May 19th, 2008 · No Comments

By Debi Martin

Eco-fashion has come a long way since the celebration of the first Earth Day in 1970. It’s no longer just yoga pants and T-shirts spun from organic cotton. You can even get the “green” equivalent of that wardrobe essential: The little black dress. The Habitude organic hemp/silk double V tie-back dress ($209, pictured), with its empire waist and soft gathers at the bust, is an updated classic that even Jackie O might pair with pearls and black heels.

Feel lucky in this bamboo jersey black dress ($140) Your girlfriends may be green with envy when you walk into the party wearing the Surplus dress with a figure-flattering plunge neckline, under-bust panel and trendy puffy sleeves ($110).

Another party-worthy frock is the Edie dress, a retro-mod mini ($68). Like many eco-fashion boutiques, Passenger Pigeon, named after an extinct bird that once populated North America, uses environmentally friendly textiles, such as organic cotton and hemp harvested and manufactured without the use of pesticides or sweatshop labor. Its spring collection includes several dresses –– some for summer days and others for summer nights –– from $182 and $222. This stylish Grace and Cello Metropolis blazer with three-quarter length sleeves and a notch collar is lined and made of organic cotton twill and satin acetate ($141).

Browse for bamboo and hemp blouses at Exclusively Green. No wardrobe is complete without jeans. Earth-friendly denim jean makers create their wares without bleaching, pre-distressing, chemical sprays or resin treatments. Del Forte encourages recycling of its own product with its Project Rejeaneration: Turn in a used pair of Del Norte jeans and get a 10 percent discount on your next purchase or donate the amount to the Sustainable Cotton Project. Get the capri look with the Sequence pair from Nau made of cotton grown on land that’s been free of chemicals for at least three decades ($50).

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