Adding Eco-Friendly Accessories to Your Style

Let’s face it. Fashion is important and most of us love to shop. However, it’s equally important to help the earth. The good news is that you can help your environment, even in your stiletto heels. The fashion industry continues to change its practices as consumers make sure that their styles are eco-friendly. As a consumer, you have the option to impact the planet by what you choose to purchase. Also shopping for hot deals and bargains will not only save you time and energy, but it will help you to be more frugal.

You may already have your green dress, pants, or even a top, but all you are missing are the accessories. The good news is that eco-friendly fashion trends are here to stay, and along with trends there are amazing green sites to explore. Here are some fantastic accessories and eco-friendly fashion sites that will make the fashionista in you happy that you can save the world while living in style at the same time.

1. The designer Beth Springer presents a mini messenger bag that has delightful pockets on the outside of the Italian leather bag. The adjustable shoulder strap is made from vegetable dyed Italian latigo leather. This cross body bag is perfect for trips – keep your wallet and other valuable fashion items safe.

2. Gorgeous and earthy, this silver leaf pendant is made with an ethically sourced sapphire. The sterling silver leaf shaped pendant is elegant and also hangs from a delicate sterling silver cable chain. Snatching up this necklace to add to your green outfit will automatically make your day happier.

3. Need some flip flops to wear with your new capris and tee during the summer time? Women’s Flippee Microperf flip flops are vegan shoes! No animal products or byproducts were used at all. In addition, the foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper and water based glue is used to hold the shoe together. To add to the eco-friendly nature of these adorable flip flops, the sole of shoes are biodegradable. These shoes are definitely sole-filled with love for the earth and your feet!

4. Understanding a mom, there’s no doubt that you also want fashionable accessories for your tots. The Toddler Doodle shoes are made with washable suede and the soft linings of the shoe are made of certified organic cotton. Also, the soles are made of natural and recycled non marking rubber. Plus, is your little one learning to tie his or her shoes? The elastic laces are made from recycled PET and natural latex with a user friendly pull toggle to boot, literally.

5. Another “soleful” eco-friendly fashion accessory, Yellow Heeled Vegan Shoe Boots knows how to take our breath away with their yellow pumps and stylish buckle. Wear these heals with some black leggings, pants, or even a pair of skinny jeans to make a statement!

6. A soft and elegant make-up bag is what every girl desires to own. This Fair Trade Print Make-Up Purse has a waterproof liner, two separate zipped compartments, and an integral mirror. Carry this purse in your larger handbag or keep it at home to gaze at when refreshing your makeup.

7. By now we all know that Etsy has multiple sellers who offer eco-friendly products to purchase. Begin your green search by visiting giantdwarf’s shop, where you will find adorable and colorful Fleurette Cloches. Crafted from a collection of pristine recycled sweaters and vibrantly colored fancy felt, you will feel like an eco-diva in no time flat.

As you can see there are numerous fashion filled and eco-friendly sites that offer fashion accessories. By taking the time to fill your wardrobe with eco-friendly accessories, you’ll feel better about your purchases knowing that you have made a difference. Sustainable accessories support fashion, but they also support the earth.

About the Author

An ocean dreamer at heart and in real life, Sierra Greenman thrives on visiting and living near the beach and could never imagine herself anywhere else. She recently ventured out into the freelance world and now is a Freelance Writer and Social Media Specialist and absolutely loves it. Writing about fashion and style are one of her many passions. You can also find Sierra at her blog Ocean Dreams and follow her on Twitter @oceandreams4u. She also is a featured fashion blogger for JoeShopping.com.

 

Bright and cheerful totes will make you the EnV of all shoppers this summer! EnV Bags‘ new Road to Hana collection is just so darn cute! “Mom” has one tucked into her purse at all times now – it rolls up neatly and is ready to be utilized when shopping or toting extra items to the car, such as art projects, beach & sand toys, extra clothing, you name it! But the best part is just how each design reminds you of sun-filled days, sure to help beat the blues in the dead of winter!

Made of water-resistant nylon, all EnV Bags are available as a set, in a collection of 3 or 5 bags, such as the Road to Hana collection, or as a single bag with pouch. You can choose from a variety of fresh, modern prints that are too pretty to be kept tucked out of sight!

To see all of the stylish reusable totes available from EnV Bags, visit www.envbags.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

Elegance and whimsy grace every piece of wearable art in the Leakey Collection™! Zulugrass™ jewelry specifically offers the modern woman versatility in the gorgeous and bright strands of color that can be worn separately or together to compliment any look. Handmade by skilled Maasai artisans, each bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings captures the spirit and essence of the Maasai, and feels as though you are wearing a part of history itself. Brilliantly colored beads made from readily available and sustainable grass are hand-dyed, and then strung together with hand-blown Czech glass beads, and the outcome is simply gorgeous! Not only are the pieces truly one-of-a-kind, but the women crafting these pieces are given a chance to provide for themselves and their children through their natural talent and abilities. To learn more about the story of the Maasai, click here.

The Zulugrass™ Collection is simply beautiful! You can create your own look by twisting various colored strand necklaces together, wearing a bracelet as an anklet, or adorning your wrists with a variety of bangles! The possibilities are endless for this eco-chic collection. Plus, with every purchase, you are supporting an amazing cause by helping the Maasai women empower themselves by providing an opportunity for them to care for their families with grace.

To learn more about the Leakey Collection™, to locate a retailer near you, or to order online, please visit www.leakeycollection.com. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to find a stunning, eco-fabulous gift for the special Mom in your life that also gives back!

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

Rather than baby teething on Mommy’s favorite necklace or bracelet, sonny & reed has designed fashionable yet functional teething jewelry for the mom on-the-move! When out and about with a little one, your baby can safely gnaw and drool all over this celeb-loved item! The adorable beads are smooth on one side, almost like beach glass, and feature nubby ends on the other side, perfect for soothing sore gums! They provide relief and a refreshing distraction while at the store, out to dinner, or just bouncing on Mom’s knee!

For the modern mom, sonny & reed has created the only designer teething necklace made in the USA from non-toxic, FDA-approved material that conforms to Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 16 CFR 1500. The beads will not pass through the choke tube, easing mom’s concerns!

To see all of sonny & reed’s styles, or to order, visit www.sonnyandreed.com.

*Company generously provided images and samples for this review.*

Vintage style meets organizational wizard in this classy purse organizer from Plaid Doctrine! This modern twist using a tried-and-true fabric choice – plaid – helps multi-tasking moms keep their keys, wallet, phone, and various small essentials together when switching from diaper bag to evening bag.

Busy women can go from work to Mom & Me class to the gym with ease using the locally-sewn, eco-chic purse organizer made from high performance recycled plastics made from plastic bottles. The organizer stands up on its’ own when placing items in or taking them out, and is available in red or blue plaid. Plus, it is both stain- and water-resistant!

To view the entire collection in the Plaid Doctrine line, visit www.plaiddoctrine.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

Bring out your inner poet with this serene, stylish Rumi Messenger Bag from haiku! Any modern mom will absolutely adore this elegant messenger bag that is both practical and chic. Plus, with every Rumi Messenger Bag created, you are helping to save the Earth by keeping approximately 22 plastic bottles out of landfills. Now, that’s something to wax poetic about, isn’t it?!

Haiku’s Rumi Messenger Bag is designed as a functional carry-all that features a laptop sleeve, convenient straps to hold a yoga mat, a water bottle pocket for hydration while on-the-go, and a spring clip for keys so that they don’t become misplaced. Made from eco-friendly cyclePET fabric, which is created from 100% post-consumer PET beverage bottles, the Rumi Messenger Bag is simply poetry in motion! Available in Cocoa and Ink.

To view the entire haiku collection, visit www.haikubags.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

Mama’s got a brand new bag! This roomy, stylish tote from Kolobags really does carry it all, with some serious style! You would never guess that this bright pink Hadaki Mega Tote is made from recycled paper. “Mom” has fallen head over heels for this gorgeous, eco-chic tote bag – whether hitting the gym, heading to a playdate at the park, or shopping at the mall, the tote has stood up to the test!

The Hadaki Mega Tote is aptly named, as it is extremely roomy, with one exterior zippered pocket and 4 interior pockets for all of your necessities, plus a key hook so that your keys don’t fall into its’ depths! The tote also features a zippered top to secure all of your valuables inside while out and about with little ones in tow. In addition, it stays upright when placed on the ground, with metal “feet” to keep the bag stable. Gotta love that! Planet-friendly, AZO-free, and made of recycled paper, this beautiful tote bag will soon be your favorite, too!

To shop for a fabulous bag that suits your needs and style, from eco-friendly insulated lunch bags to laptop bags, visit www.kolobags.com.

Kolobags is currently offering Tiny Green Mom readers an exclusive 10% discount on their purchase! Please use promo code TINYGREEN at checkout. Good through May 31, 2011.

*Company generously provided images and samples for this review.*

Papa’s got a brand new bag! (and Mama too!) What’s not to love about this versatile, stylish diaper bag from Go GaGa!? Light on the shoulders, but big on room – this is one bag that will go from playdates to the coffee shop to the gym with ease! Made of 72% post-consumer recycled fabric, this uber-chic Slide Tote Bag is earth-friendly, as well.

Ergonomically designed for both men and women, the Slide Tote Bag from Go GaGa is available in a selection of rich, bold colors, such as Eggplant, Sea Blue and Cayenne. The features of this modern bag include:

  • Patent pending strap distributes the weight of the bag across your back and shoulders, so it won’t slide off or cut into your neck
  • The strap fabric is ideal for nursing Moms since it doesn’t put direct pressure on their breast
  • The bag is also designed for Dads, including a sliding a shoulder pad that cinches the strap for a more masculine look and feel
  • Insulated bottle pockets fit everything from baby bottles to Nalgene bottles and are angled so that you can get bottles in and out with just one hand
  • The interior features 5 pockets and a foam divider that gives you organization when you need it, but moves out of the way when you don’t
  • Stroller straps are adjustable so they fit any stroller handle bar (even double strollers!) or can be used to carry a rolled up yoga mat or blanket for a playgroup or picnic
  • The Slide can carry everything from a 13.5” laptop to gear for the yoga studio
  • The bags are healthy for the planet as well as for people – the recycled totes are made from 72% post consumer recycled fabric by a fair trade certified manufacturer in Vietnam

New parents and seasoned parents alike will appreciate the versatility and the comfort of the Slide Tote Bag! To learn more about Go GaGa, or to order one of their various bags, visit www.gogagalife.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

Have you been naughty or nice this year? This holiday season – knotty is nice! Naturally Knotty offers sustainable styles to outfit you from head to toe that are absolutely stunning! The ultimate gift to give this season is the luxurious bamboo Pashmina beautifully packaged in a 100% compostable and biodegradable bamboo cylinder with festive ribbon!

Wrap yourself or a dear friend up in warmth as cocoa is sipped by the fire in a gorgeous Pashminas made from eco-friendly natural bamboo. This all-season wrap acts as a light cover-up in the evenings, a sarong at the beach, a classy shawl over a cocktail dress, and can even be used as a light blanket for baby when in a pinch!

The pashminas are available in 5 stunning colors this season. Choose from Black, Steel Grey, Espresso, Red or Ivory. At $34.99, the wraps make an attractive and affordable gift this holiday! In addition to their wraps, Naturally Knotty also offers roomy totes made from recycled materials, organic cashmere gift sets for wee ones, and fashionable clutches.

Please visit www.naturallyknotty.com for more information or to purchase an item from this fantastic, environmentally-conscious line.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

Carry all of baby’s necessities in eco-friendly style with the World Peace Eco Tote from Amy Michelle! This roomy bag shows moms’ eco-conscious side, and features a plethora of pockets for keeping everything neat and tidy while out and about with baby. The World Peace Eco-Tote is made from 11 recycled plastic bottles and 8.5 oz of reused fabric, making it a planet-friendly gal’s dream.

What “Mom” loves about this diaper bag is that it can also be carried by Dad! With an adjustable shoulder strap, the World Peace Eco Tote offers parents a bag that they can both share when caring for baby, in a style that suits everyone. It can also be strapped to a stroller, if needed.

Unique features of the World Peace Eco Tote include:

Baby’s Section

  • Changing pad (21″ x 14″) – Remove padding to wash lining
  • 2 Internal & 2 external bottle pockets (baby or water bottles)
  • Quick release pacifier holder
  • 5 pockets for maximum organization
  • Compartments for diapers, wipes, and bottles
  • Stroller attachments included

Parent’s Section:

  • Top zipper closure
  • Zip closure outside front pocket with cell phone pocket
  • Adjustable shoulder strap (can convert to quick backpack)
  • Easy to find key ring
  • Bright lining with recycled symbol
  • Monogramming available

To learn more about Amy Michelle, to view their other styles, or to order a World Peace Eco Tote, please visit www.amymichelle.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for review.*