Launched a month and a half ago as part of the new EcoGeek blogging network, Wearing the Future is all about “straight talk as much as style, so you won’t have to worry about fluffy, PR-soaked, greenwashing nonsense.”

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the blog’s chief editor and head writer, Kyeann Sayer (pronounced like “cayenne” pepper). As a long-time writer for Treehugger.com, Kyeann has an impressive media resume - she has been featured on CNN, MSN, I.D. Magazine, Domino, Spin, Outside, and Women’s Wear Daily … just to name a few.

In our lively conversation, Kyeann and I talk about the beginning of Wearing the Future, her favorite eco-fashion brands, personal style’s place in the world of green living and more - read on for all the juicy details!

Victoria Everman: How did you get connected with Hank Green of EcoGeek? Did the two of you come up with the idea for Wearing the Future together or was he on the look-out for an editor and writer already? 

Kyeann Sayer: Hank and I were both writers at TreeHugger and have both lived in Missoula, MT. We had been discussing the idea of working together for a while, and when he decided to expand the EcoGeek network it was a perfect opportunity for me to do an eco-fashion blog without having to worry about all of the tech and other stuff that isn’t my forte.

VE: How would you describe your relationship with fashion?

KS: Conflicted! I love shopping and always having new clothes but also recognize the very un-sexy truth: we are completely overconsuming the earth’s resources and even my small wardrobe is likely larger than most people’s around the globe. So, it’s an ongoing back and forth of justification, compromise, satisfaction and guilt. I need to learn to sew so I can start re-fashioning my own garments.

VE: What do you think some of the major roadblocks are for making all clothing sustainable?

KS: There are so many. One aspect is that the production chain is so decentralized that it’s very difficult for even the most well-meaning of designers to know that their fabrics meet their own social/eco standards. That same decentralization also adds a lot to our garments’ footprints since they’re likely to be grown on one continent, constructed on another, and sold on yet another. Without universally agreed upon standards, we have these vague notions of “sustainability” at the levels of sourcing, manufacturing and consuming. The marketplace is challenging for shoppers. How do they know they’re really getting “green” or “socially responsible” products when we don’t have a universal understanding of those terms?

VE: Do you have any favorite sustainable style brands? Which ones and why?

KS: I love Nau because on a day to day basis I rely on basics and theirs are so smart and versatile. Also, they’ve clearly made such an effort to integrate smart, earth-friendlier design practices into all aspects of their operations. Every year I buy a pair of Tierra Del Forte’s jeans and wear them out. The fit is always amazing and I have a lot of respect for Tierra’s organic and domestic manufacturing efforts. My favorite top is from London’s Junky Styling — I have a huge soft spot for re-use designers. Stewart+Brown is a company with a ton of integrity and I know I’ll be wearing my favorite sweater for years. There are so many more!

VE: What makes Wearing the Future different from other eco-fashion blogs?

KS: We offer a little something for everyone, from shoppers to design students to designers to the tech-obsessed. First, we strive to be a trusted source of information on what out there is actually “green” and “ethical.” Since there are so many problems with recommending “green” products, we’re less product focused and not afraid to point out false claims (greenwashing). Second, we address our readership as citizens first and consumers second. Since we’ve already succeeded in making green sexy, maybe it’s time to make politics of fashion sexy? We all want to make a difference, and often writing a quick email or signing a petition can do more than buying bamboo socks! Finally, we are really interested in people and technology. What are nanotech fabrics? Do we want radio frequency identification in our underwear? What can we do about forced child labor in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan?

VE: Do you see personal style as an integral part of the green living movement or simply frivolous?

KS: I see it as both! I love clothes and adore creativity and innovation in design. But on my death bed I’ll care more about having done my part to help create a safe, secure and healthy world than how I looked doing it. I feel great supporting truly ethical designers and retailers and think green design is a fabulous gateway to creating substantive change. The impact of the textile/apparel industries is significant and so trying to make a difference in those arenas is definitely not frivolous.

VE: What do you say to the folks that still believe global warming is just a myth?

KS: Well, I don’t have a scientific brain, but I believe the scientific consensus. If people aren’t convinced that they need to advocate for the energy policy changes we need, I would recommend they focus on our eroding civil liberties and government censorship of scientific information. Without an informed populace who can exercise free speech and the right of assembly, we’re all in bad shape no matter what. But an ongoing struggle for a safe future against an energy lobby that is supported wholeheartedly by the executive branch and most of congress will be impossible without those rights.

VE: Do you have any other nifty, secret projects in the works that you could hint at?

KS: I wish I did! We’ll keep you posted…

Editor's note: Please join us in welcoming Jason Phillip to the Green Options writing team! A freelance writer and editor based in Chicago, Jason will be focusing on the "green scene" in the Windy City for us. Mayor Richard Daly has committed to making Chicago the greenest city in the country, so we're looking forward to Jason's reports on these efforts.

My idea of sustainable fashion has always been making sure the clothing I wear gets as long a life as possible. I like keeping things in my wardrobe forever, and when they finally can’t be worn even one more time, replacing them with something from a thrift store that I know has had at least one previous owner. I like to think I'm buying classics, and also keeping material out of the waste stream. If I'm not buying something new, my purchase doesn't help spew any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or exploit any sweatshop workers, right? Plus, I can save a bundle outfitting myself with recycled duds.

But as most fans of "thrifting" know, it can be tough to shop this way all the time. There's an element of luck involved—you have to make do with what fate presents you. The scavenger hunt feeling can be addictive, but sometimes it's just not practical—like when building a professional wardrobe, or looking for outdoor apparel with modern weatherproofing performance. No one has ever accused me of being a slave to fashion, but sometimes you gotta go retail. And for the eco-conscious consumer, going retail may now mean seeking out environmentally-friendly garments. In just the past year, it seems, the fashion industry has really begun to embrace the environmental ethos, and the choices available to consumers interested in ethically-produced clothing are growing by leaps and bounds.

Case in point: I got a pair of recycled sandals as a gift this year, after my decade-old pair of slip-ons finally gave up the ghost. My wife—never a fan of the old dork cork classics, but nonetheless tolerant of my penchant for comfort over style—found a decent looking replacement pair that compared favorably in the looks department, and had some impressive sustainability features. I appreciated the fact that the soles are made from recycled car tire tread, the straps consist of used (but clean) bicycle inner tubes, and the thread holding it all together is organic cotton. Alas, the whole shoe is less than the sum of its parts; the sad fact is that the new togs just make me miss my old pair. They don't feel anywhere near as sturdy, they fall off my feet when I walk because the straps can't be tightened, and the stitching in the soles looks like it's about to wear through after only three weeks of use. Did I mention I owned my old pair since the mid-1990s? These "sustainable" sandals don't seem like they'll last through next summer. The warm glow I felt around the purchase of this innovative product has faded pretty quickly, replaced by the creeping realization that I'm going to have to make another summer footwear purchase soon.

Published as the first editorial feature in the Fall issue, "Renew, Repurpose, Reuse, Redo, Refashion" features a smattering of stats related to crafting garments from second-hand finds, starting on page 48. Four projects set the stage, but only three of them are wardrobe-related. Also included is a pattern for an ottoman covered with thrifted sweaters, great for amping up a footstool you already have or a somewhat-sustainable but bland new piece from IKEA. My first look at the fashion projects made me a bit hesitant, thinking "would I ever really wear that?" Quickly, I reminded myself that I could use any color or texture of second-hand garments, making the projects all the more exciting to undertake.

For the fourth episode of their Big Ideas For A Small Planet series, the Sundance Channel takes on the challenging topic of dressing green. The first three episodes of this original documentary series have gotten a large amount of critical acclaim for bringing environmental issues to the millions of Americans who tune in. So far, the topics of fuel, building construction, and city development have been examined, offering up three different topic-specific ideas of how to enhance our lives and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time in each episode.

Premiering this Tuesday, May 8th at 9pm Eastern and Pacific, the Wear episode features commentary from Ali Hewson (Bono's wife and founder of Edun Clothing), Simran Sethi, Carson Kressley (the wonderfully flamboyant blond fashion guru from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), and Graham Hill (founder of TreeHugger.com). I must admit that when I saw Carson come on screen, I was worried that the episode might end up being less than serious, but he had a unique point-of-view to add to the subject of green fashion, acting as a voice for the many that see style as an integral part of their life, just like eating or sleeping. Helping to show people that wearing sustainable fabrics has little, if anything, to do with tie-dye and hippies is one of the most important factors for the growing green fashion market, and this episode does a darn good job of getting that point across.

HTnaturals is committed to the development, manufacturing and sales of comfortable, durable and affordable daily wear garments that are less harmful to the environment and provide benefits for the people involved in the entire product supply chain, from the farmer, to the processors, distributors, retailers and ultimately the consumer. Fair Trade and Organic certified, the company even has a corporate office in China to monitor factory conditions. The brand gladly displays pictures of their overseas factory on their website. If that wasn't enough, only sustainable fibers (organic cotton, bamboo, soy, hemp, and recycled polyester) are used to create their entire collection.

Launched a few years ago, their organic cotton line began with only a few tops for men and women. Since then, 21 of their classic styles have become available in some of the softest and smoothest fabric around. Men, women, kids, babies, and even the family dog can get in on the organic cotton party with this brand. Oh yeah, there is one topic I haven't mentioned yet: how much does it cost?