TOMS ShoesEDUN - Capsule / Pre-Fall Launch TOMS

Colorful Hemp Dress by A Fortes

by grechen on July 16, 2010 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

It’s rare that you’ll catch me wearing anything other than black/brown/white/navy clothing (well, except yesterday); I can really work my neutral pieces! And honestly, I’d rather carry a bright bag with an otherwise neutral outfit, than wear color on my person. When I do wear/carry color, my favorite is orange – or some variation. So this hemp/cotton lined dress by A Fortes TOTALLY speaks to me…

Available at Kind Boutique for $152. Made in Portland, Oregon :)

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30% off hemp tank by Vogel10

by grechen on July 14, 2010 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

If I haven’t mentioned before, I literally LIVE in my organic cotton bra camis by Park Vogel during the warmer months. I have three that I got when they were on SUPER sale a couple of years ago and I wear them alone, as well as under dresses & tees. BONUS: I don’t have to wear a bra with them ;)

Now, Park Vogel’s changed their name to Vogel10 to reflect the fact that they’re focusing on creating 10 “perfect” items every season and they’re having a 30% off July sale. Not all of their items are made from eco-friendly materials, but they do carry some organic cotton, hemp and 100% silk pieces.

This hemp tank is marked down to $39. Doesn’t it look perfect?

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I’ve always tried to post about “vegan” leather with a caveat that it’s still not ideal for the environment…it IS petroleum-based after all, but now, there’s an even bigger reason to forgo faux leather: lead. Thanks to a head’s up from Ethical Style & Planet Green, they’re reporting that lead has been found in certain faux-leather handbags by major brands (click here to download the full report).

None of the brands that I’ve regularly featured here are listed (like Matt & Nat, Deux Lux, etc.) are violators, but I’m still hesitant to continue to discuss “vegan leather” in the context of being “better” for the environment. It’s really not. There are plenty of other materials that make great handbags that ARE better for the environment to continue to promote faux leather. Like canvas:

Moop organic cotton canvas handbag – on sale for $90

Baggu X Shabd recycled cotton canvas – $58

Sophie canvas bag by ChristyStudio – $42

Pretty cute, no?

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Eco-Fashion on Sale at Shopbop

by grechen on July 7, 2010 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Sometimes it’s not easy being green – or at least wearing eco-friendlier clothing – but with Summer sale season upon us, the options are much more affordable. Shopbop is one of my favorite places to shop online, and while it could be larger, their selection of eco-friendly clothing & accessories from Re Collection, Alex & Ani, JADEtribe & others, is nice, and they do have REALLY GREAT sales :)

All the items below are under $100, and many are by Re Collection whose designers create all of their pieces using recycled clothing:

Alex and Ani Bamboo Bead Endless Hoops Re Collection Shirt Jacket

Re Collection Colorblock Cami Dress Re Collection Lapel Long Sleeve Cardigan

Re Collection Rhinestone Caftan Only Hearts Organic Racer Back Tank

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Vintage lover: Santoki

by grechen on July 6, 2010 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

I’ve mentioned before that I really don’t do much vintage shopping, but I’d like to. Or at least I THINK I’d like to! With the abundance of amazing vintage shops here in Austin and more I’m finding everyday online, there’s no reason not to do more vintage shopping; I think the secret is knowing what you’re looking for. Most of the time, I have no idea what I’m looking for (I browse a lot), but recently, I was on a quest for a woven bucket tote like I had in the 80′s and wore to pieces. I remembered seeing one featured in a magazine recently, so I thought they’d be easy to find, but they weren’t until I added “vintage” to my search terms!

Anyway, I checked a couple of my favorite vintage places online like Market Publique and Nickie Frye and Bluebird Vintage, and came up empty. Then I remembered I was following another vintage seller on twitter, Santoki, and quickly popped over to check out her shop, and guess what I found?? THE PERFECT BAG – for $24 (BONUS!!! She’s in Austin, so I met her somewhere quick to pick it up):

(that’s my outfit featuring the bag on June 11th – I’ve been carrying it ever since, even though one of the straps snapped off. I just had to tie it back on…easy peasy :) )

And now she has a couple more woven tote bags, I’m insanely tempted by the first, but can’t afford it right now…

There’s just something about carrying a tote made of earthy-fiber during the Summer; it feels less fussy and “hot” than leather. And I love that I never have to worry about it getting ruined or caught in the rain. It also holds EVERYTHING.

Anyway, although I don’t do it as much as I’d like, I consider buying vintage/used, the ONLY way to be truly eco-friendly when buying clothes & accessories. It’s not always possible or desirable, but it’s the only way to make sure no additional resources are being used up in production. And of course, it’s better if you buy locally to save energy costs required for shipping…but like I always say, just do the best you can :)

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