Judge these belt buckles by their covers and all you’ll come up with is a serious case of eco, clever and fun. And maybe an urge to go to the library.

I’m a serious book lover, and these one-of-a-kind Literary Belt Buckles are too cute for words.

I call them the bookworm’s belt buckle because each one is made using a small part of the covers of various vintage library books – books long forgotten, discarded and headed right for your nearest landfill.

There’s the Studious Boy buckle and the …

Tags: belt , books , clothing , fashion , green , repurposed

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It’s the perfect summer gathering for the stylish greenie in all of us – the clothing swap. Most of us have more stuff in our closets than we need (or want).

A successful swap keeps our wardrobes simple, timely and up-to-date. It’s a chance to gather with friends, put those great pieces you’ll never wear to good use and pick up “new” duds for free.

Here are a few tips for throwing your very own successful clothing swap:

Send email invites and ask everyone …

Tags: clothing , fashion , how to , howto , recycled fashion , reuse , shopping , swap

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These have to be the cutest kids ever. Not just because they’re, well, adorable children, but look at what they’re wearing! Soft, comfy, organic cotton striped clothes! If these aren’t the happiest little munchkins you’ve ever seen…well…don’t tell that to their moms.

And just what are these tykes wearing? Clothes made by Happy Green Bee, a manufacturer of Fair Trade Certified, organic cotton children’s clothing. I found them at a trade show and got sucked into their happy little hive. Not only was it the …

Tags: child , children , clothing , eco-friendly clothing , fair trade , fairtrade , kids , organic cotton , sustainable kids clothes

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For the eco-textile connoisseur, have I got a treat for you. Yes, you’ve explored the soft and wonderful worlds of organic cotton, hemp and bamboo, but have you ever worn nettles? I know, I was surprised, too, when I came across Savage Designs. I was attracted by the swingy, well-tailored cuts, high quality fabrics and funky designs. Then I noticed a sign, some photos, something about the fibers. I had to know more.

What I learned was this: Savage Designs makes their clothes out of sustainably wild crafted Himalayan …

Tags: clothing , eco-fiber , environment , green clothing , natural , sustainable apparel , sustainable business practices

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If you are anything like me you probably didn’t pay too much attention in home economics class. Cooking comes naturally to me because I had to help prepare meals at home – and I eat every day of my life. But sewing? That’s always been something I’ve outsourced or avoided.

Now that I’m supposedly all grown up, I admit to feeling a little envious of friends who are handy with a needle. However, since every skilled dressmaker I know started out making dolls’ clothes when they were children, I don’t …

Tags: clothing , craft , DIY , mending , repairs , save money , sewing

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My grandfather used to tell me, “Things aren’t made the way they used to be”. We were probably looking at some item made within the last 30 years, and he was referring to its lack of craftsmanship and attention to detail. I agreed, and not just because he’s my gramps.

There’s something special about handmade things – maybe it’s the passionate intention or the time invested – but the difference is tangible. You can see it, touch it, practically smell it. Lest you think I am full of dramatic eco …

Tags: clothing , Etsy , fashion , Hayley Lau , Heidi and Seek , recycled

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The past year has been a bad one for toxic kid’s products, what with lead paint on imported toys and phthalates in plastic toys. For once, Congress has been quick to act.

A new law is set to go in effect on February 10th that will require all products such as toys, backpacks, clothing and other kids’ gear be tested for lead and phthalates in order to be legally sold.

This is a major step towards ensuring non-toxic products for little ones, but there was …

Tags: baby , children , clothing , news , safety , secondhand shopping , sustainable kids clothes

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It’s true what they say: time flies while you’re having fun. 2008 at EcoSalon was chock full of fun, from the top of our eco fashionista heads down to the bottom of our little greenie toes.

This was a spectacular year for the art and business of green garb. Environmentally conscious fashion designers from all over the globe popped up, providing us with sustainable, eco-friendly clothing that’s anything but plain, crunchy or predictable. Our eco fashion finds covered the spectrum from chic to trendy, simple to sophisticated, quirky to girly, modern to sexy.

The proof lies in this list of what caught …

Tags: clothing , eco , fashion , green , organic , shopping

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Canadian designer Jessie May’s self-named line of casual knitwear has been making its way into U.S. boutiques over the past few years and the pieces have become a sleeper-hit among eco-minded notables.

The newest lines feature an increasingly organic selection of bamboo, creamy cotton “cashmere” and modal jersey knitwear. The line is divided into three distinctive categories: “organic tribal glam”, “coastal prairie nostalgia” and “sunny vintage tropics”.

Jessie May had me at ‘”organic” and enticed me with her philosophy of using a “therapeutic color pallet”. An earthy rainbow of …

Tags: clothing , eco fashion , Jessie May , lyocell , modal , organic

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