Trendwatch: In the trenches...

Most fashion experts put the trench coat on the top of their "Must Have" lists, and rightly so. The classic design is smart, sexy, polished and practical - all at the same time. Additionally, the belted style does wonders for the figure (and covers up areas one might want to hide). While there are many variations on the traditional style made famous by Burberry, I recommend having at least one relatively basic "go-with-everything" version. That doesn't mean it has to be khaki-colored, but it should be neutral enough to be worn often and should be in the belted, double-breasted, knee-length construction. Trenches also come in every price range, so you should be able to find one that fits your budget and needs.  It is the perfect Spring wardrobe piece for those April showers! Once you own a basic trench, then you can consider some of the more fun options, which include bright colors, prints, patent leather and even cocktail/evening versions.

It's chic being green...

If I were to write a manual on how to be environmentally responsible, this would be it. (In fact, the cover logo, color scheme and witty yet useful text had me wondering at times if I actually had written it. Or else - gasp! - are my ideas perhaps not as unique as I like to think they are?) So kudos to Christine Matheson for writing such a fun and readable "how-to" guide for preserving our planet without sacrificing our sense of style.

Encouraging us all to "embrace the fabulousness of green living," Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style details several practical ways to minimize our earth-stomping human footprint. Fortunately, for those of us who strive to be both fashion and environmentally conscious, being green does not require wearing only Birkenstocks and clothing made of hemp. AND...right there in green print on Page 116, Matheson advises to "edit your closet" (with the help of a fashion stylist, if possible,) describing a process that mirrors the Closet Re-Vamp chicmadesimple has been offering for years! So, you can treat yourself and your wardrobe to said services and feel good about it (do I hear a lobby for a tax write-off?)

In other green news, did you know that some of your clothing can be recycled? This is a good thing, because according to the Council for Textile Recycling, clothing waste accounts for 4% of all American landfill content. A few clever companies have devised ways to bring items too shabby for donation full circle - and keep them our of the trash. Two such companies include Nike, who will accept athletic shoes of any brand, turning them into "Nike Grind," a material used in sports surfaces (basketball courts, running tracks) donated to children's organizations. Another is Patagonia - drop off used Patagonia or Polartec fleece garments at a Patagonia store or mail them to the company's service center, and they'll recycle the old fabrics into new clothing.
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe www.nike.com/nikebiz/reuseashoe
Patagonia Common Threads Garment Recycling www.patagonia.com/recycle

Being GREEN isn't a fad...it's timelessly chic.