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.
9 months out of the year, I'm willing to put up with a little discomfort in the foot region in the name of style. 4" stilettos, wobbly platforms, you name it, I've danced all night in it. But come winter and snow on the ground, I start taking my footwear very, very seriously.
These boots by Patagonia are super cute and contain up to 20% recycled content. But mostly I chose to feature them because I trust that Patagonia made them warm enough and sturdy enough to keep my toes toasty while I'm trekking through icy Boston. There are probably cuter or greener boots out there, but if you get frostbite wearing them, what's the point?
I've found that flat winter boots look fantastic when paired with last season's organic skinny jeans, making them this winter's must have denim. A fair trade tunic sweater keeps drafts from sneaking in, while an organic wool coat plays with proportion and makes bulk (inevitable this time of year) look chic by emphasizing it with big buttons and a big collar. Top everything off with a rakish organic cap in a bright and cheery color, and you're ready to brave whatever winter might throw at you!
It's going to rain tomorrow, and for a change I'm totally up for it. Know why? I've got a bit of a cold (maybe from last Friday?) and I'm looking forward to spending as much of the weekend in bed as possible.
Now, I'm a big fan of lounging gear that's cute, not frumpy. Sitting around in ripped and stained old gym clothes is a downer. But sitting around in sleek organic capri sweats and a comfy organic terry robe with some sexy printed organic cotton lingerie peaking out -- now that's just decadent! Add in some luxurious organic flannel sheets, and you'll be spoiling yourself all day without ever leaving your bed.
I have a bit of a complicated social agenda for tonight, starting with standing in the rain for an hour or two, and then moving on to a relaxed but not dive-y bar. So what in the world can I wear that will keep me dry and cozy but not leave me looking like a bum off the street once I'm out for a drink?
The first key is rain boots -- I don't play around with the comfort of my toes. I'm always annoyed when I can't find recycled content rain boots. Surely someone must be making them! But until I find that brilliant eco maker, I'll keep my eye on these tough looking Gap wellies, with proceeds donated to the Global Fund. Next, how about a perfect pair of organic wide leg pants. This Serfontaine pair will look cute and trouser-y with the hems rolled, and I'll stay dry and mud-free. Then a sweater that will keep me warm and a something sexy underneath to show off a little skin once I'm in the bar. Preppy organic cotton by Perfectly Imperfect and slinky bamboo by Sworn Virgins should do the trick! Finally, the most important element of all -- a recycled umbrella from Monsoon Vermont that makes both a style and an eco statement. Now I'm ready to go!
So I noticed that amost all the eco outfits I've put together here are for going out. Guess you can tell where my brain is come Friday! But honestly, most of us don't spend our days at clubs and bars and farmer's markets -- we spend them at the office. So this week, I've got a totally work appropriate look to add some eco fashion to your cubicle.
These sustainable bamboo black pants are a work wardrobe staple, while the organic long sleeved polo is cute as a layer or slightly sultry alone (the neck is pretty low, but might be just what you're looking for over post-work cocktails.) I think that Patagonia's non-chlorine washed merino vest is absolutely adorable, plus the green booties are totally in and the recycled messenger is stylish without screaming second hand. Yes folks, a completely eco friendly outfit that won't frighten your "no new taxes" boss!
I can not even tell you how excited I am about the Rilo Kiley show tonight. Jenny Lewis has the most exquisite voice, totally kick ass style, and even though I know their latest album's a bit of a sell out, I'm totally sold.
Of course, you can't show up to an indie rock show looking Boston preppy, but this little get up would do the trick -- quirky small-designer blouse, high waisted organic pants, effortless handmade belt, bright funky vegan bag, and simply the cutest eco heels I've ever seen (seriously -- you simply must click on the link below and check them out close up.)
Can you tell from the neutrals that even while I'm heading outdoors this weekend, my head is halfway to fall? Greys like this organic hoodie are popping up everywhere, and this black and white patterned dress will become a wardrobe staple. Add some comfy (and bright!) shoes and a big summery bag and you're ready to soak up the last few weekends of summer (with your extra warm layer stashed away, just incase your day plans run all night.)
p.s. If you're looking for somewhere fabulous to show off your sweet duds (and you're in the Boston area), make sure you don't miss the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...Recraft!" fair in Somerville this Saturday. Even if you can't catch the fair in person, make sure you check out the great list of vendors and their Etsy pages -- scroll all the way down!
Ah, by the time the end of summer rolls around, I am so ready to be seeing the new fall stuff in stores. The rich colors and nubbly textures are always so inviting, and the idea of bundling up for crisp autumn breezes seems so appealing when you're oppressed by the heat. But actually wearing any of the new fall pieces can be just a joke -- cable knits in 95 degrees???
That's part of what's so appealing by this new fall blouse from Stewart + Brown, which Beklina just put up (one of the first glimpses of S+B's upcoming collection!) Not only will it look fantastic and air-y over shorts right now, but come fall it will be just the thing to layer under your favorite wool sweater. I've paired it here with some adorable, trouser-y, organic denim shorts, some fantastic, artisan, gold sandals and a great recycled sail tote.
I might be dropping by the MFA's first Friday tonight, meaning I'm faced with the eternal "going out to a REAL social event" question -- what in the world am I going to wear?
This outfit would be adorable -- the bamboo tank is quirky enough to stand out from Boston's predictble post-work crowd, the long hemp shorts are just on the practical side of trendy, the little hemp wristlet wallet has the perfect amount of room for ticket stubs and dollar bills. and the eco friendly shoes will keep you comfortable from artwork to cocktails to whatever you might fall into next.
Urban Renewal, if you haven't run across it, is the recycled clothing wing of Urban Outfitters (Forbes tries to explain the evolution here.) I always struggle with shopping for Urban Renewal -- like American Apparel, I agree with the idea behind the line, but find the CEO kind of abhorrent. Wait, but are there CEOs out there that I would LIKE if I knew more about them? Anyway, sometimes I wuss out about the politics and shop the fashion, which you have to admit is pretty cute.
I have somewhat mixed feelings about the Beehive, as well. I get it. I really do. And the food was WAY better than I'd expected after reading the reviews. Hopefully by the time the management works the kinks out, the hype will have died down and those of us who are genuinely psyched about jars of pickles and jazz will have the place to ourselves.
On the the important stuff: this outfit is just hip enough to add a little real character to the Beehive or any other little see-and-be-seen spot. I'm completely converted to the high waisted look, as you can tell. The key, I've decided, is to pair the high waist with a tucked in top that is meant to stop high, like this cute plaid one which already has a natural waist tie and the ideal blouse-y shape. Add on some hot heeled jellies and a bright clutch, and you're ready for a night on the town.
* On a side note, I'm a little suprised that Treehugger called the line "new" and "limited-addition." I always think of them as authorities on all things green, but since I have personally been buying Urban Renewal for almost 5 years, I'm going to have to take some of their fact-checking with a grain of salt.
It's ironic that after mentally writing them off, I'm spending a SECOND post on Beklina.
After choosing the work shirt to spend my "fun" money on, I decided to get a relaxed summer dress with the rest. The Stewart Brown V Neck that's this summer's best hit was out of my "fun" money budget, so I kept looking around. In Beklina's sale section, I ran into this beautiful faux wrap dress, but they were out of my size. But it was so pretty, I googled it, and found this awful looking dress at Backcountry. Was it the same dress as the one at Beklina? And in real life which photo did it look most like? I've been burned before by "super hot online model" syndrome (when something can only look good on the super hot model shilling it.)
The verdict: It is the same dress, it looks like the Beklina photo, and it's lovely. So here are three way to wear it!
The most memorable complement I've ever gotten was from a completely decked out drag queen who hollered, "You work it, girl!" across Essex Street in the LES. Not only is it totally flattering to get a thumbs up from someone who looks fabulous, but she might have been the only persuasion I wasn't trying to impress that night. So you'd better believe I'm going to pick out my outfit carefully tomorrow, what with the Boston Gay Pride Parade setting up right in front of my living room window!
An outfit like this would be perfect for holding your own with the parade attendees. The dress-over-jeans look is getting a bit tired, but the dress-over-tight-long-shorts is utterly hot. I also think shorts like these are SUCH a better pairing with a dress or tunic than leggings (I really wish that women would realize you need to have both the perfect body and the perfect outfit to pull off leggings.) Plus, wearing a dress with these shorts is a way to buy into the whole dress season thing without looking like a fashion zombie. Add some wooden sunglasses, vegan sandals and a recycled bag, and you might turn some heads you weren't expecting to notice you at all.
Wow, the weather in Boston is weird right now. Muggy and rainy one minute, then chilly enough that we gave up on stoop beer last night for a heated bar. This outfit is perfect for bizarre weather -- throw the jacket on if it starts to drizzle, then bare your shoulders in those rare moments of sun. Billowy tops like these can be hard to pull off without looking like you've got a spare tire, and sometimes Patagonia's cuts are a bit more "mature" than I prefer. But the two together are ideal for a day browsing crafts and veggies at the South End Open Market. Plus, those great wide leg jeans also happen to be great high waisted jeans as well (the lovely girl at GomiNYC tells me they look good on EVERYone, except of course me, who needed a smaller size.) Ooh, and I almost forgot! The bag is reversible! I clearly need to own everything here.
I was just packing for Memorial Day weekend, and my uniform this summer is clearly loose tops over minis with flats. The pink top here is the perfect mix of preppy and relaxed, the recycled mini proves that sustainable doesn't always mean more expensive, and the clear jellies look a lot like another pair everyone's talking about. I threw the bag in there to punk things up, although I admit I'd probably never buy one so small (I know, my refusal to own impractical bags will eternally keep me from being actually fashionable... oh well.)
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.
