Normal Green: Eco-friendly Back-to-school Fashion That's Actually Fashionable

Happy Monday, friends. Since we last chatted, I have been seeking out the best in back-to-school fashion, clothes, and accessories that not only look good, but are good for the planet. I've talked before about "reduce" being the most important part of the "Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse" mantra, and the same applies for school clothing. I've taken stock of my own girls' immediate needs and there's not a whole lot that requires urgent attention. Both kids can wear their pants, t-shirts, and sweaters a little while longer. I bought jackets last year that were a little too big for both so they can wear them again this year. The bonus of having two girls is that the little one really needs nothing except the occasional pair of shoes. When I choose clothes for my older daughter, I choose quality items that will stand up to being passed down not only to my younger daughter, but to friends as well.

Don't forget to check out re-sale shops and thrift stores. They are great places to look for winter clothing like snow pants, parkas and snow or rain boots. You can also find deals on backpacks and bags and leather goods like belts. Now might also be a time to have a clothing swap with your friends, especially if they have older kids that can pass down gently worn items like sweaters, jackets and shoes. So before you race out of the house with this week's Target circular in your hand ready to buy up the whole store , take a critical look at your child's most immediate wardrobe needs and see what she or he can get away with wearing a little while longer. Since most back-to- school items go on sale in October and November, you'll be glad you did. But if your kidlets are in need of new (or new to them) items, I've found some stylish kids' clothing options that are all made with an eye toward sustainability.

In seeking out eco-friendly, green fashion you don't have to settle for tie-dyed, well, everything or clothing made from scratchy, un-dyed fibers. Eco-friendly fabrics and manufacturing philosophies have come a long way. Take this company, for example: I love the boy's shirts, girls' tees, dresses, and outerwear from Green Edge Kids. The designs are cool enough to appeal to fashion-conscious tweens, yet you can feel good about everything they are wearing. All of Green Edge Kids' products are eco-friendly, sustainable, and made from organic fibers. For organic Turkish cotton hats and scarves ($15-$18) in cheery knits, check out Hessnatur. Their practical-yet-stylish jackets and parkas ($48-$170) are made of natural waxed cotton to keep out the damp. Their soft sweats and sturdy cargo pants and jeans for boys and girls are also made of organic cotton and are colored with synthetic dyes ($38-$58). Their European-made products are free of chlorine and their natural fibers are from renewable resources. Simple Shoes has been around awhile and their motto, "Shoes for a happy planet", takes into account not only the materials and manufacturing process, but also their whimsical, kid-friendly styles. Natural crepe rubber and organic cotton are the basis for their super-cute line of EcoSNEAKS for kids. From Mary Janes to lace-ups you are sure to find a sweet style for children of every age. Another source for sweatshop-free, eco-friendly, vegan hemp sneakers is Kid Bean. These kicks come in a variety of fashionable colors for $25. Nova Natural carries soft woolen undershirts, socks, mittens, hoods (hats), and long johns ($14-$41) to keep your kids toasty-warm this winter. Their items are made by Ruskovilla Oy, a Finnish company deeply committed to quality and the environment at all phases of production from raw materials to the finished garment.

Need a rain coat? The Patagonia Kids' Rain Shadow jacket is a raincoat with a higher purpose. The 100 percent recycled polyester raincoat is also 100 percent recyclable through the Patagonia Common Threads Recycling Program. If you want to be hip to the latest in eco-fashion and other green tips throughout the year point your browser to my favorite family friendly sources: Green Mom Finds, Mom Goes Green (she's a perfect example of the Normal Green philosophy), and White Apricot (What? A green site that doesn't have the word "green" in it?). Lastly, be sure to check out your local farmer's market for eco-friendly clothing. Blogger Sarah Gilbert reminded me that this is a great place to seek out organic cotton clothing like tees or dresses depending on what your farmer's market offers. Happy shopping...or not! Other posts in this series: Greening School Lunches Greening Your School Supplies