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A Guide To Class Through The Magazine WorldArchive for April, 2008
Going Green, Bamboo Style
You’ve probably noticed lately that everyone is talking about “going green.” Becoming more environmentally aware seems to be the major trend of 2008, for good reason. And it’s not just about recycling your used bottles, cans, and newspapers! The current environmental conditions call for something a bit more extreme – a whole new way of thinking. Commercials and TV shows are a huge reflection of the efforts being made to get people on the right track. Commercials featuring new, more fuel-efficient cars or cars that run on water, to Sun Chips, which are now produced by solar power are the kinds of advertisements becoming more and more common. Even water bottle companies have started making their bottles thinner to use less plastic. If everyone puts forth an effort and gets creative in thinking of ways to pollute less and reuse more, then we’ll really start seeing positive changes. Manufacturers and designers play a large role in this process… and of course, this includes fashion designers as well!
I’m not talking about shirts that say “Go Green” or “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” although we all know they’re out there… But, what really impresses me, are the designers that are taking it to another level by actually using organic fabric to produce their clothing, usually organic cotton or bamboo. Recently, Banana Republic and Nordstrom have advertised organic designed clothing lines. So, why are organically made fabrics better for the environment? Below is an explanation, courtesy of eartheasy.com:
Popular demand for cotton textiles, and competition among producers, has seen a big change in the last two generations – the increased use of pesticide. Cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world, accounting for 25% of all pesticide use. These chemicals are taking a toll on our environment and human health as a whole. Every T-shirt made of conventional cotton requires 1/4 pound of harmful chemicals. According to the USDA, in one year alone over 50 million pounds of pesticides were used on U.S. cotton fields. These pesticides deplete the soil and pollute watersheds.
Organically raised cotton is gradually winning over new ground both on the farm and in the marketplace. No toxins or synthetic fertilizers are used. Organic cotton is produced without the use of harsh chemical bleaches or dyes, and is allergy free. Natural fertilizers, compost and soil amendments are used, and advances in natural pest control, such as ladybugs which destroy harmful insects, have helped make raising organic cotton a viable enterprise. Organic cotton clothing, unheard of a few years ago, is now available in many stores and online businesses. A wide variety of products made from organically grown cotton is now available: shirts and pants, socks, underwear, skirts and blouses, sheets and pillowcases, towels and bathrobes.
I recently bought an organic t-shirt from Nordstrom by Stem, and it is so comfortable – I highly recommend it! Being aware of the different things you can do to help the cause is important! I mean, who knew you could help the environment just by shopping? Now that’s not too hard, is it?
-Style Sophisticate
Stem Ribbed Henley Camisole
Nordstrom.com
Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Crisp
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
Canola oil cooking spray
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup pitted and sliced fresh peaches
4 tsp fresh orange juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp whole-wheat flour
3 tbsp rolled oats
2 tbsp brown sugar
4 tsp canola oil
2 tsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
PREPARATIONS: Heat oven to 375. Coat 4-oz ramekins with cooking spray. Combine berries, peaches, juice, and vanilla in a bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients with hands until moist and crumbly. Spoon fruit mixture into ramekins; scatter crumb mixture evenly over the top of each. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until fruit bubbles and top is golden brown.
THE SKINNY
159 calories per serving
5.4 g fat (0.4 g saturated)
27.2 g carbs
4.7 g fiber
2.8 g protein
shape.com
Shoes on Display – April 2008
Current shoe finds to fancy…
(Each can be found on Barneys.com)
Manolo Blahnik
“Rottura”
Price: $635
• Satin open-toe sandal
• 95mm thin covered heel, crossed toe
• Leather sole, fabric upper
• Available in Purple, Black, Red, and Teal
• Made in Italy.
Shoe Specs:
Manolo Blahnik
“Caldo”
Price: $585
• Patent linen peep toe d’orsay mary jane
• 90mm heel
• Leather sole, fabric upper
• Available in Grey
• Made in Italy.
To Hem Or Not To Hem
We’ve all done it… most jeans – especially designer – are made for people who are practically 6 feet tall… and since most of us are not 6 feet tall, we do the simple and instinctual act of flipping up and cuffing to make them the perfect length. Now, of course we all know this does not look polished, and probably borders on tacky and lazy. However, we do this because we are caught in a dilemma! We want to wear the fabulous jeans with flats AND boots or heels. All those shoes are different heights and if we hem the jeans so they are the perfect length for flats, then they are way too short to wear with any type of heeled shoe! What to do?
This never happens with dress pants because you usually have a specific shoe in mind that you want to wear them with, and you normally always go to your favorite Tailor and get them hemmed to be the right length with those shoes. (Not to mention the fact that you really can’t cuff dress pants… I mean, I really shouldn’t have to explain that…) But jeans are more casual, and therefore we feel like we can take special liberties to adjust them to our needs. However, the bottom line is: you must make a choice. Sadly, I must stress that the same rules that apply to dress pants, apply to jeans. Cuffing jeans is convenient, but not so much stylish. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done it on many occasions, but I’m going to get my extra-long jeans hemmed to a wearable length, because well, it’s just starting to bother me, because I know it just doesn’t cut it.
The extra-long / ridiculously long jeans are okay when they are folded and stuck into snow boots, the additional fabric to remain unseen inside the boot. But come spring and summer, when snow boots are no longer necessary or appropriate, and you still love those jeans, but you pull out the sandals… you’ve got a problem. I promise you can get over the fear of taking jeans to a tailor. Just make sure the tailor is a good one, who can keep the style of the original hemstitch. Once jeans are the right length, you don’t have to worry about looking awkward in giant cuffs or ruining the bottoms because they are dragging on the ground, getting torn and stained and whatever else!
So, if you like to wear flats and heels, just designate certain jeans to wear with one and certain jeans to wear with the other. You’ll feel much better about your outfits, and you won’t be worrying about ruining the pants you spent your money on every time you wear them. A perfectly hemmed pair of pants adds that final touch to your entire outfit and can make people wonder why you look so put-together and great. Just a little tip!
-Style Sophisticate
