Look good in your new (to you) green wardrobe this coming fall! Greening your wardrobe is as simple as shopping at a charity re-use shop (like Goodwill or the Salvation Army) or consignment shops. I am always surprised at the finds at our local Goodwill. I have often found like-new or brand new garments for all the members of my family. Most consignment shops are very selective in the articles of clothing they will take, so finding hot fashion at good deals are par for the course at many consignment shops.

Buying used is especially green for children, who outgrow clothing so quickly. There are a myriad of large consignment sales in the Triangle that provide an unfathomable amount of second-hand clothing and gear for children.

Love your clothes. Treat them with care and protect the fibers. Following the washing instructions, hanging clothes out to dry rather than using a clothes dryer, and washing minimally help protect clothing fibers so that your favorite jeans last a few extra seasons. Avoid dry-cleaning, if possible. Dry-cleaning uses chemicals which have been identified as carcinogens.

Buy “friendly” clothes. Choose organic cotton when possible, or check out some of the new transitional cotton articles available at local stores. To grow enough cotton for one tee shirt, cotton farmers use one-third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Not only can charity shops or consignment shops provide you with a new wardrobe, but they can also provide you a green way to recycle your used garments. Use Freecycle or Goodwill to unload your too small, too large or less-than-favorite garments and give them a new life with someone else.

To find out more, visit Treehugger’s How to Green Your Wardrobe.