Monday, February 16, 2009

Vegan Fashion!

My friend Melissa is working with a clothing company called "Livity Outernational," and this weekend she had a trunk sale at her house. Because I teach yoga, she hooked me up with a pro-deal and gave me a few pieces for free, but I really loved the clothes and had to purchase something for myself too! These clothes feel really amazing - the fabrics are strong and natural and cozy. Best of all, they are made with the environment in mind!

The first piece Melissa picked out for me is this awesome hoodie. Honestly, I have hardly taken it off for the last 3 days! It's made of hemp and recycled plastic bottles! How cool. I love the slightly fitted waist, the warmth and strength of the fabric, the stylish and chunky zipper pull, the big hood that kept my head dry in the rain today, and the THUMBHOLES, which keep my hands warm. Thumbholes are the best!

This is the one I bought. I fell in love with this fabric - a combo of soy, hemp, and organic cotton. It's a perfect underlayer: silky, warm and it even has more thumbholes! Plus, I like the light silvery grey color.


This Lotus design is technically a men's tee, but I can't be bothered with gender normalities! I love the dark green-grey color and the long fit. When I am teaching yoga (and practicing), I'm always raising my arms above my head, or doing headstand or whatever... and I really prefer long tees that don't flop down and expose my midriff to the world! Modesty, please! This tee is made of a hemp-organic cotton blend that is soft and stretchy and warm but breathable.

Last but not least! Knee-highs! What fun! I made Snoopy get in the picture with me, but he was not cooporating and wouldn't look at the camera. These fun socks are organic cotton-hemp-lycra. They are warm and funny and very comfy.

These clothes are made in China, but Melissa assures me that the owner of Livity travels there often to ensure that the factory is seriously doing everything right - for their workers and for the environment. Personally, my commitment to veganism comes from ethical concerns for animals, but protecting the environment is an extension of that concern. Melissa taught me about how hemp is a great fabric for clothes because it's strong, breathable, doesn't require pesticides, and uses WAY less water than cotton (esp organic cotton). Still, all the items I brought home are hemp combined with something else. In my experience, hemp on it's own is a bit rough, like linen.

One thing Melissa and I talked about is how hard it is to be truly ethical in our lives. These clothes are made from really carefully harvested low-impact natural fabrics or recycled post-consumer fabrics, but still require production in China and the resulting trans-continental shipping to be economically viable. I think it's like veganism, and how we do our best - and feel good about doing what we can do. I never purchase non-vegan ingredients, but then when I found out that things like matches and paper towels aren't even vegan... sometimes I just remind myself that the changes I can make are making a difference!

18 comments:

  1. What beautiful clothes. This is a very thoughtful and insightful post, thank you! It is important that we all do the best we can and it seems like these gorgeous eco friendly clothes is a very stylish way to do just that.

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  2. Anonymous2:28 AM

    Sounds like you and your friend Melissa are really doing your best. It's good to remind oneself that there's always a lot one can do. I love that hoodie, btw.

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  3. It is really tough to live out your thics in every aspect of your life.. but trying your best is what matters!

    I love that hoodie! The thumbhole is genius. I'll have to check them out online. Thanks for the fashion show!

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  4. Thumb holes are the best. I have a few tees with those and for some reason, they make me feel safe and protected when my little thumbs are them. I also feel safe in hoodies, though I don't know why.

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  5. amey,
    i used to have an old thrifted swater that i lived in night and day and had naturally worn thumb holes into--the best.

    hope you're doing ok and that your grandpa is feeling a lot better.

    xo
    kittee

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  6. I also love the eco-friendly hoodie with the thumb holes! I'll definitely check out the livity website.

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  7. all super cute clothes. i really love that hoodie!

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  8. Cute hoodie! Thumbholes are cool! I really like the Lotus shirt, to hell with gender normalities!

    I hope your grandpa is recovering like the trooper that he is!

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  9. I love hoodies, and that one looks so comfortable and cuddly! I love the thumbholes too!!!

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  10. ahh i love knee socks!!! i usually take dance classes in them (i dunno its a style i guess haha) but they are so super comfy and warm just to hang around in :)

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  11. All the fabrics sound so nice, and that hoodie is super cute!

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  12. You have very sexy legs.... all love, Sandy

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  13. Love the clothes! They look so soft and snugly.

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  14. Oooh, I am totally loving those clothes, especially the socks (ok so maybe it's the adorable doggy distracting me... :D ). And I agree, we have to choose our battles, and unfortunately in this world we cannot always do things as perfectly as we may like. Do what you can and don't do what you can't - I keep this simple phrase in mind every day, to help ground me.

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  15. Those socks are cool. I have a thing about socks and the more "unnormal" looking they are the better!!

    Wow, I did not know that papertowels and matches were not vegan. How does that work?
    We really do just have to be happy with the changes that we can make.

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