Just in time to stock up on staples for the summer, Stewart & Brown is offering an extra 25% off their sale tops and dresses with coupon "SALESALE". The Organic Tie Cami, $17 from $62, has a pointelle knit that will add a feminine touch to skirts or shorts. For chillier days, layer on the Organic 1/2 Sleeve Hoodie, $26 from $88. Of course, it's not summer shopping without a pretty summer dress. The Organic Gather Strap Dress, $48 from $145, isn't just a pretty face; its pockets and bra-strap hiding straps make it a practical choice as well!
This week's sample sale leave you wanting more green? Here's another one day only sale -- Raw Earth organic clothing at up to 79% off! Gomatta Girls is a site that offers one-day only sales on indie designers. The discounts are almost always insane, which makes up for the slightly slower shipping, the credit-only returns, and the barebones shopping experience.
These offerings by Raw Earth swing toward the hippie side of the green fashion spectrum, but it's a perfect opportunity to pick up a long, sweeping dress to jump on the maxi bandwagon. The low waist on the Senegal dress is best for the boyish looking to add curves; swap a tonal ribbon into the corset back to keep things from looking to Renaissance Fair.
While I'm going to miss dropping in on fab Boston eco boutique Envi at they're old Newbury digs, there's one bright side to their new move across town -- a huge sample sale! Prices start at $10 and nothing is over $100. Plus, you get to nosh on organic cupcakes and champagne. Yum! So, Boston greenies, get yourself out into that gorgeous sunshine and over to the new Envi. Tonight (5/20/09) until 8pm!
Not in Boston and bummed you're missing out on the fun? Well, I doubt the Envi girls will ship you a cupcake, but you can catch the sale online here. Everything's discounted, but the Del Forte Bluebell Organic Jeans are a real steal, $40 from $194, in a flattering dark wash and a hip flared cut.
If I had the dough, I'd spend most of my time in the drape-y, muted, earth friendly offerings from Stella McCartney. But why daydream about unaffordable eco fashion when there are so many green options within reach?
Take this pretty pink dress from Loyale. The color may be called "rose" instead of "berry", and you might have to scrounge up your own sash belt, but I'd say that neckline and the overall loose-yet-structured effect capture the look of Stella perfectly. Both dresses may be on sale right now, but the Loyale option is still half the price of the designer version. This spring, wear it as a tunic paired with your straight leg (but not too tight) pants, then throw it on over swim suits and flip flops when the weather warms up.
Loyale Organic Weston Dress $98 from $196. Of course, if you shorted American and are feeling flush, you can always run over to Barneys for the original $249 from $995.
p.s. I have to also link to the adorable photo of Inhabitots' Jill Fehrenbacher wearing this dress -- at 5 months pregnant! Maybe it's the glow that makes her look so good, but maybe it's also the dress. One thing's for sure, though: if she can look fresh and tiny with a baby on board, this dress will hide any extra holiday cookie poundage anyone else is carrying.
It's a new year. Why not snag a fresh pair of organic jeans in a sleek trouser cut and a creamy white wash from fresh company... the Gap? That's right, the original home of the boring basic seems to be switching things up a bit. Fingers crossed that this is a trend for 09!
What does this pair of jeans have going for it, beyond the obvious reasonable price tag and nationwide availability? Well, they're a loose, breezy cut that seems like a breath of fresh air after two seasons of skinnies. Then there's that color, that earthy cream that keeps them from being too sailor-bright. All that, and they're a full 98% organic cotton. Good job, Gap -- keep it up!
Organic flare leg trouser jeans $60. Or go ask to see them in your local Gap, and make sure every employee knows that you love eco fashion ;)
I'll admit -- that vintage Hermes that Angelina Jolie wore to cover up her baby bump at the SAG awards was not my favorite look for her. The ombre was pretty, but too much volume in all the wrong places (I suppose that was the point.) So it was fun to stumble across an echo of that dress in Larsen Gray's artsy column gown in bamboo and organic cotton.
I much prefer the Larsen Gray's sleek silhouette, with just a single pleat to convey the message of volume. Make sure you check out the detail shots. What looks like ombre from far off is actually a gorgeous scribble pattern that seems randomly drawn across the silk. Almost like those doodles in your page margin during a boring high school english class, only utterly prettier. If you've got somewhere to be dazzling over the holidays, I think you've found your gown.
How adorable is this? Some entrepreneurial gals from Philadelphia got the rights to all the iconography from The All American Girls Professional Baseball League (you know, from that famous movie about their first women's baseball team?) Happily, they chose to show off these vintage prints on organic tees with chemical free printing for their Vintage Blue line. There's a design for every character, but I happen to love this "Doris" tee -- one part Rosie the riveter and one part 50's pin-up girl, because really, aren't we all?
More into neutrals these days? New company Bumboo is offering super-soft-looking bamboo and organic tees with careful details like shirt-tail hems and pretty embroidered leaf logos. To make them even sweeter, they sent over a coupon code to take 20% off your purchase. Is it time to stock up on some special basics? I'd like to add the long sleeved version to my collection; in fact, wouldn't it look nice layered with the "Doris" tee? Switch things up by putting the U-Neck on top, letting just a touch of the vintage print
Somehow both sophisticated and cozy, this classy sweater dress from Banana Republic offers a full dose of style despite being only 25% organic. Try it with dramatic jewelry and bright accessories (as styled here) to make all the LBDs at your next party jealous, then pair it with skinny jeans and snow-boots while you hike out to look for this year's Christmas tree. Because BR is a big retailer, you'll be able to find your perfect fit with versions in both tall and petite.
November, eco-fashion lovers! Can you even believe I haven't gotten a chance to post since July? Whew!
The world has certainly not remained static, even though this blog has. Our political future's looking up, while our economy... not so much. The first time I caught a whiff of the financial crisis to come, I worried that the green fashion movement might start fading from popular view. After all, we can't pretend that responsible clothing doesn't have a reputation for being a luxury item. But you know what? New organic labels keep popping up in my inbox, and old ones are still going strong (and even having a comeback!) I, for one, relish the challenge of shopping less and getting more. Care to join me?
One of the best suggestions for recession-time style I've heard: picking one or two fabulous accessories to spice up your practical, season-less neutrals. Because, let's be honest -- if you're not feeling good about your look, it's not going to be that easy to resist the temptation of throw-away fashion. My suggestion? This eco-lovely scarf, your security blanket for the season to come. It will give your LBDs a fresh, graphic spin and take your weekend denim from practical to punk-tastic. And of course, it's on sale, so you can indulge your green loving side with a little less pocketbook guilt.
So C finally corralled me into posting, and it's fortuitous timing. I just got back from Bonnaroo, everyone's favorite neo hippie organic loving music festival in the hills outside of Nashville, TN, so I have been immersed in sustainable, vintage, and eco minded hipsters (and a smattering of eco-disinterest, but we won't hold that against them).
Firstly, if you haven't ever been to Bonnaroo, it's definitely an experience you can't pass up while it lasts. Standouts, in my opinion, were Pearl Jam (the elder statesmen of grunge who are actually better with age), Gogol Bordello (who's music is like a gypsy punk filibuster you can't stop bouncing to), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (with blues country soul and the occasional Zep cover), and Yonder Mountain String Band (bringing out the dancing hillbilly bluegrass in everyone). More importantly, Bonnaroo does a fantastic job of monitoring their own environmental impact. They had a bevy of compostable utensils and plates/cups, recycling everywhere, organic clothing on site, and an amazing volunteer staff that cleaned and recycled after every show. Last year alone, they recycled 60% of their waste, and bought carbon credits to offset their energy consumption.
In the midst of all this eco friendly rock and rootsy music, it's easy to forget that I have to look goooooood while rocking out. Fortunately, there are a bevy of music festivals this summer to show off your sustainable duds. Start with the most important piece, the hiply irreverent organic tee shirt with artwork by Karl Addison - llamas never looked so badass. Follow it up with stylish (if expensive) chinos by Loomstate made from 100% organic cotton. Even though it comes in blue, the checked pattern is far more nerdy ironic. The sandals are key for summer wear, so go stylish and hip in the Splaff Mens Recycled Rubber Black Flip Flops, made from recycled car tires. What's more punk than wearing tires on your feet? For the final "I'm a rock icon" touch, don this sustainable, organic fairtrade seagrass Fireball Fedora by Livity. Now you can continue pretending you don't care how you look at every festival this summer.
(Begin shameless self promotion.) Once you're wearing green, invest green with Smug Investments - read the blog here. (Shameless self promotion ended.)
Yes, I'm still in the mood for yellow. Maybe it was this weekend's inspirational slideshow by the Times' Bill Cunningham (the original sartorialist?) But doesn't these women's outdoor lunch date seem even more delightful because of that bright yellow jacket?
Get the look (but eco-friendly!) with this adorably cape-like jacket (so french!) made with 70% bamboo and 25% organic cotton (ooh la la!)
Did this sale pop up at the perfect time, or what? Things might still be a bit chilly here in Boston, but the sun is staying out later and brighter like it knows I'm ready for a little more heat.
You can turn up the temperature in this flirty little number from Passenger Pidgeon. Wouldn't it look cute with some tights or thigh highs? You know me, I'm a sucker for bright legs -- pick purple or maroon to spice things up!
Ready for a different spring break adventure this week? Costa Rica, anyone? Belize? Have I got the perfect eco friendly packing list for you!
The first order of business, of course, is being comfy without looking sloppy for your long plane ride. The loose organic dress will keep you relaxed but styling, while these fabulous and flowing organic jersey pants look like slacks but will feel like sweats. The great bamboo sweater/shawl is the perfect flexible extra layer for air-conditioned layovers (I have a sweater this shape, and it is FABulous.)
What's great about this plane outfit is how well it mixes in with the other fun eco pieces on this packing list. Throw on the stunning recycled bikini as soon as you land, then use the orange organic dress as a coverup. Head for early morning hikes in the organic jersey pants paired with a fun organic tee and afternoon kayaking in the bikini and the durable hemp shorts. At night, dress up the orange dress with the green sweater/shawl for beers under the stars. The sneakers here do double duty -- sporty by day, but with a collapsable heel that converts them to fun slides at night. Plus since everything on the list does double duty on your trip, you'll be packing light into the fun little duffle.
Guess what time of year it is?!?!? Spring break time!!!!
Even if you're not in any sort of vacation-offering school program, just about everyone I know starts to get a bit antsy around March. Whether it's for a weekend or a glorious week, March is the time to break out the sunscreen and sandals. In honor of our upcoming sun-seeking travels, I've put together two different eco-friendly packing lists for two very different types of vacations.
For those of us who's ideal get-away involves sipping umbrella-ed drinks while lounging in our biggest sunglasses, the ideal packing list is mix of deep blues, sophisticated grays, and sandy accessories -- all organic, sustainable, and fair trade, of course!
The simple strapless dress will look perfectly relaxed from boardwarks to boutiques, while the polka-dotted number will jazz up salsa dancing with your spring break crush. The sophisticated denim pencil skirt dresses up sleek and sexy tees, while natural and neutral bag and shoes will look perfect paired with anything you bring (or buy!) And don't forget to pack a bathing suit! Let the rest of the crowd flop around in florescent string bikinis -- you'll be turning heads in this unique retro one piece.
Happy President's Day, everyone! In honor of the holiday and the heating up race for the next Prez, I'm re-posting these cute organic tees with party mascots on their back. A little political activism never hurt anyone, especially when it looks this adorable!
p.s. Is everyone registered to vote? Go do that right now, to make sure you're registered in time for the big race! And if you're unsure about who you're going to support, or if you just want help deciphering the political landscape, my new favorite no-spin site is Factcheck.org. They're an independent site run out of U Penn that looks into candidates' claims and calls them out on inaccuracies. Glad there's someone policing the politicians!
Good for the world = 8/10 Del Forte is really an eco pioneer. These jeans are made of organic cotton grown in California and Texas, then sewn and finished in fairtrade conditions in LA. Points added because everything is done in the US, which means that shipping these jeans around takes a little less energy. Minor points off for using cotton, which (much as I love it) consumes an incredible amount of water as it grows.
Plays well with others = 10/10 Jeans have become ubiquitous for precisely their ability to mix into any outfit, and this pair is no exception. Plus, I succeeded in having them tailored to the exact perfect length for heels (when worn long) or flats (when rolled up.) The dark wash looks good with just about everything I own, and these Del Fortes have become my go-to for days when I'm feeling slightly "blah" about my other clothing choices.
Ten year survival = 4/10 Fashion-wise, I don't think bootcuts are leaving us anytime soon. They're flattering on pretty much every body type, and so far have survived the skinny and the wide-leg trends and are starting to pop up in the mainstream again. Now, will these exact Del Fortes last that long? I'm not so confident about that. The denim is well made with just enough stretch to keep these jeans going day to day (and I'll admit to being impressed by how little they deform with repeat wear.) But the second time I tossed them in the wash (followed by an air dry) they faded slightly but noticeably, and it took weeks of wear to get their texture soft again. Plus, I might be paranoid, but I've been noticing a very slight thinning in the ever-delicate inner thigh area (ladies, you know what I'm talking about!) Fingers crossed that I don't end up with any holes, because these are absolutely my favorite jeans!
or, Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrate with a lucky red dress in organic cotton (and get yourself ready for a romantic Valentine's Day next week while you're at it.)
Newcomer Anne Valérie Hash had a beautiful collection full of romantic and gauzy fabrics for Spring 2008 Couture (as seen on Style.com.) But one dress stood out from here otherwise lady-like offerings for it's shear exuberance. This beautiful Habitude dress made of hemp, silk, and organic cotton perfectly captures the essence of the Anne Valérie Hash frock in a completely wearable shape (and a shade of pink that won't wash out those of us without a yacht off St. Lucia.) Take a tip from the runway and embrace your girly side by pairing it with matching pink heels.
With all the nerves and worry about the economy these days, it's gotten a little harder to daydream about extravagant shopping. Plus, M and I were caught up in the recent surge in credit card fraud (though our bank is handling things very well) so we're a little wary about whipping out the plastic these days. But do you know what I do when I'm feeling broke but need a little fashion fix? I go window shopping! So I'm going to break my unspoken rule about only showing purchasable items, and show you the best spots to preview some of the fun green fashions lined up for Spring.
First up is Modify's Spring Pre-Sale, all of which can be browsed and pre-ordered now for shipment around March. I'm loving this delicate shirt dress from sweatshop-free company Myth & Ritual. It captures the sweetness of spring without falling into pastels or florals.
Next stop? Stewart + Brown's spring line (organic, as always!) Though some pieces are beginning to show up S+B's web store, the best place to take a gander at all the spring offerings is via Nina's Photography's Portland Fashion Week photos. Not only can we preview everything on the catwalk, but there are great suggestions about how to build outfits out of items. Personally, I love how the ruffles on this blue dress echo the ruffles on the paired crochet jacket. If you can't wait, the Stewart + Brown Flare Knit Cardi can be had for $197.
Last but certainly not least are the spring fashions from Beau Soleil. When playing one of those "bring only one dress to a dessert island" games, I'd definitely pick one of these bamboo dresses. This Beau Medallion dress would make me feel like such a goddess! It will be available for $275 the day after Valentine's Day. Something to look forward to!
Treehugger
the ultimate go-to for all things hip and green
learned to love fashion in NY and sustainability in Berkeley; now I'm busy in Boston trying to find easy ways to keep up the green without giving up the chic.
