Shabd is having a summer sale.

Brooklyn designer Shabd Simon-Alexander creates and hand dyes limited edition collections based on simple shapes with attention to fabric combinations and compositions. She says on her site that her approach to working with fabrics “draws from minimalist art, quiltmaking, and the folk costume tradition of beginning one dress with the remnants from the last.”

This silk dress with individually hand dyed in a geode pattern and has a V-neck on one side, boat neck on the other, and can be worn front or back, belted or not.

Though we don’t want to promote sale shopping, Shabd is having a great sale on her site with 30% off most items from spring.

This dress was one of our favorites.

On sale for $340.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com.

Trying on a new trend like the ethnic/tribal vibe can be a big step out of one’s comfort zone, but with baby steps you can capture the vibe and what? Do it on sale?!

Yes ma’am. This dress and the shoes below are both very reasonably priced and just put on sale.

When perusing Nimli’s site, I was actually astounded to see all of their sale items, and came up with this little outfit for you ladies that don’t want tattered and beaded bib necklaces, wild prints, harem pants and a host of mixed textiles that could confuse any tribesman if they met you in the jungle.

So today we’ll go subtle and maybe inspire you to walk a little further out some other time.

The dress above by Doie is made of organic cotton and is great now (and later with tights and boots) as a perfect summer dress. I love the gathered ruching in the front as a point of interest. On sale for $96.

These vegan heels by Cri de Coeur are a nice alternative to just pairing a black dress with black shoes. The brown pulls in the rest of the accessories too. On sale for $132.

Here’s where your hint of ethnic starts creeping in. This necklace by Nashelle is made from tiger wood pieces, and two hand cut gold leaf shapes and is just enough to let people know you’re trendy sure but also just stylish. I love the feminine gold circles with the weight of the wood. Priced at $129.

Finally, a handwoven ombre raffia and seagrass clutch from Mad Imports. $94.

Raquel Allegra’s top secret distressing technique that she uses with her L.A. County Jail duds, turns thin t-shirts into sheer dresses, flowing tunic tops and amazing accent scarves. These pieces bring just enough rock to the look so that we all have access.

I also recommend having a peek at a few other sale items on her site including this great shirt.

A longtime fan of Allegra, I’m always on the lookout for sales involving her name. I stumbled across this one at Worthwhile recently.

This Three Rivers Dress is pretty cool the way the model wears it, but imagine a black or white silk slip underneath? Yum.

Street cred? Forget about it in this. Paparazzi will be following you like your a celebrity because you look so together. Just remember to bring along your shades.

With 2010 on track to be the hottest year on record, one can only speculate what’s to come here in the throes of summer.

One thing I do know is that this lightweight organic cotton dress from Josh Podoll is all I want to wear.

With a  flattering neckline and adjustable straps at the waist it’s like Josh Podoll just knew he was designing something perfect for us, like he was a weather psychic.

Hmm, I wonder if I can get the Josh to create a weather-trend forecast for me so I can just pick the right things for my wardrobe this fall?

“Excuse me, a word with you Mr. Podoll…”

If you Google “What is a Portrait Dress?” you’ll find a myriad of ways to dress for a portrait.

When I was about 13-years-old, we took the only family portrait we’d ever take as a complete family and in that, my acne covered teen brothers all wore the same thing. And me, being the only girl, had to wear some dumb cream sweater that washed me out.

If I were planning on getting my mug done professionally today, you bet I’d want to be in this raspberry-colored Portrait Dress from Jackson, Johnston & Roe.

Perfect for getting framed, my sense of style would be captured forever.

Isn’t that what creating a tableaux is all about?

Eliza Starbuck and Sheena Matheiken

Over the past year we got to hear a lot about Sheena Matheiken and The Uniform Project, a mission that led Matheiken to wear the same dress for one year in as many ways as she creatively could.

The project’s intent was to be a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement revolutionizing education in India. At the end of Matheiken’s 365 day roll with the LBD, all contributions went toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

Not only did The Uniform Project make money, it also inspired many women to rethink fashion and how they clothe themselves and how one could really work the hell out of one piece.

Personally, I don’t think I heard enough about Eliza Starbuck, the designer of Matheiken’s dress (sorry Sheena). Really though, without her dress there was no campaign.

On her site, Starbuck explains how The Uniform Project came about:

“I was leaving the fashion industry – weary of its wastefulness and the hyper-consumerism it engenders, but still fascinated by original style and looking for a way to inspire myself. Sheena was bored at her office job; she wanted to give herself a creative and philanthropic challenge. When we met, neither of us knew that we were starting on a great adventure that would take us around the world; along the way, we met many bright young things who helped advance our cause in so many important and unforeseen ways.”

Starbuck’s referral to the “Bright Young Things,” are her fashion dandies with 37 on her site alone sporting the LBD she created for Matheiken (god knows how many more are out there). Three of them (including Starbuck) are actually doing their own “Wear-a-Thons” similar to The Uniform Project but are unsure as to how long it will last.

Eliza Starbuck, Day Three

Starbuck herself has said a month to a year (she’s on Day eight).

Kristin Arzt, Day One

Bright Young Thing Kristin Arzt is on day 21.

Kathleen Scully, Day 14

Kathleen Scully is on day 15.

Keep track of all their inspired looks at the Bright Young Things site or buy one for yourself and take on your own challenge!

Look what I just bought! This totally cute organic cotton slip dress by Feral Childe is really, well, something else.

This picture doesn’t do enough for it, so I tried to make it more alive for you with these pretty silk scrap beads from VivaTerra. Thanks to my photographer being a restaurant owner and not a professional, she didn’t get my Olsen Haus cork heels or grey Toggery leggings which looked great, too. Who makes dresses with remote villages and Matterhorns for graphics but Feral Childe?

To us, being best green fashion blog means hitting the streets and doing the research for you – yes, shopping is a tough job, but someone has to do it. This dress looks great alone or with leggings, bright tights and colorful necklace, belted loose or tight. And you can even find it online from this online boutique for only $79.50. Grab it!

The more you shop for sustainably designed clothing, the more you realize that patterns are few and far between.

The Promotion Dress by Rachel Comey is made of a silk and linen blend, features an elastic waist and knotted open back. The dress happily hits at the knee, where as of late, few dresses dare to go.

A Promotion Dress?

How about I promote you, Rachel Comey, to the head of drool class for this?

I say this is a year-round dress, so for the $310 price tag, it’s a wise buy.

How do I know it’s summer? I hear bees and see flowers blooming; I’m working out because that beach vacation is looming. I watch baby birds as they learn to fly; I welcome new beginnings into my life.

And yes, I write terrible jingles that barely rhyme.

Actually, I know summer is upon us because all of a sudden I’m in the mood for dresses. All I want is to bare my legs and to wear strappy sandals. I’ve gathered some of my favorite sexy frocks for frolicking your way through the next few months:

Elroy Larkspur Dress

Don’t be fooled by the basic looks of this little knit dress. Not only does the low v-back say sexy but the long gathered “scarf” that connects to a side seam creates an entirely sensational dress with tons of possibilities. The aqua, chocolate and white are 95% modal and 5% spandex, while the black and royal blue versions are 100% bamboo knit jersey. Find it in sizes XS to L for $122 at Elroy.

Lara Miller Tiered Ronnie Dress

There’s not much to say other than simply stunning when looking at this dress made of organic cotton and bamboo. You might also call it short, sexy and sleeveless in a dirty periwinkle blue they call Iron. Oh, and it’s available in x-small, small and medium for $297 at Nimli.

Doucette Duvall Milly Dress

I adore the red and white checked print of the Milly Dress and its tilt toward the traditional, but it’s the open back with big white buttons that seals the deal. This frock can go just about anywhere melding modern, feminine and mystery. Made from 100% cotton rescued from a mill in Spain, you’ll find it in sizes 2, 6 and 8 for $370 at The Violet Hour.

Organic Zip Front Dress

I happened to be at Fred Segal this past weekend and found myself trying on this dress by Organic. Soft as a baby’s bum, it’s made of 100% biodegradable cupro with a zipper running down the front. The combination of floral, feminine and metal zipper is très sexy”¦as well as very expensive at $565. Find it in sizes 0 through 8 at Fred Segal or online at shopbop.

Eco-Ganik Criss Cross Finale Dress

This long, low cut gown is the epitome of elegant, yet it’s casual enough for a hot summer day. The Bora Flora print is earthy and glamorous; the material is woven 100% bamboo and the criss-cross in its name happens at the back (see top image). It’s available in sizes x-small, small and medium for $273 at Nimli.

FIN Goddess Bamboo Dress

What attracted me to this silky number from FIN is the flowing, almost water-like appearance of the 100% organic bamboo fabric. The gathered detail in the front makes for a form-fitting bodice and feminine streamlined shape. I’m a fan of FIN also because of their overall commitment to carbon neutrality and Fair Trade practices. Find it in sizes 4 through 10 for $432 at Equita.

Loyale Valencia Mini

I showcased a bikini by Loyale in this purplish floral print and everyone loved it, so here’s the same organic cotton and low impact dye floral print in a mini dress. “Flirty and fitted” and the perfect piece to throw on for a date or lunch with friends, it’s available in sizes XS to L for $178 at Loyale. (And for those of you who shy away from anything “mini”, there’s a longer version available for $196).

Edun Andie Shift Dress

This tailored shift dress is suitable for work or play, evening or day. The vertical stripes accentuate the longitude of a woman’s body, while the subtle slit up one leg along with the sequin detailed shoulders make for one sassy, sophisticated outfit. Add a pair of simple black pumps and va va vooom. Of course it’s eco – 100% sustainable cotton, fairly traded and sweatshop-free. Find it in sizes x-small, small and medium on sale for $215 (from $325) at Equita.

Beau Soleil Beau Guard Dress

Here’s a slinky, one-shouldered maxi that’s worthy of a head turn or two, if you ask me. 100% bamboo and simply black, the Beau Guard showcases a sexy metal ring on the shoulder that holds the back and front together. I love a dress that screams sexy while leaving so much to the imagination. It’s available in sizes petite, small and medium for $250 at Nimli.

Sublet Catherine Dress

Last but definitely far from least, this dress from Sublet says classic and functional without being b o r i n g. Covered in pleats made of 30% organic cotton, 67% bamboo and 3% spandex for that special stretch, the Catherine sways and clings in just the right places. Find it in sizes x-small through large in three creamy colors, for $280 at Sublet.

Now I’m really in the mood for summer, aren’t you?