Pandas have been munching on the evergreen plant for centuries, but bamboo is now making its way into the fashion world.

Bamboo and organic cotton are exploding among this fall's fashion lines, with companies such as 7 For All Mankind and C & C California jumping on the green bandwagon.

According to Jeff Fulmer of Bamboo U, a new company that creates trendy bamboo shirts for college-aged women, organic cotton emerged as the front-runner of Earth-friendly fashion.

Regular cotton uses heavy amounts of pesticides and chemical fertilizers that leak into streams, rivers and oceans. The nitrogen-heavy chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers can cause dead zones in oceans that remove oxygen and kill aquatic life, Fulmer said.

"One-third a pound of chemical fertilizer goes into the making of one conventional cotton T-shirt. Cotton is often considered one of the dirtiest crops to farm," Fulmer said.

While organic cotton started the eco-friendly clothing trend, bamboo is becoming a rising star in the fashion world. Bamboo is 100-percent biodegradable and, like organic cotton, is grown without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Fulmer said.

"There are two major benefits to wearing bamboo. The first is environmental. Bamboo produces faster than cotton and does not have to be replanted every season," Fulmer said.

Bamboo is reported to grow one foot each day in some places and is "super hardy" in that it's environmentally sustainable. The plant contains an anti-microbial agent that keeps bacteria from growing in or on the plant. This agent also helps to eliminate odor when worn as clothing, Fulmer said.

The second reason Fulmer gives is comfort. Bamboo fabric is more comfortable and much softer than regular cotton; Fulmer equates the feeling of the material to the feeling of silk.

Bamboo U's T-shirts are made of 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton. The company uses water-based inks to make shirts as environmentally-friendly as possible. The shirts are priced around $30 and can be found at myspace.com/bamboou.

As president of Penn State Eco-Action Club, Ben Tutolo promotes using organic clothing.

"We sell organic T-shirts as part of our fundraisers," Tutolo said. "And the cotton is grown in North Carolina."

By getting its cotton from North Carolina, Eco-Action reduces the amount of gas needed for shipping, Tutolo said. Tutolo added Eco-Action thinks bamboo is a great idea, but that it's still too expensive to sell in its T-shirts.

"Bamboo is definitely a growing thing," Tutolo said.

Gracienne Myers, a Brazilian shoe designer based in State College, is also joining the growing number of designers dedicated to Earth-friendly materials. Myers paired up with Evian at last week's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to accessorize outfits for the Evian girls, models who promote Evian products. The Evian girls wore pink bamboo and silk hemp dresses along with Myers' custom-designed shoes.

The shoes were pink, blue and white pumps emblazoned with the Evian logo. The shoes are also available in black and snakeskin at Brazilian Explosion, 206 W. College Ave., Myers' flagship store in State College.

The shoes, part of Myers' new line called "Clearly Glam," come in a clear eco-friendly box.

Though the stores in downtown State College have yet to carry bamboo clothing, they do carry a wide variety of organic cottons.

"If it is out there and becoming a popular thing I am sure we'll be looking into it," said Veronica Burk, store manager of Mr. Charles, 228 E. College Ave.

For the time being, Mr. Charles is carrying brands like Loomstate and Edun, a brand started by U2 singer, Bono and wife, Ali Hewson. The two lines are made with 100-percent organic cotton. Both are a constant staple in the store. Loomstate and Edun are also sweatshop free.

Mr. Charles is looking into carrying a bamboo line in the future, Burk said.

People's Nation, 126 E. College Ave, carries both American Apparel T-shirts and a wide variety of Alternative Earth clothing.