Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fashion Buff
by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Los Angeles, California 
on 11.14.08
Photo via Charmone Shoes
Looking for that perfect something for the fashion buff in your life? Some are easy to buy for: They'll take any random piece of clothing--from a vintage fringed dress to a Stella McCartney coat--and make it look fashionable and fabulous in any situation. But finding that perfect something for the fashion buff on your list isn't always that easy: Size 6 or 8? Pink or brown? Organic cotton or hemp-silk? Lucky for you, our eco-chic guide takes out some of the guess work, with options that are organic and sustainable, and offer enduring style. Our best fashion-forward eco-shopping tip? Look for quality fabrics and timeless design; even if you have to spend a bit more upfront, garments that will stand the test of time save money and resources over the long haul. Because disposable fashion is just so last century, darling.
Photo via Charmone Shoes
Charmone vegan shoes
$249 As gifts go, shoes are totally underrated. Not only does a pair of flats fit perfectly into the top of a stocking, but if you’ve bought the right size they always fit (so you can avoid those awkward, "Is this how big you think my butt is?" moments). Check out the sweatshop- and PVC-free, vegan velvet, oh-so-sexy Charmone Cinnamon shoes in rich Bordeaux red, made from recycled and sustainable materials. With a three-inch heel and delicate satin ruffles around the toe, these shoes ratchet up any holiday outfit to new levels of cheer (without the Jimmy Choo pricetag). (Charmone shoes, $249)
Photo via Linda Loudermilk
Linda Loudermilk bamboo scarf
She’s better known for pioneering eco-couture and creating fabrics from sustainable plants like seaweed, but haute designer Linda Loudermilk has also spent years doggedly supporting water rights, most recently through her Water is a Human Right limited edition products. This black bamboo scarf with a faucet graphic supports the YEW Foundation for clean water initiatives; with a pedigree like that, you won't even miss the designer plaid. (Linda Loudermilk, $50)
Photo via Good Society
Good Society jeans
Basic denim is so not boring when it offers the perfect fit in organic cotton for less than $100. Good Society denim is a big nose-thumb to all the ridiculously expensive brands that can’t manage to fit sustainability into their business plans: These fair -trade jeans are made of organic cotton on vintage shuttle looms and hand-sewn, while the company sets a high bar for corporate responsibility by supporting the factory workers and children living nearby with groundbreaking social programs, and donating to programs that plant a tree, feed a family, or construct an orphanage in India for every pair sold. Can your $300 skinny jeans claim that? (Good Society, $99)Next: a solar-powered purse, sustainable jewelry, and the perfect dress
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70 bucks for a torn up BASEBALL cap? you've gotta be kidding. silly. buy a thriftstore (non-organic) for 99 cents, or better yet, just keep using the one you've got until it looks like ...this. no wonder why mainstreamers make fun of green. seventy dollars. good grief.
LOVE those Vuori tee's... My boyfriend and I both have one and can't wait to see what is coming out for spring! They really do make a great gift because each tee represents a different cause and they feel like butter! I just wish more stores carried them, they are hard to find! We got ours at Lisa Kline in LA...
I agree with the Blue Penny's comment about the high prices. In this economy, it's difficult to justify spending that much money on an accessory. Mountains of the Moon Eco-Fashion = my entire holiday shopping list. I refuse to buy cheap, sweatshop-produced crap from big box stores, but that doesn't mean I have to overspend on chic, eco-friendly fashion either. Mountains of the Moon is reasonably priced but very stylish. Another line I love is Morgan Eco. There are some designers who still produce sustainable fashion ethically and don't over-charge.
I agree with Lala and Blue Penny; the excess pricing of some eco-fashion horrifies me! I recently opened an online eco-apparel store myself, and I'm often charging less than the wholesaler's suggested prices just to try to keep the prices reasonable. I think some people are taking advantage of others who care about the environment; it doesn't have to cost that much! I might be making less money on each sale, but I really want to make eco-clothes accessible and interesting to EVERYONE--not just people with high expendable incomes. The more people who can afford to "go green", the better for all of us!
I too agree with the previous posters about the high prices of products. I have found great products on www.greenhome.com that are inexpensive.
http://www.greenhome.com/products/moneysaving/
They offer scarves that are made out of organic cotton with stylish prints and colors.
http://www.greenhome.com/products/clothing/womens_clothing/115447/
They are wonderful gifts for the holiday season and at these prices, how could you say no? Take a look at the site and see what other great products you can find!
There are reasons some of the prices are high are- like paying fair wages, keeping clean environments for workers, giving the workers benefits (like we all would want for ourselves) ... we are too brainwashed into walmart prices & thinking we need more then we do.....but some things really are WAY overpriced. When it gets into the $400 range that is just BS, and even eco fashion dresses made for over $200 are ridiculous to me...especially being that I know about organic fabrics and their costs wholesale, which I would never pay that much for a dress unless the fabric was locally sourced and woven organic cotton.... bamboo is just a rather novelty (and comfy) fabric made in china usually. The only other time paying more is justified is if the item is made for you, to your measurements, like some of the ETSY eco deisgners do... those are handmade and should cost.
Really in this bad economy the green shopping list should be absolute steals, so that people can feel good about trying to shop green!!!!!