Travel Clothing with Style and Conscience
There’s nothing better when you’re on the road than so-called “travel clothingâ€. It’s wrinkle and stain proof, durable and infinitely convertible so it remains comfortable in all kinds of weather. The only problem is that, traditionally, travel clothing has been designed to look like you’re on an African Safari. This is okay if you’re Dr. Livingstone or if, as soon as you get off the plane; you seek out the remotest parts of the country and stay there for the duration of your trip.
But if, like me, you like to explore the more “civilized†parts of a country but are also an active traveler, you need something that combines the performance of travel clothing with the style now common in many urban centers around the world. If you don’t want to stand out during your travels, you should wear clothes that are understated yet not too casual. (After all, isn’t the stereotype of the obnoxious American tourist always dressed either too casually or plastered head to toe with brand names and slogans like a bill board.)
Nau is a new clothing company whose mantra is to provide garments that balance performance, beauty and sustainability. I have recently been reading about a new trend towards natural fibers in technical and outdoor clothing. But these pieces are not made from your grandfather’s wool and sailcloth. They are engineered to take advantage of the natural properties of the material and are supposed to equal if not surpass the performance of synthetics. I have not had the chance to view any of these garments up close but the beauty and softness of natural fibers should make them perfect for active travelers that spend time in urban areas.
Nau has worked with its suppliers to design 24 out their 32 fabrics in order to make sure that all of them meet their sustainability criteria. They have also created a code of conduct for the company and its suppliers and are overseen by an independent non-profit auditing firm.
All this emphasis on environmental ethics is fine and should give potential customers a warm and fuzzy feeling; however, what is certain to attract buyers to the line is the un-travel-like design of the clothing. On the other hand, from what I can see on the website, the clothing seems somewhat less versatile than traditional travel clothing and more focused on cooler climes as evidenced by their choice of retail locations, primarily the Northwest and Colorado. Despite this, the company’s designs represent a step forward in travel clothing design and I’m sure that their line will continue to expand as other companies also jump on the “green†clothing bandwagon.
