Shirts Of Bamboo Blog

That’s the good news — we’re a winner! The bad news is — we don’t know what category! Check back after the 19th for the rest of the story (or grab the September 19th edition of Creative Loafing).

On Friday, September 7th, 2007 Shirts of Bamboo sponsored The Great Art Party in Seattle, Washington. The GAP was a benefit for Floating Bridge Press — a non-profit foundation that publishes the work of Washington State Poets in their annual anthology — Pontoon.

The great folks at WaterMark — the Tampa/St. Pete gay rag did a wonderful write up of us this week…

Green Is The New Black
Taking better care of Mother Earth is more than just a committed lifestyle—it’s also fashionable. 
Recycling clothes is certainly nothing new—just ask anyone who’s not the firstborn in their family. But eco-fashion isn’t about hand-me-downs; instead, it supports using recycled materials and Earth-friendly fabrics and production methods in the manufacture of clothing. 

Link to the rest of the article

We got a little good press coverage the other day….

http://cabiblog.typepad.com/hand_picked/2007/07/bamboo-socks-an.html

This post from today’s TreeHugger blog says it all…

We decided to start 2007 off by hitting the gym (along with many other folks who apparently have the same resolution). New gear always motivates us a bit more so we started searching. We love this bra, made of bamboo and organic cotton, found at Shirts of Bamboo. The racerback style provides support with three layers of fabric and wicks better than cotton to keep us dry while running (ahem, walking) on the treadmill. The price can’t be beat either at $20.

Link to the full story.

We got a lovely mention on the Austrailian blog BuyOrganic.com.au …..

Looking for an organic gift for him? It’s not always easy to buy a present for my husband as he’s so fussy. He’s almost impossible to buy for but he loves anything organic, especially when it comes to skin care. After trying a few organic t-shirts this year he’s now insisting that all his new t-shirts are either made of organic cotton or bamboo. Luckily these kinds of things are becoming easier to find so if you want a natural or organic gift for your man then here are my recommendations.

Complete blog post.

Shirts of Bamboo got mention on the FlyFishMagazine blog as the perfect accessory for the bamboo fly fisherman on your holiday list.

Check it out here.

Shirts of Bamboo is featured in the December 4th Newsweek just hitting the stands today. The article by Anne Underwood on going green with your clothing features our towellettes and yarn.

Here is what Anne says….

Shirtsofbamboo.com also has towelettes that are tough, soft and great for cleaning. They’re just 50 cents each, or $4 for a tenpack. Apply a little water to open up the tightly packed towelette. You can reuse them till they start falling apart. When you’re ready to toss them, they’re biodegradable.

and on our yarn products….

Knitting mavens might want to try the bamboo yarn at shirtsofbamboo.com for $9 a skein. The company says it will be adding different weights and blends next spring.

The article from a Tampa area high school newspaper was picked up by the National Edition of the American Society Newspaper Editors for high school newspapers!

How green are you?

When it comes to clothes, there’s a smart way to be a style setter and eco-friendly at the same time.

By Julia Pappacoda

Many teenagers consider themselves to be environmentally friendly. They might help sort certain household trash items for recycling. They may even try to reuse, rather than waste, common household items before they’re discarded. Some of the more conscientious may even take the time to search for specific products that have recycled content. But when it comes to the clothes you wear, how green are you?

There are stirring changes in the textile business that can help our environment while creating new business opportunities. Clothing made from alternative natural sources is changing the textile landscape.

Bamboo fiber garments, yes bamboo, is one such recent innovation. Fortunately, modern manufacturing processes have been refined to be able to produce this thrilling innovation. Pulp from bamboo is made into fiber for use in yarn and fabric.

There are only about five companies in the world that manufacture bamboo yarn. Only a very limited number of distributors for these products exist in the United States. Pinellas County is home to a budding business selling bamboo clothing. It’s called Shirts of Bamboo and is located at 2414 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. Don’t let the name mislead you, though, since they carry many bamboo fiber clothing products.

The effervescent Keely Sinclair is the store manager and outreach coordinator. “The initial success of the merchandise has resulted in a current expansion of the store to accommodate more stock with new styles and colors,” Sinclair said. “We’re also planning on adding robes and towels for the holidays.”

Baby blankets, booties and crib sheets are among some of the items to help start an infant in developing an eco-friendly lifestyle. Towels, washcloths and scarves complement a growing array of men’s and women’s clothing. “We get our stock from suppliers in California and South Carolina. The fabric is made in China,” Sinclair said. “Men’s golf shirts, as well as men’s and women’s sweaters are being added to our growing product line.”

If a visit to their retail store is too far, their product line can be viewed 24/7 online at www.ShirtsOfBamboo.com. It includes shirts, socks, and undergarments. The clothing is moderately priced. Shirts range from $12 to $28. A pair of bamboo socks will cost $7 dollars. They even carry yarn for those with knitting skills. The extraordinary colors of the product lines are vibrant and fresh with some traditional shades as well.

Clothing made from bamboo is very special. Not only is it softer than cotton, it has a natural sheen and feels like silk. “Bamboo fabric appeals to all ages,” said Sinclair. “If you feel it, you want to buy it. Bamboo is a sustainable plant, since four to six baby shoots grow for every plant cut down.”

Versatility is another trademark of bamboo fiber. It requires less dye than cotton garments and has a natural UV protection. The apparel is extremely comfortable. It’s cooler than other fabrics in the summer, and it can be layered to be warmer in the winter. It is very durable and unlike cotton and wool which are very absorbent and retain moisture, bamboo is more antibacterial. It wicks away moisture and has a very high soil release value. “We’re looking to connect with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. With all the benefits of bamboo, this fabric is a great choice for athletes,” Sinclair said.

The environment benefits from the use of bamboo. It takes in nearly five times the amount of greenhouse gasses and produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. This makes it an efficient replenisher of fresh air. There are other uses for bamboo, like furniture and flooring. By encouraging the growth and utilization of bamboo, it can begin to combat global warming.

Bamboo is definitely unique. It is the world’s fastest growing plant, extremely abundant and is grown without pesticides or chemicals. This renewable resource is also naturally biodegradable. It is an excellent alternative to cotton, wool and synthetic fibers.

Cleaning bamboo clothing is easy. It will last as long as cotton. Wrinkles fall right out after washing and drying. No bleach or fabric softener is needed, since they would damage and fray the garment. This is another environmental plus for bamboo.

Since making clothing from bamboo is a new innovation, AP Environmental Science teacher Susan Pittinaro was surprised when she first learned about it. “Initially, it sounds really great,” she said. “My concerns would be about how fast it takes the bamboo to grow back and how it is going to affect the pandas or other animals that utilize bamboo.”

Today, there are more than 6 billion people on Earth. As growth trends continue, it is anticipated that midway through this century worldwide population will reach 10 billion. This staggering population projection dictates that environmental concerns are one of the most formidable challenges facing us for generations to come. Using natural, eco-friendly products is one way we can all contribute to alleviating environmental problems and building a sustainable future. Each person truly can make a green difference.
Here is the link to the entire story complete with pictures: http://myhighschooljournalism.org/fl/tarponsprings/elhs/article.cfm?eid=6424&aid=95744

A great shot of ShirtsOfBamboo.com owner, Dan Jacobs at Airfest ‘06 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

And click here for the rest of the Verterns Post photos.

Shirts of Bamboo has donated 1000 towelettes through Veterens Post for the troops fighting overseas.