World Organic Tee from Eastern Mountain Sports (left) Recycled tire flip-flops from Village Imports (right)
THE SHOPPER
Do-Right Fashion
From the clothes you buy to the way you carry them home, shopping goes low impact. by Amy Kates
Green is the new black, so make room in your closet for your little green dress. Score Tulle’s version, in bamboo, from Bloom (92 E. Main St., Newark, 454-7266). The raspberry dress, square-necked and belted, will put your LBD to shame. There is also a mod-inspired version in red. But if you want to be really green, buy only the one you need.
If you dig bamboo—and we think you will—check out Kersh at Grassroots (1250 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, 489-2501; 93 E. Main St., Newark, 453-9751; 1406 N. DuPont St., Wilmington, 777-2050; 1708 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 529-0553). The Los Angeles-based design house’s eco-friendly apparel will make you look as good as you feel. Also check out Grass Roots’ line of Earth Shoes, made from organic and vegan materials.
When your green education graduates from bamboo, head to soy. A soy T-shirt is warm, welcoming and oh-so-comfy. Check out the sweet soy gear at The Happy Fish (17 Lexington Drive, Milford, 228-4431).
You could also try organic cotton, which is grown using methods that make less impact on the Earth, namely by eliminating pesticides. Mystique in
(
, 429-8755) stocks cool organic tees for men that are Skal-approved, meaning the tag that says “organic” means “organic.”
Endorphin-happy exercisers already know how beneficial working out is for your body. At Eastern Mountain Sports (Center Pointe Shopping Plaza, 1297 New Churchmans Road, Newark, 266-0144; Concord Mall, 4737 Concord Pike, No. 290, Wilmington, 477-0859), you can make your workout healthy for the earth, too, with vintage-inspired organic tees featuring fierce animals and logos. To keep your feet toasty, check out their corn-silk socks.
Even Wal-Mart is joining the movement. Stores carry Hanes organic cotton PJs and tees, making green living so easy you can do it in your sleep.
There are many shades of green, and recycling is one of them. At Village Imports (165 E. Main St., Newark, 368-9923), you’ll see recycling at its best. The store has journals, made from recycled cloths, that retail for under $12. Gorgeous telephone-wire baskets and flip-flops are made from recycled car tires. Best of all, Village Imports is a fair-trade store, which means your purchase not only provides fair compensation for the artisans who supply the merchandise, it also helps improve relationships between producers and consumers and ensures products are not made in sweatshops or by child laborers.
Small lifestyle changes can go a long way. Ditch plastic at the check-out by using recycled totes from the Elizabeth Haub Foundation. My chic pink-and-zebra print Haub bag goes out on the town on occasion. Find the bags at local Super Fresh markets for 99 cents.
If your love life could use a greenover, too, The Bed Chambers (39 N. Walnut St., Penney Square, Suite 105, Milford, 866-454-0775) has you covered with organic products for your paramour, like sensuous soy candles, sexy soy chemise nightgowns and an indulgent soybu (soy-bamboo hybrid) chenille robe. And don’t forget the organic beauty products from Calm. After a tough day of green shopping, go home and relax with the bath and shower gel. But please—don’t leave the water running.
