Go green

In our busy lives, most of us have little time to connect with the great outdoors. The 1st of September we all welcome spring day and growing up we use to plant a tree in celebrating it. On the other side of town they do spring splash were people are getting splashed with water. Nowadays in fashion great evens like fashion runways are happening, namely the Fabiani and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, which was held in Cape Town on the 8th of August 2012. According to Jerri it was a success.

Eco green

So why go green?
Sustainable clothing uses organic material, cruelty-free sources, recycled materials, and materials that are biodegradable.  A sustainable fashion design should consider the environmental and social impact of its entire life span, from production to disposal.

Sustainable fashion, also called eco fashion, is a part of the growing design philosophy and trend of sustainability, the goal of which is to create a system which can be supported indefinitely in terms of environmentalism and social responsibility. Sustainable fashion is part of the larger trend of sustainable design where a product is created and produced with consideration to the environmental and social impact it may have throughout its total life span, including its "carbon footprint".

7 Reasons why you should care about sustainable fashion 

1. It's Better for the Earth

2. It's Better for People

3. It's Better for Animals

4. It Lasts Longer

5. It's More Personal

6. It's Easier (and Cheaper) to Take Care of Your Clothes

7. It's More Than Just Organic

Why is eco fashion so hot?

Clothes and accessories that meet such criteria are usually made using organic raw materials, such as cotton grown without pesticides, or re-used materials such as recycled plastic from old soda bottles. Eco-fashions don't involve the use of harmful chemicals and bleaches to colour fabrics—and are made by people earning fair wages in healthy working conditions.
One of the highlights of FutureFashion was a stunning pink-and-yellow skirt made from corn fiber by uber-cool Heatherette designer Richie Rich.
“It’s definitely something we’re going to continue toying with,” Rich told reporters. “People often perceive the fashion world as superficial, so it’s great to work with materials that are actually good for the environment. I had my doubts, but when we actually saw the fabric swatches we were blown away. They were gorgeous, and it wasn't hard to design with them.” So go green with a smile this spring because reasons are stated why, should you disagree feel free to comment.  

Access to air

Summer gear

Entirely, not everyone understands the problems produced by heat waves. If you're fit, healthy, and have access to air-conditioned respite, a heat wave can pass by fairly uneventfully. However, there is a risk for everyone and it's important to be aware both for yourself and for others whom you might be taking care of. Giving off a few tips and educating a little more on heat having difficulties on its own when it comes to dressing and skin, that’s what this blog is all about.

Dress appropriately for indoors. It is vital to remove any heavy clothing and to wear as little as modesty and laws permit! Suitable clothing includes:

• Loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Natural fabrics (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.)
• Avoid wearing polyester and flannel as these fabrics will hold in sweat, causing you to stew in the humid air.

Dress appropriately for outdoors. It is important to cover up, always keep this in mind being half naked is not being appropriate and can result to ugly skin due to sun exposure. Still adhering to the loose-fitting, lightweight and natural clothing suggestions in the previous step, cover up as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn.

• Protect your head and face by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Consider wearing clothing made of synthetic sports fabrics that are designed to wick away perspiration.
• Avoid dark colors as these absorb the heat; light colors reflect it.



UV protection function of SPF value in %


For fabrics, always stick to choosing light, natural fabrics. Cotton is best and allows you to breathe. Avoid wool and synthetic plastic fabrics rather synthetic sport fabrics. Also, choose a fabric that is thin and lightweight. Avoid dressing in layers, thats for winter. Looser styles of clothing are best. Too-tight garments cling to your skin and make you warmer and sweaty.

Always remember protecting yourself is key to being appropriate so try not to show too much skin, or you run the risk of being sunburnt. Use a sunscreen with SPF of at least 30. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Wear sunglasses, as the UV rays can also damage your eyes.

For foot wear consider wearing open shoes like sandals. Regular shoes and socks will make your feet really sweaty. Investing in one or two good pairs of sandals would work more on your advantage to change or pairing it with some other clothing items you have.
Things You'll Need for summer:

• Summer clothing (i.e dresses, skrits, shorts, blouses etc)
• A hat
• Sunglasses
• Sandals
• Sunscreen

Survivng hot summers

Rumours have been running around that all ladies must have blouses for this coming summer. Speculations have heated up the decks that due to climate change this coming summer it is going to be extremely hot. "With increased solar output, more water evaporates off the oceans and lakes of the world forming more clouds which tend to cool back down the earth’s atmosphere, those clouds this summer not reaching the parched regions."   So why wear blouses? 





Vintage-inspired button blouse, featuring over sized rounded collar with necktie, split sleeve detail with contrast lining and button tabs at shoulders, and darting throughout for flattering fit.

Climate change isn't just about recognising the problem. For Practical Action it’s also about supporting the solutions. Solutions that already exist. Simple, practical actions can help people to minimise the ways in which floods, droughts and extreme weather affect their lives. At Practical Action, we know that small-scale technologies can make a difference. Of which it's just as much as covering our bodies with minimised clothing to prevent too much body heatness, fainting and other diseases. Blouses are a one item clothing which is light in material and it covers for sun blocking to prevent rash but simultaneously also gives air to the body without blocking any fresh air coming. 

Heat pushes the human body beyond its limits and in the case of extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body has to work extra hard to maintain its normal temperature. Problems occur when a person is over-exposed to heat or overexert themselves. Those most likely to be impacted negatively by excessive, prolonged heat include the elderly, young children, sick persons, and those who are overweight and unfit. It is important to recognise that over-exposure to heat can be fatal. Possible health problems include:

understand why excessive heat cause problems:

• Heat cramps – these are muscular pains or spasms that occur as a result of heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe of heat health problems, they are a warning sign that your body is not coping well with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion – this occurs typically when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where bodily fluids are lost through heavy sweating. The blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a mild form of shock. If this goes untreated, the victim's condition will worsen, the body temperature will continue to rise, and heat stroke might occur.
• Heatstroke – the victim's temperature control system which produces sweating to cool the body simply stops working and the body temperature can rise high enough to cause brain damage and death. A victim in this situation needs to be cooled quickly. Note that sun stroke is usually applied as another term for heat stroke.

Responsible smartness

Simple black and white

What is being smart in fashion? First is the dictionary definition and the next is the simplified explained meaning.

• Elegance by virtue of being fashionable.
• Smartness and knowledge are often used interchangeably even though they are distinct. Being smart means being able to make use of limited knowledge to obtain more knowledge.

Which is just like trends that will never fade nor go out of the industry. With the little knowledge of knowing what is right or wrong you can distinguish between smart and shabby. Using the word smart again, this time welcoming it to the industry of clothing. How you present yourself is very important in the corporate world and people can classify your presentation as how smart you are. Three things that human should acquire without any advice from fashion police or fashion shows are washed clothes; well ironed and well balanced to your body and it all boils down in taking responsibility of your image. Anyone can pull off a stunt with the famous black and white. People respect you more when your smart and presentable rather than when you shabby and clumsy. Reality check, fashion is not who we are but how we clothe it, is as much as saying that you can express yourself and emotions varying on what you wear on daily bases.   

"I never cut class. I loved getting As, I liked being smart. I liked being on time. I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world." Michelle Obama

Tips:

• Allow yourself to splurge on one small item.
• Clothes should glide over your body whether sitting or standing. A larger size may be more appropriate.
• Make a list before you shop. Write down what you need, and how much it cost for each part. Then you wont use too much money.
• Go straight to the clearance rack! If you do not find anything on that rack, look at the other clothes, but be sure you are getting your money worth and are not burning a hole through your wallet.
• If your phone has the ability to, join every coupon app that you can find. This way whenever you walk into a store you can pull up a coupon for it.

         "Remember to be as smart as you are." Judd Nelson by taking full responsibility of yourself.