The Lazy Environmentalist » Green Fashion

Awesome Green Idea: Create Form-Fitted, Design-Forward Organic Cotton Underwear for Men and Women

Josh Dorfman — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:23:50 +0000

Going green can be a very personal journey. At times, it can also be pretty lonely when you look around and wonder why it’s taking so long for the rest of the world to catch on and catch up. So it’s important to have a lot of support. And that’s why I love PACT organic cotton underwear. There are plenty of styles to choose from, and the boxer briefs hug my bottom just right. When I put them on, there’s enough stretch for me to feel active and adventurous yet they’re still firm enough to hold everything comfortably in place. When I take them off, I get to show off the environment-inspired yet super mod designs. 10% of proceeds are donated to environmental causes. So not only is it easy and appealing to make a green choice first thing in the morning when I step into them, but it’s also a lazy and convenient way to give back to non-profit organizations that need the funds to pursue their missions. I’m a huge fan of everyday products like this that deliver on form, function, and environmental responsibility. Some may find the $20+ price points a bit steep. To me, when I think about how often I wear underwear – usually everyday – it seems worth the money.

The Classics 2.0 in Boxer Brief. A Lazy Environmentalist favorite.

Cute Winter Boots for Women – Warm, Waterproof & Eco

Chell Reister — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:36:37 +0000

Whether you’re tending the garden in NoCal, stomping Manhattan’s sidewalks, or meeting friends after a long day on the slopes, you’ll want to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Oh yeah, and they better be the cutest winter boots we women have ever seen too. Rest assured, I have you covered in top eco style. Our top three pics this year will do all of the above, it’s simply up to you to decide which you to be.

Maybe you spend all summer in strappy sandals with heels, and you’re willing to endure that pain to show off your beautifully tan legs. J41′s Naples boot has all the same appeal, pain-free. How do they do it? Who knows and who cares, but it’s a 2-3/4″ heel that feels like butter. And with all the European fashion sensibilities that it’s name implies, you needn’t postpone joy. With a partially recycled compressed rubber outsole you can wear these confidently through any conditions.

I defy you to find a better all-occasions winter boot than The North Face Nuptse Fur III. I defy you to slip on those knobby soles. I defy you to find a cold toe in that 100% recycled, waterproof upper and 600 fill down insulation. I even defy you not to smile when people compliment your boots.

If you’re less inclined to the high-style of boot and more inclined to the ever-so-cute-walk-all-day-style, look no further than the Patagonia Stubai Waterproof. “But Chell, it’s going to be 5 below zero on my Alaskan cruise” — no problem. Get yourself some thick socks and order up a half size. Just be sure to send me some pics of the polar bears and don’t hold back on the Alaska King Crab Legs. Do they say the “Alaska” in Alaskan King Crab Legs in Alaska? Let me know.

Best Mens Fleece Jackets and Tops for Fashionable Performancewear

Margaret Teich — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:55:40 +0000

Polar fleece — aka microfleece, aka micrafleece aka fleece — is an inherently eco-friendly fiber. Made from same material as Tupperware and bottle caps, fleece becomes fleece when the material, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), is heated up and manipulated. Polyester is also made from PET. But unlike polyester, fleece is plush, breathable, and uber warm. Here are five fleeces culled from REI, the best retailer for fleece option at all prices and styles.

The Muir Woods jacket ($45) has a nice nubby texture and is available in vibrant fall colors. Pair this 62% recycled fleece with a flannel or button down shirt and corduroys and voila.

North Face makes the most widely known fleece jackets on the market. In fact, it has become such as staple item in the winter for warmth and style, it is not uncommon to see anyone from fraternity brothers to urban kids wearing the Denali fleece ($165), which is made from 87% recycled PET.

A vest ($49.50) is a great layer item. Wear it under a rain jacket, blazer, or trench coat to add a bit of warmth on days when the wind is whipping. If you don’t “get it” with vests, just try owning one for a season or two.

If you remember the first years that fleece came into style as a fashionable/practical alternative to a wool sweater, you probably remember that they looked like this. And personally, I’ve never gotten sick of this old school style –snaps at the neck and all– because while it’s not a zip-up, it is a classic ($95).

This uber thin fleece top ($68) is honest to goodness the softest thing you’ll ever touch. But if that’s not enough for you, check out the cool thumb loops that will keep your hands warm when it’s chilly out.

Introducing Ecouterre: A new eco-fashion destination

Josh Dorfman — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:25:30 +0000

I want to congratulate my friend Jill Fehrenbacher and her new team for the launch of Ecouterre, a website dedicated to covering the fast evolving world of eco-fashion. Jill founded the green design blog Inhabitat, right about the time I launched LazyEnvironmentalist.com, so we’ve been tracking each other’s progress for a while. When I had my radio show on Sirius a couple of years ago, Jill was a frequent guest which gave us a chance to delve into topics such as 1) is there such a thing as a green design aesthetic? 2) will a green architectural aesthetic evolve over time as form and function unite in new ways to create buildings that truly function in balance with nature? 3) who really is on the cutting-edge of green design? (Jill always provides great examples).

Much of my job involves communicating the latest trends across the full spectrum of green living. In my books, I’ve covered everything from top eco-fashion brands to the best green building materials to great green baby products, eco-gadgets, natural funerals, eco-friendly personal care, green cleaning products, and much more. Along the way, I’ve relied on lots of resources including, of course, the blogosphere. As such, it’s been abundantly clear to me that a terrific blog dedicated to exclusively to covering eco-fashion is missing from the green scene. Thus, Ecouterre comes along at the right time with the right team (Jasmin Malik Chua, formerly of Treehugger, is the managing editor) to really shine and fill the void.

I’ll be checking the site daily especially as we pull together my environmental wardrobe to shoot season 2 of the Lazy E tv show!

Designer Maternity Dresses for the Green Mother-to-be

Marisa Belger — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:16:26 +0000

Sure, it was exciting (in an Alien-eqsue sort of way) to be growing another human being inside of me, but I found the most fascinating part of being pregnant to be my ever-morphing figure. As a woman who was always light on curves, I never quite tired of greeting that increasingly bodacious woman in the mirror each morning. Finally, I had boobs! I had a butt! And a basketball-sized stomach. But just because I appreciated my new shape, didn’t mean that I wanted to walk around looking like a house covered in an extremely large sheet. I had fashion standards that would not be compromised by impending mammahood.

I found most maternity clothes to be stodgy and unflattering—designed for conservative types who thought it was actually possible to hide the growing bowling ball under your shirt. (It’s not). But I also discovered that there are a handful of maternity designers out there who encourage a pregnant woman to tastefully show off her bump. And when they couldn’t be found, I choose non-maternity brands cut to accommodate an ever-expanding middle.

These are some of the preggy looks I’m digging right now:

Belabumbum understands a woman’s form whether she’s with child or not. For years I’ve tucked myself into the company’s luxurious underthings and am thrilled to find that they’ve got a solid maternity line as well. The Blossom Chemise ($71.50) is a flattering, hip way to get dressed without showing too much (or too little). Bamboo fabric—enhanced with a splash of spandex—helps to control moisture (i.e. sweat) and a crisscrossed bodice and back provides essential support.

The queen of maternity strikes again with an organic cotton take on the shift dress ($24.99). Liz Lange’s version of this classic cut provides enough room to stay comfortable all day while remaining pulled together for that second trimester lunch meeting or dinner date. And this one can be dressed up or down with a flashy accessory or a casual pair of shoes.

Outfit yourself with a couple of wrap dresses and you’ll make it through pregnancy without ever visiting the maternity section. Mission Playground’s Willow Dress ($64) will take you from your first glance at the pregnancy test (OMG!) to the day you give birth. Made entirely from organic cotton, this dress will expand with you.

Another non-maternity maternity item that will accompany you throughout pregnancy and across the finish line is a trusty tank tunic. Trinity’s tunic ($14.95) is made from 100 percent organic cotton and sits in a brilliant cut that looks as good on a woman in her 38th week of pregnancy as it does on someone slim and straight.

Designer Women’s Jeans – Skinny to Bootcut, Boyfriend to Wide Leg – Organic Cotton

Margaret Teich — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:09:46 +0000

Let’s make this clear; shopping for jeans can be one tough job. Not all pairs look equally flattering on different types of bodies. But trust, the right pair is out there for every shape. Here’s a list of the best eco-friendly denim for every shape.

Hello bootcut; the good lord’s gift to women of all shapes. This organic cotton Loomstate ($161) pair is super body friendly. The jeans should sit at the natural waist and maintain a fitted, not tight, leg. To further elongate the leg, there is a bit of extra length, which covers a heel or boot.

A fuller jean is a great option for a fuller woman. Jeans like these Loomstate organic cotton wide legs ($180) eliminate the too-tight jean effect whereby a leg can look like a sausage stuffed into the denim. A roomier fit means you are never at risk of having sausage legs. Be sure to pair the roomier jeans with a fitted top, and off you go.

Skinny jeans ($72), aka slim fit aka cigarette jeans are still in. However, they are tough to wear if you are of the sexy, curvy body type. If you are set on the skinny jean, make sure to find a pair with some stretch, and that can stay on the hip level. Also, balance a skinny jean, like this organic cotton pair by Element, with a fuller top and please PLEASE make sure they don’t show any crack when you bend down or sit.

The boyfriend jean ($154) is a fabulous, casual pant that says, “hey, I don’t take fashion too seriously.” The boyfriend jean, like these organic cotton Loomstate’s, are often ripped up and sized a bit bigger – as in, for you and your boyfriend to both wear and enjoy – so go ahead and mix them up with a dressier top.

Under Armour Recycled Athletic Clothing: Wear What The Pros Wear

Josh Dorfman — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:24:21 +0000

These are exciting times for the green movement. High-quality green products are surfacing at some of the largest and most mainstream retail stores in the country. Whether it’s the Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle available at Best Buy, the Honeywell Wind Turbine soon to be available at Ace Hardware this fall, or the wide selection of Amy’s Frozen Organic Dinners available at Ingles supermarkets here in Asheville, green products are surfacing in places where you wouldn’t have found them just one year ago. Recession be damned, the greening of industry continues apace.
Still, it come as a delightful surprise when scanning REI’s website last week, I discovered high-performance clothing from Under Armour made of 100% recycled polyester. I love Patagonia, and I’m a huge fan of Nau (in fact, I wear plenty of Nau clothing on a daily basis and when filming my television show), but when the gear that professional ball players wear is made of recycled materials, that strikes me as groundbreaking progress. Fortunately, we can all wear it now.

Under Armour Proximo T-Shirt ($30)

Under Armour Proxima Hoodie – Women’s ($45)

Under Armour Proximo Long-Sleeve T-Shirt ($35)

Mary Jane Shoes for your Inner Eco-Fashionista

Margaret Teich — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:44:58 +0000

Mary Jane shoes are a classic, comfortable shoe traditionally worn by younger girls in formal occasions (think black patent leather) and older women for a more casual look. The style is quite simple; a single strap – normally a buckle strap — over the instep or ankle and a rounded toe box. These five examples of sustainable Mary Jane shoes are all sweetness and range in fanciness and fabrication.

Instead of a pair of sneakers, try out a pair of super-casual super-comfy Mary Janes from Simple. Made with an organic cotton upper and a bamboo lining for wicking, no other shoe allows your inner child to be released while still being stylish, like these.

Here is a pair of a bit more formal Mary Janes – heels — from J-41, which is Chrysler’s shoe company. The outsoles are constructed with partially recycled rubber and the heel height is mellow enough for all of us comfort-seekers.

While the beautiful color options sure make these Patagonia Mary Janes special, (case in point: a truly gorgeous Bordeaux hue) the shape of these shoes are surprisingly fashionable. And wearable. Moreover, Patagonia’s eco-aware design uses standout stitching instead of toxic solvents to keep the shoe’s upper together and attached.

Super-basic yet sassy shape? Check. Groovy color options? Check. Eco-friendly recycled cork footbeds? Check. It looks like Keen has a winning combination with for this Sienna Mary Jane.

Made from flexible recycled rubber in an alternative energy powered factory in Brazil, Melissa shoes don’t disappoint. Just look at their Mary Jane: it’s freaking awesome! Bright color, shingy

Topo Ranch: Cowboy Shirts in Organic Cotton

Josh Dorfman — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:12:14 +0000

Last year while searching for eco-friendly men’s clothing to wear on my television show, I fortuitously stumbled into Topo Ranch’s storefront on Abbot Kinney BLVD in Venice, CA. At the time, I was trying to cultivate a fashion look for the show that we had dubbed “Urbiana Jones.” You know what I mean, Urbiana Jones is the urban adventurer, the fashion-forward (but not too far forward) man who always keeps his passport on him – just in case. The man who goes nowhere without his ultra-portable laptop. The man who admires other men who carry fishing rods and possibly hunting rifles instead of ultra-portable laptops, but knows deep inside that that will likely never be him. The man who looks comfortable heading off into the forest on a five-day camping trip to hike mountains and bathe in rivers but truly prefers to spend five days at a hip, boutique hotel kicking it poolside on the hotel’s roof.

That man is Urbiana Jones. And finding Urbiana Jones fashion in eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton is no easy task. Enter Topo Ranch, a company that at its core is precisely about proving that you can simultaneously look good and respect the planet at a respectable price point.

Here are my three favorite Topo Ranch shirts for the fall that I’m sporting around town. All three are made of 100% organic cotton. The fit is more refined and tailored than previous versions and the hand is outstanding.

Nolero Shirt (100% Organic Cotton) – $68

Late Night Weave Shirt (100% Organic Cotton) – $68

Boulder Shirt (100% Organic Cotton) – $68

Eco-Fashion Spotlight on Skirts: Metallic to Cotton and Pencil to Tulip

Margaret Teich — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:25:20 +0000

As the weather changes, the best investment piece a woman can have is a versatile skirt. In warmer weather, it keeps the bottom half of your body cool (both temperature and style-wise) then it easily transitions to a smart fall piece when worn with print or solid tights. A few no-nos to keep in mind are not too short (a finger tip test with your hands hanging by your sides is a good length for a min-skirt), no sweat suit skirts, and if you wear a print, make sure it flatters your body. In other words, if you are a bigger bottomed woman, look for a larger print that is proportional to the surface area it covers.

Duex FM’s Indigo skirt captures two major trends transitioning wardrobes into the fall and winter: a high waist and pencil shape. This 98% organic cotton skirt has a bit of spandex (2%) for added clutch and comfort, and makes every woman’s waist into the perfect hourglass shape.

A tulip skirt, like this one by Emily Katz, is a great way to dramatically play up volume on the bottom while streamlining the top. Pair this organic cotton version with a tube top or body hugging tank to rock the proportions just right.

Instead of slacks for a Sunday picnic, why not go with a skirt?! Ibex has created a 100% organic one that anchors most any top you can think to pair it with. So, get as creative and loud as you want with an unexpected blouse pairing and some funky jewelry.

Instead of a dress for your next cocktail party, find yourself the perfect skirt in a metallic color, like this bamboo blended Christin Michaels piece. Whether yours is in a shiny silver or perhaps a more subtle gunmetal color, the light will catch the separate just right and voila! A modern look that is yours and yours alone.

As far as comfort goes, you’d be hard pressed to beat this 100% organic cotton striped skirt by Pi. The wide elastic waist band cinches the otherwise loose fitting garment and should be worn at the navel or just a bit above for optimum style and fit.