Everywhere you look, it seems another company has jumped onto the green-friendly bandwagon. But when it comes to eco-conscious consumption, nothing is black and white: in fact, sustainability comes in all shades of green. Some companies make a shirt from organic cotton and call it a day (we’ll call those mint), while others incorporate their values into their everyday business practices (which must be a rich, forest green).

So how do you negotiate the eco-marketplace? When I first became passionate about environmentalism, I was surprised by the option of bamboo fiber. Sure, bamboo can grow as much as 48 inches a day, but who reaches for a fibrous piece of bark over a fluffy ball of cotton? I’m not a panda (though I too favor a monochromatic color palate), so you’ll excuse my skepticism.

I can only imagine that, from the outside, it must have looked like a religious awakening the first time I slipped into a bamboo T-shirt. The fabric is unbelievably soft, and I was shocked at how long those greedy little pandas had been having all the fun. Endangered species? Yeah, right. Maybe if they weren’t hanging out in bamboo luxury all day, they’d have time to mate.

I recently discovered another great eco-friendly practice: making fabrics from recycled bottles. Cutting down on plastic consumption is a hot-button issue, with everyone from grocery stores to the neighborhood hipsters pushing reusable bags. But you can go above and beyond, actually taking used plastic out of the system by investing in recycled polyester garments made by PrAna. Each piece can save as many as 25 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills.

Of course the green revolution goes beyond just fabric. Many of MyShape’s brand partners incorporate sustainability into every aspect of their business, joining groups such as the Fair Trade Association and Organic Trade Association, which ensure fair business practices with local producers. For example, Jonano is working to produce greener factories while providing paid work opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Both Pure and Neon Buddha, which have production centers in Thailand, incorporate fair-trade practices and donate a portion of profits to local NGOs. PrAna, a maker of chic and sustainable activewear, invests in wind-based electricity and estimate that their efforts have kept 12,000 tons of carbon out of the atmosphere in 2009.

So if you’re looking for clothes that fit your shape and your values, let MyShape help you be sustainable in style!

Posted by Terri at MyShape