The newest trend seems to be going ‘eco-friendly.’ Designers and consumers alike have turned to recylced material to help both the environment and the fashion industry.

The startling concern for the environment has impacted almost every consumer these days. Even the most ardent shoppers have been switching to new alternatives for their wardrobe that adhere to the new demands of keeping the environment safe.

Eco-friendly clothing has proven to be not only fashionable but also beneficial to the planet. New labels and fashion lines have emerged, promoting the reuse and recycling of materials to prove that one doesn’t have to compromise their fashion sense for the sake of the environment.

“Bamboo-u,” an online clothing company utilizing bamboo as its primary material, has promoted the benefits of bamboo for not only the world but for those who purchase their products as well. Attaching the logo “Show the world you care with what you choose to wear” to their T-shirts, this company promises that their organic cotton and bamboo apparel will provide a comfortable feel, a more sustainable wear and a shirt that eliminates the use of chemicals or pesticides. Conveniently so, this small company targets college students who are learning about the threats against the environment now more than ever. Though the line is small, it provides women’s shirts with the bamboo logo or an animated panda to give comfort to both the body and the environmentally-conscious mind.

On a larger scale, jewelry company John Hardy has resorted to using earth-friendly goods such as bamboo and recycled silver to create trendy necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The John Hardy bamboo collection, featuring pieces such as the Bamboo Silver medium round hoop drop earrings, prides itself on crafting jewelry that is “inspired by the natural world and is made of materials that come from deep inside the earth.”

The line’s luxurious cuffs and necklaces are indeed pricey; however, the company dutifully donates its proceeds to good causes. When you purchase the sterling silver Bamboo wide kick cuff, bamboo trees will be planted on the Balinese island of Nusa Penida. This jewelry line effectively deceives all those who come face to face with their beautiful pieces, as those unaware of the line would never be able to tell they were made out of recycled materials.

Renowned celebrities have also joined the bandwagon of going green. Natalie Portman, a respected actress who is equally noted for her unique fashion sense, took it upon herself to create her own line of shoes, “Te Casan.” A humanitarian on the side, Portman offers shoes that are just as appealing to the eye as high-end shoe brands, such as Manolo Blahnik or Jimmy Choo. Her line adheres to vegan-friendly materials of faux-leather and faux-suede to create a look similar to the shoes made of the real thing.
Child star Soleil Moon Frye, of the television show “Punky Brewster,” stepped in to create an eco-friendly clothing line for infants after becoming a mother herself, titling her company ‘The Little Seed.’ Offering products ranging from onesies and shirts to pants and booties, the basic yet necessary pieces are affordable.

The push to go green has been accompanied by websites and advertisements, offering advice and information to the consumers looking to join the force in protecting the environment. ‘The Green Connoisseur’ is an online resource for those committed to the cause, equipped with information on eco-friendly foods, drinks, clothes, spas, electronics, accessories, hotels and resorts.

The world is going green, and fashion is only one of its many allies.