Green Fashion 101 -- The Who-What-and-WEAR to begin!

So many people say that while they love the idea of greening up their wardrobe, they don't understand exactly why it helps the environment.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that conventionally produced clothing items are generally made out of materials that are either synthetically produced or treated with a vast amount of chemicals (as is the case with cotton).

Chemicals (which end up being persistant environmental pollutants) are just one part of the story, though -- the cheap clothing that we have enjoyed for decades upon decades in the US is oftentimes created on the other side of the world, earning quite a hefty carbon footprint once it completes its journey from the factory to the store.

Add polluted water and major energy consumption to the mix and the end result is that our cheap duds have come at a huge expense to the natural environment.

If you are seriously thinking about revamping what is in your closet, choosing thrift store items is definitely a smart financial and environmental move, but there are a lot of eco-friendly companies creating new green goods that you also might want to consider.

Below is just a small selection of what is available to the green minded consumer -- please feel free to add your own recommendations below.

IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR GREEN JEANS -- check out Denim Therapy, reco Jeans, Nau, Levi's Eco, Del Forte, Nudie, Sling and Stones, Loomstate, Aoki, 7 For All Mankind

IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR GREEN UNDIES -- check out PACT underwear, Fig Leaves, Pants To Poverty, Target organic, Red Dog's Eco-Sport, Patagonia, Top Drawers, American Apparel Organic, Rawganique, Toasty Boys

IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR GREEN SHOES -- check out Simple, Melissa, Terra Plana, Toms, Timberland Earthkeepers, END Outdoor, Olsen Haus, Merrell, Patagonia, END Footwear, Payless' Zoe & Zac line, Keen Footwear

IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR GREEN BAGS -- check out Teich, English Retreads, Passchal, Alchemy Goods, SealLine, Reiter8, Queen Bee, Vegan Queen, Fleurville, F.Rock, Timbuk2, Vy&Elle, Baggu, Matt and Nat

IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR GREEN OUTDOOR WEAR -- check out Horny Toad, Teko, Marika, KAVU, Nau, Patagonia, Exofficio