One of the rules of green clothing is to use second hand clothing. This is because clothing that is already made does not use additional resources. Reused clothing is actually the greenest clothing there is, which can seem counterintuitive to some. After reused clothing, clothing that is made from recycled materials is the greenest. In fact, clothing made from recycled materials is often (but not always) greener than clothing made from organically grown materials. The processing needed to turn the organic fibers into cloth uses large amounts of resources.

Recycled Clothing from Man-made Materials
It seems like a contradiction to look for clothing made from man-made materials; so many people know how damaging they can be. However, because of their sturdiness and their specific qualities, man-made materials are often recycled into other things. You may actually end up wearing clothing from man-made materials that is environmentally friendly.

You should consider the processes that clothing has gone through in order to become a wearable product. This is important, since the process that the clothing undergoes can have more of an impact on the environment than anything else. Also, consider that making something new, even if it is made from organic cotton, can be harmful to the environment when compared with something reused or recycled. These types of reused and recycled items, since they have already been produced, aren't usually using additional resources.

However, if you cannot find something suitable from recycled, man-made materials or something second hand, it is a good idea to look for organically grown materials. One of the worst things that you can get -- at least from an environmental standpoint -- is traditionally grown cotton. The pesticides, large amounts of water and other issues associated with regular cotton make it very resource-intensive.

Even though it may seem odd, consider clothing made from recycled, man-made materials, which translates into fewer things going to your local landfill.

One of the trends in environmentally friendly fashion is a movement toward recycled materials. This makes sense. The green movement is inextricably linked to recycling. It only makes sense that a green movement in clothing would include shirts, hats, pants, shoes and accessories made from recycled materials. Here are some of the recycled materials that you might find in some clothing:

Plastic
Plastic, when melted down, can make a material that is quite useful in clothing. It may seem counterintuitive, but two-liter plastic soda bottles can be used to make fleece. Patagonia has been using recycled plastic soda bottles in its Synchilla fleece for 15 years. Hats and totes from companies like Clothes Made From Scrap are also made from plastic.

Recycled plastic has been used in other items as well, from shoes to pants to accessories (like belts).

Glass
Accessories are some of the most popular items made from recycled glass in the green clothing movement. This is because it is possible to make glass beads and faux jewels from recycled glass.

Reclaimed cotton
Cotton mills routinely waste a great deal of cotton. While this cotton hasn't been used by consumers, it is still waste. Instead of throwing it out, this reclaimed cotton can be used in a number of textile-based recycled clothing products including hats, shirts, coats, pants and shoes.

Car tires
Recycled car tires can be used in green clothing as well. In fact, recycled car ties make excellent soles for shoes. Car tires are sturdy, supportive and can be used to provide good traction. There many different companies that use recycled car tires in their shoes.

It really is amazing when you think of the possibilities that these materials have for a new life as useful articles of clothing. There is no need for them to go to waste.

When it comes to recycled green clothing, however, nothing beats buying something used. Any type of recycling does require some sort of energy output (although, in most cases, recycling the material is better than throwing it out). Buying used clothing is the best way to be earth friendly with recycled clothing.