Apparel

Shopping green can be a fun brain-teaser: Is the item made from certified-organic or pesticide-free natural materials, or from recycled synthetics at the very least? Is it fairly traded? To get you started, here are a few garments that rate at least one "yes."

What to Buy: Irresistibles from Indigenous Designs: Ribbed organic Leis cotton cardigan with crocheted lace trim ($99); tencel/organic-cotton hooded zip-up sweater ($84); other sweaters for men and women in organic alpaca and untreated wool are color-grown or treated with low-impact dyes, and Fair Trade Federation approved (www.indigenousdesigns.com, 707-571-7811). Made from fast-growing, replenishing bamboo: V-neck, 3/4 sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirts in pink or black; blue tanks ($12 each) from Bamboo Textiles (www.bambooclothes.com, 714-469-1483). Simply ravishing Naiad blouse ($90) or Chinese blouse ($98), both in hemp muslin from Earth-Speaks Organic Fashion designed in Brooklyn by Bi Li; also includes hemp/silk blends (all under $250; www.earthspeaks.com, 866-377-3257). Active styling: Patagonia's men's and women's organic wool crew-neck sweaters ($160). And check out their new styles in post-consumer-recycled (PCR) for men, women and children. Patagonia launched 1% For The Planet, whose members contribute that percentage of annual sales to selected environmental groups (www.patagonia.com, 800-638-6464). Le Chameau handcrafts all their boots and shoes using 100-percent natural rubber extracted from the tropical Hevea tree grown in the Amazon jungles. The Vierzon is a below-the-knee, multipurpose boot for puddle jumping or couture ($149); and for bulb planting or looking cool at the café, try the colorful Crocus 2 lady ($49) (www.lechameauusa.com, 800-514-4807, ext. 10). Under the Canopy's organic cotton denim jacket for women is fairly priced at $78 (www.underthecanopy.com). One-Stop Shop: Ecolution apparel of certified-organic hemp, grown on cooperative farms in Romania, is retailed by Rawganique. Unisex slippers and boots, men's sneaker and street oxford ($65-$82); sandals with recycled rubber-tire soles for children ($18-$20). Backpacks, shoulder bags, a cute macramé purse, crocheted totes ($48-$130); and plain elegant strappy long dresses ($69) (www.rawganique.com, 877-729-4367).

Resources: See Clothing Product Report at thegreenguide.com/reports.