Sustainable undercover clothing

We’ve all heard of sustainable living, but as of yet, sustainable clothing hasn’t made as much of a headway in mainstream consciousness.

Drawing from the former, having a sustainable lifestyle means embracing the impact we have on our planet with every item we consume, and clothing is one lifestyle item that directly influences our planet.

Most people think of natural fabrics as the best option for a healthy lifestyle. In warm countries like the Philippines, cotton and linen are examples of natural fabrics that are breathable, and wick moisture away from skin to keep us cool on languid summer days. But did you know that the modern cultivation of cotton—once the best fabric for everyday wear, now creates more damage to our environment? Pound for pound, the cultivation, harvesting and processing of cotton pumps out more pesticides, chemical dyes and consumes more arable water in the communities it’s grown in. In our desire to consciously select a “natural” fabric, we often are unaware that the very garments we wear are now potential sources of dyes and other chemical agents.

Bamboo as compared to cotton, grows faster, doesn’t need extensive pesticides, and has a smaller footprint than its traditional fabric counterparts. Once bamboo fiber is spun, it’s naturally breathable, antibacterial, and can absorb water as much as three times its weight. These amazing properties are inherent to bamboo. It doesn’t need any laboratory processing or chemical additives to enable the final product. Bamboo is also very soft next to the skin making it a great choice for finicky feet. The Goldtoe brand of socks is one brand that combines environment-friendly fibers bamboo, modal and tencel into their Elements line of socks.

Modal and tencel are extracted from renewable beech wood, and great care is taken to support only tree farms, which practice sustainability. Both Modal and tencel, from Lenzing of Austria, are certified by the PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and awarded by The European Eco-label, the European Awards for the Environment and the World Wide Fund of Austria.

Modal and tencel, like bamboo provide a unique natural experience for the feet. Modal being the softest fiber available does not use any kind of chemical additives or softener offering natural and ultimate softness. Modal retains exceptional color brilliance wash after wash. Tencel is a new age fiber that allows intelligent moisture management in your socks. Depending on climate conditions, its nanotechnology signals either the release or absorption of moisture to create the ideal environment for your feet.