Eco Fashion: What does it all mean

Eco fashion has so many different names such as sustainable fashion, ethical fashion, Fair Trade fashion and conscious fashion. In the end what it all boils down to is its products that are designed and created with the social and environmental impacts in mind.
It seems that there is a new trend people are following every month, its easy to get caught up in trend chasing and forget about how the garment was created.

What defines something as Eco/ Sustainable fashion?
Made from organic natural fibres
Recycled/ Reused fabric
Minimal chemical treatment
Animal free
Well crafted, good quality fabric
Vintage
2nd hand
Socially/ environmentally and economic responsible

 There is a growing market of brands that are focused on fashion that isn't going to harm the earth, that's good quality.
Some of my favorite are:

Adidas - Making yarn out of plastic sea debris
Puma - Committed to reducing the amount of chemicals that they release into the environment
Stella Mc Cartney - Stopped using and fur and PVC in there garments. They also use organic cotton in there lingerie.
Burberry - Launched a fair trade cotton agreement in Peru
People Tree - Sustainable fashion that makes clothes that anyone can afford. Totally gorgeous vegan accessories.
Rant Clothing - A classic fashion brand that makes clothes that will last a life time in a classic casual style.

Creative Places to give away your clothes

I have seen a lot of requests on Facebook about places to give things away that aren't op shops. I started to think about where to give things away that aren't just op shops. Although op shops are great places and do a lot of great work there are options other then op shops.

Winter Clothes
I was given a large supply of winter clothes from my mother, they no longer fit her so she passed them on to me, I had a fair bit that I was never going to wear particularly about 5 woollen coats, I went to the city one day were there are a lot of homeless, I simply left them all on a bench and walked away. I brought a coffee and walked back through where I had left them and they were all gone, the further I walked I started to see people wearing them it warmed my heart.

Corporate wear
I have given away a few items to a local battered woman's home because these women have often left with only the clothes on there backs and will need to get back into the work force and already having an interview outfit makes a world of difference to there confidence.

Kids Clothes and Toys
Like with the corporate wear you can donate kids clothes and toys to a local woman's shelter. It will help them to rebuild there lives after leaving everything behind. Many of these kids have seen things that no child should ever see. Get in touch with your local foster care organisation often there is a lot of need for books and clothes for boys and girls from new born to 16.

Soft Toys
Many places wont take soft toys because they are unable to be thoroughly cleaned. The RSPCA or other animal organisations are always looking for stuffed animals and old blankets. The animals enjoy cuddling up to them. Its very cute.

Excess food
I have a massive vegetable garden and often have left over, I often donate to feed the homeless, There is usually a few different organisations that feed the homeless. A church or a google search is usually a great way to find out home to get in touch with them.

I think before just giving something to the op shop you should consider is there someone who could use it more, and would they have the money to purchase it from the op shop?