Softstar Shoes in Parent & Child Magazine

In their May 2008 issue, Parent & Child included an article titled "Clothes with a Conscience" about eco-friendly kids attire. Softstar moccasins were featured in both leather and vegan styles. Below are photos as well as some content from the article:

Clothes with a Conscience
By Vanessa McGrady, photography by Peter LaMasto for Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine, May 2008

Every choice we make as consumers has an impact on our environment's health—and on our own. Choosing green clothing can be smart, affordable, cute and easy if you know a few facts about the environmental issues behind the manufacturing process and where to go for delightful duds.  After looking over our tips, you'll be ready for the eco-fashion "runway."

Green Growers:

1. Buy locally produced goods. For most clothing, the raw materials are grown (or manufactured), assembled and packaged in separate countries, so the shipping to put it all together produces tons of pollution. Look for companies that make their gear in the United States.
2. Choose Organic Clothing. It keeps lots of harmful chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides ou of the ecosystem and your body. More pesticides are used on cotton than any other crop in the world, and they harm the cotton workers, local wildlife, and even you.
3. Know your fabric facts. Look for items made of sustainable materials, such as hemp, bamboo, and organic wool and cotton. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth; plus it blocks UV rays and has anti-bacterial properties.
4. Recycle your threads. Filling the closet with hand-me-downs and thrift store finds delivers the least impact to the planet—and to your wallet. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
5. Choose for durability. Quality clothes don't need replacing as often, and you can pass them along in good conditions when you bid them adieu. Look for securely sewn buttons, tight stitching, and firm seams.

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