Ethical Fashion
The new name of the game isn't just fashionable and expensive, but also ethical! These days, designers are coming up with designer lines that are ethically inspired and cost a pretty penny too.
U2 singer Bono's wife Ali Hewson started a new line in 2005 called Edun that makes organic clothing that is sewn by non-sweatshop workers given fair wages.
Via Vegan's Canadian Matt&Nat brand brings bags and shoes that are not leather and are found in the latest popular styles.
Loomstate is one among several companies that makes organic cotton jeans. Their pricey jeans ($150 and up) fit well and have been seen on celebrities.
Speaking of celebrities, Stella McCartney has been talking ethical for a while, and Pamela Anderson never wears animals.
Even big commercial brands are going ethical. Nike has a new organic cotton line, and Hermes makes their famous Birkin bag in a sustainable rainforest rubber called Amazonia.
But where do normal people with average budgets go to get ethical designs? Try Vegetarian Shoes, and Alternative Outfitters to get your own. But you can do better just by buying thrifty - secondhand. No new materials, no animals killed, and the poor get help - now that's eco-chic.