While some sites carry tried and true lines we’ve been following for years, others are peddling cutting edge sustainable fashion – making conscious consumption more provocative than ever.

Here’s a list of what I consider the top 10 eco boutiques. Have at ’em!

Beklina

I just can’t convey how much I love this site, from the photos to the clothes. Always clean and easy to navigate, Beklina loves their indie designers and is willing to experiment with styles other boutiques are hesitant to try.

Love the Lina Rennell and Mociun offerings as well as these vegan moccasins by Manimal.

Beklina’s site says “Our fashion is modern organic, reflecting Northern California’s grace and beauty,” says Beklina, who believes clothing and design can be “precious, radical, nurturing, healing and wonderful.”

Guess it’s working cause whenever I go to their site, I’m instantly happy.

Embodies

I met Embodies owner Kenlynn Wilson last year at a trade show in New York. I could tell by the look in her eye she was the real deal when it came to being serious about eco.

She bases her criteria on a few things: What fabrics are used in the clothing, where the items are manufactured (and under what conditions), what types of dyes are used in the clothing as well as the packaging the clothes are being shipped in. Curating with a careful eye, Wilson’s due diligence yields a great stable of fashion-forward eco-designers.

Look for Alabama Chanin, Calleen Cordero cuff bracelets and select Linda Loudermilk.

Greenloop

Besides running a fabulous online boutique, Greenloop owner Aysia Wright is commonly used as a resource for both designers and the eco-community. She’s everywhere.

Having just wrapped up her Project Green Search in L.A., Wright’s returned to her home base of Portland, Oregon where she recently moved the brick and mortar Greenloop inside Seven Planet.

Check out the site for a veritable who’s who of eco-designers including Del Forte denim, Charmone shoes (crazy close-outs on them as I write) and Loomstate.

Arboretum

Guided by William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s Hannover Principles on our inter-dependence on nature, Arboretum owners Kate Morison and Andrea Barrett have created their own eco-study of beautiful designed clothing and accessories to show us.

Both women hail from Sonoma County where, they say a connection with the land is a part of their everyday life.
“From the rugged coastline to the majestic redwoods, we have drawn vast inspiration from our environment. Our inspiration and shared vision led us to build an Arboretum.”

Love their picks of Stewart and Brown, Rag & Bone and Prairie Underground.

Clary Sage Organics

After a busy day wearing my blogger and retailer hats, I want to slip on lounging wear with comfort and ease.

Clary Sage is my go to brand for comfy but stylish yoga pants, camisole tops and my very favorite, Convertible Wrap (feels delicious).

In addition to their own line, they have an “After Yoga” section with easy slip on skirts, tunic t-shirts and go-to hoodies.

Just when you thought you were completely satisfied with their clothing selections, they offer a great range of Lotions and Potions including my favorite body care line, Farmaesthetics and perfumes by Tsi~La (Ylang Ylang is mmm…). Search the site for your own new favorites.

Kaight

Kate Macgregor, the founder and owner of Kaight has carefully edited her boutique for men and women that dig clothing and accessories “thoughtfully designed” with organic and sustainable textiles.

Like most of the eco-boutiques listed here, Kaight specializes in emerging and independent designers who use organic, recycled and sustainable materials.

Love their Ashley Watson bags, Melissa Shoe selection as well as Dream & Awake vintage dresses.

Tobi

In addition to their traditional shopping, Tobi offers an Eco-Tobi site which I hope continues to grow.

If you can’t get to the actual brick and mortar shop in San Francisco, their 1-to-1 shopping experience can be had onlinewhich involves live chat with one of the owners to get style advice or sizing questions answered before you buy.

Lots of great natural body and hair care lines including Pangea, Hamadi and Pure Fiji as well as basics from Alternative Apparel and tried and true lines by Edun, Prairie Underground and Stewart and Brown.

Jessa Brinkmeyer, owner of Pivot

Pivot
This Chicago-based online boutique is run by Jessa Brinkmeyer on the premise that being eco doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Brinkmeyer says “A big part of building an eco-smart wardrobe is finding pieces you can keep and love.”

Very true. By picking even one sustainably designed article of clothing from Pivot, you’ve in fact begun your journey.
You might want to start with a great fitting She-Bible cardigan or Lara Miller sweater that will stylishly last you for years.

Sodafine

Sodafine has got to be one of the sweetest shops going.

Based in Brooklyn, the boutique’s owner Erin Weckerle focuses her buying on “innovative and unique handmade clothing, accessories and gift items.”

Weckerle also carries a selective collection of vintage clothing, (I recently was gifted a beautiful vintage slip from a friend who stopped in there) as well as lines utilizing eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable labor practices.

The site says “Many of the items you’ll find at Sodafine are made by individuals who call themselves artists and see their production of clothing/accessories as just one facet of their artistic process”¦We are eager to assist young artists and craftspeople with information(and inspiration) for marketing their wares. We intend to provide an interesting model of the intersection of art, craft, and fashion at work in everyday life.”

And they have.

Check out great pieces from Feral Childe, Popomomo as well as Sodafine’s own in-house line.

Kind

Kind states that their boutique is for “Living happy, living gently,” which makes me love them all the more.

Mixing sustainably designed as well as vintage finds with things for your nest, Kind is a one-stop shop with quality pieces, consciously handpicked to really reflect their store.

Check out clothing by Mika Machida and Nixxi as well as shoes by Neuaura and Olsen Haus.

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Though it’s still spring, I can’t help but dream of warm summer days: lounging lazily in hammocks, taking in the ocean breezes and hitting as many cocktail parties and barbeques as humanly possible.

But what to wear? Well, first, take into consideration that this is your season to shine in sheer and floaty, draped and dreamy and get away with it.

This summer I’ll be wrapped in sea and sand tones from head to toe. My own way of communing with Mother Ocean.

There are outfits for all and I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ocean-themed pieces for you to be casual but nevertheless stylish as you go seaside, poolside or ringside to your favorite summer soiree.

The Under The Sea Dress made of 100% silk by Covet will flatter as it flows in the summer breezes.

Up top, recycled silver seashell rings by Kirsten Muenster.

And a hemp/silk slouch bag from VivaTerra to hold all the  sunblock, water and lip gloss a girl could need.

An Ostrich Egg Shell necklace from the San women of Namibia for natural adornment.

The Noraha by Charmone to slide your way through a casual cocktail party.

A Beaumont Organics Beaded Halter Neck Top to dress up or down with fitted shorts or pencil skirt.

The best bathing suit ever. Mociun’s soy organic one piece.

And a versatile organic cotton sarong to wear a million different ways.

The post Summer Fashion Ahoy! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Charmone’s Noraha, Olsen Haus’ Balance, Nina Dolcetti’s Bibsa, Terra Plana’s Juniper

We all specialize in something.

Eco-Shoe Source founder Arlene Bahar is good at finding the most fashion-forward sustainable shoes. Whether tweeting on Twitter or through her blog, Bahar always has on-trend news to offer or shoes she can suggest at the asking. We all need a little help sometimes, right?

I caught up with her recently to talk about eco-friendly footwear.

How did you become an eco-shoe specialist?

I’ve always had a passion for shoes.  I have narrow feet and as a young girl, my mom would take me to specialty shoe stores. As a result of having to be fitted regularly, I tended to look forward to my trips to the shoe store and the personal attention I would get from the sales people. I absorbed the knowledge the sales people were sharing and began to appreciate shoes from an artistic perspective. That has remained with me to this day. I guess you could say a fetish was born.

I also was, like so many others, very moved by An Inconvenient Truth. I personally made a commitment to consciously make changes to live a more responsible lifestyle. I started recycling, donating and looking for everything eco, including shoes. I began to research the shoe industry and tried to find shoes that were eco friendly. Finding eco shoes that fit my high fashion taste was extremely challenging.

As I began to question retailers about what they were offering, I often found they really had no clue or misunderstood what eco is. I discovered Stella McCartney was already producing eco-friendly clothing and had launched a shoe line. I started finding obscure and lesser-known designers like NeuAura, Charmone and others who were talented and creating fabulous shoes. I thought, “I bet other women are finding it hard to get fashionable eco/vegan shoes, too.”

I started my blog, Eco Shoe Source, as a way to educate, promote and make women aware of the beautifully stylish eco and vegan shoe options that are available all over the world. It is a labor of love for me: love of shoes, love of people and love of the earth.

Do you have a favorite shoe line?

I have several favorites. I am a big fan of Stella McCartney. Her collections get more exciting every season. She’s just on point when it comes to high fashion eco shoes and is able to deliver very fashion forward styles. Her personal commitment to sustainability is unquestioned and admirable.

Terra Plana is great for everyday shoes. I find their collections consistently functional and durable as well as fashionable.

How have eco-friendly shoes evolved over the past few years?

At one time, eco-friendly shoes were dowdy and not very appealing visually. No longer are choices for eco shoes between a moccasin or a sandal. The silhouettes are sophisticated and have evolved – there are cute flats, sexy heels, embellished pumps with rich fabrics and cute booties. There was never as much range as there is today.

A designer that I’m watching very closely is Melissa Shoes. Melissa is probably one of the most innovative shoe design houses when it comes to merging technology, specifically recycled plastics, and intriguing design aesthetics. Over 90% of the materials used in their shoes are recycled. How’s that for evolution?

Are they as on-trend as other popular lines?

Very much so, to many people’s surprise. Designers like Stella McCartney, Charmone and Terra Plana are designing shoes that are on par with mainstream designers. I can’t tell you how many people are utterly surprised when I tell them that I’m wearing eco shoes. These designers have not only re-interpreted the latest trends like gladiators, peep toes, strappy sandals, kitten heels, wedges, thigh high boots and platforms, they’ve created some trends of their own in very Fash-stainable ways!

And now you’re finding it is the mainstream designers that are incorporating “eco” in their lines. Christian Louboutin featured eco cork heels and natural fibers as part of his latest 2009 Summer Collection. It will be a beautiful thing when all shoes are produced in an eco-friendly manner.

Can you list some designers who are going above and beyond to design and manufacture their lines responsibly?

Most eco/vegan friendly designers do strive toward sustainability, as the shoe manufacturing process is one of the most damaging to the environment.

Kalia, NeuAura, Beyond Skin and Charmone immediately come to mind as being responsible designers. They maintain very high standards, not only in the creation but in the manufacturing process, using natural fibers, recycled materials, non toxic chemicals, and if they do use leather, it is vegetable-tanned or -dyed and they employ economical delivery methods.

These designers are very cognizant of the environment in every phase of the production process. They contribute to the communities they manufacture in by embracing local artisans and incorporating native craftsmanship in their designs. They give back by providing living wages, reinvest in community social programs and donate proceeds from sales to environmental causes. This is even more impressive to me than creating great shoes. I feel that by purchasing, I am giving back, too.

Is there still a majority or (hopefully) minority that thinks eco-shoes are Birkenstocks only?

Yes, the perception does still exist that eco/vegan shoes are not fashionable, sexy and in some cases just cheap.

Birkenstock, with its attention to constructing comfortable shoes, can be credited for paving the way for the designers that are emerging now. The designers I just spoke about, as well as many others, are flipping the shoe industry upside-down with the innovative use of materials. Even Birkenstock is now offering some more stylish versions of their original designs. The true beauty of “going green” is that there are so many shades and choices available for consumers to make as conscious a choice as they want.

So, if you’re looking for comfort and not many frills, there’s Birkenstock, ElNaturialista and Simple Shoes. If you want high fashion or custom shoes, Mink Shoes or Sui Generis are some brands to see. And you have everything else in between, like Melissa, NeuAura, Patagonia and more.

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