Super Natural

It shouldn’t be so hard to turn away from clothes and accessories not made of environmentally safe fabrics and with responsible production techniques. Clothes that get our nod here are those that are made with organic raw materials such as cotton grown without pesticides. Eco-fashion also doesn’t use harmful (to the body as well as to nature) chemicals and bleaches to colour or develop fabric. And especially important: they are made by people working in healthy conditions and earning fair wages.

Designers and bigger labels have long realised that people are buying with these criteria in mind. With more consumers demanding ethical fashion,designers are being forced to take it large scale albeit for the sake of profit. But at least we can have stylish clothes and don’t have to rely on the ill fits of Fabindia.

Basic economics dictates that supply will always cater to demand. As consumers,we need to learn to live within our limits and work towards a routine that moves with natural cycles. Dress according to the weather — mulmul and linen in hot and humid weather will not let you rush for the air-con switch.

Start by buying less,we all have too many clothes. There is such a problem of plenty that even charities are unable to accept cheap clothing. Buy one good piece instead of 10 cheap items and look after it. Aired and well-kept clothes last longer and look fresher.

Rearrange your wardrobe every few months; if you haven’t worn something for two years,get rid of it. Clothes sold as “non iron” are treated with formaldehyde so avoid buying them altogether. Crumpled natural fabrics look better anyway. Christina Strutt’s book,Cabbages & Roses: Guide to Natural Housekeeping,is full of handy tips for those interested in chemical-free living. It says to look for “wet clean” launderers to send your “dry-clean only” clothes too; they use a combination of steam,pure soap and vacuuming to clean clothes instead of harmful pollutants.

Opt for handmade,even if it’s more expensive. A couture gown or the Hermes Birkin are considered special because they are crafted by hand. If five T-shirts cost Rs 500,someone somewhere is being grossly exploited — poorly paid or not paid at all.

We will always be influenced by the price of new clothes,but their “value” is what must be kept in mind.

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