The Fashion Flipside show on Sunday on the Lower East Side of Manhattan was a blast- hundreds turned out to check out a fashion show that featured LES stores, many of which are eco-friendly.

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The fabulous and accomplished Kelly LaPlante's gorgeous first book, Ecologique, is a breath of fresh air. For several years now, ecofriendly decorating has had a definite aura of cool modernism, as if there was only one way to design a green interior, and that's with lots of (sustainable wooden) cubes. LaPlante has different ideas.

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It took me ages to heed my traditionalist-with-a-twist grandmother's advice about undergarments.

"Starre," she told me, "Whatever kind of work you do or whatever ridiculous outfits you wear, make sure that you have pretty underwear on." Staring at me with her green eyes that had seen The Great Depression, World War 2, the end of two marriages, and the raising of two sons in a time when single mothers were scarce, she added, "Not for anybody else -- for yourself."

This advice was extended in the mid-90's when I had taken to wearing men's boxer shorts under some comically voluminous JNCO pants and the plainest bras and camisoles beneath reams of flannel, having decided this was way cooler than lace. But I always remembered what she said and now my drawers are filled with lingerie in pretty prints, with bows, ribbons and lined in silks and super-soft cottons.

Being the Eco Chick, I try to keep in mind how all my purchases (even the dainty ones) affect the environment, and this summer there are enough lingerie looks (and bra straps peeking through diaphanous fabrics) to justify getting some fresh eco-undies. These are my top picks:

I'm loving the intimates from Enamore, which range from camisoles and knickers made from organic silk to garters and chemises in cozy soy and organic cotton mixes, and they even have non-cheesy wedding night ensembles and bridal lingerie (including organic silk garters!).

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So you don't have a lot of cash to pick up new outfits, but you're feeling bored and uninspired by your wardrobe. The key to solving this conundrum is detail. Put on your fave (organic perhaps?) denims, and a man's white button down and dress it up with great boots and a chunky scarf. Or pull on your most flattering black top and a black skirt, and add funky tights, a cool pair of flats and a jewelry-inspired belt. Without spending as much, you will have a whole new ensemble.

Take a look at my top picks below, which are all reasonably priced (well, at least cheaper than a new outfit!) and very Earth-friendly. The best part? When someone compliments your belt/bag/shoes, you can tell them how it's recycled, reused or made from sustainable materials. Spread the word!

Tights...

Maggie's Organics

One of the easiest ways to wear autumn skirts into winter is to pair them up with tights. Try a fun pattern like these organic cotton cuties from Maggie's Organics; they come in opaque, patterned and even striped versions!

Peau Ethique

For something a little more subtle, try Peau Ethique in black, brown or natural, to add a bit of funk while still keeping it streamlined.

Belts!

Designed by Feral Childe, this huge, sparkly belt is all you need to take a plain dress out partying for the night.

Betty Belts

Betty Belts are ocean-inspired and unique creations by Donna von Hoesslin, a Ventura, California-based surfer and designer. The turquoise Talia belt is made with vegan leather, recycled glass beads and polished ceramic stones. The Selena belt is simply satin cord and mother of pearl beautifully combined for a necklace-like hip decoration. These belts can be worn on the hips or the waist (order a size down if you plan to wear them on higher).

Big Bags...

Ashley Watson

If you're feeling splurgey, Ashley Watson's gorgeous recycled leather handbags (made from old leather jackets!) can dress up the most boring ensemble. They come in black and red too.

Mad Imports

Mad Imports' gorgeous Drift bag is made from the bark of the Baobob tree, which besides being featured in everyone's favorite kids'/adults' book, The Little Prince, is revered in Kenya for its contributions of shade and water to local communities. The bark is only harvested in small amounts and quickly regenerates, making it a local, sustainable resource. Mad Imports works with artisans directly and is a member of The Fair Trade Association.

The new, very cool banner totes from Bazura Bags are made from used advertising banners in Vietnam, where they're made by a women's co-op that collects banners, food packages and drink containers and makes all sorts of useful stuff out of them. The ultimate in recycling, and no two are alike!

Scarves!

This Tammam scarf is a great every-day Fall-Winter-Spring piece. The scarf is hand-knit from wild Himalayan hemp, banana fiber and wild (not farmed or caged) Tibetan sheep's wool.

Bake Sale Designs

Bake Sale Designs' totally unique neck warmer has a specially curved middle panel to snugly cushion your neck and is made from recycled felted wool and angora from what once were sweaters.

Hiroko Kurihawa

If modern design is your thing, check out the Branch scarf by Hiroko Kurihawa. Handmade in California from EU-certified wool, buying this beauty also gives back. For every one sold, a tree is planted in the Los Angeles area.

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The truth is none of us are getting any younger. And while I can think of a zillion better ways to spend my money than getting crazy plastic surgery to make me look 20 again, I’m also willing to spend just a little to at least minimize some of the life experience that’s showing up on my face, and especially around my eyes.

One lesson I’ve learned is that synthetic chemicals aren’t sustainable; they pollute the environment, so why would I want to put them on my face? I can’t believe that the long-term result of artificial colors, scents and preservatives wouldn’t be bad for my skin, even if chemistry can make me look like a teenager again short-term. So I went looking for some organic and natural eye-wrinkle minimizers, and I had no trouble picking a few to try.

Collective Wellbeing’s Category 5 Maximum Strength Eye Cream really works wonders (they don’t call it maximum strength for nothing!). Made with eyebright, a pretty yellow herb, and pomegranate seed extract, after I’d used it just a few times, there was a definite difference in the skin around my eyes. I looked as if I’d just gotten a really good nights’ rest. I’m now addicted!

Desert Essence’s Organics Pomegranate Eye Serum feels slippery and gooey upon application, but once it absorbs into the skin it warms, tightens and smoothes. Great for emergency use, I keep it in my makeup bag for an on-the-double pick me up. I don’t know if it’s the antioxidants in the pomegranate, or the horse chesnut seed oil, but it works.

Avalon Organics Lavender Revitalizing Eye Gel smells like lavender, which is relaxing in itself, hopefully leading to fewer wrinkles down the line (stress is a leading cause of facial lines). Other ingredients include arnica, licorice root and tumeric, all of which promise to calm under-eye skin. Hyaluronic acid reduces puffiness and dark circles.

Dr. Hauschka's Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream is the stuff my preternaturally young-looking best friend swears by. Always looking like she just got home from a week-long cleanse and meditation retreat, she says Dr. Hauschka’s holistic approach to all the products they make, which includes zero artificial preservatives, and a commitment to the communities from which their products’ ingredients come from, makes all the difference. Made with avocado oil, pineapple extract, rose distillate, mango and macadamia nut oils, this stuff sounds practically edible!

The primary ingredients in Juice Beauty’s smoothing eye concentrate are organic grape and carrot juice, which are then blended with lots of vitamins: B5, C, E, K (potassium) and more. Juice claims that it has the highest organic content of any skincare line. The eye concentrate also includes organic green tea leaves, cucumber, avocado, aloe, evening primrose and sunflower extracts.

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