Green Your Closet 2008: Cheap And So Eco Chic

A lot of eco-conscious fashion mavens complain that they just can’t make the switch to ethical fashion based simply on the fact that the garments are too damn expensive. Well, now that organic cotton is showing up everywhere from H & M to Target to Wal-Mart, and eco fashion stalwarts like Greenloop are hosting incredible sales, finding affordable styles isn’t a problem any more. In this addition of Green Your Closet 2008, we’ll give you some easy-to-find and financially realistic eco fashion options. Finally!

Vintage Value

There is absolutely nothing like finding a Marc Jacobs riding jacket for $40 or a Diane Von Furstenburg wrapdress circa 1977 for $100 that no one at your local consignment store seems to realize is worth a mint on eBay. The experience is truly exhilarating. What fashionista on a budget would not thrill at having the greatest names in fashion hanging in his or her closet?

Designer labels aside, there are tons of treasures waiting for you at your neighborhood thrift store, consignment shop, or Buffalo Exchange. Buying used clothing is the top way to put the eco into fashion and the bargain into shopping. Not only do vintage pieces push the style envelope, it’s also worth noting that if a piece has lasted thirty plus years without falling apart, it probably has a much longer lifespan than something from H&M. Ask around town for the best vintage spots and you may just stumble across bargain shopping goldmines that were right under your nose the whole time.

Eco Fashion Finds

Greenloop is not only the best eco fashion online store around (okay, I’m completely biased-it’s true), but owner Aysia Wright keep the Sale section of the online store poppin’ with incredible deals on eco-luxe lines like Anna Cohen, Stewart + Brown, Carol Young, and Loyale from 30-50% off.

White Apricot is completely devoted to providing coupons for eco fashion and beauty lines for 15-30% off. If you are a super bargain hunter, consider subscribing to the White Apricot email newsletter to receive special offers that are not available to regular viewers of the site. The people behind White Apricot are absolute gems, and are always looking to get you the best deal out there.

Mainstream Green

Levi Strauss and Co. has been manufacturing organic cotton jeans since the Fall of 2006. The Levi’s Eco line has grown to include 7 jean styles in multiple colors, a mini-skirt, and a denim jacket. The Women’s line ranges from $48-78, but right now the jacket is $49, the skirt is $39, and some of the jeans are as low as $29. The Levi’s Eco Men’s line carries two styles of jean, at full price, only $68. It’s wonderful to see the OG of the denim world create classics that preserve the pristine nature that those original cowboys, who made denim pants popular, got to see every day on the range.

Target is starting to show signs of interest in sustainability…just barely. Rogan For Target (Rogan Gregory is the eco fashion demigod behind Loomstate and Edun) was released last month and offers a wide variety of organic cotton pieces for $16.99-$49.99. Make sure to read the fine print on the descriptions though! Some of the garments are sadly still being made of petroleum-based polyester. Sad, Rogan, sad. Bad, Target, bad. Even eco fashionistas want justice! Be sure to call Target and tell them you do not want to be misled about eco fashion choices at (800) 440-0680..make sure to follow the prompts regarding merchandise on the online store. The call took me just under three minutes. If you do still want to enjoy the incredible organic cotton pieces from Rogan For Target, read the details and buy only the pieces made of 100% organic cotton.

If you’re willing to dig through a bit of clothing and controversy, there are many options out there for the bargain-hunting eco fashionista. Enjoy.

Let us know where you find your green style steals in the Comments section of this post!