Living Car Free - Oil free clothing?

So I ride my bike and have a garden, I have a flock of chickens and don't shop at the megamarts. I feel like I am doing a lot to help or at least not harm the environment. Then I look in my closet and just about every garment I own is made of oil. I'm a big REI shopper and just about everything they make is made of oil and put together in Asian countries. So now I'm thinking I should start trying to get clothing that is not made of oil. Maybe organic cotton and wool, problem is that REI's selection of this type of clothing is slim at best. Do you guys have any ideas where you can get comfortable clothing that is wool, or organic cotton? I do a lot of outdoor stuff so I tend to like that type of clothing.

I'm going with not harm as much as others do for $400 Alex. Whattya got against oil anyway wise guy? ;)

Honestly, I love synthetic clothing for some purposes.

Most of my clothing is second-hand cotton stuff from the thrift store though. Thrift stores are a great source of cotton clothing, although if you go where most people in your community go for new clothes, you're likely to find a place with tons of cotton clothing.

Most of the winter coats I have had are made of plastic of one kind or another. They don't really seem to wear out (and while the oil is contained in my coat it is not emitting carbon dioxide). When the price of oil goes high enough more of these sorts of plastic clothes will be made from plant oil instead of mineral oil.

I ride my bike around on roads made of some really nasty petroleum stuff. :)

I'm going with not harm as much as others do for $400 Alex. Whattya got against oil anyway wise guy? ;)

Thats what I meant. I didn't want to make it sound like due to my lifestyle I exert no pressure on the environment.

Whats the 400$ alex thing mean?

I guess I wish it was easier to get good wool clothing, supporting an industry that can be based here in the U.S., supporting a farmer not an oil regime. I know what my shirt is made of won't make a big deal, it was just sort of shocking when I looked in my closet and realized 90% of it wouldn't exist without chemistry.

I'd imagine there are a lot of embedded petroleum inputs into natural fibers too, in the form of fertilizers, pesticides and animal feed.

Light cotton fabric with an open weave can be comfortable in hot weather. For example a madras summer shirt. For cooler weather I like Smartwool too.

Thats what I meant. I didn't want to make it sound like due to my lifestyle I exert no pressure on the environment.

Whats the 400$ alex thing mean?I'm just joshin' around. Um, ya may want to research/consider the impact of everything you use as opposed to try and shut out one particular resource.

Oh yeah jeproady. I don't really want to shut out one resource I just think having an alternative to poly products would be nice. What happens to All the wool from AS and NZ? It's not being sold in outdoor stores thats for sure.

I'm just joshin' around. Um, ya may want to research/consider the impact of everything you use as opposed to try and shut out one particular resource.

Very true. Local food, organic food, vegetarian food, unprocessed food, bicycles, recycling, reducing home heating/cooling, insulating better, etc. there's a lot you can do without worrying about oil in your clothes.

I actually prefer the natural fibers to the "chemical" ones. One of my job sites requires cotton undergarments and wool outer garments (fire resistant in a hot metal environment) I have a couple of the wicking t shirts and find them very uncomfortable. I do wear silk long johns in the cooler weather, if it gets cold I break out the smart wools. I buy my stuff where I can find it, thrift shops being high on the list for wool slacks and cotton dress shirts. The rest I buy where and when I can find it. I primarily wear Carhart work pants and they are cotton.

I also agree with Platy in that quite a bit of oil is used in the production, manufacture and distribution of most natural fiber clothes.

Aaron:)

oil comes from mother earth.

There are companies like Patagonia that make their synthetic clothing from recycled petroleum products. Particularly plastic pop bottles. I would think that a benefit to humanity. (Of course, I say this because I have a soft spot for fleece.)

I understand that it's not a big deal but doesn't it seem strange to have no real alternative to synthetics?

I have a piece of base layer from Nau that uses corn derivative fibre, but I'm guessing growing corn also uses petroleum based fertilizers.

I think purchasing as much clothing as you can secondhand can go a long way to reduce the "petroleum in your clothes".

I understand that it's not a big deal but doesn't it seem strange to have no real alternative to synthetics?

It doesn't seem strange to me. it's not that there is no alternative to synthetics, but that there is no alternative to synthetics that does exactly the same thing. Wool products are widely available provided you are willing to pay the price. My issues with wool are that it doesn't dry out or repel water as easily as synthetics, and it irritates my skin (maybe i'm allergic, i'm not sure). If you don't need the low-price, quick-dry, water-repellent, non-chafing, easy-to-wash properties of synthetics then by all means go with wool.

Wool and synthetics both have the advantage that, unlike cotton, they can help you stay warm when wet.

What happens to All the wool from AS and NZ? It's not being sold in outdoor stores thats for sure.

The fashion industry. =suits and other clothing

I think purchasing as much clothing as you can secondhand can go a long way to reduce the "petroleum in your clothes".


Absolutely. Not to mention that it can help people rebuild their lives if you are going to GW, SA, etc. Even Value Village donate proceeds to local charities.

Also, at least here where I am, we have the Puyallup Spring Fair, which hosts the 'Shepherd's Extravaganza' each year. Admittedly many of the people drive to the venue, but many are also local, offering clothing of handknit wool, alpaca, and vicuna fibres.

East Hill

There are some stores in my area which sell hemp clothing. I've never tried biking in it though. I know plenty of online retailers but then you have the shipping issue.

I don't mind purchasing new from REI as they are supposedly making an effort to ensure that their products are coming from good, safe places. Though they are at the bottom of the list after thrift store/2nd hand and locally produced.

You could buy a sewing machine and make all your own clothing.

I just think having an alternative to poly products would be nice. What happens to All the wool from AS and NZ? It's not being sold in outdoor stores thats for sure.
Well, there's Ibex (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/index.php). Most of their wool cloth comes from New Zealand. All of their clothing items are sewn in the USA. As a result, they're not cheap.

filson, ibex, smartwool, swobo, patagucci, and my favorite earth wind and rider. check them.

i don't know what ya'll are talkin' about. wool's real easy to get. it's all i wear.

Conventionally grown cotton is made from oil and water. Too much of both.
Al

Just make sure it's all hand made wool clothing,there's oil running the machinery that makes the cloth.

I understand that it's not a big deal but doesn't it seem strange to have no real alternative to synthetics?

Since when?? Wool is not synthetic and makes fine cycling wear. It was used for many years and that was before the modern ultra-fine wool fibers. Cotton makes for fine clothing for everyday wear.

BTW, are you sure that buying wool, cotton, or some other non-synthetic clothes will require less oil per garment? I expect that it takes a fair amount of oil to grow cotton or raise sheep, let alone to supply the energy to transport, and manufacture the cloth and clothing. Could easily take more oil than needed for synthetic clothing.

But for any clothing, there is surely more oil required in the manufacture and transportation than that used in the actual fabric.

Just make sure it's all hand made wool clothing,there's oil running the machinery that makes the cloth.

And oil powers the trucks and boats that transport the wool. And the tractors that fertilize the soil for the grass that feed the sheep.

And oil powers the trucks and boats that transport the wool. And the tractors that fertilize the soil for the grass that feed the sheep.

Not around here...it is a naturel:rolleyes:;)

Aaron:)

You say you have chickens. You could also get some sheep or goats and learn to spin and weave.

I think my point is being missed. The outdoor clothing industry is almost entirely based on oil. Yes it takes gas to get wool to the markets and people have made it painfully clear that wool is tied to fossil fuels. My point being wool can still be made into a sweater without using oil. A poly shirt is entirely dependent on a source of oil. It seems the outdoor industry has pretty much all it's eggs in the same basket. What's going to happen to all that clothing as the price of oil continues to climb. Wouldn't local sources of wool and local clothing makers be a better way to do it? I forgot America is now a banana republic. We ship raw goods and import finished goods. It's funny everybody is all onboard to ride instead of drive and recycle, but when you mention that making our clothing out of oil may not be the best idea, no one seems to want to listen. It's passed off as being a trivial matter.

Being that most people here probably own a lot of poly clothes I thought there would be more thought allocated to this idea. Guess not.

If/when oil becomes too pricey relative to natural fibres for affordable poly clothes, then the switch can very easily be made. The technology is already in place and beyond fully mature, it would just need to be ramped for increased demand.

However, I'd guess though with increasing oil prices, that cost of natural and poly fibres will increase at close to the same rate.

If anything it is just one more of many consideration to save oil for 'special' uses instead of squandering it on water bottles, trips to the nearby mall, etc.

Al

Being that most people here probably own a lot of poly clothes I thought there would be more thought allocated to this idea. Guess not.

i don't get it. i have way more cotton and wool duds. wool is everywhere. again, to just name a few--ibex, arth wind and rider, smartwool, swobo, filson.

I just discovered wool - I bought a Smartwool t-shirt. Man, as long as I can afford it, I am not going back to synthetic. It's like a miracle fabric - it dries fast and best of all IT DOESN"T STINK. Cyclists can be a really smelly bunch sometimes with all that manmade material on. Unfortunately, from an environmental perspective, Smartwool isn't any better because the wool is from New Zealand and the shirts are sewn in Asia before being shipped to the USA.

i don't get it. i have way more cotton and wool duds. wool is everywhere. again, to just name a few--ibex, arth wind and rider, smartwool, swobo, filson.

I don't know where you live but I don't have access to all those brands you mentioned. My local REI sells very few wool garments and the other outfitter in town in about the same. I'm not a big fan of mail order for clothing. I like to try stuff on first.

I just discovered wool - I bought a Smartwool t-shirt. Man, as long as I can afford it, I am not going back to synthetic. It's like a miracle fabric - it dries fast and best of all IT DOESN"T STINK. Cyclists can be a really smelly bunch sometimes with all that manmade material on. Unfortunately, from an environmental perspective, Smartwool isn't any better because the wool is from New Zealand and the shirts are sewn in Asia before being shipped to the USA.

I've fallen in love with Merino wool since reading about it on this forum a few months ago. It's a lot better for the environment because, as you point out, it doesn't transmit odors like other fabrics do and therefore requires less washing. I used to change undershirts every day, but with Merino wool that's not necessary, so I'm using a lot less water, soap and energy.

Hemp is another fabric I've become enthused about recently after buying a lovely pair of hemp-Tencel knickers from these folks (http://www.bicyclefixation.com/prod_hemp_knickers.html). I love the way they feel. Here's what they say about the two materials used to make them:

Hemp requires little water and no pesticides, making it far gentler on the earth than cotton. Industrial hemp comes from a different variety of cannabis from the cannabis sativa of hippie fame, and does NOT contain THC, which will please some of you and disappoint others, we are sure. Industrial hemp is famously rugged--think clipper ship rigging and sails. By itself it may be a bit too rugged for wearing, but blended with Tencel (technical name is lyocell), it is a delight.

Tencel is a synthetic made of wood--NOT petroleum--and while a solvent is used in its manufacture, the solvent is recaptured and recycled almost endlessly. (Furthermore, the incentive to recycle the solvent is largely economic for manufacturers, so you don't have to count on them being good souls; they'll do it anyway!) It is far less damaging to the environment than any petroleum-based synthetic, and feels cottony while having wool-like perspiration-handling characteristics.

I don't mind spending more for these eco-clothes because I believe they will last a long time and it makes me feel good to think that I'm doing something for the environment. I've just bought my dad a hemp shirt for Christmas. We need to create a demand for such things.

FWIW, Fleece is recycled plastic bottles, for the most part :D

i made pants a shirt and a backpack out of hunters' discarded deer skins that i cleaned and braintanned. doesnt get any more natural than that. but usually i just hunt for high quality clothes from the thrift store or surplus store.

I think my point is being missed. The outdoor clothing industry is almost entirely based on oil. Yes it takes gas to get wool to the markets and people have made it painfully clear that wool is tied to fossil fuels. My point being wool can still be made into a sweater without using oil.


Being that most people here probably own a lot of poly clothes I thought there would be more thought allocated to this idea. Guess not.

I still think it is a trivial matter, not least because i wear cotton clothes more than anything else, but also because rayon and the like are synthetics made from plant oils.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go start a thread about oil-free roads. ;)

Hemp is another fabric I've become enthused about recently after buying a lovely pair of hemp-Tencel knickers from these folks (http://www.bicyclefixation.com/prod_hemp_knickers.html). I love the way they feel. Here's what they say about the two materials used to make them:

Took long enough for someone to bring up hemp... ;)

If hemp can be brought mainstream, the tobacco farmers who fear losing their business could switch to hemp production pretty nicely.

I still think it is a trivial matter, not least because i wear cotton clothes more than anything else, but also because rayon and the like are synthetics made from plant oils.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go start a thread about oil-free roads. ;)

My road is oil free, it's called dirt!

Took long enough for someone to bring up hemp... ;)

If hemp can be brought mainstream, the tobacco farmers who fear losing their business could switch to hemp production pretty nicely.

Good point. It's still illegal to grow it in the States. It has to be imported from Canada, Europe or elsewhere because right-wing politicians are afraid of "the evil weed". What a shame!

Good point. It's still illegal to grow it in the States. It has to be imported from Canada, Europe or elsewhere because right-wing politicians are afraid of "the evil weed". What a shame!

Then there's the question of just who made marijuana illegal in the first place -- politicians, medical experts, or the oil industry. It's been brought up that Big Oil™ lobbied against hemp as a whole because they knew that it could compete with their then-new synthetic fabrics and other stuff like that.

^^^Interesting...I knew it was illegal to grow, just don't know why. My grandparents grew it during WWII to help the war effort, along with maintaining a fair sized dairy herd. Sounds like I have some rainy day research to do:p

Aaron:)

^^^Interesting...I knew it was illegal to grow, just don't know why. My grandparents grew it during WWII to help the war effort, along with maintaining a fair sized dairy herd. Sounds like I have some rainy day research to do:p

Aaron:)

You might start by reading The Emperor Wears No Clothes (http://www.jackherer.com/chapters.html), by Jack Herer. Here's a quote from it:

If all fossil fuels and their derivatives, as well as trees for paper and construction were banned in order to save the planet, reverse the Greenhouse Effect and stop deforestation; then there is only one known annually renewable natural resource that is capable of providing the overall majority of the world's paper and textiles; meet all of the world's transportation, industrial and home energy needs, while simultaneously reducing pollution, rebuilding the soil, and cleaning the atmosphere all at the same time... and that substance is -- the same one that did it all before -- Cannabis Hemp... Marijuana!

Yup, the paper industry really was against the hemp crop.

If/when oil becomes too pricey relative to natural fibres for affordable poly clothes, then the switch can very easily be made. The technology is already in place and beyond fully mature, it would just need to be ramped for increased demand.

However, I'd guess though with increasing oil prices, that cost of natural and poly fibres will increase at close to the same rate.

If anything it is just one more of many consideration to save oil for 'special' uses instead of squandering it on water bottles, trips to the nearby mall, etc.

Al

This isn't necessarily true. Unused technology is often lost. For example, much of the technology to get people to the moon has already been lost. They're evidently using archaeological engineers to take apart old rocket engines to figure out how they were made. This is information that was lost in just 50 years or less. (this was on PBS's Wired Science show last week)

I don't know how much of the older technology (like spinning and weaving) has been forgotten, but it might be a lot.

This isn't necessarily true. Unused technology is often lost. For example, much of the technology to get people to the moon has already been lost. They're evidently using archaeological engineers to take apart old rocket engines to figure out how they were made. This is information that was lost in just 50 years or less. (this was on PBS's Wired Science show last week)

I don't know how much of the older technology (like spinning and weaving) has been forgotten, but it might be a lot.

Ummm... one can still buy many types of cloth made from natural fibres and they are made in volume. That's all I meant.

Al

Ummm... one can still buy many types of cloth made from natural fibres and they are made in volume. That's all I meant.

Al

One of the most widespread natural fibers, cotton, is a hungry plant, though, requiring extra fertilization, irrigation and pesticides for production. I'm not entirely sold on wool, either, because of the need to "fuel" the animals that grow it.

One of the most widespread natural fibers, cotton, is a hungry plant, though, requiring extra fertilization, irrigation and pesticides for production. I'm not entirely sold on wool, either, because of the need to "fuel" the animals that grow it.

Your talking to me in circles. Did you read my post #30?

Al

Your post #30 had nothing to do with my point, which is that the production of common natural fibers still isn't as good for the environment as most people tend to think.

The time for cars to become impractical and the time for synthetic fibers to become impractical are pretty far apart. Right now, GMO is at a scarily unexplored state, but that won't continue. In any case, i'm not that convinced that it's more horrible than blasting seeds with massive doses of mutagens and radiation and then immediately planting it outdoors to see whether any of the resulting plants grow better, like we've been doing for well over a hundred years.
Probably the 'fibers of the future' will be GMO miracle fibers grown organically using solar-electric machinery and hydroponics.