With the number of Christmas shopping days rapidly diminishing, that feeling of panic may be setting in already… not only is the dreaded date fast approaching, but with the amount of pressure were under due to lack of time, busy lives, kids to manage, and visiting in laws, shopping for gifts can be fraught with stress. Buying clothing for babies, children and even adults as Christmas presents is now even easier with large lines available in stores and even supermarkets, and the time-saving temptation of throwing gifts in with the weekly shop can be so alluring but the reality is that although you may not carry the cost for bargain clothing, those involved in the manufacturing processes certainly do.
It just takes a moment to stop and think about your purchase. The pressures of modern day living put convenience first, and buying ethically or organically may seem like an expensive and complicated option. As the founder of www.buyOrganics.co.uk I understand those pressures, I juggle them all the time!
Organic cotton and bamboo clothing may seem an unattainable, elusive and unnecessary option, particularly at times when quantity rather than quality is more pressing, for example, buying children’s school uniforms and clothing fast-growing babies, but it is exactly at these times that organic clothing is most desirable, is surprisingly accessible, and stylish too.
GM and conventional cotton is responsible for a whopping 16 percent of annual global pesticide use, with over $2 billion worth of highly toxic chemicals sprayed on cotton every year. Virtually all cotton (99%) is grown in developing countries, and pesticides used to treat the crops are responsible for 3 million poisoning cases every year. Not only this, but cotton farming can be highly abusive with record numbers of exploited workers, in particular women and children. As well as the effects of agricultural poisons and poor working conditions on these labourers and their families and the toxic effects on the local environment, once the cotton is manufactured and turned into clothing for us to wear, these highly toxic pesticides actually remain, even after many washes.
Organic clothing has been shown to be beneficial to sufferers of skin conditions such as eczema, presumably because of the absence of these highly noxious substances, which can include organophosphates and even cyanide. Many of my customers at www.buyorganics.co.uk buy organic clothing for children with skin allergies. It’s estimated that around 17 teaspoons of fertilizers and one of active ingredients are used for every average sized T-shirt – with 60% of what we put onto our skin actually absorbed into it, why on earth would we want to choose anything less for our children than the purest, softest and ethical materials for their clothing?
Whilst shopping for organic cotton clothing may seem a little daunting in our fast paced have-it-all consumerist society, there are many wonderful manufacturers out there, we are particularly keen to support those producing adults, children’s and babies’ clothing from fairly traded, non-toxic organic cotton, so maybe with Christmas approaching, this might be the time to take the plunge and choose one or two special items as gifts which can be treasured and worn with pride into the next year. www.buyOrganics.co.uk stock a couple of different lines for adults and children such as howies and Tatty Bumpkin which has a lovely organic cotton range for children aged 1-7 incorporating little motifs based on yoga moves, such as a lion, bee, frog and sun. Each item comes with a little card explaining the yoga move associated with the image.
One of my favorite materials is Bamboo. Bamboo clothing is naturally organic, and it’s so very soft. It feels like silk but has so many more wonderful qualities. The www.buyorganics.co.uk range of Tatty Bumpkin and unique bamboo clothing by Bam introduces a range of children’s, men’s and women’s organic clothing made from sustainable and naturally breathable, antibacterial bamboo fibres to the highest ethical trade policies. For every item of Bam organic clothing bought a tree will be planted! Organic cotton clothes and bamboo clothes aren’t necessarily really expensive, howies and bam clothing are reasonably priced lines. Their clothes are well made and last. The exclusive designers who charge into the hundreds for clothing are being replaced by, young, stylish affordable producers. We only stock these lines making positive living choices more accessible for everyone. Buying your child or baby something made from an ethical material which hasn’t contributed to poverty or harmed the environment could be the most special gift you give this Christmas.
The best way to shop I find, is to get a balance. Don’t feel pressured but feel positive, the main thing is for you to find a balance between getting the shopping done and buying something that’s going to make you feel good and the receiver feel good too! Do what you can…little steps make all the difference.
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