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Leah Jayasanker is a freelance writer who loves all things fashion and beauty. To learn more about her, visit her website.

Being fashionable and responsible is a growing trend in today’s green market. You’ve already joined the eco movement with conscious efforts to use canvas shopping bags and support enviro groups. But what do your frocks say about your green commitment? The biggest names this season are bamboo, hemp, soy, linen…and yes, even our old pals cotton and wool, so long as they’re organic and sweatshop-free.

In cities across the country, eco-friendly apparel bizzes are strutting their stuff alongside mainstream retail. fhi dishes on four of these earth-smart shopping destinations and why it pays to score conscientious dressing.

Midwest Vibe
Chicago’s Pivot Boutique is a shopper’s paradise for all things green (think organic cotton, antibacterial fibers and recycled materials). In a nutshell, it’s a one-stop shop for high fashion sans the environmental impact.

Pivot’s owner, Jessa Brinkmeyer, explains why people are interested in environmentally clean fashions. “Some clients are already looking to green their lives in various aspects (from cleaning products, food and building materials to car choices) and fashion is now just one more way they can make more conscious purchases. Others just really like how the fabrics feel—organic cotton and bamboo are amazingly soft and breathable, great to wear and wash. One of the most popular comments I get from visitors is that everything in Pivot just feels so great.”

Loyale Pasadena organic cotton dress, $215.	Nature vs. future’s linen dress, $180.

Store shot by photographer Andrew Wehde.

Another popular place for cutting edge nontoxic wear is Chicago’s Studio-808, Inc. Devised by Erin Creaney, Studio-808 caters to burgeoning talent with Creaney scouring the Chicagoland market for blossoming creations, some of which include Mother-Earth-loving fashions. Though most of her storefront is via an online presence, Studio-808 hosts several shopping events to offer clients the opportunity to touch and feel garments in real time. Creaney believes the need for eco-friendly merchandise is based on consumers and their awareness for their impact on the environment. “With fashion there is no exception, and at Studio-808.com we embrace and promote the lines that support this thinking,” states Creaney. Lara Miller is a featured designer at Studio-808 that uses organic cotton, soy jersey and bamboo. Creaney notes, “We plan to bring on roughly two designers per season that will continue to highlight more of Lara’s line as well as use it as a benchmark for new designers to work with.”

Lara Miller Sylvia blouse, a reversible hand-loomed bamboo tunic, $240.	Lara Miller Erin dress, made from bamboo and organic cotton jersey shown worn multiple ways, $185.

Images by photographer Helen Berkun

Cool in Cali
Situated in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco is EcoLogiQue, the first establishment in San Fran to carry earth-friendly attires for men, women and babies alike. Owner Lela Katz launched this conscientious business because of her own difficulty in locating local green gear. “There are plenty of online options, but then you don’t get to try things on, which is the best part of shopping. I also wanted to provide shoppers with the latest eco options that they may not know where else to look for,” adds Katz.

EcoLogiQue establishes itself as a “comprehensively green” oasis because its entire space is constructed using a green theme. “Nontoxic paint and energy saving lights are used and a majority of the furniture and product displays are either second hand or vintage,” mentions Katz. The best part of Katz’s planet-friendly atmosphere (next to the clothes): “We filled the boutique with oxygen-producing plants, which keeps the space with clean air to breathe.”

Jacket by Prophetik, Wearable Philosophy made from green-spun, which is recycled yarn, $104 and Ecoganik dress made from 100 percent organic cotton and low impact dyes, $112.

Miami Maven
Crimson Carbon at Co-op Miami is one of the latest hotspots to hit the Wynwood District and pay obeisance to recyclable wears. A few of the environmentally conscious styles that grace its racks include Camilla Norrback, locally based Eco Chic by Meadow and So-Me Designs. Crimson Carbon’s owner, Aleksandra Simanic offers her insight on being environmentally aware. “I think eco-friendly fashion is the way of the future where we need to be conscious of our impact on the world and mother earth. We all have to take responsibility that is why I called the store Crimson Carbon. Crimson means passion and I have a passion for fashion and the carbon refers to the concept of carbon neutral. Even if something is organic and leaves minimal impact it can still be fashion forward.” What we like most—the uber adorable organic baby clothes.

So-Me t-shirts made from organic cotton and/or bamboo, $36 each.	So-Me onsie made from organic cotton, $26.

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