So what if I have been hoarding Nimli a little. They're just such a perfect find, you'll want to keep them all to yourself -- thier huge selection of Ecoskin finery, their ridiculously inexpensive handmade wraps, their thoughtful collection of gifts for any budget, and of course, their constant coupon codes (try "WA1" for 20% off and free shipping, courtesy of White Apricot.)
But beside the great shopping and great savings, there are two aspects of Nimli that get me especially excited.
One is the cute graphic tags under each item showing what makes it green. While not as specific as the ranking system proposed but still not implemented by Kenai shoes, those little graphics let you know at a glance whether the product you're drooling over falls into your preferred category of eco friendly. Actually, it's almost the exact system I would put in place for Chartreuse Chic if I weren't too busy to sketch icons. So applause to Nimli for doing it so well.
The other cool thing about Nimli? They make sure their products are shipped directly from the manufacturer, cutting out both the footprint of a warehouse and the unnecessary shipping to a middle person. It's not a new idea for online businesses, but I like that Nimli is so conscious of the eco-impact of their choice, and not afraid to let their customers know.
Ready to whip out the credit cards? Here's a round up of new (well, new to me, anyway) eco friendly boutique that you absolutely must check out.
Organic Style: These folks have been on my radar for a while, with a great selection of ridiculously inexpensive basics. They're selection has just exploded recently, with tons on sale, and I couldn't resist posting. Highlights include a sweet ruffled organic nightie $73, a fantastically retro organic "Follow the Bees" tee $49, and the simplest organic black wrap dress $50.
Last but not even remotely least, I have to mention fantastic eco living blog 1plus1, a new addiction of mine for their slick layout and cute finds. Check it out, and if it pushes your buttons, make sure you scroll allllll the way to the bottom to add 1plus1 to your daily feed reader.
One of the oldest online eco boutiques is closing their doors. We'll be so sorry to see them go! Learn more here: Pangaya's Blog.
(On a side note, if you're an American concerned about our environment and economy (and, well, anything else,) make sure you vote this year! It doesn't matter who you chose, as long as you educate yourself and let your voice be heard: Register to Vote.)
You'll notice that I tend to favor little eco boutiques here. Partially that's because the service is so personal, and partially it's because I have a soft spot for the little guys. But sometimes it can be reassuring to shop at bigger, more familiar stores, especially if you're new to green shopping or even online shopping. If it's your first foray into eco fashion, you can feel confident about customer service, shipping and returns when it comes to a familiar name (although I have to point out again that I've had absolutely amazing service from the small eco boutiques I've ordered from.) So here are three of my favorite larger retail spots with good eco friendly selections -- check them out, and if you like going green, try some of the smaller shops to the right next time!
Nordstrom - No, they're not exactly fashion forward. But with brick and mortar stores in many neighborhoods and historically fantastic customer service, I'd call Nordstrom an ideal choice for the nervous first time eco shopper. Their offerings range from the amazingly luxurious Viridis Luxe brand to the inexpensive series of adorably printed Tilden organic cotton boyshorts.
Shopbop - So what if their models tend towards the brain-washed alien look. Shopbop is fantastic about taking the kind of photos that leave no surprises when their clothing ends up on your doorstep. Then there's the free shipping thing -- fabulous. They carry hard to find organic tees and dresses from C&C California, trendy organic denim from Sling & Stone, and a series of cute printed tees from ZOOEY.
Yet another good bit of news from PA is new (and fab) eco boutique Modify, who hands down wins the prize right now for prettiest boutique front page (LOVE the bright colors!)
It's eco boutique day! And there seems to be something good in the Pennsylvania water as well!
Over in Pittsburgh, online eco boutique Equita is celebrating fair trade month by donating 10% of its October sales to the Afghanistan chapter of Women for Women International. Even cooler than the donation to this sustainable organization are the pretty fluorite jewelry pieces that Equita has been selling, especially the little Zakira drop earrings pictured above. While charity is wonderful, pairing it with lasting commercial relationships is even better!
Confession -- I always saw "shoes" in the name of Kenai Shoes and figured they were just another sporty/hippie shoe shop. Their front page, with its mountain + husky logo, did nothing to convince me otherwise. So imagine my surprise yesterday when I started browsing their "Fashion Apparel" sections and found a ton of fab stuff from companies like Sameunderneath and Grace & Cello!
Now, because I just discovered their hidden treats, I don't have any personal experience with ordering from Kenai Shoes (anyone out there who does?) But this online only (for now) company seems to offer free shipping and free returns while maintaining a low impact operation and donating time and money to conservation and education. Whew! On top of all that, it looks like they've got a neat Sustainability Ranking in the works for their products -- can't wait to check that out!
The first time I stumbled on Beklina it was kind of round about -- Oh Joy! mentioned Rosy Naylor and Beklina happened to be selling her beautiful hats. I remember looking at the hats (which leave ears free, a no-no in Boston) and then the rest of the store and thinking, "Beautiful stuff, but there's almost nothing here!"
That was the same thought I had when Beklina left a comment on one of my first ever posts, inviting me to their store. But, hey, they'd reached out, so I added them "Find Your Chic" because some of their things really are beautiful.
Then I came into a little bit of fun money (fun because it was unexpected -- we found some old bonds I'd won in middle school) and decided to spend half of it on work clothes, half on play clothes (more on those tomorrow.) For work, I quickly identified the Stewart Brown 1/2 Sleeve Polo (which is PERFECT, btw, but a little low cut for actual hospitals, so I'm considering vintage mother-of buttons.) But none of my normal haunts had the bright "Blue Marlin" color I'd fallen for, so I ended up ordering from Beklina.
I was truly stunned when the package showed up on my door step exactly 4 days later -- trust me, deliveries in Boston are the antithesis of "same day delivery" in NY (I know, NY has ruined me for life.) The shirt was in a plastic mailing bag with no extraneous packaging, a hand written mailing label and -- get this -- a hand written, personalized note. Yup, not only did someone take the time to send my shirt out the second I purchased it, but they took the time to write me a sweet note about enjoying it.
Of course, I loved the shirt, but it also got me rethinking my ideas about what makes a good online eco boutique. Sure, there's something great about having everything you're looking for in one place, and the eco fashion powerhouses will always be my first stop. But in real life, I buy my Method at Target, but not my gifts. Why not shop online for special things at the kind of shop I'd go to in real life and get the kind of human contact that makes buying something special seem more special?
Beklina is an online only store and can be found at www.beklina.com. Paypal account required for purchases (boo) but their zippy shipping is ALWAYS FREE (yeah!)
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.
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.
