How We Can Detox Our Closets

15 Sources for Organic Clothing

This is an un-styled and unfiltered photo of the hot mess that is my laundry room rack. I refuse to iron anything. And no longer buy any dry cleaning only clothes. These are the clothes I wear again and again. And if you know me in real life, you’ve probably seen me wearing these things.

I’m trying to get up the mojo to start Spring Cleaning. It’s still too soon to do the closet switch over to Summer wear, but I’ve been thinking about it. And it starts with the urge to buy a few new things I know I need. I’ve been on an Amazon fast for the past few weeks, so it’s made me hyper-aware of where I am spending my money and what I’m buying. I’ve always been searching for the most comfortable, well-made organic clothing (I even had an e-commerce store called Rodale’s once). My theory is that if we are willing to pay a little more upfront for organic fibers, then we won’t have to pay for environmental cleanup or health problems later. But the truth is that many organic clothing options are far less expensive than fancy luxury brands. And I’d rather have the luxury of knowing that what I’m wearing is helping people and the planet rather than making things worse.

I went through a phase when I was rising up the ranks in the publishing world where I fell for the designer luxury world. I’ve always loved quality fashion and beauty, and I could afford to buy them. But after a few years, it all felt so empty and stupid. What I learned is the greatest thing about luxury brands is when they feel great against your skin. But then I learned you don’t need to spend all that money to get that feeling. And there is an even better feeling when you do the right thing and support companies that are making the world a better place — while wearing things that feel great against your skin. Every day, I thank GOD I no longer have to wear pantyhose, pants suits, and designer bags to transmit some sort of status.

Today, I am going to share my sources. Each of the companies I link to here I have purchased from I wore their clothing and enjoyed their comfort and quality. If there are any you know of and love that I have missed, please let me know! And up front, I acknowledge that thrifting is a great way to acquire new clothes. If that’s your pleasure or your financial approach, these are all great brands to look for.

Work and Workout Clothes:

Carve Designs: The best jeans and shorts and some nice dresses. I especially love their butter corduroy, even for summer. It’s lightweight, stretchy, and so comfortable. Pants that fit!

Toad and Co: Sporty comfortable basics.

Patagonia: Obviously. I was especially happy to see that they now carry bikini bathing suit tops in XXL for those of us top-heavy swimmers.

Eileen Fisher: Classic. An original.

Ripple Yoga Wear: I Just discovered them and am looking forward to wearing their yoga shorts and capris.

Mate The Label: Also a new discovery. While they are as much an underwear company, I am looking for new comfortable options for workout wear that don’t contain plastics. This is a good option.

Pact: This company is the closest I’ve found to “cheap basics” from other companies, but they are organic and super comfortable. I even buy them at Whole Foods! This is where I get my T-shirts that I absolutely know will be stained with salad dressing the first time I wear them. Or comfy dresses to wear around the house.

Muleh: This store is not organic, and they don’t have an online shopping site. But it’s run by a wonderful woman named Vici, who has excellent taste and curates a small selection of super comfortable and stylish clothes. Her store is in my neighborhood in Chelsea, New York City. If I am going to splurge, it will be with her. If you go, tell her I said hi!

45R: Another splurge in New York City. But I love the quality, durability, comfort, and style of their Japanese clothes, which I believe are made from organic fibers. These are shirts and dresses I will wear every day and every week all year and try not to stain. Full disclosure: I wear men’s sizes in the shirts. I also saw a picture on Instagram of Patti Smith shopping there. That’s the best testament to their cool factor.

The good news about the more expensive sources on my list is that these are clothes that don’t go out of style and fit my body as it changes. Many other companies are starting to carry organic clothing: Garnet Hill, Coyuchi, and even The Gap. Look (and ask) for it wherever you shop.

Underwear and nightwear:

Domi: I absolutely love their nightgowns. They are very romantic and the only nightgowns I can wear to sleep in. Usually I sleep naked, but if I must wear something I will wear this.

Leena and Lu: Let’s be honest, most days, I work from home in my pajamas, and these are my absolute favorite. Soft, perfectly fitted for my body, and…they have pockets!! If I am on a Zoom call with someone, they can’t tell that it’s my PJs.

Brooke There: A sweet underwear company from Maine. Their bras are useless for big-boobed ladies like me, but their panties are soft, durable, and colorful.

Jungmaven: Hefty, sturdy underwear in fun colors.

Blue Canoe: My old reliable. It’s the only place that makes bras I am willing and able to wear. And their basic underwear is comfortable and holds up over time.

Hanna Anderson: Mostly a kid’s brand, their pajamas are still fun for grown-ups too.

Closet Secrets:

The closet is a metaphor for secrets, often sexual ones. We all have them!!!! I confess I believe that much of the suffering in the world today is the result of our fucked up attitudes about sexuality. This is why I was thrilled to order a new book, not from Amazon but from Barnes and Noble, called Bitch: On the Female of the Species by Lucy Cook. I’ve long believed that “science” has gotten female sexuality all wrong. We are HIGHLY sexual beings, and in fact, it’s one of our superpowers. But it’s not been okay to talk about or discuss. Here’s a description of the book from the website:

“In Bitch, Cooke tells a new story. Whether investigating same-sex female albatross couples that raise chicks, murderous mother meerkats, or the titanic battle of the sexes waged by ducks, Cooke shows us a new evolutionary biology, one where females can be as dynamic as any male. This isn‘t your grandfather’s evolutionary biology. It’s more inclusive, truer to life, and, simply, more fun.”

This is the kind of book I adore and can’t wait to read in bed before I go to sleep, naked.