Green is the new black; at least in the sense of ?green? meaning your clothes are better for the environment. Anyone interested in reducing their carbon footprint, recycling and doing what's best for the Earth is interested in being as ?green? as they can, but what exactly does that mean in relation to your clothes? What is green fashion, fair trade and how do you make sure your green clothes are as green as they can be?

First and foremost, clothes are greener when there are fewer materials used, little resources wasted in shipping them to you and recyclable.

The longer your clothes can last and the fewer number of times they need washing, the greener they are. If new clothes are required, as they often are, no matter how careful you are and we all deserve new clothes, then you should always opt for the most organic of clothing options and choose a retailer who specialises in organic, green clothes purchased under fairtrade guidelines. You should choose clothing made from fabrics that come from organic agricultural techniques, so the Earth isn't harmed in their creation.

It's not just the Earth you need to protect either, as the workers who produce your clothes can often be exploited by some designers and fashion houses. Ensuring your garments come from fair trade suppliers will ensure that workers and children haven't been exploited on minimum wage to produce your clothing.