As if you didn't know it was cool to care, Rihanna is certainly showing her eco-allegiance via the reusable tote, My Bag Cares. Instead of going for an uber-expensive "it" bag, Rihanna opted for this $25 washable linen tote meant to deter frequent plastic and paper bag use. The best part? For each bag purchased, a tree is planted.
Other celeb-sightings with this particular bag have occurred, including Kelly Ripa, Rosanna Arquette, and Shannon Elizabeth. We do adore this bag and love the chic "tree hugger" concept, but also got to thinking about what other cool eco-friendly totes and bags on a mission are out there!
For starters, we love the utilitarian-chic design of the organic cotton FEED bag by Ralph Lauren's Rugby brand ($60). The steep price comes with an extremely good cause: which the sale of each bag, a child in one of 74 developing countries will be fed for an entire year through the UN World Food Program. A whole year? For $60? Count us in!
For toes with a bit of attitude, we're digging the hipster-chic vibe of the Prairie Underground Logo Shopper Bag ($40, Tobi.com), made of organic scrap materials, and the Cindy Kirk Help Nature Rock ($19, Piperlime.com) organic cotton tote bag.
Drifting away from organic materials, we found a recycled bag that made us do a double take: the Bottle Topper Hand Woven Messenger Bag ($85, ShopIntuition.com) is made not of sheets of metal, but rather is hand-woven from recycled soda tabs. A portion of the proceeds will go to an eco-friendly organization - so don't feel guilty the next time you drink a Mountain Dew - simply save and recycle your tabs!
Next up - we found some environmentally friendly options for the gal who simply isn't tote-inclined, however appreciates the value in an eco product. Disguise your inner hippie with one of Ashley Watson's amazing supple and soft recycled leather bags. Our favorites include the Thrush & Brant Bags ($345, Beklina.com) and the Junco ($352, Nimlii.com). We also spotted this Lollipop Clutch in eye-catching red for $300 by Vegan Queen. It's made of eco-leather and organic cotton, and is ever so slightly more dress-up appropriate than your average organic tote!
Regardless of deciding to flaunt or conceal your eco-bag tendencies, one thing is for sure: you're now equipped with a handful of fabulous selections to make.
--Julia DiNardo is the founder/editor of Fashion Pulse -- visit the site for daily updates on trends, runway collections, industry buzz, beauty, and more.
thanks julia, love the Eco options!!
$60 for a reusable bag? I got great bags at www.envbags.com and they are only $8.50, pretty designs and great gifts for under $10 I bought tons for family and friends and they all love them. www.envbags.com