May 04, 2010 (McClatchy Newspapers - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- Your closet is a good place to start if you want to make your life a little more eco-friendly.

"The organic apparel market is skyrocketing," said Sandra Marquardt of the Organic Trade Association.

Even major retailers like Wal-Mart are offering clothing and accessories fashioned from organic and renewable resources.

"Right now, it's mainly casual wear, but I think what we're going to see next (in the fashion industry) is it broadening out to include clothes to wear to the office," Marquardt added.

While there aren't the same government-certified stamps on clothing as there are on food, the best rule of thumb is to check a garment's label to see how "green" it is.

Is it made from organic cotton, or conventional cotton? Recycled polyester or virgin polyester? Or a sustainable product like bamboo or hemp?

Buying organic clothing is important, industry experts say, because producing cotton the conventional way requires vast amounts of pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals. Polyester and most other synthetics come from petroleum-based chemicals.

Companies can become certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard, which means the entire process involved in manufacturing an item is organic, from field to finished product.

Here are just a few of the greener options you have for an earth-friendly, fashionable look.

PURSES

Made from 100 percent organic Turkish cotton and sustainably produced leather from Norway, the Want Organic for J Crew Mirabel day roll bag ($145) has an inside pocket that's roomy enough to fit a 13-inch laptop. $145 at JCrew stores or www.jcrew.com.

ACCESSORIES

For an eco-friendly timepiece, the Sprout biodegradable analog quartz watch has a bamboo dial, three-hand movement and an organic cotton band. Comes in lots of fun colors. $23.99 at Sears stores or sears.com.

DRESSES

A great staple for summer traveling, the Patagonia Margot Dress is made from 95 percent organic cotton and 5 percent spandex, which makes it super comfy and impervious to wrinkles. It's recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program. $59 at local REI stores or patagonia.com.

COVERS

Perfect for cool summer evenings, the Banana Republic Heritage Bird Print Wrap is made from 68 percent organic cotton and 32 percent azlon, a synthetic fiber made of protein material from natural sources like soy and corn.$59.50 at Banana Republic stores or www.bananarepublic.com.

SHOES

Simple(R) Organic Sneakers are lightweight and made from jute and certified organic cotton with a biodegradable sole built to break down completely in 25 years. $69. www.orvis.com.

BABY CLOTHES

Tadpoles organic cotton cable-knit romper and hat set will keep even the newest member of the family cozy and earth-friendly. Inseam and shoulder snaps allow for quick changes. $44 at Kohl's.

UNDERWEAR

Made from super-soft organic bamboo, a highly sustainable product, the Embrace Set from Anthropologie comes in lavender and black. $62 camisole; $32 boy shorts. See it at local stores or anthropologie.com.