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How To Be Cheap & Eco-Chic

by grechen on October 2, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Buying “green” can be expensive, especially if you’re like me, and prefer to shop from smaller designers/boutiques who produce in limited quantities. Independent designers don’t produce/sell on the large scale that Wal-Mart does, so prices will naturally be higher…they also make an effort to pay fair wages, produce locally, and donate to charities. These are all great reasons to support smaller designers/boutiques, but I can’t lie, it definitely affects my wallet!

stewart+brown hoodie sale at btcelements.com ecocitizen on sale stewart + brown sale at envi.com

I actually make most of my purchases online and NEVER checkout without shopping around or using a coupon code. I’ve built my business around making online shopping easier, more efficient, and fun; over the years, I have created several resources that I use all the time to help me save green while shopping green…and now, I’m sharing them with you. Happy (green) Shopping!!!

  1. Shop with Coupon Codes: Honestly, this is the only way I shop; I don’t have the patience to wait for things to go on sale and I tend to like more unique/designer pieces, which are generally more expensive. And I KNOW I can usually find a code for my favorite boutiques. FIRST…check our list of exclusive coupon codes for more than 20 eco-chic boutiques & designers (also check blog posts in the “coupons” category), then, check grechenscodes.com for more, and if you still don’t find what you’re looking for, google it! Some additional useful coupon resources:
    Retailmenot – user-submitted codes for lots of boutiques (not always updated though)
    White Apricot – good selection of eco-friendly boutique/designer coupon codes
  2. Shop Sales at smaller eco-boutiques: Browse through our list of Shopping sites for boutiques, clothing designers, handbags, shoes, and much more, then check out their sale sections. You’re more likely to find current or just out of season pieces marked down at these boutiques. While you’re there, sign up for their mailing lists for sale notifications and exclusive discounts to their subscribers – sometimes they’ll send you a discount code just for signing up!
  3. Shop Discount Eco-Boutiques like You Deserve and mainstream boutiques that have a selection of eco-friendly designers like Bluefly.
  4. Use our Designer Directories: If I do say so myself, our Directory of Eco-Friendly Designers is comprehensive, easy to use, and a FABULOUS resource for shopping online. Using the directory, you can find most (if not all) the boutiques that sell a specific designer online and then compare prices by browsing each boutique. For example, I found the Del Forte Marina Trouser at Tobi, Envi, and You Deserve. They are cheapest at You Deserve, AND they are not final sale as they are at Tobi & Envi…so it seems the better deal. But it’s always worth it to search through several boutiques before settling on buying from one – Equita still has the Del Forte Marina Trouser at Full price, and even with the “grechen20″ coupon code for 20% off, it’s still not the best deal.
  5. Look for Free Shipping: and for boutiques that do NOT have a brick & mortar location in your state (to avoid paying sales tax). But ALWAYS be aware of return policies, etc., so you don’t get stuck buying something on sale that can’t be returned. Unless I’m buying something I have one of already, or I KNOW how the designer fits on me, I WILL NOT buy on final sale, no matter how great the price is; I don’t want to get stuck with something I can’t wear. (FreeShipping.org is a good resource for finding free shipping).

Have any online shopping tips you’d like to share? Leave a comment. Please.

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Interview: Envi Boutique

by grechen on June 26, 2008 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

(originally published at grechen’s closet June 26, 2008)

Interview with Ursula Stahl of Envi Eco-Boutique

shopenvi.com coupon code

First, I’d love it if you can share with our readers what you’re wearing today? What’s your favorite piece in your closet? How much of your closet is made up of eco-friendly pieces?

Today, I’m wearing organic denim jeans by Del Forte, a striking new top by Beau Soleil (100% bamboo jersey with recycled leather straps) and red “kashmir” pumps by Terra Plana (vegetable tanned leather and recycled rubber soles). My go-to outfit of choice that will bring me from a day at the store to after-work drinks with friends!

What inspired you to open an eco-boutique? Do you have a brick & mortar store and your website is an extension of that? or is your boutique only online?

We just celebrated the first anniversary of our brick and mortar boutique last month! Envi is located on Newbury Street, the heart of Boston’s shopping district. We love our location because it is accessible to our loyal local clientbase and we also have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with visitors from around the world who visit Newbury Street for its charm on a daily basis. Our website is an extension of the store that allows us to share our collection with the rest of the world. We are thrilled to unveil the totally redesigned and upgraded shopenvi.com to those who can’t make it to Boston to check out what’s new on a regular basis.

What are some of your best-sellers? What are some of your personal favorites from the boutique?

A personal favorite of mine this season is the Pleated Swing Dress by Bahar Shahpar. This dress is a piece that defines modern eco-fashion. It combines a striking silhouette with sustainable fabrics without even a hint of crunchiness! We’ve had several clients wear this dress to weddings and cocktail parties this season.

bahar shahpar swing dress coupon code

We also LOVE everything that comes from our best-selling line, Covet. Bostonians are taken by the detailing and styling of this fashion-forward brand. Many tops can be worn forward and back, skirts double as dresses… they really understand the concept of making something edgy yet functional and explore eco-fashion’s limits.

covet skirt

I believe in taking a “holistic” approach to greening my wardrobe; while I’m not opposed to buying organic cotton t-shirts from Banana Republic or Wal-Mart, I prefer to support smaller boutiques and designers who focus only on earth-friendly design & production; I love the idea of as few steps as possible between me and the products I buy. Do you agree? Why do you think it’s important for consumers to consider the company behind the product, as opposed to just the product?

As an owner of a small business I always gravitate towards supporting other boutiques and small businesses in my personal life. People are constantly asking us how we feel about the eco-to-the masses approach that has spread from H & M to Wal-Mart. While I cannot speak to any other retailer’s practices, labor and quality, I don’t feel any resentment toward them. We are in favor of growing awareness and educating consumers on the important role green fashion plays in the industry. In fact, it is amazing for us to see the growth over the last few years that we have been involved in creating a green business. Skeptical and somewhat dismissive stares have been replaced by a sense of understanding and excitement when we explain our concept. However, with the amount of media attention and the fact that eco is going mainstream we now feel it is important to let people know that green fashion is not a trend but a viable, growing segment of the fashion industry.

Do you have any eco-living tips for our readers? What are some small things we can do at home, and in our closets to make a difference?

One tip I like to remind Envi shoppers is to think about the whole process. It is not just about the carbon footprint associated with creating a garment but what happens after you buy it – washing, drying, ironing, etc. It’s all about making small changes in your daily life – so wash those garments in cold water, line dry and be conscious of the energy you consume!

(check our list of coupon codes for a current Envi coupon code)

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