Eco Friendly Product Guide

One of the best things about the green movement is that it is inspiring people to think in different ways and innovate.  Take, for example, this eco plastic belt made in India.  The company that makes them has patented a process for converted those nasty polythene plastic bags into handmade recycled plastic that can be used in the construction of all kinds of things.  It is water-resistant, stain-resistant, and attractive.

Even better is that the eco plastic belt is made in an ethical factory which provides gainful, fair-wage employement to impoverished individuals in India.  You look far more fashionable when your outfits are comprised of items that are not made from other people’s misery.

Buy this adorable eco plastic belt online at Karma Market for $25.00.

Have you had a chance to wear Bamboo yet?  Soft as silk and made from one of the most sustainable fibers on earth, bamboo is now being made into everything from hand towels to haute couture.  This EcoSkin dress is an excellent use of bamboo for a spring/summer ensemble.  Perfect for an afternoon event it combines sumptuous fabric with beautiful blue and white hues.  It is made in the U.S., which means high-quality, ethical workmanship and careful design.  You can purchase the EcoSkin Sassafrass dress in a range of sizes from Gretchen & Grace for $172.

Sure, you know that reusable shopping bags are great for the environment.  But they are also becoming a major fashion statement.  All kinds of artists and designers have taken to creating hot new styles which have become a status symbol among the shopping elite.

A perfect example are these Spring in New York bags from RuMe.  Inspired by the most prestigious New York locations, the set of three comes with one each of the blue “Hamptons”, green “Greenwich” and orange “5th Avenue” bags.  Additional features include:

• individual bag size 15.5” x 15.5” x 4”
• handles are 11.5” long
• three bags roll up to 6” x 2” x 3”
• each bag holds more than 50lbs*
• water resistant/machine washable
• double stitched seams
• square sides and bottom
• made in a South Korean Fair Trade Factory

You can get this chic (and green) set of reusable Spring in New York bags on the RuMe website for $29.85, or buy them individually for $9.95 each.

If you are one of the people who is constantly looking for eco-friendly fashion to coincide with your eco-friendly lifestyle, here is a cool product for you.

We are well aware of hemp being a natural resource, and many environmentally sustainable products made from the material. Over at Greenhome.com, you can find some hemp watchbands that are durable, have double stitched seams, and are grown sans the use of dangerous pesticides.

Switch those watch faces out on some new wristbands, and add a little style to your life. You can do it all in a green manner as well.

A handbag is an important accessory to have. As many will tell you, one can never have too many purses. There are ones to go with different outfits, ones for different occasions and handbags that were simply impulse buys while you are walking around the store.

In keeping of the tradition of unique bags, there is also one that is made from recycled material, and looks really cute, too. The Hand Bag available from Chopstick Art is (as the name may lead you to believe) made from recycled chopsticks. In addition, the lining and strap are both made from hemp, making this bag a nice, eco-friendly way to carry all your stuff.

This bag available from Chopstickart.com will only set you back $32, which is a small fraction of the price of some of the purses you see being carried around these days.

The French are no strangers to style and fashion. So when you combine a french designer with some organic cotton, you end up with a knockout pair of jeans…not to mention ones that you can feel great about wearing as well.

Dyed with real indigo, this dark wash “Martingala” jean has a signature “M” embroidered on the back pockets that have a buttoned flap, much like the non-organic True Religion jeans we’re used to seeing here in the States.

If you are looking for designer and eco-friendly jeans, this is a surefire bet. Might as well look good while trying to save the world at the same time.

Available through the people over at The Oko Box, the Organic Martingala Jeans are certainly not cheap, they run about $145 a pair. However, if you are a fan of designer clothing, this price isn’t too off the radar. You can also shop at the designer’s website, http://www.machja.com. Keep in mind the prices on machja.com are all in European currency, not American.

More than just handbag fashion, the Coupe Handbag is made from 100% recycled tire inner-tube.

This product is eco-friendly simply for that reason: it is made entirely of recycled material. What a great idea, turn those old truck inner tubes into a fashion statement! As is any handbag, it’s perfect for holding all of your valuables/products of interest when you hit the town for the evening. In addition, it’s got a bold look to it.

The Coupe costs $115.99, and is another environmentally happy product that you can add to your wardrobe.

I can remember the Simple Shoe Company starting out when I was a kid. We were skaters, and it seemed like a great idea to have another skate shoe on the market. Since then, the Simple Shoe Company has stepped up it’s game considerably. They have come out with the Green Toe Shoe Line, which is very eco-friendly and is a perfect way to keep your wardrobe stylish, while still doing something good for the environment.

One shoe in particular that comes to mind is the Men’s Toemorrow. This stylish shoe is made from washed organic cotton and linen uppers, has bamboo linings, uses water based chemicals, has 100% post consumer recycled paper pulp foot forms, and jute shoe laces!

Lots of information is available on the website relating to Simple’s commitment to creating eco-friendly, green products. Have a look around, chances are there is a shoe that will be exactly what you are looking for.

The shoes are $90 a pair, and come in a variety of colors.

There are other styles offered by simple as well, for both Women and Men.

Fair Indigo hits a home run with their Organic Authentic Fit Jean. Not only are the jeans made from organic materials, but they also adhere to Fair Trade standards. Way to go, guys.

The straight, easy fit of these jeans will work for some, but depending on your style, these may be a little close to what some of us like to call “dad jeans.” However, not to be discouraged, if the style isn’t for you, you could always buy them for Dad on Father’s day, or even his birthday. This way, everyone wins.

There’s a wide array of stuff available at FairIndigo.com, so feel free to cruise on over there and give it a look. There are plenty of stylish, eco-friendly products that adhere to Fair Trade guidelines. Happy shopping!

These earth friendly jeans are also reasonably priced, at $69. The pop will be proud of this purchase!

I am here today to tell you what a billboard clutch is, in case you do not know.

Perhaps you think it is related to the clutch of an automobile. Perhaps you think it is related to the billboards that are to be seen from the highways and byways of our great land. On both counts you would be wrong.

In fact a billboard clutch is a sort of flat handbag or underarm fanny pack constructed from a recycled movie poster.

No, really it is.

Now showing at an armpit near you

You may well ask if your new billboard clutch is going to smell of popcorn and movie-houses. I really could not say. The best would be to purchase one of these “repurposed, true one-of-a-kind” items with a “detachable wristlet” (next lesson: what is a wristlet?) in which you can safely store your “lipstick, cash, keys, phone, cards” and, of course, your movie ticket, and find out for yourself.

For something as unique and creative as a 12in. x 6in. Billboard Clutch you are going to have to invest a goodly sum.

Natural Territory is asking $52 for just one of these American beauties.