While the virtues of organic cotton have been well documented from a farming standpoint, the virtues of wearing organic cotton have been slightly less touted. In my quest for a less chemically-laden life, purchasing organic cotton whenever possible is a priority.

Why waste my time with natural cosmetics and household cleaners and then cover myself in cotton coated in chemicals, right?

One area where I insist on organic materials is in those garments that come closest to my skin: my lingerie. Back in the day, organic cotton bras and panties were almost exclusively in the granny panty category: beige, utilitarian and totally unflattering. Thankfully, today even the sexiest environmentalista can find beautiful organic lingerie. …read more of Bringing Eco Sexy Back here

For a long time when I thought of hemp I thought of schleppy clothing with elastic waistbands. But hemp has come a long way in the world of fashion. Now this miracle plant is making an appearance in the personal care arena and the result is pure luxury.

The Healing Seed makes a whole line of products made of 100 percent organic hempseed oil. From hair care to skin care this simple ingredient makes for some excellent products. In addition to being paraben-free and vegan, the products are rich and effective and come in all-natural scents like Sweet Orange, English Daisy and Fresh Jasmine.

(The company does not offer unscented products at this time so this line may not be appropriate for those with perfume sensitivities.)

The product line, which is available on the company’s website, ranges in price from $11 to $14.

Heather O’Neill is the founder of Eco to the People, a green living blog.
Email her at: heather@ecotothepeople.com.

This may be the one time the one time in your life you want to get hosed.

Feuerwear makes the coolest stuff – belts, wallets, bags and organizers – all from recycled fire hoses. The German company’s bags and accessories are unusual, cool and super durable.

Bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the belts, which are adjustable thanks to an old-school metal buckle, can be trimmed down for smaller waist sizes.

Your efforts to reuse and recycle won’t combust when you shop Feuerwear: every product on the site is made of fire hoses used to save lives.

Feuerwear products are available on the company’s website.

Heather O’Neill is the founder of Eco to the People, a green living blog.
Email her at: heather@ecotothepeople.com.

There is nothing I love more than a product that puts an eco spin on a classic look, and Autonomie Project has the corner on that market when it comes to killer kicks.

The company’s line of Ethletic sneaks have the look and feel of a childhood classic, but are made with 100 percent Fair Trade organic cotton canvas and a natural rubber sole, tapped from a tree grown in a well-managed forest. The sole is produced and stamped with FSC-certified all natural and sustainable latex. All the dyes used on the canvas, which comes in an array of cool colors, are PCP and AZO free.

A Fair Trade premium is paid to both the rubber producers in Sri Lanka and to the shoe stitchers in Pakistan.

The shoes, which are certified by the Fair Labeling Organization and the Forest Stewardship Council, are 100 percent vegan. Available in high-top or low-top styles, Ethletic sneakers are available on the company’s website and in store. They retail for $56 and $54 respectively.

It may seem premature to think about right after Labor Day, but winter is coming. Depending on where you live, that may mean a new winter jacket. But materials that keep you toasty during the cold winter months don’t always make Mother Earth feel warm and fuzzy.

This ski season I plan to pick up one of Patagonia’s recycled jackets. Not only is Patagonia one of the good guys, ecologically-speaking, but the company’s Insulated Powder Bowl Jackets for men and women are pretty darn spiffy.

The waterproof shell is made from 100 percent recycled polyester, and insulated with Stuffable Thermogreen™, which is 90 percent recycled and quilted to prevent shifting inside the shell. …read more of Eco Fashion Goes Downhill here