hemp

The day we've been waiting for has arrived! It's officially Spring, and besides doing some spring cleaning, if you're like me, you are anticipating warmer breezes and sunny, if muddy days.

I'm so sick of all my winter layers upon layers, with their dark colors and oppressive knits (until next Fall, when I'll be all excited about them again). While I'm pulling my lighter clothes out of storage, I think I need to inject one or two new pieces into my spring wardrobe. Celebrate the new season with some new (or recycled) ecofashions that aren't hard on Mother Earth.

Ryann

Asymmetry makes sense in an uncertain, imperfect world; check out this one-shouldered organic cotton Grecian-inspired tunic from Ryann. And speaking of tunics, here's one with adorable gathered 3/4-length sleeves (and winter-belly hiding detail) on the front by Song, in a blend or organic cotton and linen.

Song

A long vest like this one made from a hemp and cotton blend by Tinctoria Designs can convert a casual sleeveless dress into something a bit more dressy come cooler evenings. Keep your core warm while still rocking a short skirt or shorts with the addition of a cozy vest, like this one of recycled cashmere by Deborah Lindquist.

Tinctoria Designs

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Chances are, you've heard about the environmental ills of the world since your first Earth Day in kindergarten. Since you already recycle your plastic bottles and turn off the bathroom faucet while you brush your teeth, you might be wondering what other easy, fun things you can do to show your love for your mother -- Earth that is.

One easy way is to follow the three R's -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (just like the Jack Johnson song!). When you need something new, keep them in mind. Look for stuff made from recycled materials like rubber or PET plastic bottles, reused components like reworked leather or vintage fabrics, and reduce by choosing products with less packaging or ones that are made closer to your home. Here are some easy-to-find things to get you started:

H&M

Some of our favorite stores are going green this Spring. H&M has put together a collection of organic cotton dresses, tops and pants that come in the season's hottest colors. When cotton is grown it uses a lot of pesticides and other chemicals. In fact, cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world! Pesticides and herbicides can pollute local water and soil, so looking for organic cotton, which is grown without all the nasties, is a smart way to go.

Levi's

There's a lot of organic denim (jeans material is mostly cotton) out there too. Check out Levi's trendy light gray (such a cool alternative to white) low-rise jeans or cropped denim trucker jacket, which is mixed with a bit of spandex for comfort.

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It's the middle of winter, and while it may seem like the last thing you want to do, getting outside can make the season much more fun -- or at least bearable. Stop hibernating and get out there! Reveling in some daylight sun on your face (make sure to wear sunblock of course) can buoy the spirit, so try a new winter sport like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, trailrunning or hiking.

Stepping outside midwinter doesn't have to be a cold, torturous experience; as long as you have the right gear, you can play outside and be comfortable too. The bonus is that when it's chilly out, even at popular parks you'll likely have the place to yourself, so you can really enjoy the natural world without a lot of distractions. Think of the things unique to winter; ice crunching under your feet, crisp air roseying your cheeks, and trees creaking in the quiet cold.

REI

Start with a good base layer, choosing technical materials that will keep moisture away from your skin (whatever you do, DO NOT wear cotton underwear, which will make you feel cold and clammy). REI now carries performance underwear for both men and women that uses activated charcoal to wick moisture away from the skin's surface, controls odors and offers UV protection.

The North Face gets their charcoal from bamboo, while Marmot uses coconut husks. This technology has a much lower environmental impact than previous treatments, and according to the companies, will make for long underwear that keeps it's special properties longer. Make sure that both the bottoms and tops fit fairly close to your body; they shouldn't be skin-tight, but you want a slim cut. Women might want an extra layer; check out the Vista tank from Sierra Designs, which is part of their new Green Effect products program. The company also offsets all their energy use with wind credits to fight global warming.

Teko

Don't forget a good pair of socks! If your feet are happy while you're running around outside, you will be too. Try these Ecopoly socks from Teko, which are made from 77% recycled polyester and are specially designed to stay put on your foot so they won't ride up -- or down -- while you're out and about.

Nike

Depending on how cold it is, your next layers should be the ones keeping your core body warm. Try layering a fleece, like this one from Nike (made with recycled fabric) for women, or the recycled avalanche fleece from Google that's perfect for the techie-obsessed dude.

Patagonia

Layer with a vest next if you tend to get chilly easily so you can keep cozy. Guys can try the Patagonia Micro Puff Zip Vest, made of 90% recycled polyester on the outside, with a 50% recycled lining and recycled insulation too. Ladies will love the Hemp Hoodlamb Vest, made of a blend of super-tough hemp (a plant that grows easily without pesticides and herbicides) and organic cotton on the outside and fuzzy faux vegan 'rabbit' fur on the inside.

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It's officially cold in the northern parts of the country, and the best way to really enjoy late fall and winter is to be properly dressed. Layering knits is a comfortable and classy way to keep warm. Try a sustainable silk camisole under a slim cut cashmere sweater, topped with a loose-knit wool vest, and I promise you won't get chilly!

Natural, sustainable fibers, including organic cotton, bamboo, wool, alpaca, cashmere and hemp all blend well with each other, so go ahead and pull a sweater on under a dress, or a shawl over a sweater, or a combination of all four if you're a denizen of one of the close-to-frigid states that borders Canada (not to mention Canada itself!).

Ivana Helsinki

Ivana Helsinki is a Finnish designer well known in the Fennofolk tradition (which embraces imperfection and the weird). Her haute pioneer knit dress is a real charmer that's hand-knit from local wool.

Z.B.D. Designs at Wal-mart

Wal-Mart sells this Z.B.D. Designs sweater that's made in the U.S. from organic cotton and cashmere. An ideal layering piece that will look great open (as shown) and very chic closed at the waist with a sparkly extra-large brooch.

Scheroder-Falzone

This organic cotton large knit cowl neck from Scheroder-Falzone is a perfect layering piece that will work over a shimmery shirt and dark denims for dinner and drinks or over a long-sleeve knit turtleneck and a skirt for the office.

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You take care never to step in a puddle, avoid unpaved roads and never step on cracks, but STILL it seems your shoes wear out faster than Britney Spears' hair changes. Unlike some clothes and many accessories, shoes take a beating, and even when waterproofed and waxed within an inch of their lives, they need to be replaced on a semi-regular basis.

And shoes are notoriously eco-unfriendly, with sneaker companies accused of promoting sweatshop labor, leather tanneries spewing effluent into local unprotected water resources (especially in third-world countries where much of leather is processed and dyed), and glues and other components poisoning landfills when shoes are tossed.

So if you choose to go Earth-friendly with just one item in your wardrobe, consider making it your shoes. And then when you choose to walk instead of drive, you'll be green squared.

Timberland

If you're looking for a great winter boot, look no further than the new-for-fall Timberland Earthkeepers line. Guaranteed to be waterproof on the outside, and inside, the 70% recycled lining will wick the moisture right away from your feet, keeping them warm and dry. The outsole is made from natural rubber (a renewable resource), 30% of which is recycled. They come in black, brown and even organic canvas and leather, if you're partial to the urban safari look that's so hot right now. They're even designed to be airport-friendly with minimum metal parts for the globetrotting eco-warrior (-worrier?).

Simple

Simple shoes Eco Sneaks come in fun patterns (like this one with photos by Joe Curren of Santa Barbara printed on them) and more laid-back solids. They come in hi-tops, low-tops and the surfer/slacker fave, the slip-on. The upper fabric is made of a combination of organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles (PET), making it tougher than regular cotton canvas. The lining is also organic cotton, ensuring your feet won't be cradled in pesticide-laced booties. Even the laces are made from recycled PET plastic. To top it off (or bottom it out?), the outsole is made from repurposed car tire treads, and the whole thing is held together with non-toxic, water-based cements.

El Naturalista

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