Hobby-inspired eco-handbags @ ModCloth

The handbag is a must-have accessory, so if it can reflect our interests through design, we should definitely carry it. 

Below are some faux leather handbags from eco-friendly online retailer, ModCloth, where hobbies like traveling and writing come alive in an eco-handbag.

Traveling Translator Tote, $99.99, modcloth.com.

Sweet Music Clutch, $54.99, modcloth.com.

Shoulder Bag of Notebook, $54.99, modcloth.com.

Gleaming Cube Handbag, $52.99, modcloth.com.

Eco-holiday accessories

With 16 shopping days left, New Year's Day is quickly approaching and parties are already scheduled, so the must-have accessories are necessary for an eventful night. 

They include the pair of pumps to appear taller, the clutch to hold your belongings, the beautiful earrings, and the lip gloss for that midnight kiss. 

And the eco-friendly versions of these accessories can reduce your carbon footprint before the new year begins.

2b Alma Faux Suede Platform Pump (faux suede), $39.95, bebe.com.

Embossed Faux Crocodile Clutch (faux leather), $14.80, forever21.com.

 

Satin Gold Plated 3-Leaf Crystal Chandelier Earrings (handmade), $52, etsy.com.

LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint (paraben-free), $24, sephora.com.

Angel Jackson python eco-leather handbags

With press coverage in the September issue of Marie Claire, U.K. eco-fashion label Angel Jackson produces überglam handbags, clutches, and totes from ethically sourced leather and products. The facets of eco-fashion are widespread, but some companies use animal resources like feathers for hair accessories without taking note of the mistreatment of the animal, including a shortened lifespan, to start a fashion faux pas trend. 

Large Foldover Clutch, $170, angeljackson.com.

Sisters Katie and Millie Smith found Angel Jackson six years ago with the plan to only create vogue pieces with ethically sourced products. Dannii Minogue (Kylie's sister) and Anna Paquin are just a few celebs who have been spotted with the eco-clutches.   

Killer Satchel in Yellow, $505, angeljackson.com.

Eco-fashion eye candy #7

Stella McCartney Alexa Eco
Suede Tote Bag, $965,
saksfifthavenue.com.

A tote bag is a girl's best friend, particularly an Italian-made Stella McCartney eco-suede tote.  

Yes, polyurethane helped create the piece but, at least, suede and leather was left out of the equation. It's rarely a win-win situation with eco-fashion, but a suave tote bag is a suave tote bag.

Vegan ankle boots

When seasons change, ankle boots help us transition from the Ugg boots to the Coach sandals.  

Because of the inevitable pain from wearing high heels all day, the new trend is to sport lower heels, preferably in the 2-inch range. 

Whether the heel is high or low, ankle boots sans the leather are fun to wear with any outfit. 

Liliana by Adi Women's Faux Suede Boots, $39.49, overstock.com

Vigoss Pewter Smooth Women's Geller, $52.25, shoes.com

Harper, $59.99, bakersshoes.com

Mossimo Black Grey Kameisha, $14.98, target.com

 Katelyn Zebra Trim Ankle Boot in Leopard, $33.92, makemechic.com.

Eco-fashion eye candy #3

Believe me, ballet slippers are a godsend for those days when high heels are a must. 

I have a black and brown pair for those career interviews and club nights, but these vegan silver pair from Target are tempting.

Get the eco-look: military style

Skinstinct Military Style Corps in Army Green,
$13, sears.com (organic cotton)

Military style seems to stick around, maybe not straight-up camouflage print, but it shows in our taste for jackets and boots. 

Green, brown, and black seem to be the main colors to flaunt the trend. 

Here are a few eco-selections.  

ASHLEY Military Womens Jacket, $29.99,
tillys.com (faux leather)

Wanted Women's Queen Boots, $69,
shoes.com

Vegan wedge boots

A fantastic pair of vegan boots are hard to find sometimes with the man-made materials making the boot look wrinkly or plasticky. But this winter, there are more durable and more fashionable selections to choose from.

Bumper Edma Camel Wedge Boot, $39, lulus.com

With high heels slowly fading out for the moment, a vegan wedge boot can help with maneuvering yourself at a comfortable height. 

Madden Girl Zaney Cognac Boot, $69, alternativeoutfitters.com

Vegan boots lack animal by-products that appear in many shoes, but you can still enjoy the trend of a faux fur-trimmed faux suede boot.

Super Furry Wedge Winter Boots, $49.99, womensshoedepot.com

Animal print handbags gone wild

Once I entered through the doors of TJ Maxx this morning, I was immediately bombarded by the latest handbag fashion: animal prints. 

Cynthia Rowley, $99.99, TJ Maxx.

But it was animal prints to the extreme, and since this trend never leaves the scene for too long, a leopard-printed or python-inspired handbag may be the perfect holiday gift. 

Kathy Van Zeeland, $49.99, TJ Maxx.

Some were made from faux leather materials such as polyvinyl chloride, which can be recycled into new uses. And some were made from leather, but faux leather wannabes can be easily found. Also, check inside tags to see if the choice material is recyclable.
 

Enzo Angiolini, $29.99, TJ Maxx.

Jessica Simpson, $49.99, TJ Maxx.

Eco-trend: hip bags

Throw those retro fanny packs away! They've been out of style for awhile, but there are times when you rather just carry your lip gloss and cell phone in your pockets instead of wearing a heavy handbag. 

Ruby Zaar, an eco-friendly designer, has created a line of hip bags perfect for the girl-on-the-go who doesn't need the whole purse package. 

The eco-leather bags undergo the natural tanning process, and the hides come from an organic farm. If eco-leather doesn't work, there's still a vegan bag. The company guarantees fair trade and fair wages and proceeds for the artisans, farmers, and tanners in Thailand. 

Army Double Sahara, $220, rubyzaar.com

Eco-must-have: career essentials

Whether starting a new job or sprucing up the professional image, there are career girl items everyone owns to convey that flawless appearance. From head-to-toe, an eco-fashionable commitment can still be on display at the workplace. 

 

Grey Long Blazer, $99.19, anniegreenabelle.com

Blazers are a must since they're compatible with any smooth pair of slacks or fancy jeans. They make any ensemble look so much more businessy. With fall in the picture, try a medium to dark one-color blazer that can be made from eco-fabrics varying from organic cotton to bamboo.

Faded Glory Women's Organic Cotton Long-Sleeve Button-Down Shirt, $12, walmart.com

The white button-up blouse may be the key to success. With its combined simplicity and sophistication, the blouse can add an impressive flair.

Organic Cotton Pencil Skirt, $59, athleta.com

Out of all the skirts ever made, the pencil skirt is hands-down the best choice for the workplace. Like with the blazers, cold weather means thicker eco-fabrics and darker colors. A pair of eco-friendly boots with a flatter heel or wedge can complement the skirt and bring warmth to the legs.

Vegan Professional Briefcase, $62.99, veganchic.com

What better than a briefcase to hold all those files from the office. Usually, the top briefcases are made from conventional leather, but there are plenty of recycled or synthetic leather briefcases that still give off that professional shine. Even a vintage one can still get the job done.

Madden Girl Women's Raleigh Vegan Platform Pump, $49.99, famousfootwear.com

On the days when the boots need a rest, the pump steps in as the replacement. Shoes are generally the one item that can be found eco-friendly with either using recycled or synthetic materials or being made in a sweatshop-free environment or made locally. Less inches in the heel department is the more comfortable trend out right now.

Eco-friendly rain boots

Capelli New York Cowboy Solid
in Purple (vegan), $38.90,
whatapair.com

Though umbrellas complete the outfit, rainy season is really for the rain boot. They could be made of rubber, leather, and other materials not exactly contributing to the environment in a positive way. This season, there's more of an eco-friendly selection of rain boots.

Vegan rain boots are easier to find since many companies don't use animal by-products such as leather or fur to make the boot. But on the other hand, some still do, so check the label for its contents. 

Chooka Rain Boot in Turquoise
(natural rubber),$59.99,
whatapair.com

Natural rubber is an eco-friendly material. It's extracted from plants and trees without destroying the source even though it's still affected. With synthetic rubber, chemicals create the substance, and it's more widely used. Now, rain boots using natural rubber have a larger availability than before. 

Infamously, the rain boot is popular for its crazy designs, favoring the younger crowd, but you can still wear a sturdy, fashionable rain boot for school and the workplace. 

Cougar Cutie Rain Boot (vegan),
$49.99, whatapair.com

Solid colors, a mixture of dark colors, or two-color designs are great choices.
If you feel safer without the splash of bright color, try the solid black, brown, or beige rain boot. 

Also, unique designs like the shorter ankle boot and the cowboy style above can make your rainy day shoes stand out even more.

Eco-must-have: faux python

Volatile Shania Faux Python Boots, $19.95, 6pm.com

Animal print officially never goes out of style, and this fall season belongs to the python. Although real leather may be alluring, the faux leather choice benefits the environment a little more. 

Since leather undergoes several chemical processes to be made suitable for our consumption compared to other materials, faux leather is greener and cheaper. 

Stone Mountain Python Tote, $19.99, jcp.com

Look for faux python skin that seems authentic and feels authentic. Sometimes faux leather products have a weaker texture, which can make it vulnerable to tears and snags.

Find fun python prints from handbags to boots at an affordable price with a larger carbon footprint than their leather counterparts.

Eco-leather jackets

Leather jackets are a trend that will never disappear, so might as well have one hanging in the closet. At least every year, the trend is updated to a hipper and cooler version for us to wear. But there are eco-leather jackets out there waiting to become a part of your latest ensemble. 

Eco-leather is leather that does not use chemicals during the production process or it could be recycled from old leather to reduce waste. Eco-leather can also be other fabrics that are made to look like leather and have a lower impact on the environment.

Leather Quilted Shoulder Jacket, $68.60, express.com

SYNTHETIC
Synthetic leather is eco-friendly and vegan. And it's easier to find in a fashionable design you would wear.

Synthetic leather is usually made up of polyester, polyurethane, or polyamide. These fabrics weigh better in environmental impact than leather which goes through harsh processes to become the leather we want to wear.

Remember to buy synthetic leather that may be confused with real leather. Some synthetic leather can appear too fake and the fabric can fall apart easily.

The Hooded Leather Bomber Jacket, $178, poptheshop.com

RECYCLED
What's better than new leather? Recycled leather! 

Some companies support eco-fashion by using recycled leather from old jackets, handbags, and other accessories to create a whole new jacket. 

If there's a budding fashion designer inside, you can always turn your old leather into new leather or support waste reduction by purchasing old leather.