Spring fashion no woman should be without. (Or so we’ll tell ourselves.)

Between the floaty skirts, girly sandals and flirty pedicures, what’s not to love about spring? Here, 9 spring fashion staples too lux to resist:

1. Solstice Cover Up

The Solstice Cover Up from Indigenous is made by fair trade artisans in Peru using organic cotton and low-impact dyes. It has a feminine cut-out neckline detail, angled sweep and drop shoulder armholes.

2. Slim Ankle Pant

Eileen Fisher’s Slim Ankle Pant are an uber-versatile warm weather staple. They’re made of organic cotton and consist of a zip fly and button closure, front slant pockets and back welt pockets.

3. Open Front Lightweight Wrap

If you dig sporty casual, Alternative’s Open Front Lightweight Wrap is a perfect fit (pun totally intended). Made of organic cotton, this cardigan-style wrap is as cozy as it is chic.

4. Star Flower Moxie Dress

The Star Flower Moxie Dress from Synergy Clothing is made in Nepal from 100 percent organic cotton using low-impact dyes. I’m not sure what I love more: The adorable hand-sewn Star Flower applique or the handy pockets!

5. Device Pant

The Device Pant from Nau are quick-drying, recycled polyester and organic cotton performance pants. Designed for camping, hiking and biking, this technical pant is as stylish as it gets.

6. Novella Shorts

These adorable Novella Shorts by Atelier Delphine will take you from sand to city in no time flat. Dress them down with a sporty tank, or dress them up with a flowy button-down.

7. Okello Open Knit Sweater

The Okello Open Knit Sweater from Raven + Lily is a gorg addition to your spring fashion repertoire. Made of 100 percent organic cotton, it offers lightweight warmth for those cool Spring nights.

8. Vinyasa Hoodie

Between the playful polka dots, the adjustable side drawstring, and the fact that it’s made from 42 percent organic cotton, prAna’s Vinyasa Hoodie is all that is right with the world.

9. Punch Bungalow Dress

The Punch Bungalow Dress by Ace & Jig is the perfect way to make a bold spring fashion statement, dontchathink?

What are your spring fashion must-haves?

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Image: Spring fashion photo via Shutterstock

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We love style. We love fashion. We also want to make sure our sartorial choices do little damage to the world as we can. Eco-friendly clothing manufacturers throw around terms like “conscientious” and “sustainable fashion”, but what does that really mean?

There are plenty of fashion designers that describe themselves as eco-friendly. While brands may use it as part of their marketing plan, are they really good for the environment?

How do you choose sustainable fashion?

1. Shop Low Impact Dying

While many fabrics may start out as sustainable fibers, the finishing process can cancel that out pretty quickly. Organic cottons quickly lose their earthy appeal when chemical dyes and formaldehyde are used to treat them. South Carolina-based Gaia Conceptions grows its own plant and pigment-based dyes made from natural sources to color its clothing. These are great for both the planet and the wellness of the person wearing them. The company also uses fiber reactive dyes. These are developed for higher absorption rates so chemicals are not needed to fix them to the fiber. This also means that less water is wasted or used.

2. Let the fabric suit the fashion

Fashion fans love silk as a luxury fabric. Unfortunately, many don’t realize that typical silk manufacturing involves boiling and killing the silk worms after they have produced the fibers. Peace silk or vegan silk is a fabric made only with silk fiber casings only after the worms have emerged and moved on. This is a much more humane practice but costly. To keep it truly eco, peace silk should be bought in natural colors. This makes peace silk an ideal choice for green weddings. Conscientious brides often have a natural aesthetic for their wedding and are willing to splurge on the perfect dress. Boutiques like The Cotton Bride in Brooklyn, New York are committed to using such fabrics. Their wedding gowns are even sewn in-house.

3. Respect the maker

We hear a lot about Fair Trade and fair labor practices. Is there a way to really know if your dress was made by a happy seamstress? You can support that ethos by shopping from designers that work with organizations like the Ethical Fashion Initiative, a joint project with the United Nations. You can check if your brand is accredited by the Fair Labor Association. These organizations ensure that workers have decent working conditions and wages. Some companies like Satara go a step further in providing skills training and financial guidance. Its website even allows you to find the individual woman who made your garment. The fashion industry has enabled many women in third world countries to improve their quality of life and become financially independent.

4. Wear Fabrics Made from Recycled Fiber

Buying a jacket that helps empty the landfills of all those plastic bottles? That is fabulous. Patagonia was one of the first major clothing manufacturers to work with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fabrics. Its patented Polartec fabric is a form of polyester. While a synthetic, petroleum-based textile sounds like the opposite of eco-friendly, PET’s main strength is that it uses recycled fibers to produce. Recycling garbage like plastic bottles and collected old garments to make this fabric cuts down on the energy and fossil fuels needed to make it compared to traditional polyester. While this may not please organic trendsetters, this should make upcycled and recycled fashion fans happy.

What sustainable fashion boils down to is often what your Eco-friendly clothing is boiled in. Many fibers can be farmed or produced in a sustainable way, but the finishing is what makes or breaks its Eco cred. Also, think about who is doing the boiling. Guests are afraid to mistreat a chef at a restaurant handling their food. Wouldn’t you want to make sure the person making our clothing is happy too?

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Images: Mariana Leung

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Finding eco-friendly handbags can be a real challenge. We present some fashionable solutions.

As a vegetarian who is also committed to environmental sustainability, I find that being fashion presents some difficulties for me. I enjoy fashion, but I also want to be a conscientious shopper.

One of my biggest fashion woes are accessories like bags. Let’s face it, the choices out at the mall (a four-letter word in my book) and those hawked in fashion magazines and catwalks just don’t fit the bill for concerned consumers like me looking for eco-friendly handbags.

It can be a challenge, but not impossible to find vegan and eco-friendly handbags to suit both our functional and fashionable needs.

There are actually a lot of alternative bag materials out there for us fashion and eco-conscious shoppers. Here’s a sampling of some of those materials as well as examples of bags that utilize them.

1. Organic Cotton Clutch – This clutch is a great choice for those looking for vegan and eco-friendly handbags. It’s made using organic cotton that’s certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), animal-free “leather”; it’s also free of harmful dyes and has chemical-free embroidery.

2.Pleather Shoulder Bag – Pleather, or vegan “leather” as it’s now called, has made real strides in quality lately. It’s now possible to find bags that appear to be actual leather. Just be careful, not all leather alternatives are eco-friendly. Read about the different types of vegan leathers here.

3. Cork Fabric Clutch – Cork fabric is made from cork, a natural, renewable and sustainable raw material and it’s also suitable for vegans.

4. Repurposed Coffee Bag Handbag – Repurposed bags made from burlap bags are awesomely eco-friendly handbags!

5. Organic Hemp Handbag – Hemp bags don’t have to be hippie and crunchy-granola. This sustainable organic hemp handbag is a stylish, chic and eco-friendly fashion statement.

6. Recycled Bottle Handbag – Matt & Nat bags are made with linings that are 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. They also are 100 percent animal free and they use the most sustainable options available.

7. Bent Wood Clutch  – Supplii offers gorgeous bent wood handbags using sustainable woods and utilizes a minimalist design that eliminates the need for extraneous materials.

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Top Image:  CanopyVerde

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Stay sexy, cute and comfortable this Valentine’s Day in our favorite eco chic underwear brands!

Comfortable, sustainable and sexy are our prerequisites for great underwear, and so we’re showcasing our favorite brands. From super cute and colorful cotton undies to sultry and seductive lace panties, you’ll find something for every occasion. Check them out and find yourself a pair of sustainable skivvies to shamelessly sport on this year’s V-Day!

1. PACT Underwear
We love PACT! A super cool company based in San Francisco, PACT makes funky organic cotton basics like briefs, panties and camis that are produced in wind and solar powered factories by workers who are paid fair wages and respected for the work they do. Perfect for casual fishing with the boyfriend…or maybe weekend lounging, considering the current weather.

2. Xylem
Another West Coast company, Xylem is based in Eugene, OR where all fabrics are hand dyed and the local seamstresses piece together these soft and sweet lingerie collections. Made from a blend of organic cotton and soy, they’re so comfortable you’ll never want to take them off!

3. Triumph Lingerie
This company was founded in Europe way back in the 19th, century, coining them as ‘The Makers of Lingerie’. Each item is delicately handcrafted from carefully sourced materials, resulting in totally tantalizing panties, bras and bustiers.

4. Brook There
Cute, perfect for everyday wear and made from super soft organic cotton and silk – what more could you want from underwear? All Brook There items are handmade in the USA, with chic color block designs available in many color combinations. Check out their comfy loungewear too.

5. Augustine London
Based in the UK, Augustine London’s gorgeous lingerie collections are whimsical, romantic and so soft on your skin. Choose from sexy lacy thongs and bras, or go for matching cotton sets for a cute, clean look. Made from organic cotton, sustainably sourced lace and tencel, all items are handmade in a small, family-owned factory in the north of France.

6. Nico Underwear
Hailing from Australia, Nico Underwear’s collections are super fun, bright and great as a base layer for almost any occasion. The company is certified  through Ethical Clothing Australia, ensuring their minimal environmental impact and commitment to ethical production practices. These skivvies are so cute we’d even go surfing in them!

7. LuvaHuva Lingerie
For something a little steamier, turn to LuvaHuva Lingerie from the UK, whose lace and satin creations will make you feel like a sex kitten extraordinaire. All items in the LuvaHuva collections are made from organic fabrics and end of line or vintage lace and handmade in the UK, resulting in ethical and environmentally friendly lingerie for the exotic vixen in you.

8. Ciel Lingerie
Also from the UK, eco-friendly fashion label Ciel offers an ethical collection of lingerie made from environmentally sound fabrics. We especially love these panties made from recycled, vintage art fabrics from Liberty’s, the legendary London department store!

9. Araks
Araks lingerie is a must have for the eco-conscious fashionista, with their stylish collection of silk and organic cotton panties, bralettes and loungewear. We love their brightly colored chiffon and silk match sets, and think that your special someone would too!

Images:PACT Underwear, Xylem, Triumph Lingerie, Brook There, Augustine London, Nico Underwear,  Ciel Lingerie, LuvaHuva Lingerie, Araks

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Pop star and fashion icon Gwen Stefani’s new fashion collection replaces jeans with eco-friendly non-denim options.

Almost everyone loves jeans – most of us wear them at least a few times a week. But Gwen Stefani has ditched jeans to the wayside, and is offering the rest of us the chance to do so as well. The fashion icon has teamed up with denim guru and co-founder of 7 For All Mankind, Michael Glasser, to come up with a collection aiming to replace those beloved jeans with chic and comfortable denim alternatives made from eco-friendly tencel fabric.

Stefani is launching the collection under the name DWP, which stands for Design With Purpose, showcasing a stylish and casual chic trousers. All items are made out of tencel, a silky and naturally wrinkle-resistant material which can be coated, treated or dyed to give it a denim, leather or cotton look with less environmental impact than treating denim. The super comfortable and well-draped trousers are adorned with details like asymmetrical zippers and rolled cuffs, channeling Stefani’s personal sense of style. The whole collection is manufactured in Glasser’s factory in Vernon, CA, making it local and ethical, as strict regulations and labor rights are strongly enforced.

When Stefani and Glasser originally joined forces, they had planned on creating a sustainable, eco-friendly, luxury denim line, but decided on the DWP luxe sweatpants, jumpsuits and drapey tops version as soon as their Neiman Marcus buyers expressed how over the five-pocket jean they’ve become by now. We agree that the outcome is far more favorable, and will be perfect for upcoming spring and summer weather and showing off cute ankle boots and strappy sandals.

You’ll find DWP’s full 18-piece collection in stores this spring, where prices for the brightly colored tops and dresses, printed and patterned trousers and jumpsuits will range from $150-200. It’s more than many people spend on casual clothing and simple basics, but a fair price considering the local production, sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices involved in the creation of each piece.

Images: WWD

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What does eco-friendly fashion mean to you?

Is it vegan? Has a low carbon footprint? Fair Trade? Respects labor rights? Organic? Recycled? Upcycled? It seems that it’s rather difficult to pinpoint the term ‘eco-friendly fashion’ into one definition, as it can come in many different forms. So how do we know if something should be called eco-fashion, and more importantly, how do we know when something actually is a sustainable alternative to fast fashion? The consumer is faced with a dilemma in this situation: should you believe all the eco marketing touted by large name brands, and how do you support small brands without spending a fortune? There isn’t a simple answer to these questions, but making yourself more aware of the factors involved is the best way to make your own, educated decisions.

Eco-friendly fashion can mean different things to different people, and is certainly approached in different ways by different labels and designers. What really makes a fashion label eco-friendly is its commitment and motivation toward offering a collection of clothing or accessories that benefit as many beings as possible whilst treading on the earth as lightly as possible. This is not the easiest feat, since the production process involved in making fashion items is fragmented and hardly ever contained within the borders of one country. In a world where profit comes first, labels and designers with integrity may fall to the wayside because of their inability to offer items at competitive prices. But not if consumers recognize and support their efforts.

An honest fashion label shines through the crowd, and the passion for creating responsible, but beautiful, fashion is evident in every creation they offer. It’s when you know that what you’re wearing has really made a difference in the maker’s life, or is made with an awesome green technology that didn’t pollute the environment, or was beautifully crafted from clothes that would otherwise end up in landfill that you understand what eco-friendly fashion is. Although the term ‘eco’ refers to the environment, it also indicates the animals, people and resources involved, since they are all interconnected. So truly, the efforts of vegan, organic, recycled, and Fair Trade labels are aiming for the same goal, which is a fashion system that benefits the planet and all of its inhabitants.

When you find an eco-fashion label or designer whose work you love, take the initiative and find out about their processes and mission, so that you know where your next fashion find came from, and why you should feel so good about wearing it. Share the story with your friends and family, spreading what you love to those your care about. Find your definition of eco-fashion by exploring its numerous possibilities, and making yourself aware of all the amazing people working to make honest fashion a reality. The fashion industry won’t change overnight, but it’ll change more effectively and intelligently if we all collaborate to turn it into a system that enriches instead of destructing.

Image: joykennelly

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The post What Exactly Is Eco-Friendly Fashion? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Does it seems like sustainable fashion options are so much more expensive than their fast fashion alternatives? FACT: There are many new and older brands out there that offer environmentally and ethically produced fashion at totally affordable prices. We’ve rounded up 7 of our favorite eco fashion brands that will keep you and your wallet happy – and we’re pretty sure you wont be able to resist their gorgeous fall collections—and don’t forget to shop the sales for even better deals! 

One Mango Tree
One Mango Tree’s cute and casual collection of tops, tees, skirts, shorts, dresses and accessories range between $30 and $60 and are made from locally sourced and organic fabrics. One Mango Tree garments are made by artisans and underprivileged members of the community in Northern Uganda that are in need of employment. One Mango Tree works with these artisans to provide design assistance and training, alongside the ability to successfully sell their wares to a global market.

Etrican
Etrican is a Singapore based eco fashion label committed to the use of GOTS certified organic cotton for their garments and upcycled materials for their accessories. These super cute, youthful and trendy pieces range between $20 and $50. A feminine and gorgeously draped floral maxi dress for $35 (the last one in line pictured here)? Even H&M can’t beat that.

Rapanui
UK-based Rapanui’s cool collection of amazingly soft graphic tees and basics like leggings, socks and hoodies range between $30 and $60.The label uses an organic, ethical and low-carbon approach to clothing production and places traceability at the forefront of its philosophy. Rapanui’s trace mapping tool allows consumers to find out exactly where their garment came from and how its was made.

KCA by Fashioning Change
KCA by Fashioning Change (the online eco fashion store) is a collection of “ethical knockoffs” including tees, long sleeve shirts, scarves for men, and women and onesies for babies. All the materials used are certified organic and the garments manufactured locally in downtown LA. Ranging from $20 to $40 in price, these simple and trendy basics would give any fast fashion brand a run for their money.

ReUse Jeans
The jeans made by ReUse are crafted from 80% recycled fabric, keeping unnecessary waste out of the landfill. With prices under $100, this collection of uber trendy jeans offers a range of styles from skinny to flared, colored to moto chic. All ReUse jeans are finished with fashion-forward, non-toxic wash treatments and accentuated by handcrafted detailing and signature touches.

Stewart & Brown
Stewart & Brown’s collection of timeless and chic eco fashion pieces are made from natural and sustainable materials such as organic pima cotton, hemp and Tencel. The label’s basics range in price from $60 to $100, offering a viable rival to slightly pricier brands like Banana Republic, BCBG and Urban Outfitters.  We especially love the trimless long tank pictured above for fall layering!

Prairie Underground
Prairie Underground’s Fall 2013 collection is full or gorgeous must-haves that will green up any wardrobe with the utmost style. Climbing a bit more in price range, these feminine and wearable pieces range from $100 to $250, with edgy and clean details ideal for the modern urban dweller. Made locally in Seattle, sustainable materials like hemp and organic cotton make up Prairie Underground’s chic dresses, trousers, skirts, tops and jackets. Their designs are so timeless that you will be wearing their designs for a decade or more.

Images: One Mango Tree, Etrican, Rapanui, Fashioning Change, ReUse Jeans, Stewart & Brown, Prairie Underground

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Of course, I never wasted my hard-earned cash on something I didn’t need*. But in case you ever have, now there’s a good reason…to go useless.

Useless, in this situation, is guilt-free: sustainable, charitable and fashionable. It’s got good written all over it.

The eco-friendly brand Useless sells stuff people need and use and gives 10% of profits to water and sanitation projects in developing countries. (Find out more about these projects on the Useless website). The company’s small list of products includes messenger & tote bags (image above), hats, tees (image below), hoodies, reusable water bottles and notebooks. All are useful. Everything is 100% sustainable.

And fashionably cool, of course. But the emphasis is on making a difference and having a positive impact on the planet, because no one is exempt.

And with a name like Useless, I’m hoping more people actually take to heart the obvious play on words, and make more of an effort to…use less.

Shop for something Useless at their online store.

* okay, I’m lying.

via MaxGladwell

The post A Good Reason to Buy Something Useless appeared first on EcoSalon.

These have to be the cutest kids ever. Not just because they’re, well, adorable children, but look at what they’re wearing! Soft, comfy, organic cotton striped clothes! If these aren’t the happiest little munchkins you’ve ever seen…well…don’t tell that to their moms.

And just what are these tykes wearing? Clothes made by Happy Green Bee, a manufacturer of Fair Trade Certified, organic cotton children’s clothing. I found them at a trade show and got sucked into their happy little hive. Not only was it the bright, fun colors that attracted me – but the softness of the clothes, as well. And don’t be intimidated thinking that organic cotton has to be expensive – they’ve got a great sale page too.

Now if only they made this stuff in my size.

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Unless you’re one of those people who can’t stand the itch, are a designer who realizes labels mean a lot to the overall presentation, or like to shamelessly buy for the sake of, labels pretty much float below the radar. But, as with anything that’s created nowadays, they add up.

To eco-designers and manufacturers of apparel labels like Avery Dennison, labels have always been important. It’s their business.

At next month’s IMB meeting in Cologne, Germany, Avery Dennison will show a range of their eco-friendly clothing labels and water-based transfers for performance fabrics.

According to Eco-Textile News, Avery Dennison proposes to create labels made from 100% recycled PET bottles, recycled tickets and certified paper tags that carry Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.

Avery Dennison also proposes that their Heat Transfers, (the manner in which the label is imprinted), can be made 100% water-based and PVC free and “suitable for a broad range of applications including performance fabrics.”

For those of you who carelessly free them from your clothes for fear of being scratched all day, that means sustainable cutting.

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