Let's begin by stating two things:

1) Seattle's always had a sort of symbiotic relationship with San Francisco, since the beginning.

2) The worlds of fashion and environmentalism are constantly changing. Now lets examine how they relate.

Within a calendar month or so of the Denny's Party's 1851 landing on the (they chose sandy) shores of Elliot Bay they were selling timber to San Franciscans. They needed a lot a lot, their frequent fires helped Seattle grow financially. They found gold we found gold and so on. Now both are major points of interest on the West Coast.

Still, their being a bit bigger and a wee bit older we sort of look to them, not so secretly. The entrenced relationship continues, there's a sort of general unwritten competition, a sort of sibling rivalry. But as our own Clark Humphrey so eloquently says, "Seattle doesn't have to copy everything San Francisco does." Just visiting the place, it is pretty obvious that environmentalism is top on their holiest of holies list. Everything from a factious commitment to recycling (nearing Japanese standards) to banning disposable coffee cups and lids on pubic buses to charging several cents for plastic carrier sacks, to their all-encompassing public transportation (coupled with a shortage of parking), to not offering lids and straws at the walk-up concessions in the Giants' (one-year-younger-than-ours) stadium, AT&T Park. It is pretty obvious we aren't really copying them in our devotion to environmentalism. A devotion that force squeezes the belief into all sectors of society, including fashion. The squeeze can be seen in the increasing popularity of recycled fashion, increased cognizance of how clothes are made, and other cultural involvements.

To juxtapose this idea of with a favorite 1980s quotes, from when Ralph Lauren was generating a lifestyle and he stated, "People want to dress like Republicans... they don't necessarily want to be them." And both the Bay Area and Seattle tend to be liberal encampments, but still ones where people want to dress well. (Again, for the most part, Seattle is not copying enough here.) In this quest for environmentalism and fashion many ideas get juxtaposed. Here's a peek at "The Good," "The Bad," and (to top it off) "The Ugly" of it all.

OK, the good: Things are improving here and there.

People are becoming more mindful. Everything from recycled clothes to fair-trade clothing to "trashion shows" consisting completely of rubbish-based fashion ensembles prancing down the runway. Though these glamorous garbage grandstandings are the extreme case, people are becoming more aware of the need to be aware of everything from where and how a garment is made to what it is made with. A recent "Trashion Fashion Show" was a big hit at the San Juan County Fair.

So-called recycled-cum-vintage fashions have become a more delectable option. Value Village isn't just for Halloween anymore; but that's not all. There is an exciting new culture of independent local boutiques being born, like Synapse206 in Pioneer Square, and sumptuous vintage clothing shops selling near-museum quality pieces that can be glamorously incorporated to a wardrobe. Value Village (owned by Savers, based in Bellevue) says its business model helps protect the environment by promoting the reuse of household goods and clothing that may otherwise end up in landfills. Roughly 50 percent of the donated goods are unsuitable for the retail floor, and are shipped to developing countries and wholesalers for reuse. Which is good for us and them and the rest. Trending toward this responsibility with our trends is ideal, especially versus other options like Kathy Lee Gifford sweatshops and dismal production problems. (Just ask Nike.)

On a side note, personally I still think fur is OK, by the way. If you know what kind of fur it is for real (read labels-there have been "dog scandals" and worse recently) and a bit of where it came from how is it different than eating the wee beasties? I "Kant" tell.

The Bad: We lag.

Fewer recycling options, fewer recycled-clothing options, more lids, fewer clean public drinking fountains, and fewer independent, local-designer fashion boutiques.

Maybe on a plane with Al Gore's house using too much electricity, we leave the lights on too much. Many local residential and commercial buildings simply don't do recycling. We go through countless coffee cups and lids. The sort of this skirting issue as that now the worlds are colliding we can look forward to improvement, mindfulness equal progress here so guys and girls ask questions. Be informed. Be smart. Be fashionable. The Ugly: a.k.a. Halloween. This year we're calling it "Things You Never Knew Existed."

Everything from the Bat Boy musical to improved body latex and bigger more colorful wigs and accessories to lady cab-driver outfits at the porn store. Look for lots of gore, scary-evil and strange squirting parts. It should be fun. Remember that nutty story back in 2004 when the local should district "cancelled Halloween" because of a Wiccan situation? Soothsayers predict it to only get weirder.

Participants of all ages with cool costumes can head right down to the Pike Place Market on the day of Halloween, during business hours, and strut your stuff. Just look for the orange pumpkins in the windows of participating merchants, stalls, and stands.

Also, these Autumnal days dwindle swiftly, be thinking of your New Year's Fashion Resolution. If you like email to us at megan@belltownmessenger.com. u