Halloween is right around the corner friends. Don’t (like me) wait until All Hallow’s Eve to see what garments lurk deep in your’s closet archives that are funky enough to constitute a costume…and then end up as the Nerdy Catholic School Girl or 80′s something or other.

Thank the Internet, we have Rob Czar and Corinne Leigh of Threadbanger.com to inspire us with some inventive DIY costumes that can be made from recycled clothes, fabric spray, glue, and some serious gumption.

For those of us out there who are struggling with shabby coats from days gone by and are looking to invest in a coat that will be with you for many winters to come, this Top 5 is for you!

Grace & Cello’s “Lucia” recycled wool coat cuts a sophisticated line for women headed to the office or a mid-week cocktail party. Where does recycled wool come from, you may wonder. According to Grace & Cello’s Gerri Brightwell, “The wool in our coats is created by using roll ends, scraps and other pieces of fabric that normally fall to the cutting floor and are wasted. These scraps are reconstituted into the fabric that we use for our coats.” Made in Montreal, not only are these stunning pieces sustainably made, they are also 100% sweatshop-free. So feel good about Grace & Cello’s pattern makers, cutters, and sewers- Maryse, Angelo, Leo, Tony, Mrs. Anna and Cheng hope you like their clothing, too.

The City of Angels has turned out the most coveted coat of the season: The Battalion’s “Ali Cape.” Any woman of high style and sophistication would be hard pressed not to scrounge together the necessary funds for this de rigeur coat, even amidst the current economic downturn. (I could be projecting here.) A draped hood and scarf attaches to this dramatic and colorful cloak, creating layers of fabulosity to this cloak inspired by Ali McGraw’s classic look in the 70′s. This bank account bandit by the Wong sisters is made from bamboo and organic cotton, certified by Oeko-Tex. Even if you can’t feel good about the Ali Cape’s effect on your finances, you can feel great about supporting sustainable manufacturing and farming practices. I’m going to consider it a worthy investment…for your wardrobe and the world. (Okay, that’s pushing it, I realize. I just had to purchase a ticket on the justify train with this one.)

Launch Date: Fall 2006
Location of Headquarters: Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Location of Manufacturing: Halifax, NS and Vancouver, BC
Number of Staff: 1

Deep on the Canadian peninsula of Nova Scotia, Anna Gilkerson designs, cuts and sews deux fm (pronounced deux femmes).  Her mission is clear: Inspire ethical and environmental awareness by implementing sustainable action through innovative design. Well, luckily for all of us eco style fanatics, Anna’s “innovative design” does not sacrifice an ounce of sophistication in her pursuit of ecological responsibility. deux fm exudes a 1940′s-era romantic elegance, while serving you modern women’s business attire in recycled and sustainably harvested fibers. Ces deux femmes sont très chic et très vert!

I source from local used clothing outlets and store/factory close-outs. I also know a few vintage clothing dealers and I can get (in bulk sometimes) great vintage fabrics or home textiles.
I use my production scraps as well…Our recycled fabrics are often broken down from other garments that are not relevant to modernity. I love the fabrics I can get from some of the most hideous garments. I shop in the plus size section a lot so we can get more of the good stuff!

We source all of our products, fabrics, accessories, etc. in Canada- maybe about 2% in the US. We produce all of clothing in Canada. I support Canadian fabric suppliers because I want to cut down on fuel for travel and I like to support as local as possible. It is not possible that Canada manufactures fabric unfortunately. Our bamboo fabrics come either from South Korea or China but they are sourced from Canadian suppliers.

Deux fm is about sustainable trends. I know that sounds like an oxymoron but it really isn’t. I am very much inspired from vintage fashions (I grew up working in a vintage clothing store) and the days of the past. All of our collections are based on classic styles that never go out of fashion…Fall 2008 was really about the working woman. Almost every woman needs a great suit. I wanted the collection to be sexy and celebrate the woman’s body while still having a sort-of polite and ladylike feel. I called the collection “Pretty Rebel” as I was seeing structured black coming back in a big way, balanced with pale and muted feminine tones and textures.

Describe the piece of clothing in your own collection that you wear more than anything else?

Personally I am all about comfort. I live in my soft wool tees for fall, I will get a lot of wear out of the pants too. I live in the countryside so dressing up generally means a t-shirt and jeans.

I think it is happening!…Companies I would never have dreamed of joining the green movement are joining in droves. I think even the topmost executives at large clothing companies are realizing that this is really happening and if they want to stay current and on the cutting edge they must adapt.

What’s next for deux fm?

We are introducing an eco swimwear line for Spring 09 and we will be coming out with our new Resort 08/09 collection of recycled bikinis…We will also be attending either Pool or Project for the first time this winter so watch out for us there!

So you’re back on campus and in need of some essential school supplies-new shoes, a bag, a hot party ensemble? You’re sure that once you obtain these key study tools, your semester will go swimmingly. Well, Greenloop definitely has the ideal pieces to make you a better student (or at least just look like one.)

The Abalone Top by EcoSkin is perfect for a stud-filled study group, an afterschool cocktail hour, or blowing off academic traumas at the local nightclub. Made of eco fibers bamboo and tencel, the Abalone Top is sleek, sexy and sustainable. This hot little number from EcoSkin deserves to be matched with some very affordable organic cotton jeans from Good Society. Good Society denim is designed in Japan and made in India, which is one of the biggest hubs in the world for organic cotton. The two pieces together are sheer genius.

If clothes make the man, then shoes make the woman (happy). Rushing through the quad each day will call for kicks that are both cute and comfortable. These adorable strappy Toepaz flats by green design gurus Simple Shoes are made of hemp, recycled tires, and bamboo. Dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down, these vegan zapatos are gonna make your studymates green with envy. Oh darn.

Clearly your new mountain of scholarly tomes is going to require a bag strong enough to handle the weight and cool enough to erase the overloaded-with-books dork factor. What could be more perfect than the Vy & Elle “Bookman”? This utilitarian messenger bag gets points for both convenience and cool. It features pockets-within-pockets to help organize all your school supplies, and each Bookman sports one-of-a-kind graphics. Vy & Elle produces their entire line from recycled PVC billboards, upcycling material headed for the landfill and transforming it into wearable art. Pretty smart. In the case of sustainable design, fashion may indeed inspire academic greatness…Or it could just make you feel more enthusiastic about actually attending class.

Greenloop stocks the best of the best in eco fashion on the web and now’s your chance to enjoy the sustainable style revolution for less! Greenloop’s Annual Summer Sale is happening now through July 20th, and it is one of the best times of year to get in on our incredible selection of eco chic organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and recycled clothing. Save up to 70% on some of the best ethical style and eco accessory brands around…Stewart+Brown, Loomstate, Edun, Peligrosa, Habitude, Vy & Elle, Jack & Marjorie, Toggery, Del Forte, Pi Organics, Linda Loudermilk and so many more. We will be adding new items all week long, so shop early for the best selection!