Green Living 101: Fashion Fundamentals

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White Dress Shirts and Little Black Dresses

These are two items that no closet should be without—the perfect men's and women's dressing up and dressing down options.

Until brothers Kent and Kevin Russell created Boll Organics, organic-cotton men's dress shirts were a rare find, but their button-down collar and spread collar styles pair well with any business suit ($60; www.bollorganic.com, 877-814-6507). Like the crisp dress shirt, little black dresses can fit in at black-tie affairs or barefoot on the beach. Earth Speaks' sleeveless, boat-neck Dakota dress is made of 100 percent hemp ($78; www.earthspeaks.com), while Anna Cohen's long-sleeved, V-neck Soy Drape Dress blends organic cotton with soy fibers, a byproduct of tofu production ($276; www.thegreenloop.com, 866-898-5483). For a softer look, we like Habitude's hemp-and-silk sleeveless dress ($190; www.kaightnyc.com, 212-680-5630) or Loyale's organic cotton Charlotte Wrap dress ($174; www.thegreenloop.com, 866-898-5483).

Swimwear, Flip Flops and Tote Bags

Most suits are made with petroleum-based synthetics, such as Lycra and nylon, but you can find natural fiber alternatives for a higher price. Rawganique makes men's hemp swim shorts ($56; www.rawganique.com, 877-RAW-HEMP), and Eco Body Wear's surf shorts are a blend of cotton and hemp ($49; www.ecobodywear.com). For women, try Kelly B.'s sexy One Piece Glamour Suit of organic cotton and Spandex ($120-$148; www.thegreenloop.com, www.btcelements.com). Anna Cohen's Factory Surplus String Bikini is made with fabric leftover from Olympic speed skater uniforms ($164; www.thegreenloop.com, 866-898-5483). Although entirely synthetic, American Apparel sells affordable swimsuits made with fair labor practices ($25-$42; www.americanapparel.net).

On your way to the beach, throw on a pair of Simple Shoes Stop Global Warming Toepeeka flip-flops with their organic cotton straps and recycled-tire outsoles ($65; www.simpleshoes.com, 866-896-3708). And sling your social devotion over your shoulder: Sales of Lauren Bush's burlap/cotton Feed Bags benefit the U.N. World Food Programme ($59.95; www.amazon.com). But water repellence may be necessary for day at the pool. The "Open Tote" ($89) and the "Green Grocery" ($79) are made from recycled boat sails (www.nautigear.net, 866-GO-NAUTI).

With fashion growing greener, wardrobe staples are getting less expensive and easier to find, and even those pricey pieces, like recycled sail tote bags, have a longevity that makes them worth the initial up-front cost. Much like the local vs. organic food debate, eco fashion requires compromise, but each green piece you add to your collection is a step in the right direction.

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