When I was much younger and didn’t know anything about toxics, I was quite interested in fashion. I loved going shopping and trying on pretty clothes in nice stores. In those days there were nice dressing rooms and saleswomen who would get to know you and what you like and they would call you when something went on sale that they thought was right for you.
Nowadays shopping for clothes is quite different.
Back in 1978, when I first started writing about natural alternatives to toxic products, practically all clothing was polyester. Just about the only natural fiber clothing was jeans and t-shirts and flannel shirts.
And then as natural fibers became more popular, I could go into stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom’s and there would be racks of pretty dresses and shirts and jackets and sweaters made from natural fibers. I even still have linen shirts that I bought at TJMaxx.
But I’m sad to report that it seems like the tide has turned again. Two weeks ago I went shopping here in California and virtually all women’s clothing is now made of synthetic materials. I couldn’t even find a pair of jeans (for women) that didn’t have spandex in them and there were no conduroy pants at all.
Having just spent 15 winters in Florida, I had no winter clothing at all.
I didn’t need anything fancy. I’ve been dressing “plain” for years, inspired by the Amish and their beautiful quilts made from blocks of solid-color fabrics—scraps from the making of their simple solid-color clothing. In Florida this translated into solid color cotton capri pants and solid-color cotton tank tops. I had two drawers: one with tops and one with pants. Every morning I would just open the drawer and take out one of each and I was done dressing. I also had some big linen shirts in solid colors.
What I was looking for, for my California version of dressing plain, was simple long-sleeve cotton t-shirts and solid-color corduroy pants. So I went to a website that I have occasionally purchased from in the past called Woman Within, and I found exactly what a wanted.
Here’s what I purchased:
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| T-shirt, Perfect, with long sleeves, Henley neck | Crew Neck Perfect T-Shirt | T-shirt, Perfect, with long sleeves, crewneck |
| soft, washable combed cotton knit, imported | washable soft pure cotton, imported | soft, washable combed cotton knit, imported |
| NOTE: The description says “long sleeve” but they were I little shortchanged for my arms. However, I love this shirt so much it doesn’t matter.. | NOTE: This neckline has a feminine cut with more space than a standard crew neck. | NOTE: This color is called “Navy Holiday”. Haven’t received these yet to comment. |
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| Pants in corduroy with comfortable waist | 100% Cotton Comfort Pull On Jean | |
| soft woven washable cotton corduroy | washable woven cotton | |
| NOTE: These are actually cut big. Next time I’ll order one size smaller. | NOTE: Haven’t received these yet to comment. |
If clothing reek i wrap in carbon of put into a bag with zeolite sand and then shake out and air. I leave it in the carbon or zeolite sand for a few days If its really bad I might soak or spray with MYSTICAL . The mystical will pull out most odors from natural fiber clothing . Leave the bucket or container outside on a porch as its worse while it pulls out odors.After a day hang outside or on porch in sun and after a few days wash.no odors for more its i have done this to.Coats need to be sprayed and aired on 2 sides to get good results. Don’t waste money on consignment clothing when catalogs are dirt cheap now .When ordering from catalogs make sure you don’t get the returns that have been in a toxic downy laden home before you get the product. Make a point of it and tell them if its full of fragrance they will pay the shipping returns and orginal shipping .(have it in writing )
ASHLEYS GREEN PRODUCTS MAKES THE MYSTICAL AND SWEETPDZ.COM will gIve you your local address for pure zeolite sand called sweetpdz. 40 lbs for $26 if you get it yourself. http://www.nontoxic.com carries the activated carbon fabric .
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I was just wondering how the new clothes worked out for you now that you have had some time to wash and wear them.
These days all new clothes will reek of fragrance chemicals that seem to be impossible to get out–why don’t you mention that?
How will you deal with it?–air out for a long time then wash a lot? What’s your process?
I thought I mentioned that these clothes have a slight smell out of the box that washes out in the first washing.
MANY new clothes reek but NOT ALL. These are totally fine for me once washed. I cannot guarantee they are tolerable for everyone with MCS, but they don’t reek.
I live in Chicago where it gets cold.
But, I can’t tolerate any synthetics (or scratchy naturals) in pants.
I really wish these folks carried Misses sizes!
This year I lost a few pounds and could no longer wear the 100 percent cotton pants I had worn for years. The pants, called Willowdale, were made by Columbia, and are no longer available.
My best sources for pants were:
1) WinterSilks, which makes a cotton-silk blend; and
2) J. Jill, which makes a pure rayon pant (which I realize some of you may not be able to wear).
I also found 100 percent cotton cords –which I returned because they don’t fit me — at Appleseeds and J. Peterman.
J. Peterman also made an all-silk pant, but it also did not fit me right.
For jeans, I’ve been buying all-cotton items from ebay.
That said, if you come across other sources for synthetic-free pants, I hope you’ll let us know!
I cannot tolerate any spandex, polyester, lycra, elastane or latex and am always searching for new sources of product.
I wait for a 40% off everything sale at Lands End. That sale occurs at pretty regular intervals. They have a selection of all cotton tops and a few all cotton pants in a wide range of sizes. For me, I get the tall.