Basics are not basic. Well, okay, they really are. What we’re trying to say is that basics are not basic in that boring, don’t-really-need-it kind of way. Everyone needs a nice collection of basics to get them through the season.

1. Banana Republic Heritage Collection Long Sleeve Henley

When will you ever buy a long sleeve henley that’s $119? You probably wouldn’t (and we don’t blame you). Well, at the very least, you can discover what an originally priced $119 henley feels like. ThredUp is selling this slightly-worn henley for an affordable $27.99. Wear this while lounging on the couch or as a layer underneath a sweater on an afternoon picnic.

2. Pure & Good Tights

Every woman needs a nice pair of tights in her footwear arsenal because (1) tights are cozy and comfortable, and (2) they make pale, dry, wintery legs look great. We like this pair from ThredUp because of the tights’ warm, gold hue. While the color would look great all fall and winter long, we especially like them because they’d look lovely with other early autumn hues. Priced at $25.49.

3. Fleece-Lined Leggings

What’s the ultimate lounging and baking at home piece of clothing? Leggings! And it’s even better when the leggings are lined with fleece. (Yes, you can stop dragging all the blankets from your bed out to the couch now.) This pair comes from Anthropologie. Comes in three colors (sky, grey, and black) and priced at $19.50.

4. The Scoop Suit

Body suits are in this year, and we couldn’t be happier about that. Body suits are pretty darn comfortable and look great when paired with super tight pants and mini skirts. Or you can just wear this suit along with some sweatpants, socks, and a beanie… we won’t judge. Comes in amber glow and black. Priced at $58 from Free People.

5. Pretty Lady Layers Top

While this may be a less-basic basic, we love it anyway. This cute mockneck crop top would like amazing under a sweater, a cardigan, or if it’s a warm day, on its own. Priced at $78 from Free People.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon

The Plain White Tee: On Trend

3 Unique Leggings You Should Wear to Make This Christian Blogger Uncomfortable

Cozy Up With Chunky Scarves and Bulky Sweaters: On Trend

Lounging woman image from Shutterstock

The post 5 Not-So-Basic Comfortable Basics: Friday Finds appeared first on EcoSalon.

Eco-Fashion Superhero?

Alicia Silverstone’s recent bestseller, “The Kind Diet,” tempts its readers to embrace a healthy, vegan lifestyle that will have them “feeling great, losing weight, and saving the planet.” Silverstone divides the diet into three levels: flirting, going vegan, and superhero. Offering up three non-judgmental pathways appealed to me as a great reference point for how to buy eco-fashion. As we get more conscious about how the production of our clothing impacts the environment, more women are turning to eco-labels for their latest fashion purchases. Most of us are flirting, checking out what is available in the eco fashion world and perhaps buying the occasional eco-friendly piece. Then there are the superheroes – we salute you! – who are buying everything in green – from their lingerie to their workout wear.

I find myself going eco at midlevel. For the last few years, I’ve been shopping in my closet, thrifting, rummaging around vintage stores, buying from local eco designers, skipping by fast-fashion, and generally keeping my clothing wantonness in check. But, the point at which I get a little stuck is wardrobe basics. I’m talking about the basic tees, leggings and simple knitwear like a black turtleneck, V-neck or long cardigan. These pieces are indispensable stalwarts in my wardrobe working hard to anchor my more adventurous attempts at flair.

As someone on a tiny clothing budget, my strategy used to be saving money for the more exciting stuff by skimping on the basics. When I heard Sally Singer, the features editor of Vogue, agree it’s best to save your money for the wild purple chubby and buy your basics at Club Monaco or H&M, I figured I was on the right track.

That was before I committed to a low-impact lifestyle and declared that my look should be elevated by this new focus. So, no more cheap basics for me. Not surprisingly, I found myself frenziedly flicking through a fast-fashion outlet’s sale rack today.  Hoping to find long black cardigans and plain white tees to get me thru until summer. Before long, I caught myself and remembered my pledge to sustainable fashion. While it’s true that there are far greater eco-friendly clothing lines than ever before, they just can’t compete with fast-fashion prices. Isn’t this getting down to the nitty-gritty of the green consumer dilemma?

In a recent study, despite economic woes, 35 percent of survey respondents say they would pay more for “˜environmentally-friendly’ products. But is paying $2 more for laundry detergent the same as justifying a plain black tee priced $30-50 more than the one in H&M. Or, the leggings you can buy at express for $26 for two pairs? It’s in this sticky, uncomfortable place that you find your defining moment as an ecologist.

Thanks to people like Annie Leonard, who invites us to trace the true cost of our belongings, we now know the true price of something made unbelievable cheap – hello H&M seven buck tees – is paid for quite literally by the environment, by the low paid worker tolling in bad conditions and the third world countries forever struggling to get on their knees.

The path to committing to the environment is a process that doesn’t have to take superhero strength, but perhaps, small acts over and over again. Luckily the leading edge of the industry is giving the green light too. What’s hot now is dressing with integrity in belief and action. While the eco design community produces pieces that have to be more expensive there are positive trade-offs to turning conventional wardrobe strategies on their head. Eco-basics are artfully designed and generally crafted better, making them cost-efficient because they won’t fall apart as fast. Think “Investment Basics.” Not just investments for your wardrobe, but for the planet too.

Check out my Investment Basics picks

Soft supple tees and leggings from SUST-their Disco tops are cut oh so flattering.

Edun’s plain and patterned leggings are cut in fabric that is long wearing and has great appearance retention (no sagging!)

Loomstate for simple knitwear such as hoodies and long cardigans.

Image: Bernhard Willhelm spring and summer 2006 by Christopher Moore

The post Basic Attraction: Are You an Eco-Fashion ‘Flirt’ or ‘Superhero?’ appeared first on EcoSalon.