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How to look pretty with Earth-friendly fashions
By Leigh Grogan -
lgrogan@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Story appeared in SCENE section, Page E1
If you're seeking to go green these days beyond the cleaning supplies and the hybrid cars, you don't have to look farther than your own closet.
Or, for that matter, beyond local stores, which are increasingly offering eco-friendly options – for everyone from women to babies – that are also oh-so stylish.
Want some pants made from plastic Coke bottles? They can go from work to evening in a snap when you dress them up with some jewelry of recycled gold and responsibly mined stones.
How about a softer-than-soft onesie for your infant made from natural cotton? And, oh heck, we'll even throw in an organic burp cloth.
Indeed, we went shopping at area stores to see what environmentally friendly ensembles we could put together, and the answer: Quite a few.
And while items didn't all come cheap, we found that prices were generally in line with products of comparable make or material.
Of course, you can shop online. Americans are expected to spend $43 billion a month, or more than $500 billion a year, for green products and services. (That's according to the 2007 ImagePower Green Brands Survey, released in the United States and Britain.)
Still, we prefer to let our legs do the walking instead of running our fingers across the keyboard. So pull on those recycled Keds and come along with us.
You won't believe how great an organic cotton tee can feel!
Keds supports Artists for Humanity with these artist-inspired shoes that have organic and recycled uppers and outsoles, and are dyed with water-based inks ($50); available at www.keds.com. Keds
Serendipity children's clothing organic blend wrap dress ($49) with matching short pants ($30); available at Wildflower Boutique. Whenifnotnow organic cotton onesie ($28); available at Serendipity Boutique. Renee Bonnafon / rbonnafon@sacbee.com
Green To Grow baby bottle that's free of bisphenol and phthalates (10-ounce bottle, $14); available at Wildflower Boutique. Renee Bonnafon / rbonnafon@sacbee.com
From Olivia Garden, the healthy hair ionic brush is made entirely of bamboo. Flyaways will be a thing of the past ($8.25 to $12.50); available at ULTA stores. Olivia Garden
From Suutra in India, an artisan-made cotton halter dress is woven into a myriad of colors ($90); available at Wildflower Boutique in Sacramento. Renee Bonnafon / rbonnafon@sacbee.com
Eco Lux bamboo and hemp cardigan sweater ($115) and Whenifnotnow organic cotton long-sleeve tee ($36); both available at Serendipity Boutique. Renee Bonnafon / rbonnafon@sacbee.com
Bhati Beads are handmade by designer Margaret Maggard and feature yoga and spiritual jewelry, including this bracelet ($45 and $70); available at Serendipity Boutique in Sacramento. Renee Bonnafon / rbonnafon@sacbee.com
Author Diane MacEachern's "Big Green Purse" (Avery, $17.95, 411 pages) offers many tips on how to go eco-friendly with your pocketbook, including tips on ways to make your makeup bag "green" and to spend your dollars in an environmental way.
From Aveda, organic Bulgarian lavender infuses the limited-edition Light the Way candle. During April, 100 percent of candle sales will go to Global Greengrants for clean water projects ($10); available in Aveda salons and at www.aveda.com. Aveda
From Darling, this springtime tote is made of cork, organic cotton and hemp. It's functional, too, with a zip closure. And it can be cleaned with a wet cloth and air-dried ($85); available at www.delight.com. Delight.com
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Eco Lux bamboo and hemp flutter-sleeve top ($120); available at Serendipity Boutique, 5362 H St. Moretrees cargo pants made from 77 percent hemp, 23 percent recycled plastic Coke bottles ($98); available at Wildflower Boutique. An Escama Studio handbag made from 100 percent recycled aluminum pull tabs ($88; available at Wildflower Boutique, 1126 18th St.). Renee Bonnafon / rbonnafon@sacbee.com
CELEBRATING THE PLANET
Earth Day is officially celebrated April 22, but the celebrations – locally – continue throughout the month. From Picnic Day at UC Davis to a Green Fashion Show in midtown, there's a lot to pick from:
• Second Saturday: In the midtown "grid," this weekend's Second Saturday will be dubbed "Green 2nd Sat." How green can it get? The Art Walk will feature gallery exhibits, green-theme art, green information booths, an awareness and fundraising campaign for ECOS (the Environmental Council of Sacramento) and an after party from 8 to 11 p.m. at 21st and K streets hosted by McMartin Realty. Need more info? Go to www.midtowngrid.com and print your own map to follow the day's activities.
• Fashion first: Several midtown boutiques and local designers will participate in a Green Fashion Show as part of Second Saturday. The show is from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bows and Arrows, 1712 L St. In addition to B&A, Wildflower Boutique, Olipom and Cuffs Urban Apparel will participate. Designers include Amy Hemmens, Lindsay Rickman, Lindsay Campbell, Trisha Rhomberg, Rachel Fowler, Jamaica Cole, Liz Liles, Jen Ayres and Jen Slater. Olivia Coelho, owner of Bows & Arrows and Olipom boutiques, says the models will walk at 7 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. Saturday. All the fashions are made from either recycled fabrics or organic cottons.
• Picnic Day: April 19 is the day to visit UC Davis and the city of Davis for the 94th annual Picnic Day. The event will start with a parade at 9 a.m., followed by a variety of exhibits and animal shows. For more information: www.picnicday.ucdavis.edu.
• Go to the park: Southside Park, 2107 Sixth St., is the setting for Sacramento Earthday from noon to 6 p.m. April 20. It'll be hosted by ECOS and will include Wildflower Weekend and "Build, Work, Live Green" tours of developments, community gardens and, of course, trees. For more information: www.sacramentoearthday.net.
– Leigh Grogan Reach her at (916) 321-1129
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