From this point on in my life I plan to focus on three simple values: feel good, be good, and do good. Call it my New Year’s resolution if you must, but a valuable mantra of life. This is merely attainable in my everyday lifestyle but how does this translate to fashion? With a poor reputation for acknowledging it’s own ecosystem (harsh dyes! fur! PETA! Lippi Cats!*) it’s hard to find one of the good guys. In this day in age it’s important to know where it comes from, and how it was made, whether you are buying that fabulous leather bomber or ogling over the cheese section at Whole Foods. Looking into organic and sustainable clothing lines, I find that there are very few far and between that are actually wearable and affordable (hello, Stella McCartney!). I do own a pair of bamboo knit tights/pants (pights?) from The Battalion that I absolutely LOVE and are on my body 4 days out of the week. No joke. But this is really as far as I have gotten in the “green” fashion world. While cruising through Spring collections I came across John Patrick Organic and stopped dead in my tracks. Crisp trenches? Check. Flirty dresses? Check. High-waisted shorts? Check. Paired with those slinky knee high stockings I think I found my new eco-friendly love! Strictly classic American sportswear channeling a bygone era, this collection will last till you give your granddaughter your pearls. And it will–he uses all organic cotton, grows his own flax, makes denim from blue corn, uses recycled fibers, and is a huge supporter of Vermont wool. The best part? You won’t break the bank. Now that’s something to feel good about.

John Patrick Organic S/S ’10

courtesy of style.com

*True story: One day I came across an Oscar de la Renta tweed sheath dress with pretty little spotted fur trim from F/W ’09. I’ve never seen such spotted fur, clearly it was dyed since it was so soft and looked like Cheetah. I looked at the label which read: Lippi Cat. Um, what? Confused, having never heard of such an animal, I Googled it. What did I find? LIPPI CAT IS NOT REAL. It is a MADE UP name that large fashion houses and buyers use to mask where/what it truly is! In reality, the term “Lippi Cat” is a trade name for either an Asian Leopard cat (illegal to hunt), or DOMESTIC HOUSE CAT illegally obtained from China. Shame on Oscar.