From the obvious respect for the power of the ocean to the unexpected encounters with mystical marine life, surfing binds its brave participants to the rhythms and whims of Mother Nature. If you’re a surfer, or plan to pop your cherry take some surf lessons in Summer 2009, then you might be ready to take on protecting the ocean in the same passionate way you ride it. Make a positive difference to the coral, fish, mammals, plants, and the planet at large by making more sustainable choices with your gear.

1 Green Your Gear

Eco surf supply superstars Wave Tribe out of SoCal produce surf bags, leashes, and surfboard “socks” out of hemp and recycled PET, as well as organic cotton tees. Sick sustainable surfboards are made by visionary companies like Imagine Eco and Eden Project. Imagine using linseed oil instead of petroleum to make a surfboard. Aw yeh. Then there’s sustainably-made wetsuits from recycled plastic by Billabong. The biodegradable corn fiber suits by Body Glove use non-toxic inks, reclaimed zippers, and even post-consumer recycled hang tags.

You can get to and from the beach in the ultimate FSC-certified rubber flip flops from the fine folks at Autonomie Project, or try the recycled tire flip flops from Splaff. Da Kine has the Project Blue backpack which they donate $2 of each sale to the Surfrider Foundation to fund coastline protection initiatives worldwide. Not only that, it’s made from recycled plastic bottles, diverting plastic from the waste stream, which shockingly often heads right to the ocean.

Last but not least, make sure you have some eco board shorts made of recycled PET, a pretty decent selection of which can be found at Swell.com and Dogfunk.com. And then there’s always another way of looking at recycled board shorts…

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One man’s trash is another man’s treasure  in the world of fashion these days. Due to the growing awareness of the planet’s limited resources and the encroaching recession, Americans are reusing clothing more than ever. From high end fashion designers incorporating fine antique fabrics into their frocks or frugal shoppers searching out affordable well made clothing (when was the last time you saw those four words in a row), vintage is becoming de rigeur once again.

As droves of designers become hip to their significant impact on the environment, they are on the lookout for vintage, surplus, and reclaimed fabrics. One of the most polished couturiers using vintage fabrics today is LA-based Deborah Lindquist. She is able to recycle cashmere sweaters into runway-ready creations, fit with iconic handcut appliqúes, original antique beadwork, and bohemian chic for days. Deborah’s Fall ‘09 collection is dubbed Goth Girl Goes To The Country, and she weaves everything from vintage kimonos to scarves to wool skirts into stunning wedding gowns, corsets, and prêt-è-porter separates.

Aside from Deborah Lindquist, there’s a handful of vintage vixens throughout LA, but most of them are owners of infamous vintage shops like Wasteland and Resurrection. Alas though, when it comes to vintage shopping, barring the celebrity clientele thrifting on Melrose and Hollywood Boulevard, LA simply can’t compare to her northerly neighbor of Portland, Oregon. There are more thrift shops per capita here than any other place in the US. And the woman you need to show you the best spots in town? Lulu.

Lulu, aka Anne Weiland, keeps thrifty shoppers in the loop with her comprehensive guide ShopVintagePortland.com. She recently explained to Eva Wiseman of The Guardian UK, “Vintage fashion is huge in Portland,” Lulu says, “because there are so many creative people who move here for the music and arts scene, lots of artists, and designers and fanzine makers, lots of people who have transplanted from New York to find a more mellow pace of life. Plus the eco thing is so important here. People want to reduce, reuse and recycle, and by buying vintage they are doing their part for the environment.”

Can I get a “hallelujah, finally”?!

Hippie dudes have not always been known for their incredible fashion sense. All that has changed over the past several years, as style conscious folks have embraced conscious style. A perfect example are these gorgeous male models turned model citizens, as they show off the latest and greatest organic cotton tees for Summer. “Treehugging hippies” suddenly sounds like a good thing.

1 California Rising Lion Zion T-Shirt

If this is what the lions of Zion look like, then throw me to ‘em! Ahem. Let me get control of myself. I mean-this fierce new design for summer by California Rising is made from 100% organic Supima cotton. This fine piece of work is made right here in LA, and coincidentally so is the t-shirt. The winged graphic is straight from the Rastafarian Coat of Arms. Bless up!

2 Loomstate Use Your Illusion T-Shirt

Use Your Illusion from Loomstate is a bright soft orange tee that will help any young eco-conscious stud stand out from the crowd, not that he’d have much trouble doing that on his own. This organic cotton t-shirt is light weight and has a vintage feel to it. Loomstate likes to mix it up with their intentionally twisted side seams, so if it’s a gift, make sure they know that the seams were sewn crooked on purpose (by some very nice Peruvians.)

3 Loomstate Peace Off

Now this stylin’ green shirt from Loomstate makes a huge statement without saying a word….though deciding exactly which statement is a little challenging. Peace? Two? Victory? The other V Word? Oh lord. Regardless of how it gets interpreted, the women in your life are not going to have a problem with any of the possibilities, especially when they realize that the entire ecosystem of the farm where this organic cotton t-shirt originated from is healthier and free of toxic chemicals, partially  due to your wise purchasing decision. You get all that from a shirt? Yes.

4 California Rising Ghandi T-Shirt

This beautiful depiction of Gandhi bespeaks a pure message of non-violent action and henceforth, is also an undeniable chick magnet. “You Must Be The Change You Want To See In The World” translates in single people terms as “If you want a piece of this, you better snap me up before I’m gone.” (The exact translation may vary from person to person. Psychology is not an exact science here at In The Loop.) California Rising t-shirts are made by organic cotton enthusiasts in LA.

Still haven’t gotten your Mommy a gift quite yet? Me neither. Here’s some incredible choices I’ve come across in my search…Finally everyone will be able to benefit from my mother’s lack of excitement over my past gifts to her, as I have searched far and wide to find the perfect something. Now we just have to decide. Let’s get to it!

Flying Bird Botanicals Mama Rub

The ulimate gift for expecting Moms, Mama Rub by Flying Bird Botanicals is a delicious blend of organic and fair trade oils, butters, and botanicals designed to keep her tummy soft and supple as it grows in pregnancy. The delectable combination of cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil give off a chocolatey coconut aroma while softening skin and improving elasticity. Liberally applying this oil could provide the perfect daily ritual for helping an expectant Papa feel useful. Four ounces for $16 on Etsy.com.

Aster + Sage Eyeglass Case

Does your Mom have reading glasses? Then check out this chic and modern eyeglass case from Aster + Sage made from reclaimed fabric scraps and soda bottles. The case is padded with a cotton lining to protect her glasses from scratching. There’s also a super convenient little strap for your Mom to attach it to the inside of her purse or laptop bag, so she won’t lose them…at least, not as much. Measures 3.25″ x 6.5″ and is only $27 at Greenloop.

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Since Spring has sprung, it’s time to dig out those fresh whites and put together a super clean look befitting the season. This eco fashion editor is jockeying for some key pieces to complete her looks for April 09 from some of her absolute favorite designers. (I must have Spring fever or something ’cause I’m talkin’ in the third person. Scary.) Okay moving on…

Sublet has once again produced one of the sweetest tops on the face of the Earth. (No spaghetti-eating is gonna happen in this lily white piece!) The “Becca” top is one favorite you’ll want to keep it crisp and fresh all season long. The Allison dress is another romanticly chic piece by Sublet that will make you feel like a million dollars every time you’re in it.

Canopy Verde is becoming famous for their posh baggery, like this quilted Chicory Hobo made of organic cotton and bamboo with eco dyes and chrome-free leather. An absolute must for polo matches, lunching with the ladies, or shopping on Rodeo…or stopping for Pinkberry on the way to H & M. Different strokes for different folks, people.

Nixxi out of Vancouver, Canada is a great line for the ultimate basics. Classic styles with especially well-executed cuts make their simple soy/cotton blend tops the perfect layer for the most stylish eco fashionistas, like this Boatneck Lounge Top with flared sleeves.

Autonomie Project is one of the most ethical shoe brands that exists. (FSC-certified rubber soles, organic cotton canvas, AZO-free dyes, 100% vegan, and fair wages are paid to all AP’s workers.) Not only that, but they make classic white canvas hightops called Ethletics that you can rock just as they are or DIY your way to some fly custom sneaks!

Nahui Ollin is a handbag line that weaves misprinted candy wrappers and soda bottle labels into sophisticated clutches and totes for city folks. The Moonlite Letters bag is a perfect conversation piece for a first date or Spring cocktail party.

I Love Trees by Project GreenLabel

This “I Love Trees” t-shirt is an obvious choice for today’s Top Three. Made with ringspun 100% organic cotton jersey, this shirt expresses everything a shameless treehugger could want without saying a single word-Perfect for those days that you are practicing walking meditation or just want to bark (couldn’t help myself) your love of trees to all the last anti-nature neocons that might still be lurking about your office or suburban community clubhouse. Obama is here for at least four years people, so all the Drill Baby Drill, whale meat-eating, redwood TP-using treekillers can go stick it! (Again, I just can’t leave this tree humor alone. I apologize…I need to branch out.) I sense this is the only time in my journalistic career where I might  share one of my favorite jokes from childhood (read: last year). What’s brown and sticky? …A stick.

Madelaine Top by Kate Organic

With its creamy layered ruffles made of organic cotton voile, this “Madelaine Top” by Kate Organic is both romantic and sophisticated. Kate and her partner Henry care for the environment in a deep and authentic way. Kate’s incredible design abilities match Henry’s passion for environmental activism perfectly. Through their partnership with Trees for the Future, a tree is planted for every garment sold. Trees for the Future has been initiating agroforestry programs all over the world since 1989. These former Peace Corps members not only plant trees, they integrate agriculture, trees, people, and animals in the same space, resulting in improved soil quality, higher yields, and improved standards of living. Turns out this little top has quite a ripple effect.

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TOMS Shoes introduced the world to the One-For-One business model back in early 2006. For every pair of shoes they sold, one pair would be given to a child in need. Some called it simply genius, others called it fiscal suicide. Over the past three years, TOMS has given over 100,000 pairs of shoes to kids in Argentina, South Africa, and Mississippi. Not only have TOMS canvas slip-ons become quite trendy, but it seems the One-For-One methodology has caught on as well.

Element Skateboards has just launched a collaboration with TOMS. For every TOMS co-branded skateboard they sell, one board will be given to a kid at the Indigo Skate Camp near Durban, South Africa. Skateboarding gives the kids at Indigo a positive activity to revolve around; much needed for those living in the midst of one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

A few weeks ago in Venice, CA, there was a quaint little party at the TOMS “pop-up” store on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Hipsters, skaters, locals, and staff drank beer, talked skating, browsed shoes, and rocked out to one of LA’s finest deejays, Mr. Alfred Hawkins. Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS, and President of Element, Johnny Schillereff, got up to speak about how the partnership came to be, while the half drunken crowd of do-gooders whistled and catcalled their favorite heros of conscious commerce.

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I heart Broccoli City. Finally some urban designers are pumping out fresh designs on 100% organic cotton. With a little bit of bling and a whole lot of (healthy) flavor, Broccoli City has successfully married funk to eco-fashion. By using water-based inks and organic cotton to make their shirts, BC cares not just for fly design, but for the health of the cotton farmers, local residents, land, and surrounding wildlife effected by agriculture. Add positive messaging for both men (Strap Up) and women (Who Loves Me More Than Me) to BC’s high style and eco-consciousness, and you’ve got street fashion’s newest triple threat.

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