What’s Behind Cheap Chic Fabrics?

Thanks for sharing this wealthn

Oops. Let me try that again. Thanks for sharing this wealth of information. This fabric-holic loves everything fabric!

Nice post! Thanks for sharing! =)

Yes Elizabeth the natural fibers are the way to go! Great post!

I use organic cotton in my line and intend do use only natural fibers in the future. Hope more people will be interested in recycling textiles and use of organic fabrics. Nice post!

Great post! Makes me kinda cringe looking at my closet.

Thank you for sharing. Wonderful post. :)

It matters because the organic cotton shirt will degrade in landfill relatively soon, whereas the polyester will still be there in your grest-great-great-grandchildren's time. I've always tried to steer well clear of man made fabrics, they just don't feel so good to wear... or maybe I'm still suffering from the trauma of crackly, self induced lightning storms from the brushed nylon sheets inflicted on me as a child!

Go wool!

Great post Elizabeth ! Thank you for sharing !

I prefer natural fibers for everything except performance outdoor gear. I really like Patagonia and Marmot for winter clothes. Patagonia has been using recycled bottles to make its fleece for nearly 20 years. Marmot has numerous natural and upcycled lines.

some good points made, especially for knitters, crocheters and other textile artists!

Synthetic or natural, resuse is what we need to do. Wearable, mendable or transform ..able?

Lovely read! Wow fabrics made from eucalyptus trees that sounds wonderful! I hope it has a bit of the fragrance in it, that would be awesome.

Since long time I am fabric-holic :)) This year lots of very high quality cotton fabric is finished(fin de serie ) in fabric store and maybe i cannot found again, they are saying they will not come back for some raison ! And lots of new fabric not same quality , i am keeping my fabric store . I bought 1500 mt water resistant 100% off white tent canvas for any problem , i was afraid next year i can found or no , I bought 2000 mt cotton webbing strap too. I now crazy but every year their quality is changing ! Every time i want sew high quality fabrics , because they are smelling perfect ! Cotton is life !

Wow, I learned a lot! Thanks!

Wearing plastic, that's horrible. We are really close to plastic dolls, not only because of the lowering average IQ or being able to read.

Great post! Please bring us more posts like this with helpful information and links to suppliers like Source4Style. Many of us are very interested in finding better, more green alternatives for source materials, including simple things like paper and printing processes. There is a lot of greenwashing out there, and we want the real deal!

The ablity to read, I ment. It's lower.

A small amount of acrylic added to cotton does make a difference when it comes to colour fading and keeping shape...and rayon has really improved, I've found blouses that are "breathable. But I do tend to stick to mainly cotton and wool and away from the shinier viscose and 100% polyester...except for all the nylon and spandex tights I wear in the winter.

Great article. Just like the food industry everything in GM. I am all for natural in everything in our life. It is our health that we have to worry about. Those man made fabrics can cause many unseen and unfelt health problems.

@ jamiespinello - A touch of fragrance from a eucalyptus tree would be wonderul! I have been sewing for most of my life and have been around sewing for all of my life, and I've got to say, those newer fabrics had me stumped! I am very happy that you posted this article. It has been very helpful - I feel so much smarter now! ;-D

Great article! I usually try to pick natural fibers with the minimum plastic percentage, but its good to know that there are new improvements and that big companies step ahead in this eco-conscience. Also important is the idea of trying to buy clothes made in our country or as near as possible, in order to reduce their carbon print regarding transport.

Great article, very important information! One of the members of our locally based TeamHiloEtsy is SoulRole http://www.etsy.com/shop/SoulRole She makes very cool and contemporary fashion for the entire family out of soy based fabrics, nice stuff! thank you!

Hooray for the information highway, thank you Elizabeth.

Great information, as a new weaver my senses are assaulted with my yarn content choices...this helps!

Absolutely wonderful article! There's so much that can be said on the topic and you covered it well but without overwhelming the reader. Nice job!

This was informative! Thanks for sharing!

Nice to see a post based around presentation of facts and up-to-date information without bias. Our culture today is far too focused on advocating the accepted 'green' ideals without actually researching how 'green' they really are. When you start to examine the facts it turns out a lot of things which are proclaimed as environmentally friendly are little better, or even worse, than those perceived as having a negative environmental impact.

This was very informative, I look forward to more posts like this and the author's book.

Great.

great article. regardless of the fibers we choose to wear, i think that it is our cultural attitude/expectation about clothes being disposable that contributes to demand for the 'frankenfabrics'. i also agree with embergrass- you wrote a very balanced piece- you've taken into account how the modern processes that are use to manufacture even natural fabrics can have serious environmental repercussions. nice work!

good post. very informative.

Great article, insightful!

Very informative and interesting post. Will watch for the book!

I recently discovered yarn made from milk. That made my brain hurt...

Amazing information-thank you for sharing this.

This is a great article!!!

Wonderful article, thanks! I found it interesting that the new 'green' darling of many people, Bamboo, is actually produced the same as Rayon. I know many people would be completely unaware of that!

thanks for sharing :)

Great post! Thanks for shining some light on our closets!

Very interesting. There is nothing like wool, silk bamboo and tencel. Soft and durable, a great combination!

Nothing like cotton & linen! Great post! Monica TheIDConnection

Yikes! Never really thought about fabric sitting in a landfill forever, very thought provoking! Thanks for bringing this to light!

Sorry to say that I can't entirely agree with this. In the same way that I can't entirely agree to mined diamonds from africa. In some senses... man-made diamonds and or fabrics do have their advantages for the earth and the population. Not to say one way or the other. The fabrics in my furniture are 90% natural wool and 10% helanca.. there are so many fire rating safety issues and quality issues that are not always accomplished via the most natural of fabrics + materials. One more thing to think about when you are purchasing.

I've always been a natural-fabrics girl...silk and wool all the way!! Polyester is one of my hugest pet peeves LOL! ;)

I, myself am anti polyester. it's itchy, it pills up, and it doesn't breathe! And fire ratings? I would have to conclude that if I were wearing "plastic", I mean polyester, that my clothing would melt to me, God forbid I ever catch on fire. My daughter has very sensitive skin. Every since she could talk, she would refuse to wear anything itchy, a.k.a. polyester. My whole family knows to read the lable when it comes to buying her clothing. I shy away from all those other new names on labels.

Fascinating and informative- Especially as I live very close to Front Royal, VA! I had no idea the history of the Avtex plant, which is very disturbing. I look for natural fabrics as much as possible, but that Tencel sounds promising!

Great Article!!!

Very informative, and makes me want to know more about what I'm putting on my skin, and what it takes to create and dispose of them. Just like everything, I feel the more I know about it, the more I want to know.

I prefer natural fibers and make effort to buy cotton clothing. Really dislike the feel of polyester...

I use what i find to makes clothes when im on the sewing mood. Today i made a skirt with some cotton shorts of my dad :P The other day i made a dress with a pillow case haha

it's actually a bit frightening...we just need a bit more upcycling for all.

Wow i never thought of this... but thanks for the great info... now i will think about whats in my closet or if i even want it in my closet =D

Great article. It's very informative. I didn't know about the different grades of synthetic fiber until I read this. It does seem like the synthetic blends are more easy to maintain since they need less ironing and don't stain easily.

Having spent a week without air conditioning in August (Pennsic!) I have learned the value of linen. Fabric that breathes is a marvelous thing, and linen breathes even better than cotton. I've got a few items in my shop that I'll be relisting this winter since they didn't sell last winter that are acrylic or acrylic/wool blends, but new stuff I make is tending toward wool. I decided that given mulesing's illegal/unnecessary in most places, I can justify wool as better than acrylic as a vegetarian and an environmentalist, as long as I avoid Australian wool.

Oh, and I believe soysilk is also a rayon. I see it offered as a "premium" fibre for handspinning sometimes.

Meg: Fire safety is actually one reason I insisted upon wearing natural fibres at Pennsic. Wool will not burn. It'll smolder a bit, and as soon as the fire source is moved away, it'll go out. Synthetics, though? They just melt to your skin.

I really enjoyed the balance in the article, especially the last bit about if it is in a landfill, does it really matter where it came from? I like this most because even biodegradable items don't breakdown in a landfill. Landfill layers are easily dated with newspapers from the 1920's. Most people would agree that a regular newspaper is not very sturdy. Wouldn't it be better to make something a hand me down or give to charity through places like the salvation army and goodwill?

All I know is I want those fancy purple tights.

Excellent information - thank you!

Great post Elizabeth ! Thank you for sharing !

Great to know a bit more about fabrics.

Wonderful article, very thought inducing. I will be thinking this information through for a long time. Thank you!

This is fantastic information! I'm going to repost this to my blog (with credit, of course!) because this is something everyone should be considering when purchasing clothing. I have been wondering what Tencel and Lyocell were! This is just excellent.

Yep. The thought of wearing plastic makes my skin crawl, so I try to always keep it to natural fibers for my fabric and sewing. It's an uncomfortable thought thinking about how the plastic garbage bags under my sink could easily have been a blouse instead.

Great post!! Really interesting :D In my line I use natural fiber,but also viscose,acrylic and rayon. I think they are not so bad! Overall viscose! Viscose jersey is better than cotton jersey...sometimes!

Interesting article. I enjoyed reading it.

This is why it's so great to recycle clothing instead of throwing it away. We are saving the planet by handing our vintage paisley rayon shirts to the next generation !

" we are what we eat and now what we wear " thanks sprawling wally

If they are creating recycle-able fabrics, who is actually recycling them. Let me guess.. noone? Solution is consuming less, upcycling, recreating and recycling. And wearing Vintage of course :)

as practical as it sounds, I would never trade natural cotton, hemp, wool fabrics for polyester or acryllic. It just does not feel the same.

Great post. I always keep my old pieces. There is always a need for them. Thanks!

This post makes me want to design more upcycled arm & leg warmers from my scrap materials! :)

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for your post! Your take on our throw away society is very similar to my own, but you express it more completely, simply, understandably than I ever could- & with a better vocabulary. Thank you for showing both sides of the issue and including the impact a garment has on our lives, our wardrobe, and our earth on it's way into and out of our closets.

Interesting post! We have to wear ETHICALLY

thank you for the info, very helpful

Great information, definitely something to think about.

Great article I'd always wondered about man made fibres. When I pick clothes up I always check to see what they're made of - I always try to avoid buying clothes made from synthetics they just feel weird on my skin!

just excellent!!! sometimes we just need to clear our knowledge!thanks.

Spooky to think that all that might be left in the universe is cockroaches and old nickers!

this is a fantastically clear and informative article! it explains it much more clearly than the textbooks I use! i am going to link all my students to this article for them to memorise!! :D thanks!

Interesting article, I definitely learned something today! Thank you for sharing. :)

thanks to transmit more conscience.

Great article, right on time ! http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/press/releases/New-clothing-tests-implicate-global-brands-in-release-of-hormone-disrupting-chemicals/

Great article! Natural fibers are the way to go, but the next step is to dispose of them properly. Natural fiber clothing that would otherwise be thrown in the landfill make great mulch for the garden. Old worn out t-shirts, wool sweaters, cut up jeans (zippers and tags cut out) etc keep the weeds down nicely. Covered up with a layer of straw or compost no one would know...if it even matters

Good Post! Never liked plastic next to my skin. Can't be healthy. Thanks

Recycle. Wear it again, Sam.

Lately I've issues triyng to buy basic/classic clothes in order to wear them more time... The designs are complicated on purpose, and the ones that are what I'm looking for, are too expensive. I try to sell my old clothes, or send them to the recicle bin, where it reads it will be given to poor people, so I always give them totally clean, and still in very neat conditions. But it's like we're trapped in our clothes :(

Hmmm, what a great post!

Great post!! May I link this in my shop listings?

Great post and very informative! I never really look at the label of my clothing. I will start now.

Really a fantastic article :D! I have recommended it to so many people so far who don't really know about what they are wearing. Puts a lot of 'eco' clothes into an interesting perspective.

i've always wondered whether cellulose-based fabric could be morphed into a more enviromentally friendly. time will tell.

The idea of wear a plastic bottle as a sweater always scares me. I love the idea of repurposing waste and recycling the materials, but the plastics in that bottle (now the sweater) were NEVER meant to be in contact with human skin for that amount of time! When looking at recycling and reusing materials, the designers need to look at the initial purpose of the material, not just the outcome.

Responsible shopping? That's going out and buying stuff to stimulate the economy. It's *not* "oh, let's see if it's biodegrable!" or even "Oh, it's not made in China!" or even "it's second hand! I'm reducing my carbon footprint!" We need shoppers in this economy *not* people lecturing others on what or what not to buy.

Great explanation! Reminded me why I've always preferred natural fibers for my own wardrobe -- which was really a challenge during the polyester 1970s! Now I search out vintage silks and wools at estate sales, upcycle old bed linens, buy clothes at thrift stores, etc.

This is a great article and it voices issues that should be discussed. Let's boost our economy by finding a better way...

Your posts always get me thinking. Thank you for that :)

Thank you for this post. I try to wear clothes made out of natural fibers but it's pretty hard to find it nowadays, considering that I am a college student and on a tight budget.

dirty plastic world!

great post very intersting!

Great article!!! I will follow your blog as this topic really interests me. I recently made the decision to buy only eco-friendly, sustainable, handmade and or 2nd hand fashion. But you bring up a good point on your blog that one should look at the overall impact of their closet and the life span of the items and not just the source of each garment. I'm a shopaholic who somehow considers herself environmentally friendly (i take public transport, bicycle or walk everywhere, I recycle everything plastic & paper.... even recycle the cardboard center that paper towels and toilet paper are on...i use rechargeable batteries only and LED lights, use my 'gray' water from the wash to water the plants....etc) but when it has come to fashion, i've always loved getting a good deal...meaning if I had $100 to spend, I would like to get 5 dress on sale at $20 each instead of one higher quality dress at full price. i now see I need to take the total environmental approach to have a "Good Closet". Appreciate you sharing your knowledge!! Keep up the good work on spreading the truth :)

Thank you for the information! Great post!

Wow! This will definitely make me think the next time I go through my closet sorting out what to donate. Maybe I'll find new ways to wear last year's fashion this year. :) Thanks for sharing! -Mandy

Environmental impact aside, I cannot stand the FEEL of synthetics! I love a good deal, but it's not a good deal if I can't stand to wear it. I thrift & upcycled, and I am becoming addicted to the wonderful clothing available on etsy made from delicious, high quality fabrics!

great article, the society of today should know more about what what they wear, raising an awareness of the ecosystem and definitely know what's good for us and our planet

YarnUiPhoneApp says: Responsible shopping? That's going out and buying stuff to stimulate the economy. It's *not* "oh, let's see if it's biodegrable!" or even "Oh, it's not made in China!" or even "it's second hand! I'm reducing my carbon footprint!" We need shoppers in this economy *not* people lecturing others on what or what not to buy. \__________________________________________/ Wow. Just wow.

Deseret Industries in Utah will shred old clothing to make into blankets for the poor. At my last job, I sent hundreds of pieces of uniform clothng to them instead of throwing into the landfill.

Thanks for this article. I use natural fibers in my knitting. They last indefinitely, feel great, are good for the planet and our health, and definitely are worth any extra cost. Garments that are well made using natural fibers may at first seem like a luxury, but when you're still enjoying wearing them 20 years from now you'll see them for the bargain they really are.

Wonderful and thought provoking information. Thanks.

I wish this article would have touched on the subject of water consumption. I think people would be very surprised to know cotton is probably worst than synthetic fibers. A single t-shirt made from conventional cotton represents 2700 liters of water and it still requires chemicals to be processed.

I've always heard from textile experts that polyester is the fabric which least degrades the environment, since it does not require long-term large-scale watering like cotton does.

great article!!!!! i just started a job as a designer's assistant so this is very helpful to me :)

Thanks for this! Really interesting and makes me look at my own perceptions about quality and desirability of fabrics.

Great article, thanks for giving us all some food for thought! Sounds like second hand stores and some upcycling could really help out with reducing the the amount of all fabric produced. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle can apply to fabrics too! Never thought about that before!

Wonderful about the book! I worked hard to insert this kind of education into the fashion design curriculum at 2 colleges but admin and designers are still very resistant to this education. They look at it as a limiting factor rather than a freedom to expand their ideas without harm. I have a colorful slide show of my public lecture if you care to view it.http://www.linkedin.com/osview/canvas?_ch_page_id=2&_ch_panel_id=3&_ch_app_id=46181480&_applicationId=1200&_ownerId=35354123&osUrlHash=HVkj&appParams={%22view%22%3A%22canvas%22%2C%22page%22%3A%22slideview%22%2C%22slideshow_id%22%3A%224905074%22} Thank you!

Thanks for sharing this...

congrats on the upcoming book and thanks for sharing this great info!

Thank you for the informative article -- especially the information about Tencel -- which I think feels great and wears well. There are some wonderful items of Tencel clothing here on Etsy!

This is brilliant! So informative and exactly what I've been searching for. Shedding a lot of light on a very interesting and necessary topic. Thanks <3 x

Neat-o. :)

Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Thank you for this very interesting article! I am going to print it to refer to it - as it has a lot of facts in it! Thanks for your time on this! Very good reading!

Thank you for putting this put there. I myself have done extensive research on fabrics and have chosen to stick with organics (although much more expensive), well worth the investment. Garments made from organic material are shown to hold up to the test of time. What more can I say, the first American flag was made out of my favorite organic hemp. I'm a fan!

Great post! Makes me kinda cringe looking at my closet.

Interesting information, thanks for sharing. I was recently looking to make some curtains, on what I discovered was an impossibly low budget ($30-50). I really wanted to sew some myself, but I was amazed to find that most fabrics that I was interested in using started at $15 a yard (I needed 7+ yards!). My perception was that it has always been more economical to make things yourself, but I was so disappointed to find I couldn't afford to do so.

Very interesting!

Thanks for the wonderful knowledge! ♥

Thanks for sharing, loved the article, very inspiring!

Loved the article, It is amazing what one can refurbish!

Another great article!!

very interesting!

Wonderful post and very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Good read! Thank you for sharing!

My fashionable parents taught me the beauty of cotton and silk from a young age....and quality over price and quantity...so I save up to buy good quality clothes in cotton or silk only. No regrets. Less clothes but more natural. I still wear dresses and jeans and tops from 7 yrs ago...and get compliments on their cuteness.

My dad was a Textiles professor, so while I was growing up, he taught me a wealth of information about the different fibers and their origins. So, when I shop now, to this day, I am VERY aware about the different fabrics, and just what their origins are. I'm glad to see that more and more people are becoming aware also. Great article and wonderful information. I try to go cotton and silk as much as I can! I detest polyester for exactly the reason you mentioned... H.O.T!!!!!! It just doesn't let your skin breathe! The article of clothing can be absolutely gorgeous and summery, but if it's made of polyester... I steer clear. Thanks again!

Very interesting!

good points! sooner rather than later we have to think of how environmental friendly textiles are!

I appreciate your article, truly. As a vintage seller I try to read up on fabrics, historical design and production whenever possible. However,I would like to voice some real concerns that I have. I will assume that you did not mean to offend any Etsy Vintage sellers with this information, but one must remember that we can only sell what has already been made. Of course we all covet the natural fiber items because they seem so precious, yet there has been a time and place for each of these "alien" fabrics as you call them in history, including war time when cotton was needed for bandages and silk needed for parachutes. I revel in the find of a 1940s rayon dress still around because it is just that..Rayon. Vintage sellers do what they can for the recycling process by finding these wonderful pieces and bringing them back to the market, so Yes, I think it DOES matter if its in a closet vs. the landfill!

Really appreciate the knowledge. I have hated polyester for as long as I can remember, great natural clothes are so rare, I even hate shopping because I know what's out there is not what I like to wear. I avoid the malls and try to stick with designers like Calvin Klein, because many of the others have succumb to the polyester infestation. It is extremely disappointing to like a $350 piece then find out it is 100% polyester :-(

I'm glad you mentioned how while some fabrics are of natural fibers other considerations like the diesel in the tractors and the defoliants used to harvest the cotton are detrimental to the environment and the health of everyone as well. I live in a valley where cotton is a major crop and we dread when they start defoliating the fields. Is the headaches, sore throats, and high numbers of asthma sufferers that go along with producing that wonderful fiber really better than polyester?

Polyester is great for accessories, not clothing. I use vintage polyester for my bags to give a sense of a vintage look and because the prints are mostly wild and eye catching. I do admit I wear polyester but that's because I'm a vintage clothing junkie. When it comes to shopping at department or label stores, I always check the label. No sense in wasting $40 on a dress from forever21 that will just make you uncomfortable. I'll look out for the book too! Id love to read it. I remember in my beginning fashion design courses- my teacher told use that polyester would still be around even when there is no life... because of it's origin. Creepy!

Great article!!Love the info on the newer fabrics.

That is why I think it is so important to reuse or recycle clothes and fabrics when possible, and use "vintage" fabrics and scraps found at yard sales. Instead of throwing away a t-shirt with a stain on it, make an embellishment to cover it, or think of the shirt as materials - make a reuseable bag out of the main part, gift bags from the sleeves, and piece together scraps with other scraps to make boho skirts, scarves and pillow cases. If you can't sell good condition used items at a yard sale, donate them, or use them to make other things! If you have to buy something new, look for reclaimed or natural materials.

very informative and interesting post. thanks for sharing!

in our house we very strongly prefer natural fibers, especially cotton, largely because we have skin issues - my mother, for example, is allergic to her own sweat... so something that doesn't breathe well and can't absorb sweat will leave her w/ an itchy red rash on her skin and make her miserable... and since she works in a hot kitchen all day, that makes it even more important (she has to have her company reimburse her and buys her own uniforms, because the company uniforms won't work w/ her skin). one of the other things we try to do is recycle our clothing: we patch and repair it. we pass it along to others when it doesn't fit or we just aren't wearing it enough and it's sitting there going to waste (and also get clothing this way from others we know, especially some of our relatives). sometimes we even re-purpose it to give it new life as a new object that we will use. ...and we aren't afraid to go to thrift shops either. that's not to say we don't also buy some of our clothing new - but certainly not all of it.

I think the last line of your article is spot on.

A lot of info I was not aware of. Thank you for educating us! :) Great post. Alicia

I have never heard of the concept of disposable clothing until I came to North America. My parents and grandparents wear an article of clothing for life and pass it down if possible. I never realized clothing could end up in landfills, I thought they are reused for other purposes such as mopping the dust and floors...

I agree with Elizabeth about the new synthetics. I've been wearing lyocell and tencel dresses (by Nanso) for a few years now and like them very very much. I actually prefer the touch and feel of these fabrics to cotton blends. They are hard-wearing too, and low maintenance. My dresses certainly won't be filling any landfills in any foreseeable future.

wow I never thought about the environmental impact of my closet. I realize that I do consider clothing a disposable product in my life but with all the synthetics it really is not as healthy as I thought. I need to upcycle more and buy organic or green fabrics.

All the items I make are made from shirts from second hand stores. New life to the unwanted. :)

Great post! This is just another reason why the etsy community is so great- What we see here is hints of two sides of an issue we all face, and through the processing of 'etsiers', it becomes all encompassing. I'm just not an either or person. I've been up-cycling since the age of 12. Yet I love to see the new fabrics come to life with less impact to the environment. The equation seems to require not only that we be responsible buyers, but responsible sellers as well. I think we should start eco shredder factories that turn the absolutely unwanted garments into thread. 'Cause we're gonna need a lot of thread the construct all these innovative new designs:)

Very cool article!!

Learn something new every day! I enjoyed this article. Thanks!

Polyester and its relatives and made from.....petroleum!!! And where do we get much of our petroleum/oil? You guessed it!

i am so surprized that my Recycled Fabric Covered Journals have not been mentioned! i use old wool, even my grandmother's coat from the 1930 has been used, to cover hand bound journals!!!! And I use used buttons to latch the journals. Check out my shop to see the journals and Art Quilts made with Recycled Fabrics and Buttons!

Thanks for a great article! I buy all second-hand, own fewer clothes than most people, and try to wear them into the ground. Dare I admit to cutting up old cotton t-shirts and using them instead of toilet paper? I find many people who consider themselves "green" do it by buying new stuff that's supposedly environmentally friendly, but the most environmentally friendly purchase is nothing, or when you really need something, a used item.

A fabric I'm constantly running into these days is "modal". Google tells me it is a cellulose based fabric, but it just feels so ......NASTY to me. (might just be a sensory thing for me) What do you know about modal?

Wow! I had no idea that synthetics didn't degrade. I'll be changing my habits and shopping more responsibly now.

I use mostly natural fibers as I handspin my own yarn for the things I make.(I sometimes add a little glitzy stuff) I purchase much of the fiber I use from small private producers. (their sheep even have names!) And I use 100% wool felt for the craft kits that I sell. Natural fiber Is a completely renewabel resourse. Acctually, it's prepetually renewable. The animals grow their fiber no matter what. It's just what they do. We harvest it and process it... The animals arn't harmed in any way. There are now eco-friendly ways to process fiber and many producers are now embracing this... It also does break down completely IF it does end up in landfill. It's warm, it's cool, it's natural. Come on, get real...

I liked this article on the featured comments. I donate clothes that don't work out, of course, but I'm also becoming much more disciplined about buying new clothes. I try not to shop just to shop anymore. I go if I need a new pair of pajamas, having ripped the old pair into rags of course. But my one weakness is coats. I love coats and have a whole bunch, more than any one woman needs. So I am not perfect but I am trying to be better.

Very informative article!!!!

I had never thought of clothes in this way. Thanks for opening my eyes a bit on this topic. I contribute part of the problem to society's everchanging "what's in" attitude...it changes every 30 seconds...then it's on to the next popular piece of clothing :(

I have a quilt on my bed made by my grandmother, who made it out of used clothing and stuffed it with nylon pantyhose, and it's an amazing example of fabrics that have been reused past their original lifespan as clothing. Also, my favorite pair of jeans for years was a pair that I patched over and over with quilt scraps, until they were more patch than jeans and I was patching over patches, and I finally had to say goodbye. They were rainbow colored and AMAZING, and I may have to start up a new pair when my current jeans start to wear out.

This is an article that we all must read and share with others. We all need to take accountability for what we buy. I didn't realize this about clothes. I generally hold onto clothes for a long time and then use it for crafts or projects with students. If it doesn't get used I then donate it to a local thrift shop. Thank you for helping me be a little bit more informed!

Really interesting. The featured comment caught my eye so I came over here to have a read. Thanks for the enlightenment this morning.

I can't wait to read your book! I've always been interested in how fabrics are made and what's used to make them! The impact it will have on our enviroment is crazy! My Aunt taught me to sew at a very age, old school, and I can really see the difference in quality when I shop! Maybe with more awareness more people will buy quality and keep it longer and then re-use it!

wow, this really opened my eyes.

Wow! I've never paid too much attention to how a fabric was made or if it's eco friendly, but will now! Thanks for a very informative piece :-)

What a phenomenal post. First it's hormones injected into our meats/dairy and harmful chemicals in our bath products and now this. As a mother-to-be, this especially hits home with me. Thank you for sharing with the community. ~SneakyPoodle

Very interesting.

Now even more of a reason to head to the thrift store and re-use clothes. :) Thanks for the article!

Wow. Great article and very enlightening. I'll be looking for your book in the spring. Isidro

This was fascinating to read. I can't remember the last time I bought a "new" article of clothing. I have multiple thrift and secondhand stores near me and always manage to find exactly what I need/want. It may not be exactly what I was looking for, but I find myself shopping with a much more open mind than I used to. Plus, you save a little money and you're unlikely to run into someone wearing the same outfit like you do when shopping at major chains.

Thought provoking and timely. As someone who raises fiber animals of course I am biased, but always wondered what the "half life" on a pair of 70's polyester pants really was. Fantastic job!