc.
So, a quick summary - sustainable clothing is based on the principles of smart, green and efficient production using bio-based or recycled materials.
Organic clothing
If synthetics can also be classified as sustainable fashion, then only those made from natural fabrics can be called organic clothing, but not all of them, but only those that are produced in compliance with strict rules.
The standards for organic clothing focus on two important issues - environmental and social impact. The first condition that such clothing must meet is to be made from natural fabrics, the raw materials for which are obtained according to the rules of organic agriculture, i.e. without the use of pesticides or any chemicals. Further processing of fabrics, bleaching, dyeing also implies the complete absence of substances harmful to humans and the environment. The second important component of organic clothing production is the ethical treatment of the people who participate in its creation. It is considered incorrect to classify a product as environmentally friendly if the work of the producers, including farmers and garment workers, has not been adequately rewarded. For now, however, this social aspect taken into account only by individual certifying organizations.
By the way, in the world there are several certification systems for organic textiles and clothing of varying degrees of severity. Some even require that energy production be used exclusively or largely from renewable sources. But the types of certificates are a topic for a separate article.
All varieties of natural fabrics can be certified organic: cotton, wool (sheep, alpaca, llama and other animals), cashmere (goat), hemp, silk, linen, jute, ramie, bamboo (bast fiber) and soy.
Eco-friendly clothing: the bottom line
Having become acquainted with the international classification, we see that eco-clothing is a broad concept. Note that the emphasis in the global understanding of environmental friendliness is on the environment and its protection. Which is very true.
However, I still believe that both nature and human health are important. Therefore, ideal eco-clothing, in my opinion, includes characteristics of both sustainable and organic, namely:
- certified organic fabrics
-green technologies and resource efficiency
-principles of reuse and recycling ( natural fabrics can also be recycled)
-fair remuneration and decent working conditions
But if suddenly I still need something made from synthetic materials, I will give preference to one that meets the principles of sustainable production.
In any case, to be called environmentally friendly, any thing must have good reasons for it. Natural fabrics or handmade There are not enough local craftsmen here. Ideally, the finished product should have an appropriate eco-certificate, and if not the product, then at least the materials for it. I also really like asking questions to sellers and manufacturers about the environmental friendliness of their products. And from their answers it often becomes clear whether the declared “green” status can be trusted or not.
And in conclusion, I wish you truly eco-friendly shopping, honest and responsible manufacturers and sellers, and less greenwashing.
Lyubov Mikhailovna Grinyuk
« Modernity and tradition» - fashion show of clothes made from environmentally friendly materials.
Today is an unusual day - for the first time in our kindergarten competition starts « Modernity and tradition» - This fashion show we dedicate to model collections clothes made from environmentally friendly materials, uniting modern style and folk traditions.
IN Lately an interesting and even correct tendency has appeared to acquire not just beautiful things, but things made from environmentally friendly, natural, natural materials.
Ecological clothing is made from pure, natural raw materials, without the use of substances harmful to the human body and not capable of polluting the environment. This one is especially useful Clothing for babies, although many adults will like it too.
Material for making clothing for fashion shows: paper of various types, dried flowers, natural fabrics, burlap, bast, wool, fluff, flax, hemp rope, twine, cork wood waste - wine corks, cork covering, etc.
And so, we begin!
On our fashion show representatives of glamorous fashion from the world arrived ecology. All models clothes are presented at the d/s site "Little Red Riding Hood". The models are very excited, let's support them with applause.
Leading:
We are very happy! and for you I am now,
Models clothes will open the show!
Vodolazskaya V.I is a popular designer. Pupils demonstrate models made of burlap and paper speech therapy group "Gnomes" Blinova Vika, Milostinsky Radion.
The suit is beautiful and gives you confidence and grace!
You can go to a concert in it too
So they cut a vest and dressed the guy in a hat!
Original! Fashionable! New!
Leading:
Meet the next model
Costume designers T. N. Boyko and T. V. Dombrovskaya create unique dresses. A model demonstrates models made from bast bast. middle group "Dreamland" Juraeva Vika.
What a beauty! So much taste!
Fashion is an art!
Leading:
The next costume in our collection is presented by designers preparatory group "Teremok" Neznamova T. V., Kravtsova N. V.
The suit model combines not only high quality and unusual design, but also convenience. A model made of paper and linen is demonstrated by preparatory group students Diana Ivanenko and Violeta Kolesnikova.
Wow! What an outfit!
Everyone would be happy to wear it!
Leading:
The next costume in our collection is presented by designers E. A. Grienko, N. Marchenko. We have long known that they are inventors and entertainers. By purchasing clothes These designers will always make you feel free, warm and independent. Models made of wool and down are demonstrated by pupils of the second junior group "Why Chicks" Sartison Alina, Gunkina Olesya
Look - cute! Oh my God! “How beautiful everything is!”
Original! Fashionable! New!
Beautiful, difficult renewal!
Presenter:
The next suit in our collection is presented by the designer senior group "Gold fish" Bogdanova O. A.
Any disco will open its doors to the owner of such an outfit! A model made of corks, paper, asparagus, demonstrated by students of the senior group Kozubova Diana and Rusanova Nastya
You can sing and dance in this outfit,
WITH good mood perform on stage!
The next costume in our collection is presented by the designer, the parent of the first junior group "Sun" Zolotar Nadezhda. The model is demonstrated by a pupil of the first junior group Zolotar Nastya
Mom made this costume from burlap.
It sits great on her!
Suit no more modern!
Its secret is originality!
Presenter:
The best couturiers in the world are racking their brains over how to surprise people with new models. Today, before your eyes, a truly unique show took place. And believe me, nature will thank you! After all, today we gave new life unusual things.
I invite you all to come out,
To appreciate your creations "five",
To loud applause
Show off your outfit again!
(They solemnly walk through the hall).
Publications on the topic:
The long-awaited and most beloved by children and adults is approaching New Year's celebration! But what kind New Year without a Christmas tree? New Year without.
Research project “Paper: history and modernity” Age of authors research work– 5 – 6 years Project goal for children: To develop children’s research skills in the process of familiarization.
Master class “Petya Petya the cockerel” (an environmentally friendly do-it-yourself toy) The purpose of the master class: learning how to make an original one.
On the eve of the March 8th holiday, the children decided to please their mothers with artistic work. We discussed for a very long time which one it should be.
Autumn time is generous for the holidays! Well, even the first line tends to become poetic! Autumn is so beautiful! There are so many reasons in it.
