Having survived for over a year as a freelancer, I forget what it’s like to be part of the corporate world. Thinking back to those years, I remember my constant struggle with dressing office-appropriate while still looking stylish. When faced with a business casual or off-campus event, one has to get creative. Thankfully, some of this season’s looks make it a little easier.

You can never go wrong with high waisted ““ in the office or not ““ and I think this organic John Patrick number is the perfect solution. These cuffed plaid pants fashioned from recycled wool are both high waisted and wide leg, ensuring you’re office ready. Aim for feminine-masculine by pairing the trousers with a ruffled blouse, cropped vest, and the highest of eco-booties. You’ll turn heads from 9-5 and beyond. ($385)

Spring is in the air. Or should I say pollen? Despite the itchy eyes and runny nose that accompany all this blooming, I cherish spring because – among many other benefits – it’s the time to unveil a lighter style.

Here are my picks to prepare for the season.

1. A Solid Foundation

Now that you’ll be spending more time outside in the sun (instead of holing up in your house or office to avoid the cold), you’ll need to "dress" your skin, too. I like bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation by Bare Escentuals. It’s extra light and moisturizing, so you can even forgo lotion before applying.

2. A Simple Day Dress

I’m not one to change my outfit multiple times a day, so I like wearing dresses for easy transitioning between work and going out.  We recently featured a week-long series of eco-chic dresses to help you get started. If you’d like to invest in a spring trend,  canary yellow, feminine florals, and lacy white are all great choices.

3. A Versatile Hoodie

The bright sun can be deceptive, so I always leave the house with a hoodie in hand. Go sporty-chic with this sweatshirt option by Loomstate or choose this Pursuit of Harmony pointelle hoodie if you’re looking for a dressier style. If a hoodie is too casual for your taste, a light vintage cardigan is perfect (if you don’t have one, I know what you’re doing this weekend).

4. Cargo Pants

I love a functional cargo pant. They’re lightweight to keep you cool and casual and they are a great alternative to jeans. Try this pair of picnic trousers from Howies – pair them with sneakers, sandals, or even a cute wedge.

5. Sandals

I always save the best for last. My absolute favorite part about warm weather is the chance to free my feet from socks and boots. And while the mainstream Old Navy options are the right idea, I like to look for eco styles. Try this classic look by Terra Plana, or if you’re feeling really daring, opt for this style by Charmone. But whichever you choose, don’t even think about baring all without a proper eco-friendly pedicure.

Jeans are the eternal American fashion emblem of sustainability. Above all, they’re durable. Over time, denim has become the paradoxical icon of leisure and work, adventure, simplicity and relaxed sophistication.

The Nau design collective is taking a multi-layered approach to innovation in the denim world. With a company credo to maintain low-impact production processes and a design philosophy to inform classicism with a free spirit, they’re on the greener side of blue jeans.

Nau has contracted with a non-profit research organization to assure compliance at all levels of their company with their vision of sustainable practices. Serious, but simple, just like the designs that emerge from the trend-setting thinktank.

Their "lean jean" favors a lightly rinsed raw denim with a rugged outer construction and soft interior detailing. Nau also ventures beyond denim with their quick-dry motility dress, a recycled poly/spandex blend born of discarded plastic. (I envision a future where the laundering of dresses is as carefree as throwing a pair of jeans in the wash.)

Images/Purchase: Nau

Back in the day when I traveled to the island, the staple Bermuda shorts worn mostly by men had not yet become an international symbol of casual chic for women. Nor did the shorts look like today’s counterpart. I must admit that I’m thrilled by the reinvention. I find that the longer look actually slims the thighs (while also strategically hiding the tricky, flab-prone saddle bag regions) and makes me want to bare my legs during the warm weather.

I’m thinking of creating a fresh preppy look with these organic cotton reef roll-up shorts by Loomstate. Worn with a sweater and a classic pair of Keds, you’ll be perfectly outfitted for the yacht club, golf course, or a plain old stroll through the park. Available for $125 at Barneys.

In my personal fashion guidebook, a sleek pair of striped pants is as essential as a perfectly fitted, hip-hugging pair of jeans. Years ago, I found my ideal striped pants and I simply wore them to death. Finally realizing that I couldn’t possibly repair another seam or obliterate another stain, I had to let them go.

So, you can imagine my relief when I found these Cuba Striped Pants by Anna Cohen. High-waisted and elongating, you can keep your look understated with a white, ruffled blouse or add a burst of color with the peach silk top shown here. If you’re tall, wear them with structured ballet flats, or if you’re short like me, pair them with some hot patent pumps. They’ll never truly replace my retired striped trousers, but they sure are a fabulous substitute!

Image: Anna Cohen 

With April’s unfolding warmth, I’m dreaming about a lighter, more whimsical wardrobe. Linen pants are a season staple and I just love these grass green gauchos from Undesigned.

Unrestrictive and über-chic, they’re made of linen, which is both comfortable and breathable, and feature a unique exposed pocket with silk stitching and trim. Dress up this look with heels for a special mimosa brunch or wear them with sandals to the beach.

Carol Young, the mastermind behind Undesigned, creates eco-friendly clothing for the modern woman who craves comfort, style, and individuality all at the same time. The pants are currently on sale at $120 (knocked down from $220), so scoop them up soon.

Image/Purchase: Pangaya

Love raw jeans? I’m talking about rigid jeans that only you can break in and wear into the ground? Unlike jeans that contain stretch, raw jeans start out crisp, but with time, conform perfectly to your body.

Now, there’s a fantastic organic option for raw jeans and they’re brought to us by the label Good Society. Using Japanese design techniques for their denim (Japan is mad for raw jeans) and complying with Fair Trade laws in India (where the jeans are produced), the company also uses 100% certified organic cotton to create their tightly spun denim pants.

Sometimes, a good clean line is all you need to get by, and these achieve effortless cool without being over the top in design or price. The Good Society Straight Leg Jean in Raw retails for only $99 (very inexpensive for premiere denim in general, never mind organic!).

Image: Tobi

The extra wide-leg pant stylishly forgives a multitude of cookies, but it’s still a difficult look to pull off when you’re petite like me. Unless you wear sky-high heels, this style can make you appear shorter than you already are. And all that fabric just drowns a small frame. Don’t let this discourage you, fellow diminutive friends.

These weekend eco-friendly pants by Earth & Sky can be cut to size for the perfect custom fit!

After the birth of their daughters, the designer duo behind Earth & Sky turned their love for fashion and concern for the planet into an environmentally-conscious style company. Their collection consists of comfortably cute, broken-in pieces (generally of organic cotton) that are perfect for weekends. And for all of us in search of U.S. produced goods, Earth & Sky is the answer. The team creates all apparel by hand in Los Angeles. ($118.)

Image: btcelements

You don’t have to wait for Fleet Week to enjoy the seafaring vibe. Nautical style is always classically stylish and works for any age. In a search for the perfect sailor pant, I scooped these Marina Trousers by Del Forte.

The brand is known for using 100% organic cotton and has partnered with The Sustainable Cotton Project to help increase the presence of organic farms. Now, when I first envisioned the perfect sailor pants, I did not have denim in mind. But after finding these, I realized that I have successfully covered not one but three major trends – high-waisted, wide leg, and denim – with one purchase instead of three. That means less consumption and stylish looks for many seasons to come. Available at Tobi for $194.

Image: Del Forte

The era of ultra-low and oft-unflattering jeans may finally be coming to an end (notwithstanding the bleats of the thong underwear industry).

High-waist, feminine, flowing jeans have made their biggest comeback since the “˜70s this spring, only now they’re being done in loose, comfortable style. Get in on this trend in a green way with Del Forte’s Willow Trousers.

Made of organic cotton and spandex, the jeans have just enough “give” to look good on a real woman’s figure, and while you may think the high waist is a little dramatic, just realize how effortlessly elegant they’ll be with a white tank top, a canvas shopping bag and flat sandals. The dark rinse works well in all seasons so you’ll be able to wear these pretty jeans for years, and the cut flatters areas like the thighs and bum with gracious appeal. Also available in white if you feel like a spring splurge.

Image: Tobi