A reader sent me a link to John McCain’s online store, which launched eco-friendly T-shirts and paraphernalia this week.
Introducing the Green Star May 11, 2008
I remember receiving gold star stickers for doing great work in elementary school. As more and more celebrities launch eco-friendly lines, I thought it would be appropriate to give them “green stars” to acknowledge their contributions to eco-fashion.
The first of these Green Stars goes to Natalie Portman, for her vegan shoe line at Te Casan. The line is elegant, but has some playful touches and colors. My favorite is definitely the purple playful “Plath” heel. I also like that the line has quite a few “classic” shoes, including a faux-snakeskin pump, “Polly.”
One caveat: the high prices (~$350), but proceeds from the sale of these shoes go to support environmental and animal charities.
Save your candy wrappers… May 9, 2008
Who knew that cute handbags could be made from candy wrappers? Ecoist also has bags made from pop tabs, rice bags, and movie posters.
I like the green clutch ($92) and would probably wear it with jeans and a white T-shirt or a dress in a contrasting colors.
Should you bamboo? May 4, 2008
Recently, I have heard a number of people question whether bamboo clothing is truly environmentally-friendly. This National Geographic Green Guide discussion does a great job of addressing this question from both perspectives.
In theory, bamboo is an environmentally-friendly fabric: it grows quickly without a lot of pesticides and water, and can regenerate itself. In practice, however, the processes for turning bamboo into clothing – particularly in large volumes – is less conducive to the environment. The article’s bottom line is that bamboo is still a better alternative to non-organic cotton and unnatural fibers.
Bargain LBD May 2, 2008
My (chick-lit) book club has a “little black dress (LBD)” party coming up this week. While I have my old standbys, one of the girls went looking for something new to wear. Well, not quite new. She picked up a really cute LBD at a consignment store for $30. Re-cycling old clothes through consignment stores, thrift shops, or clothing swaps is an environmentally-friendly (and often cash-friendly) way to refresh your closet – you are saving the resources that would be expended on manufacturing a new dress (or jacket or pants or T-shirt…).
Right on Target May 2, 2008
There was more news about Rogan Gregory’s eco-friendly designs for Target in today’s Wall Street Journal (which actually has quite a few news items about fashion each week). The clothes will be made from 100% organic certified cotton, which usually have a premium between 5-15% over non-organic cotton. Great news: Rogan Gregory’s pieces for Target will be priced between $15 and $45.
Debut: May 9 -May 11 – Barneys New York
Then: May 16-May 18 – Barneys Los Angeles
After that: Target stores near you!
Green clothes with a green lifecycle April 27, 2008
Nau is a “cradle-to-grave” green company, with environmentally-friendly products manufactured in environmentally-friendly ways. And the prices fit, too!
Victoria’s Secret Goes Eco-Friendly April 18, 2008
After Banana Republic’s announcement of their eco-friendly line a few months ago, it seems that Victoria’s Secret is set to follow in the mainstreaming of green fashion. Yay!
As I take my fitness routine outside, I could totally imagine wearing the yoga pant and top in organic cotton. And I like the idea of snuggling off to sleep in the organic cotton pajama. And the prices are definitely right for basics like workout gear and pajamas.
For now, the collection has only 16 pieces (including organic bags), but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. I hope that we’ll see organic cotton sun dresses in time for trips to the beach!
Buy a lip gloss, plant a tree April 4, 2008
For every item sold from its new Green Room collection, Smashbox will plant a Moringa tree in a developing country by Trees for the Future (the trees are a source of nutrition for locals). In addition, the collection is made with environmentally-friendly ingredients and the packaging is biodegradable or recyclable. For now, the collection consists of lip glosses and bronzers. I’d definitely pick up the lip gloss in Pink Lilly.
I think that the line would also make a great gift, since I’ve planted trees as gifts for friends’ birthdays and weddings and the lip gloss would be a neat bonus to planting a tree for a good cause.
No more catalog shopping March 25, 2008
Every once in a while, I receive a store catalog in the mail. Since I’m an avid online shopper, I try to get off mailing lists ASAP. However, it’s always a pain to find the time to call up companies to get off their mailing lists. That’s why I was really happy to find out that Catalog Choice offers a way to get off all of the mailing lists at once.
