Envi: Boston's haven for eco fashion addicts

Sometimes I secretly wish that Envi were either a larger store or that owners Callie Smith and Ursula Stahl were a bit less personable. Sure, it makes dropping in feel kind of like raiding your fabulously well-informed friend's closet (helped by the fact that both girls serve as real-life models of their wares.) But it's a little embarrassing to know that eventually they're going to compare notes and realize, "Whoah, that girl has a serious shopping addiction." I've already dropped by 4 times in the one month they've been open, and I have to talk myself out of going more often on the off chance they've gotten in something new.

The clothes at Envi have a young, almost West Coast feel -- cute casual dresses, beachy pastel colors and a ton of trendy jeans. When I was in shopping for my own new pair of jeans, the girl working pulled me out of the dressing room to give me honest and much-appreciated advice on the fit. As someone who often shops alone, I can tell you that's pretty rare (at least for me, in Boston... maybe I have too many tattoos and not enough pearls.)

You can read a bit more about the store's founding at the Boston Globe, or check out Daily Candy's somewhat strange write-up, but if you live near Boston, you really should just trek over to Newbury and check things out yourself. (You can't get lost --- Envi's at 164, right next to Lush, and personally I can smell them a block away.) If you're not in the area, definitely make sure to check out the Envi online shop. I obviously haven't ordered from there yet, but one of the girls was putting together an internet order by hand when I was in the shop one night, which is a pretty charming way to imagine your eco friendly purchases getting to you.