Conscious Chic: Fashion for a Purpose

The eco-friendly trend is constantly being shoved down our throats. With reusable bags at every grocery store and recycling bins around every corner, we cannot get away from being eco-friendly. I am all for the environment: I am a frequent Whole Foods shopper, and I love anything organic and spiritual. I get this from my father, who you could say is kind of a 21^st century hippie. While it is easy to be eco-friendly by using reusable bags at the grocery store, by buying locally grown organic food, and by recycling, it often isn’t easy to dress eco-friendly. And I will forewarn you, it isn’t cheap either. But if you are concerned with the environment enough to buy organic clothing, you don’t have to look like a 1960s hippie. Forget the hemp cargo pants, the rope sandals, and the tie-dye. There are plenty of choices out there in the fashion world that are environmentally friendly and still chic. You don’t have to look like you just left Woodstock to let everyone know that you are environmentally aware. Just let your clothes do it (in a subtle way) for you.
 
H&M is not only about bringing you chic but affordable fashion, they are also all about the environment. Just recently, H&M released the Conscious Collection which uses greener materials in its fabrics to bring the customer a more sustainable option when they are buying new clothes. Check out these few pieces from the collection that I adore.

This Blouse comes in a simple beige color but has enough detail so it’s not just a plain, boring top. At $29.95, this top features cuffed sleeves and great pleats around the neck. Wear with a skirt like the model above, or pair it with your favorite jeans for the perfect eco-friendly chic look.

Usually when you think of eco-friendly fashion you think of plain colors, but I love that this Blazer ($99.00) has great details that add a little bit of shine to this piece. Pair with matching slacks like the model or plain black pants for the perfect business casual look.

Don’t know what to wear to the next family gathering? This Dress ($79.95) features organic cotton lace and is perfect for when you have to dress up, but you can’t wear what you would wear to the club. With a modest length and ¾ sleeves, this dress is a great eco-friendly choice for your wardrobe.
 
If you haven’t heard of TOMS, then you probably don’t go to UCF. Literally everyone has a pair. I have a classic olive green pair that I wear almost every day. TOMS was founded by Black Mycoskie who started the One for One movement. For every pair of shoes TOMS sells, the company gives a pair to a child in need in a developing country. Just recently, the company added sunglasses to its collection, and now they give glasses to children who need them for every pair of sunglasses they sell. Check out these great shoes and sunglasses from TOMS.

The next pair of TOMS I buy will definitely be a red pair, and I LOVE the striped detail on these. The University Red Rope Sole Women’s Classics ($54.00) are great when worn with jeans, shorts, or just about anything.

I had no idea TOMS sold wedges until I was looking at the website to write this article. At first I didn’t think they were cute, but the more I looked, the more I fell in love. I love this Ash Canvas Women’s Wedge. I love the color, and I adore the braided detail.

Here in Florida, I think everyone should invest in a pair of good sunglasses. And since the purchase of these will also give a pair of glasses to a child in need, TOMS sunglasses would be the perfect choice. The Classic 201 starts at a steep $135, but are a perfect alternative to your Ray-Bans.
 
You’ve probably seen Gaiam products at Target. They are mostly known for their yoga mats and their sustainable fitness clothing. However, on the website they have great eco-friendly sweaters, dresses, and pants. The name Gaiam is a combination of the words “Gaia” and “I am.” Gaia was what the Minoan civilization called mother Earth. The Minoan believed that the Earth was directly connected to their existence. Honor mother Earth by trying these great pieces found at Gaiam.com.

This Pointelle Knit Sweater (on sale for $99.00) is great for the Fall/Winter seasons. It comes in this great teal color that I love, but it also comes in black, cypress, and purple. Wear with plain yoga pants and a comfy t-shirt for a great Monday morning look, or wear with jeans and a plain white top to dress it up for a great sustainable look.

I love this Organic Cotton Woven Bib Front Tunic ($64.00). Wear with jeans and flats for a comfy but chic campus look, or dress it up by tucking it into a high-waisted skirt. The tuxedo details add an unexpected detail to this chic sustainable top.

This is a great sustainable choice for your little black dress. This Ruffle Neck Sheath ($148.00) has a great scoop neck and can be dressed up with heels or worn with leggings like the model above for a more casual approach. Everyone needs a LBD, and this is a perfect eco-friendly option.
 
Forget about the sixties whenever you think of eco-friendly clothing. Plenty of alternatives are out there that are sustainable, but still trendy and chic. Look around for other websites, but these were a few of my favorites that I found. If you don’t want to buy brand new clothes, check out your local thrift/vintage stores. Reusing clothes is just as eco-friendly as buying something that was made using sustainable practices. Sometimes you’ll be surprised by what you find. Don’t channel the sixties (or do, but be careful) when you’re thinking about eco-friendly fashion. Try these chic sustainable designs for a great, fashionable way to help the environment.