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001: Green Fashion w/ Lara Miller & Lisa Marie McComb

Is it possible to dress sustainably and not look like a hippie?

Listen now | 40 minutes, 9 seconds

Is it possible to dress sustainably and not look like a hippy? What to wear? Where to shop? This week the Eco Chicks seek out two Chicago-based fashion pros--designer Lara Miller (pictured) and stylist Lisa Marie McComb--in search of answers. And don't miss a special appearance from our favorite commodities trader, Mike Q, weighing in with some thoughts on green fashion from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Published on Jan. 28, 2008 at 9:40 a.m., as part of the The Little Green People Show.

Comments (14):

Susie commented, on January 9, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.:

Love those clothes!

Pruneprunee commented, on January 11, 2008 at 11:03 a.m.:

Isn't there more eco clothes out ther in '08?

Billy Fumo commented, on January 11, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.:

Shopping vintage is the way to go. The clothes already exist. No energy or resources are going into making new ones. Vintage shops are all local businesses, too, so money stays in community.

Jill commented, on January 11, 2008 at 3:39 p.m.:

Don't know about that, Prune -- I just checked http://gap.com and http://target.com typing in "organic cotton" and "bamboo" and got a bunch of baby clothes. Somehow people seem to get that baby's pure little skin shouldn't be next to a bunch of pesticides, but don't extend the same courtesy to their own epidermis.

Anyone else finding more organic fabrics/green materials/sustainably produced clothes for adults? Things that are readily available, I mean?

Maria Suarez commented, on January 12, 2008 at 4:36 p.m.:

The Christmas Catalog 2007 for Barney's was all about Green Gifts including green clothing. I know the Whole Foods out here in CA has been selling a line of organic free trade denim blue jeans (about $200). None of the "green" fashion clothing I've seen is at all economical.

King Orthy commented, on January 13, 2008 at 12:49 p.m.:

Good show. Buying fewer clothes is definitely the way to go. Clothes are cheaper proportionate to income now than they've ever been and we all have too many.

The most fashionable, eco-friendly and sustainable way to counter this would trend would be to wear, like the wandering sadhus I met in India, no clothes at all.

The ashes and mud they daub their bodies with are cheap, organic and plentiful. And since they walk everywhere and beg, they have an infinitesimally small carbon footprint.

However, since this absolutely brilliant marriage of fashion and sustainability requires an "American sadhu" to 1) actually live in India, and 2) be insane, the idea will take a while to catch on.

laurene commented, on January 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.:

I like the idea of covering ourselves with mud and leaves and did do that once for a few hours and it was really transformative. I felt like I had stepped into the community of nymphs and tree dwellers. It was exactly the opposite feeling I get when thrifting, when I feel grounded in humanity, surrounded by people of all varieties...except its just their once worn clothes bearing their presence. Ultimately less is more on all eco-fronts, even fasion. And in general buying used is my favorite option. Of course it doesnt work reliably for my daily work suit. And thrifting or freecycling for knee high nylons is definitely not possible.

I see so many very cute and hip and sexy people younger than me wearing very used old sweaters. Its is a sign of hope. I like signs of hope.

Cynthia Suzanne commented, on January 14, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.:

I stumbled across tights made of bamboo at my local Target-same price as the lycra/cotton blends. I don't remember where they were made, but they are soft and warm.

Jill, Chicago commented, on January 14, 2008 at 9:56 p.m.:

Thanks, Cynthia!

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Nau clothing company's policy of having a small store with limited inventory, and having customers order online at the store and having their clothes delivered via UPS? By Nau's calculation, there's less carbon burned up by having things travel on the UPS truck, since it's going to be driving around anyhow, instead of Nau's building out a big store and paying to heat and cool it.

In interest of full disclosure, Laurene and I did a Little Green People show at one of Nau's store openings -- but I'm genuinely struck by this concept. Thought of it a lot over the holiday, and ended up ordering a number of things online that I might have otherwise bought locally. Buying local seems good, but maybe not so hot if you're driving around a lot to do it.

Tanja commented, on January 18, 2008 at 9:46 a.m.:

Spending alot of time in stores due to my job, I have noticed a visible change in the last year, perhaps due to the success of Al Gore's recent campaign. Offerings of bamboo or organic cotton at Target, the rise of "Loomstate" brand at stores like Anthropologie, and small independent boutiques offering items that are "green" but choose not to publicize it. Then in the last year we have offerings like Pivot and Nau that have opened. True their wares are abit more expensive, but wouldn't you want something well made that can last vs. a landfill of clothing in your closet? Other interesting brands are "Trippen" and "Cywoq" shoes offered at least 2 small boutiques here in Chicago. They are handmade, veggie-dyed leather, and very unique in style. With this in mind, think $250 or so a pair. I do like to thrift, but as said, a minimal closet that houses both thrift and well made greener items is the true answer to what eco-fashion is. And don't forget you can make a wonderful wardrobe out of curtains, a la "Sound of Music".

Missy Kunze commented, on January 19, 2008 at 3:12 p.m.:

2 of my favorite summer dresses are made from Hemp. I thought Bush cancels it here.

Jill commented, on January 24, 2008 at 9:21 a.m.:

Tanja, where do you get the Cywoq and Trippen shoes in Chicago?

And is that pronounced "Sigh-wok," sort of like saying "sidewalk" after going to the dentist?

Tanja commented, on January 24, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.:

Yes it is pronounced "sidewalk" those crazy art people like to be alittle different. You can find Cywoq and Trippen shoes at "Traipse" in Lincoln Sq and Cywoq shoes at "City Soles" in Wicker Park. And there is always the handy internet. And Jessa over at Pivot just started to carry some faux leather moccasins. If you partake in retail therapy, you might as well make it green!

Scarlet commented, on September 16, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.:

My favorite place to shop for Cydwoq and Trippen is http://www.pedshoes.com. They always have way more styles in both brands than I ever find in other stores. Plus, they are so nice about answering questions and making sure I get the shoe I want! Nothing beats good customer service in my book. Ped won my heart by being so nice when I was being kind of drag about making up my mind. Since then, I've ordered shoes from them again and again--always a good experience!