Chic (finally) eco-friendly handbags
Posted
Friday, March 21, 2008 8:42 PM
Even though I’m pretty obsessive (some would probably say crazed) about using only eco-friendly products and materials in my home, I definitely haven’t earned any green credentials with my fashion and clothing choices. I just haven’t found many eco-friendly fashion brands that are both cute and affordable. I’ll pay more for green clothes if they’re stylish, and might buy some not-so-cute ones if they’re at least cheap, but clearly nobody’s going to pay more for unflattering clothes just because they’re better for the planet. And when I see that a place like the Gap has a crop of really nice spring blouses (which they do right now, btw) for under $40 each I just can’t resist scooping up a few, even though they’re made of non-organic cotton and shipped here from the other side of the globe. Until now I’ve mostly found that the only fashion category with great green options is baby stuff—there are heaps of cute onesies and footies and tiny sweaters made of organic cotton and wool.
But I recently made an eco-friendly fashion purchase that I’m thrilled about: One of the bags from Stella McCartney’s new line for LeSportSac. It’s stylish, super-sturdy and made of recycled polyester (although I’m no vegan, it is nice to avoid leather when you can, both for the earth’s and the cows’ sakes). I bought the Everyday Tote to use as a diaper bag, and am loving all of its pockets and zippered compartments and bottle holders. (I now have two kids in diapers and not just any diaper bag can handle the four million things I need to bring with me every time I step outside.) But this bag would also be great for a student or a busy working girl or anybody who tends to tote half her life with her everywhere she goes.
I also saw that American Apparel is making organic cotton tee shirts in a variety of colors. They’ve been doing organic cotton for a while now, but it used to only come in that super-blah off-white hue (the style price you pay for an item not processed with a lot of bleach I guess). I plan to buy a few soon since the price is right ($15) and they look like they could score on the style front too.