Kellan Lutz and Olga Kurylenko wear eco-couture at Oscars 2014

Actors Kellan Lutz and Olga Kurylenko donned eco-couture at the 2014 Oscars as a part of showcasing up-and-coming designers' winning works for a contest created by Red Carpet Green Dress.

Image: dailymail.co.uk.

Quantum of Solace star Kurylenko wore a coral gown with a ruffled shoulder. The sustainable gown was designed by contest winner Alice Elia, a student at ESMOD fashion school in Paris, France who specializes in women's couture.

Image: people.com.

Beyond Skin, a U.K.-based vegan footwear company, provided Kurylenko's shoes, which were comprised of Dinamica, a faux suede made entirely of recycled polyester from plastic bottles and polyurethane fibers. Beyond Skin partnered with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to start selling the metallic-trimmed evening shoe on March 3.

Twilight star Kellan Lutz wore a textured black eco-tux with cerulean accents by New Zealand-based H Brothers designer Jomnarn Dul. H Brothers created a limited edition line of eco-tuxes each made of up to 25 recycled plastic bottles from an eco-fabric known as Repreve. It's a part of a partnership with EKOCYCLE, a joint venture from musician/eco-tech enthusiast will.i.am and the Coca-Cola Company to help brands make sustainable products from post-consumer recycled materials.

Image: people.com.

Red Carpet Green Dress is an organization founded by actress and philanthropist Suzy Amis Cameron, wife of famed director James Cameron. For the past five years, the organization has held a worldwide contest for fashion designers to create formal attire with eco-fabrics for the Academy Awards. 

Thursday night, Red Carpet Green Dress celebrated its fifth anniversary with a few celebs like Lutz and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom actress Naomie Harris, who wore the winning gown at last year's Oscars.

Study: High heels hurt

My Jessica Simpson leopard heels are
 two inches high, have comfy soles, and
cost $4 at a thrift shop

If you missed it, high heels hurt. The spiked heels we slide on our feet for fashionable purposes to make us seem physically loftier than we really are can harm our health.

According to a survey by MBT Footwear, out of 1,000 women, 40% experienced some type of mishap in heels like falling down or breaking an ankle. MBT conveniently specializes in making those step up sneakers we're supposed to opt for instead of sky-high heels.

The solution: Dr. Scholl's shoe liners and lower heels.

Goodwill hunting #6: fuzzy leopard loafers

Earlier this week, I finally bought a pair of adorably suave leopard-print, fuzzy-skinned Steve Madden loafers at Goodwill that I had eyed for some time but was too cheap to fork over ten bucks for. 

Then, while surfing the celeb and fashion news, I noticed my shoes happened to be in style. I found a strikingly similar match with an extravagant price tag...

Christian Louboutin Dufferin Embellished
Calf Hair Loafers, $1,295, net-a-porter.com.

Then I saw chic celebutante Nicole Richie wearing another similar pair...

Image: popsugar.com.

I totally saved so much money.

Colorful assortment of Halloween shoes @ Goodwill

A photo montage dedicated to the lives of the creatively fascinating pairs of shoes living in their natural habitat inside the blue bins at the local Goodwill thrift store. These shoes translated into Halloween attire though we know we would wear them on the regular.

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.

Cute vegan ballet flats @ Forever 21

For those days when your heels need a rest, ballet flats are the best companions. They fit around your foot flawlessly and remain comfortable throughout the day. 

Ethnic Print Flats, $20.80, forever21.com

 Though it's cold outside, the weather's not too bad to wear some flats with transparent knee-highs or ankle socks. Forever 21 had some of the more unique patterned choices available this season at a reasonable price. 

Cute Satin Flats, $22.80, forever21.com

I have a very similar pair of leopard-print flats that I bought from their competitor, Charlotte Russe, that's still in great condition after five years, and I wear them a little too often. So these flats will definitely be durable and stylish all year round.

Studded Velvet Flats, $19.80, forever21.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.

Vegan cowgirl western-style boots

Western style boots seem to stick around every year, so it's not too hard to find eco-leather boots that flaunt the trend. 

But the more expensive cowgirl boots made from leather still have more intricate designs. Also, vintage cowgirl or cowboy boots (they're practically unisex) are also eco-friendly options.

Tan Faux Leather Western Buckle Mid-Calf Boots, $12.99, amiclubwear.com

Fringe Suedette Boots, $39.80, forever21.com

Modified Cowboy Boot, $35.50, charlotterusse.com

Western Fold Buckle Boot, $39.50, wetseal.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

Eco-fashion sales #1

With snow threatening to make an appearance, I had to march myself to the mall this weekend to get my boots asap (couldn’t wait for Black Friday). Since I try to support eco-fashion as much as possible, I found faux leather boots with a sale of buy-one-get-the-other-$10 bucks at Wet Seal. I usually buy faux leather and cloth boots for the winter since they have a lower environmental impact sometimes compared to real leather shoe wear.

 

Then, I headed to Old Navy where I bought some long-sleeved shirts and another pair of imitation Ugg faux leather boots with faux fur lining perfect for wearing in the rain. On another note, I noticed the shirts and boots all had price tags printed on recycled paper. At least, there’s an attempt to make fashion a little greener. 

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-suede fall boots

Since suede boots can add substance to the more laid-back outfits in the fall, then eco-suede boots can give any outfit that eco-friendly edge.

Terra Plana Free Lyn Brown
Leather Suede Knee High
Boots (vegetable tanned suede),
$141.56, fashion-conscience.com

Eco-suede can be either faux suede or vegetable-tanned suede. Both versions are considered to be ecologically favorable compared to conventional, chemical-tanned suede. 

Lucky Gray Suede Belt
Around Over the Knee Boots
(faux suede), $49, lulus.com

Eco-suede boots are also easy to find at many stores specializing in fashionable fall boot wear. 

Casual fall ensemble #1

Long tunics come back in style with a vengeance in the fall, and lucky for us, organic cotton tunics are a popular eco-fashion trend. Since leggings haven't left the scene yet, we still like to match them with the tunics and some knee-high boots.

An organic cotton tunic with organic cotton leggings and faux leather boots with a low heel (this more comfortable choice is preferred than sky-high heels) makes the ideal eco-fashion statement. And a matching vintage handbag or eco-tote wouldn't hurt.

Komodo Organic Cotton Flower
Tunic, $86.20, us.asos.com

Organic Cotton Long Legging, $40, gaiam.com

Women's Silver-Wedge Boot in Black, $44.50, oldnavy.com

Fall florals

Floral fashions are not only for spring anymore. Fall is a time to still flaunt flowery patterns in a way that still keeps you warm. 

Floral Long Blazer, $99.19,
anniegreenabelle.com

Wear floral designs surrounded by fall colors such as brown and orange or darker colors such as black and navy to give off the appropriate look for the weather.  

Long Handled Rose Floral Shopper Bag,
$13.95, anniegreenabelle.com

Organic cotton and recycled polyester are two major fabrics you will find in the floral designs this season. 

Jeffrey Campbell Charli Pink Floral
Woodie Clog, $128, lulus.com

Because we don't see as many flowers, we shouldn't be afraid to wear them.

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.