Sometimes it can be difficult to shop for green clothing. However, it is possible -- even during this economy -- to find reasonably priced green clothing. Here are some tips for buying inexpensive green clothing:

1. Have a shopping plan. The first thing you need to do is have a plan. Are there Web sites that sell green clothing? Do you know of stores in town that sell greener clothing? What is your budget? Make sure that you know your price range. Make a plan that reflects your budget and your shopping route.

2. Look to thrift stores. Interestingly, the greenest clothing is not the stuff made from bamboo or that organic cotton t-shirt. Used clothing is the greenest, because it does not require new processes to create and does not use up additional resources. And, of course, thrift stores represent a dramatic savings. Plan ahead and find out when the store puts out the new merchandise (i.e. new things may be put out every Tuesday morning). You can continue the cycle by donating the clothing you no longer wear to the thrift store and getting a tax advantage.

3. Avoid dry-clean-only clothes. Dry cleaning is a process that uses a great many chemicals and pollutes. When shopping, check the labels and try to avoid dry-clean-only clothes. Because dry-clean-only clothing often costs more, you will find that you are saving money by avoiding these clothes.

4. Look for organic clothing. If you prefer new clothing, look for organic clothes. Clothing made from hemp, bamboo and organic cotton are more environmentally friendly than other materials. However, you may have to pay a little bit more. Try looking online for Web stores that sell organic clothing at a discount.

It is possible to have clothing that is friendly to the earth and that does not cost a great deal. With some time and planning -- and some shopping around -- it is possible to green up your closet without breaking the bank.

The end of an old year and the beginning of a new one means resolutions. Many of us set goals at this time, vowing to make the next year better than the last year. If you make green New Year's resolutions, you can also help make the world a better place than it was last year. When you resolve to make your wardrobe greener for 2009, you can help the environment in addition to yourself.

Here are some ideas for green clothing resolutions:

Think about what you need. Vow to consider new purchases. Before buying new clothing, think about what you would wear it for and how it might be used. If you are not planning to wear it a great deal and if you cannot think of several ways to incorporate into outfits using what you already have, perhaps it is not a good idea to buy. After all, new clothing uses a tremendous amount of resources.

Donate unused clothing. If you have clothing that is in good condition, donate it so that it can be recycled. Better yet, resolve to go to at least one fashion swap in 2009. Take your old clothes and trade them for something that is new to you. The best way to be green with your wardrobe is to wear recycled clothing.

Look at where your clothing is coming from. Clothing shipped from far away places uses resources and pollutes the air due to shipping. Additionally, some countries have lax environmental laws, and this means the production of your clothing could be bad for the environment. Instead, try to buy clothing that has been produced closer to home.

Consider what your clothing is made from. In addition to where your clothing is coming from, think about what it is made of. Consider organic cotton clothing and shoes with soles made from recycled tires. These products are less damaging to the environment and offer green clothing alternatives that cannot be had with some of the more traditional materials.

When one thinks of hemp, for some reason often the first thoughts that come to mind are of marijuana. Nothing could be further from the truth. (No, you can't smoke hemp fabric and get high.) Instead, hemp clothing provides a durable natural fiber that can make comfortable clothing that is also eco-friendly. This is why hemp has such a prominent place in the green movement in clothing.

Characteristics of hemp clothing:

Strong. A tensile strength that is three times that of cotton.

Lightweight. Hemp clothing is very light. It is also absorbent.

Versatile. There are many uses for hemp material. It can be easily blended with other natural fibers, including silk.

Weather resistant. Hemp clothing is durable and tough. It resists mold and it blocks harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Better for the environment. Hemp farming requires little water, and hemp is resistance to pests, so pesticides are not needed. Additionally, hemp grows very well, so fertilizers are not usually used. Hemp is very renewable.

Cost-effective. Because of its ease of growth, hemp is easy (and less expensive) to grow.
It is important to note that in some countries (notably China) the production of hemp clothing does include harmful chemical processes. However, there are other manufacturers that use enzymes with a biological basis in order to maintain the earth-friendly hemp clothing process.

Hemp clothing can be rougher than cotton, which is why it is often blended with cotton for shirts. However, hemp is used a great deal in the manufacture of sandals and shoes.
Hemp clothing is mostly available online, although some offline retailers are starting to sell hemp as part of the green movement in clothing. Local clothing boutiques and Fair Trade shops also usually carry hemp clothing.

Here are some online places where you can find hemp clothing:

Hemp Sisters.com, Spirit Stream Trading.com, Faerie's Dance.com, Peopleshemp.com