The global environmental movement continues to spur a move to sustainable practices, including the manufacture and sale of Eco Clothing. Some consumers change to organic clothes because they're concerned about the environment. Others switch out of support for animal rights and fair labour practices. Still others choose Eco Clothing because of the quality of the fabrics.

Virtually any kind of clothing for men, women and children can now be found in an organic form. While there are no facts to support claims that wearing organic clothing can improve people's health, buying sustainably produced clothing does a lot for the health of Mother Earth. Organic production methods cause fewer toxic emissions into the soil where plants for fabric are grown, into the water because growers use no chemical pesticides, and in the air because clothing manufacturers avoid chemicals.

Unfortunately, the price of organic clothing continues to be higher than clothes created by more traditional manufacturers. For example, clothing made from 100 percent organically grown cotton can cost 20 to 50 percent more than conventional clothes, according to the Sustainable Cotton Project.

Still, more mainstream retailers such as L.L. Bean, Nike, Levi's and the Gap, have begun offering organic clothing at more reasonable prices for average shoppers. Discount stores such as Wal-Mart now offer clothing made from environmentally sustainable materials and manufacturing processes.

So what IS Eco Clothing? Any garment is considered "eco clothing" if it's made from organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled soda bottles. The sportswear company Patagonia has been a leader in organic clothing since 1996. Today the company uses 100 percent organic cotton in its outdoor collection and uses fibbers made from recycled soda bottles to spin fleece fabric.