Covering Up Can Save Your Life

In case you didn’t get the memo, summer is in full force which means wearing tank tops and short shorts or mini-skirts have become the dress code for accommodating sweltering temperatures. (Actually, pair shorts and mini-skirts with a loose, voluminous shirt for balance; where’s the mystery in tight-fitting clothes?)

Unfortunately, I ignored the memo about the harmful effects of skin damage and may very well pay the consequences (amongst the numerous freckles on my arms and my face are varied-sized white spots, indication of skin damage). Thankfully, odd-shaped moles and/or increasing-sized brown spots have yet to surface but what about in five to 10 years from now? I don’t have to wait to hear those scary words “skin cancer” before I take action, all I need to do is look at family history. As one of ten kids, our Mexican-Irish heritage produced a range of skin tones. My likeness to Irish left me faired skin and prone to sunburns growing up. Despite my mother’s warnings, I lathered up in baby oil or Coppertone Sun Tanning lotion only to radiate in hot pink - not exactly the beautiful brown some of siblings possessed. Fast-forward 20 years and while I tend to tan instead of burn oddly enough, several of my older siblings are experiencing the results of childhood sun-bakes. Their frequent trips to the dermatologist to have pre-cancerous moles removed was the alarm I needed to change my relationship with the sun. I will always be a heat monger and rely on the sun to boost my energy and mood, but I choose to engage from a distance. That distance that separates me from my once-beloved friend is SPF moisturizers and body lotion and now fabrics that contain UVA and UVB protection.

To learn about skin cancer and how to prevent it, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Web site at http://www.skincancer.org.

A few factoids: (source: Skin Cancer Foundation)

• UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing is a colorless compound that shields those parts of the body most likely to be overexposed to the sun.
• Effective sun-protective clothes have an UPF of 15 – 50+
• Darker-colored fabrics are more effective than lighter fabrics at blocking out the sun (white tees only have an average of sun protection factor SPF 7, yet a long-sleeved dark denim shirt offers an SPF 1,700!)
• When washing clothes, add specialized laundry detergents that contain sun-protective ingredients such as Rit Sun Guard test.
• Opt for high-luster polyesters and thin satiny silk due to their blocking of radiation.

Sun-Protective Clothing, Accessories and Beauty Products

BTC Innovations Casual Clothing
Clothing with UPF 30 – 50+

Solar Eclipse – http://www.solareclipse.com
Offers clothing and accessories for adults, youth, and children

Solumbra – http://www.sunprecautions.com/shop.asp
Shaun Hughes experienced the harmful effects of sun damage the hard way – skin cancer. After beating the odds, Hughes turned his experience into a fashion crusade by developing Solumbra, a line of sun-protective clothing that blocks more than 97% of UVA and UVB rays. The clothing is most advantageous for medically sun sensitive people; however, everyone can benefit from the range of hats, shirts, skirts, and accessories.

Sun Protection Clothing – http://www.sunprotectionclothing.com
Online shopping for UPF-certified tees, sweatshirts/hoodies, children’s swimwear, and accessories.

Neutrogena
SPF 15 Oil-Free Moisturizer and 30 Healthy Defense daily moisturizer light tint. I don’t leave the house without wearing this dermatological-approved moisturizer.

Kiss My Face Sun Swat – http://www.chopinchemists.com
Remember to spray on this sunscreen and natural bug repellent before heading to the beach or mountains.

Korres Yogurt After-Sun Face and Body Gel - http://www.chopinchemists.com
Cool down inflamed skin with this soothing gel.

Running in Style

I recently ran in my fourth half-marathon through the scenic wine country north of Santa Barbara, California (think “Sideways”). The soft rolling hills took my breath away (Ok, some shortness of breath was on account of the steep inclines!) but it was snazzy running shoes and colorful skorts donned by fellow runners that caught my eye. Yes, I admit, even while engaging in the sport of running, I steal quick glimpses of runners from head to toe. This is not always a pleasing experience (i.e., the robust male and female in spandex shorts); however, on occasion I’m impressed by the latest high-tech sneakers paired with loose fit running shorts and a cute motif tee. Now, I’m not advocating for spending hours planning your outfit to wear running around the track but sportswear designers are making it more fun to dress the part. Walk into any running store and you are forced to pass racks of apparel before you reach the shoes. Nike, Adidas, Asics, Reebok, and Champion all offer coordinated pieces in bright hues and standard black, white and grey. Look for lightweight material such as Lycra, cotton blends and mesh stretch panels, in the case of shorts, for breathable and quick-dry wear.

Of course, not everyone is a runner, but sportswear is fast becoming synonymous with healthy lifestyles – or at least looking like it. Scarlett Johansson is a perfect example. The 22-year-old actress claims she never exercises yet she teamed up with Reebok to create a line of funky sneakers, leggings, and hooded tunics called “Scarlett Hearts RBK.” Stella McCartney and Diane von Furstenberg, real fashion designers, have designed a line of “lifestyle” shoes for adidas and tennis dresses for Reebok, respectively. The spring 2007 runways featured sports-inspired collections from the likes of Marni, Cynthia Rowley, MaxMara and Jean Paul Gaultier in tunics, leggings, and anoraks.

There is no doubt that sportswear is comfortable, but if there is one rule I can impart, sweatpants, sweatbands, spandex shorts (rather spandex anything!) should only be worn while exercising! Hit the streets in a pair of dark jeans (Levi’s Eco Jeans) with a long tee (American Apparel) under a zip-up hoodie (Scarlett Hearts RBK or Urban Outfitters) and Tom’s canvas shoes. If there is one sport conducive to designer sportswear it is walking. So take a leisurely stroll to your favorite park in style!

The majority of brands listed below participate in environmental and worker’s rights efforts.

Sportswear for Exercising
adidas - http://www.adidas.com/us/shared/home.asp
Asics – http://www.asics.com
Hincapie Sportswear - http://www.hincapiesports.com/index.php
Nike - http://www.nike.com
Reebok footwear - http://www.rbk.com/us/rbkrunning/
Run and Become – http://www.runandbecome.com
Umbro – http://www.umbro.com

Sportswear for Lifestyle
Emporio Armani for Product (RED) - http://www.joinred.com/products2.asp
Gaiam - http://www.gaiam.com/retail/Apparel?CMP=KNC-booyah&atlas=true&gcid=S18376x001&keyword=eco%20friendly%20apparel
Lucy - http://www.lucy.com/
Patagonia – http://www.patagonia.com
Scarlett Hearts RBK - http://www.rbk.com/us/scarlett/
Tom’s Shoes - http://www.tomsshoes.com/

To learn more about the sportswear industry and fair labor practices, check out the following organizations:

The Life of Football Factory Workers in Thailand. Report by Clean Clothes Campaign, http://www.cleanclothes.org/publications/06-06_tlc.htm

Fair Labor Association. http://www.fairlabor.org

Sportswear Brands ‘Offside’ on Workers’ Rights. Report by Oxfam International, http://www.oxfamamerica.org/newsandpublications/publications/research_reports/research_paper.2006-05-23.7997564894

Play Fair at the Olympics. http://www.fairolympics.org/background.html

Fashion Embraces Mother Earth

On April 22, we rolled up our sleeves to give Mother Earth a much-needed facelift. We picked up trash along rivers, at parks, and in our neighborhoods, planted trees, or participated in recycling drives. Our efforts may have revealed a beauty once suffocated by layers of debris; however, the day has come and passed and the layers have re-surfaced.

The protection of our Earth is everyone’s responsibility and collectively, we can reverse, if I may use a cliché, the signs of aging. We don’t have to look farther than our closets to create change. Thankfully, the fashion industry is taking strides to develop and promote “eco-friendly” apparel and beauty products.

Join me in supporting the following designers who have demonstrated a concerted effort to use sustainable materials and fair working conditions.


Eco-Friendly Fashion Designers and Retailers

Designers/Labels

All Undesigned by Carol Young – www.undesigned.com
Carol Young designs womenswear made from recycled-clothing and activewear materials.

Ciel - www.ciel.ltd.uk/
Sarah Ratty, the designer behind Conscious Earthwear, brings Ciel – a collection of women’s wear made with organic cotton.

Del Forte Denim – www.delforte.com
Tierra Del Forte lives up to her name (Tierra in Spanish means Earth) by designing 100% organic denim jeans. This salt of the earth designer contributes to The Sustainable Cotton Project (www.sustainablecotton.org), which promotes sustainable and organic cotton. A portion of Del Forte Denim’s proceeds will go to support The SCP.

Alessandro DeVito – http://inhabitat.com/2007/01/07/sans-future-forward-fashion/
Couture designers Alessandro DeVito and Lika Volkova are the creators of SANS, an eco-conscious collection of sustainable materials such as wool, tussah silk, bamboo and soy used to produce fashion-forward garments.

Edun – www.edun.ie
Ali Hewson, her husband Bono, and menswear designer Rogan Gregory joined forces two years ago to create Edun, a socially-conscious clothing line that promotes sustainable employment for developing areas in the world.

Loomstate – www.loomstate.org
You’ll find 100% organic cotton tees with environmental motifs that are too cool to pass up.

Stewart + Brown – www.stewartbrown.com
This husband and wife designer duo live up to their title as “Organic Pioneers” by supporting “1% for the Planet,” an alliance of small businesses that pay a voluntary earth tax and donate 1% of all sales to non-profit, non-governmental environmental organizations.


Online Retailers

Azalea Online – www.azalea.com
Shop eco-Azalea for all the latest trends made of sustainable materials.

Equal Clothing - www.equaclothing.com
Eco-friendly Web site that offers stylish eco-fashion labels, including Hug jeans, People Tree and Ciel.

The Green Loop - www.thegreenloop.com
When you shop from The Green Loop you are supporting its mission: “Green Life. Green Style.”

People Tree - www.peopletree.co.uk
Since 1997, People Tree has promoted fair trade and organic materials in the production of apparel.

Traid - www.traid.org.uk
This company recycles 2,000 tons of clothes each year. Check out their summer dresses and jackets.


Eco-Friendly Beauty Products

Burt’s Bees – www.burtsbees.com

Green with Glamour - www.greenwithglamour.com

Inara – www.inaraorganic.com

John Masters Organic – www.johnmasters.com

Kiehl’s – www.kiehls.com


Articles and More Information on Eco-Fashion

What is up with Eco-Fashion?
http://environment.about.com/od/earthtalkcolumns/a/ecofashion.htm

Eco-Fashion 101
http://www.ecofashion101.com/

Green Card: Eco-Fashion Steps Up
http://news.yahoo.com/s/fwd/20070503/en_fashion_fwd/greencardecofashionstepsup

Organic and Eco-Fashion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/art/articles/organic_and_eco_fashion.shtml