ECO-FRIENDLY VERSIONS OF THIS FALL’S HOTTEST TRENDS

We scoured the fashion runways of New York, London, Paris, and Milan (unfortunately, via the internet only) to find the hottest fall, eco-friendly fashion trends for the whole family.  Many well-known, high end designers like Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Armani recognize the importance of an eco-conscious and are now producing “eco” clothing lines made of natural fabrics that are non-toxic and less polluting in their production.  We’re not talking the ‘organic’, shapeless, beige dresses and tops of old school eco clothing.  No!  We found designers that deliver high quality and style to keep you on trend for this season and beyond.  Sound good?  Read on earth-loving fashionistas –

The Varsity Jacket

We all know that one of the best ways to ‘go green’ is to reuse so why not apply this to one of the biggest fashion trends of the season – The Varsity Jacket!  Don’t have this in your closet anymore guys and girls? – no worries.  We found several on etsy and at nearly every re-sale store in our neighborhood.  Discontinued sport apparel providers and your parents/grand-parents closets are also great options!

FASHION ALERT:  two-tone ‘oxfords’ (aka saddle shoes) are in again too but before you start “rockin’ around the clock” – the Twist is not.

Reuse not your thing?  If you must go with a new version, we found a beautiful choice at Amour Vert.  The Herringbone Art Jacket ($180, San Francisco, CA), made of organic cotton, is a timeless piece with a modern take on the classic.

Sporty Brights

Pair your jacket with the next hot fashion trend – Sporty Brights.  We were thrilled to find a budget friendly option (for the entire family) from mass retailer, H&M.  Their ‘Conscious Collection’ ($7.95-$129, imported) contains key fashion pieces, each made with materials that are more sustainable, such as organic cotton, hemp, recycled wool, and Tencel®, a fiber made from wood pulp.  The collection has also been manufactured with minimal water waste and low energy consumption.

FASHION ALERT:  H&M recently launched their first ethical Denim Collection on October 2, 2014, featuring indigo jumpsuits, basic shirts, and high-waisted skinny and boyfriend jeans.  For men, the line will offer jackets, coats and pants and kids can choose between jeans and eco-friendly overalls.

Funky Fringe

We love the fringe for a playful casual or more sophisticated party look!  However, we found a limited number of eco conscious designers that embraced this trend.  A few pieces were spotted from Marcia Patmos (formerly Lutz & Patmos) like the Fringe Cardigan ($595 New York, NY).  She uses eco-friendly material such as faux fur made from wool and alpaca and vegetable tanned leather, proving that green fashion can look extremely luxe.  The brand also employs handwork techniques from women’s artisan collectives in Nepal and Bolivia, as well as zero-waste seamless knitting technology from Japan.

High prices bringing you down?

Here’s another opportunity to reuse/repurpose your old skirts or dresses into this trendy look.  Check out the link at ‘p.s. I Made This’ to DIY your own fringe skirt.  Works great with faux suede and leather!

Fur and Shearling Collar Coats

Fur and shearling collared coats are EVERYWHERE at all price points.  Unfortunately, eco-friendly varieties are tough to find.  If you’re looking for the BIG splurge item of the season, we found the Volcanic Coat ($895 New York, NY) from Titania Inglis, a ‘lush minimalist’, eco-friendly designer.  This cozy, mid-length winter coat in salt-and-pepper tweed has an Icelandic sheepskin-lined collar and hidden front pockets.  Each fur collar is unique due to the natural markings of the sheep and is removable for cleaning.  Fabric is 100% dead stock wool from the NYC garment district, trimmed with eco-tanned Icelandic sheepskin.

Is this not in your budget? 

Check out H&M’s fitted Wool-blend Jacket ($80 Imported) or Wool-blend (knee-length) Coat ($99 Imported) made from recycled wool and faux fur collar.

Bulky Knit Sweaters

Just in time for the cold, bulky sweaters are back!  Michael Kors, The Row (Olson Twins), Marc Jacobs, and others featured this look for the fall but none offered eco options.

However, we found Blue Canoe’s (made in the USA) Marled Turtleneck Sweater ($130 San Francisco, CA).  This offers a relaxed, figure flattering fit for all sizes.  Made from GOTS certified organic cotton grown without herbicides and pesticides using only natural fertilizers.  And, sustainable clothing favorite for over two decades, Prana offers the Lucia Sweater – a recycled wool-blend ($129, Imported).

(Note: only textiles that are free from synthetically derived chemicals for three years earn GOTS certification.)

All Neutral (White or Gray)

We found many high-end and budget friendly options for the all neutral look.  Carrie Perry offers women’s luxury wardrobe essentials with a contemporary take on classics all made in the USA.  The white Layer Dress ($215 New York City, NY) is a perfect layering piece as a blouse or mini dress.

H&M’s Embellished Organic Cotton Pants ($129) and Organic Cotton Shirt ($35) offer a fresh, relaxed take on this season’s hot trend.

Animal Prints

Grrrrr – Animal prints are still wildly hot!  We were about to give up on finding anything remotely close to eco-friendly for this trend; then we discovered People Tree (sustainable and fair trade fashion sold on-line) and hit a gold mine.  Animal print, 100% organic cotton, GOTS certified dresses, sweatshirts, and tops ($40-$105) and hand-knitted, wool cardigans, hats, and mittens ($40-$225).  Available in brown and grey animal prints.  Garments are hand crafted in organic cotton, wool, and sustainable materials, using traditional skills that support rural communities worldwide.  All pieces are dyed using safe and natural dyes and shipped by sea instead of air, reducing the impact on global warming.

We hope you will rise up eco-fashionistas and use your purchasing power to support these organic designers and sustainable fashion producers.  We CAN make a difference one fabulous look at a time!

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*Collage images courtesy of www.cosmopolitan.com.
**k.o. kidz Corp. is not affiliated with the above mentioned designers or companies and all opinions are expressed independently of the aforementioned organizations.