Fresh Look - Anti-fashion fashion?
July 10, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Fresh Look , trackback
I will be the first one to admit that other than watching America’s Top Model and reading InStyle occasionally, I know little about fashion. The couture world is as far away from me as the headhunting tribes in Papua New Guinea. With eco-fashion rising to be a new hot topic, models are sent down the runway in hemp, organic cotton, eco silk, recycled cashmere, and other environmentally friendly material. Turns out for the most part they are still clothing items that I only leaf through in glossy magazines, given that my daily routine involves going to work, running errands, playing with the kids, walking the dog, and possibly going to a yoga class if I am lucky. Oh yeah, I also cannot afford spending $150 on a tank top made from bamboo fiber. Further more, how did eco and fashion get to be mentioned as one hyphenated word? By definition fashion is about trendiness. This year’s fashion is next year’s throw-away. No matter how eco-friendly the material is, the piece of clothing that embodies fashion can only be worn within a short period of time before getting tossed into the bottom of the trunk. So I wonder how ecologically sound can fashion really be?
What I am looking for is the anti-fashion fashion, meaning the clothes have to be simultaneously hip and timeless. A tall order indeed. Along came PrAna, a casual active clothing line that is practical, flexible and a little edgy. They have a healthy number of tops, bottoms and accessories that are made from organic cotton. PrAna started out as rock climbing and yoga wear, hence the practical and flexible aspect. The design team also adds just the right amount of flair to each piece of clothing. There is often a bit of unpretentious asymmetry, an unexpected stitched-on flower, an edgy cut, or a whimsical pattern. So you will look hip even when you are just scooping up the kids and plopping them into a shopping cart. Have I mentioned that they are utterly comfortable? I fully expect my PrAna clothes to make me look cool for at least a few years. Now that is the anti-fashion fashion I love.
You can spend $500 to look cool and feel somewhat green for one night. Or you can get comfortable, look hip, and feel good every day. I realize that I am sounding like a PrAna spokesperson. Wish I could get paid for singing their praises. Well, that could be my career pursuit some day. For now I am a busy mom and a professional who is a devotee to PrAna clothing and has practically converted half of her wardrobe to PrAna organic cotton wear.
An organic tank top that can be worn to farmer’s market or a hike: $28
A pair of organic Capri pants that can be worn to PTA or yoga classes: $45
An organic long sleeve shirt that can be worn to work or a birthday party: $55
The compliments I get whenever I have them on: priceless
You can find them online at www.prana.com, or locally at REI. Or do a Google search on PrAna, you will see quite a few online stores that carry them. Look great and feel good!
CindyW at Organicpicks
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Comments»
This looks great!
Interesting post, and nice blog! The fashion argument is an age old one. In one sense you are correct that fashion has a strong time component, but quality garments can be re-brought out many times over the years as styles come and go, often to great fun.
Plus, it is high and intermediate fashion that drives all styles down the line. The classic, timeless things you are looking for are heavily influenced by fashion up the chain. For example, note the stylized design on the white top above: the detail is actually quite trendy, and influenced by current tastes.
I think it’s a good thing to green up fashion as much as possible, as that will get passed down, like all other trends, to the clothes ordinary people wear (and do keep for years), as well as home style and many other products and disciplines.
Here’s a timely article about possible benefits of this world:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/2007/07/09/report-from-live-earth-can-fashion-save-the-planet/3594/
I agree that high quality fashion garments can be recycled for years to come. One of my favorites is A-line sheath that my mom had from the Jackie O days and I wear it to many functions. My issue is with all the cheap fashion garments that are basically throw aways because they are poorly made and really don’t flatter - except for the trend of the moment.
I love Prana! I have featured them on my blog, EB Rue (www.ebrue.blogspot.com) before. I will definitely look at your blog again- it’s so cute!
You should check out bangledox.com., I only get my tees from them…their eco friendly.