Queen of Green, Lindsay works at an environmental non-profit organization. She wants to dress more planet-friendly, and asked us to help her find an outfit for an upcoming event: Vancouver Eco-Fashion week. We find out that it definitely ain't easy being green!

   Our Style Mission

Green-living Lindsay has a closet full of patterns, and a small budget. She wants to dress more planet-friendly, but she finds it difficult since “green” fashion can be pretty pricey. We take up the challenge to create a green and stylish look for Lindsay’s upcoming event: Vancouver Eco-Fashion Week.

Our guest expert is eco-fashionista and designer Lizzie Parker, who had these tips for dressing Lindsay:

• Go to a store that specializes in eco-fashion. The biggest challenge is frankly going to be the lack of selection, sadly.

• It has to fit well and you have to like it. Just because it’s eco, doesn’t mean it will work for you.

• I’m sick of seeing green (the colour) in eco-friendly fashion. It looks very earthy, bland, and granola. Try to avoid this stereotype. It doesn’t have to be ugly!

   Our Look Book

With our $500 budget, we wanted to round out Lindsay’s wardrobe with some solid, classic pieces that would accentuate her favourite features (her waist) and camouflage her problem areas. And of course, we went as eco-friendly as we possibly could, within the limits of stylishness. We put together a combination of organic cotton items mixed with up-cycled and vintage pieces to create her green and stylish look.

Lindsay’s Outfit details

• Olive ruffle Galium dress: $83 at Body Politic
• Light tan A-line Cleo coat with round collar: $226 at Body Politic
• Reclaimed gold filigree earrings: $38 at Body Politic
• Orange leather second-hand purse: $50 at Bohemia Gallery
• Army green suede stud-dotted heels (second-hand): $30 at C’est La Vie
• Silk scarf: $ at C’est La Vie

 Lizzie Parker’s opinion

• The dress colour is so “green goddess”, which is the eco-stereotype I don’t like to see. I like the coat with the dress, which brightens it up. I don’t like where it hits the dress. A little shorter would be better, or even cropped.

• I love the orange bag. The splash of colour with the scarf is great. It makes her look springy and fresh. She looks cute in a Mary Tyler Moore sort of way.

• I love the shoes on her; they balance her calf well.

• For $500, you did a lot. She looks really happy. There are some fit issues though!

   Did our style picks make the “Do List” or “Don’t List”?

Lindsay thought we did really well with our choices. She was comfortable wearing them and felt really good, both for looking stylish, and being earth-friendly.

Eco-designer Lizzie Parker says we did achieve a stylish green look, though she wasn’t quite sure about the ruffles on the dress, and she wanted more colour. 

   Tip Central

• For the ultimate in green fashion, go vintage. Or look for local designers in your area and find out more about their material and manufacturing processes.

• Don’t go for green cliches. You may have to spend a bit more time looking, but avoid frumpy sacks and hippy dippy duds.

• Add some colour beyond earth tones and neutrals.

   Other Show Segments

• Fashion Tips: How Green Is It?
• Product Test: Cosmetic Acupuncture (Botox alternative)

   Related Links

• More about Anna & Kristina’s Beauty Call (overview and episode list) 

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Please note: opinions expressed about fashion and beauty in this article are just that: our opinions. Feeling beautiful on the inside is what matters most, but we like to do what we can on the outside too.