Arts brief: town boutiques offer ‘green’ options in clothing and gifts

Up until famed department store Barneys New York highlighted sustainability in fashion through its “Give Good Green” holiday theme in 2007, the most memorable “green” moment in fashion had involved Jennifer Lopez, an exposed navel, and a Versace dress-cum-swimsuit-cover-up in a chintzy palm tree print. Since then, the movement has gained stream, with eco-ganic designers occupying an increasing portion of real estate in luxury retail stores and at Bryant Park during fashion week; Vogue even released its own green issue last April, though the publication’s highly consumerist approach to the subject drew rightful ire from many bloggers.

As is the case with food, the problem is often one of terminology — in other words, does it make a difference that your designer jeans were made with organic cotton if they’re being carted, en masse, across the country to arrive at your local boutique? Not surprisingly, the Vermont approach to green clothing seems rooted more in viability and less in idealism, with a focus on offering affordable options constructed, often locally, from recycled materials.

Addy Dorman, who acts as the floor manager at Mendy’s in town, is also the founder of her own handcrafted clothing company (named “The Good Witch” in honor of her fascination with Oz’s benevolent Glinda). Her wares — on display in the Mendy’s backroom for those who know to ask — range from old tanks and t-shirts that she resuscitates with simple dying and silk-screening processes (sold for about $10-15) to funky stretch knit dresses that she sews together using a variety of recycled fabrics ($40-65).

“Using these recycled materials is really utilitarian,” explained Dorman. “It allows me to make a more affordable product, and I’m not buying my materials new when they exist — and are so beautiful — used. When I look at a pile of clothes that someone is about to throw away, I think, ‘How can I make all of this into one great piece?’”

If you find yourself on a green gift hunt, there are a number of other popular — and ecologically responsible — items to be found in the town of Middlebury. Wild Mountain Thyme cites recycled yarn socks from E.G. Smith ($9), 100 percent cotton baby clothes from Zutano (made in Cabot, Vt.) and sustainable shoes from Simple as some of their top sellers. Sweet Cecily does not sell clothing, but they offer a number of great options in housewares, including bamboo flatware and beeswax candles that never burn down, as well as a wide range of crafts and prints from local artists.

Still, while these new purchasing trends are encouraging, the real sea change in local shopping has more to do with what people are not taking with them when they leave a store.

“A major trend that I have noticed, even in the past year, is more and more people who do not want a bag [for their merchandise] because they are bringing their own with them,” said Nancie Dunn, the owner of Sweet Cecily.

After all, given the proliferation of chic totes these days, sporting a plastic bag in institutional beige is not just irresponsible — it’s downright gauche.