How Can I Be Green and Fashionable?

How can I be Green and Fashionable?

This question may run through the eco-conscious consumer’s mind. In fact, green is becoming the new black.

Even artists and celebrities are jumping on board in favor of the new trend. Some eco-friendly celebs include Leonardo Dicaprio, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, and Orlando Bloom. These celebrities, among others, were featured in Elle’s fashion spotlight in the April 2008 issue. Project Greenhouse helps unite celebs, like the ones listed, and fashion.

Thedailygreen.com made note of Project Greenhouse, which was launched in 2006. The project brings together designers, artists, filmmakers and more with the theme of sustainability, and has set up shop at Sundance, in the Hamptons and more. At the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, the Eco-Fashion Closet was introduced via Project Greenhouse. It displayed the latest sustainable designs from established and emerging designers. The collection included designs from Oscar de la Renta, Linda Loudermilk, Lara Miller, Bahar Shapar, DDCLAB, C.L.A.S.S., et al.

When consumers go shopping and purchase an item, the item is then placed into either a paper or plastic bag; that doesn’t seem eco-friendly, does it? According to the EPA, the U.S. consumes about 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps a year. Fewer than 5 percent are recycled. Plastic bags aren’t biodegradable. They actually go through a process called photodegradation—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate both soil and water, and end up entering the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them.

Most eco-friendly consumers these days are using reusable bags to pack their newly purchased items in. According to In Style, Rachel Bilson , Hilary Swank, and Jessica Biel are just a few of many celebrities who shop with reusable bags. Reusable bags could be pretty fashionable too. They come in different styles, colors, patterns, and best of all they won’t be harmful to the environment.

In conclusion, you can go green and be fashion forward at the same time!