Fall Fashions Without Eco-Compromises

Won’t buy an organic cotton T-shirt if it’s made with cotton grown in Turkey, made in China, and sold in the U.S.? If you’re an eco-fashionista who doesn’t like to make eco-compromises, won’t sacrifice style for sustainability, and can afford to buy a fantastic addition or two for your closet—here are three companies making some of the greenest new fall items:

>> Nau, the eco-ethical fashion company that almost disappeared but then got bought out, is now back with a new fall fashion line. Nau’s Transporter Blazer, a versatile urban number made of 100% recycled wool and half-lined with recycled polyester taffeta, shows that this fashion-forward company never sacrifices style—and takes no shortcuts when it comes to sustainability. That commitment comes at a high price—the blazer’s priced at $350—but 2% of what you spend will go to a nonprofit you choose, and the jacket you get’s made to last many, many years.

>> Signed up for a fall yoga class? Sweat it out in a soft Renew Tee, made by a Colorado-based green yoga clothing company called be present. These Renew Tees are made in the U.S. from 50% recycled plastic bottles and 50% organic cotton —and dyed with water-based inks to boot. Get one of your own for $35.

>> To carry all your eco-school or office supplies, you’ll find no backpack that’s more feel-good than the new FEED Health Backpack. Though the $125 price tag may be too high for some, the money goes to a great cause. For every backpack purchased, health workers will be given an identical pack filled with medical supplies by The Millenium Villages, an organization that seeks to help rural African communities lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

Of course, even the greenest new fashion piece will have a carbon footprint, albeit a smaller one. Keep your closet as green as possible by avoiding overbuying, going for pre-loved items, and opting for items made to last many fall seasons.