Don’t wait for the rain to strut your stuff in one of winter’s most wearable fashions.  Hunter Wellington boots are this season’s chicest cold weather choice.  Definitely a timeless addition to your wardrobe, these fabulously functional boots originated in Scotland and date back to the 1800’s. 

With an overwhelming variety of wintery boots on the market, opt for and old classic with a new twist.  Hunter wellies come in a variety of fun colors like bright fuschia, lemon yellow, and cherry red bringing instant cheer to any outfit or dreary day.   Available in mid-calf or knee lengths($105-$115), the beauty of their design is simplicity. 

You can find Hunters at retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, or online at Zappos.com.  But buyers beware, Hunter’s run a full size large, so be sure to go down a size.  

Not just cute and practical for a rainy climate, they are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear daily.  They have been my cure all solution for lazy days in leggings and sweaters.  They also look great when worn over skinny jeans or paired with tights and a casual skirt.

Don’t let sunny skies hold you back.  After all, cowboy boots made their way off the ranch and equestrian boots are everywhere this season.  It is time to give your old wellies some new love.  On your next trip to the store ditch your Uggs for your Hunter wellies!

- By Style Solution guest writer Brielle Jackson

Erin Stafford Demo Reel

Gone are the days when eco friendly fashion equated to Birkenstocks, hemp clothing, or anything tree huger chic.  Today, the Green revolution is sweeping the world and designers from Phillip Lim to Linda Loudermilk, and celebrities from Kate Bosworth to Leonardo DiCaprio are embracing the movement and contributing to the cause. 

While many do-gooders would like to help prevent the population from killing this planet, the Green waters can often be murky.  With so many terms, definitions, and complex combinations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 

Listed below are the most popular terms you will find in relation to the Green movement.  While this is a large and growing field, at least you will be able to speak and dress with confidence knowing your recycled from your repurposed. 

Green is a broad term that applies to the overall environmental movement.  It not only encompasses green fashion and manufacturing, but the concept of trying to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of a person, family, home, business, car, etc.  

Eco-Friendly and the term Green are often used interchangeably.  Eco-friendly means creating clothing and products that do not damage the environment or that prevent environmental damage. 

Sustainable Fashion is part of a design philosophy with the goal to create a system that can be supported indefinitely in terms of environmentalism and social responsibility.  The environment is considered during the whole lifespan of the garment.  Environmentally friendly materials such as organic cottons and soy dyes and the use of renewable energy for production are all considered sustainable.

Reused or Repurposed fashion involves taking vintage clothing and accessories and recrafting them into new styles. Examples include vintage broaches that have been given new life as ornaments on a headband; using old telephone wire to create intricately designed cuff bracelets; or taking old Indian saris and using the fabric to create beautiful sundresses. 

Recycled involves processing used materials into new products in order to prevent waste, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, air pollution, land fills, and lower green house gas emissions.  Examples include creating a new, fleece-like material from melted water bottles for tote bags, or creating handbags like Ecoist, from recycled candy wrappers, food packages, soda labels, newspapers, etc. 

 Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on green manure, compost, biological pest control, and excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.  In the fashion world, the term organic is most commonly seen in reference to organic cotton.  It is grown without pesticides from plants that are not genetically modified.  Though organic cotton has less environmental impact than conventional cotton (which accounts for 16% of the world’s pesticides), it costs more to produce.  Brands like Stella McCartney, Loomstate, and American Apparel have all incorporated organic cotton into their lines.

Vegan refers to a diet and lifestyle that excludes the use of animal products or byproducts for food, clothing, or any other purpose.  Vegan fashionistas refuse to wear leather, fur, any type of animal skin, as well as anything with animal byproducts.  Although this can be quite limiting, there are a growing number of vegan brands such as Herbivore, Neuaura, and Jennifer Coreace that are bringing Vegan fashion to new heights. 

Carbon Footprint is an estimate of how much carbon dioxide an entity such as a person, family, building, or garment, produces and releases into the atmosphere.  Amazingly, two thirds of a garment’s carbon footprint will occur after the garment is purchased due to laundering, and the eventual landfill space it will use.     

Green Washing is a term used to describe the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly, such as by presenting cost cuts as reductions in use of resources.  It is a deceptive use of green PR or green marketing.  The term Green Sheen has also been used to describe organizations that attempt to show that they are adopting practices beneficial to the environment. 

Fair Trade is a certification code used to ensure that a product has been made or grown locally, that the maker has been paid a fair market price, provided credit, and given assistance in their business with the eventual goal of economic self-sufficiency.  The fair trade movement aims to help producers in developing countries and promotes sustainability.  It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries and tries to eliminate sweatshops, child labor, inhumane working hours and conditions, and promotes fair wages.

Consider this your cliff notes version to going green.  While changing every aspect of your life to more eco-friendly ways may seem overwhelming, don’t forget that every little bit helps.  The greenest thing you can do is to use and wear the clothing and accessories that you already own.  Give your old clothes to a friend or charity, organize a clothing exchange party with your friends, or get creative and repurpose your existing pieces into something exciting and new.  Whichever path you choose, know that you can still be stylish, fashion forward, and eco chic all at once. 

A: If you are in the southern California area, simply take your knitwear to The Knitwear Doctor (1651- D Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, 949 650 1025, www.knitweardoctor.com)

This woman is an absolute magician when it comes to repairing holes, snags, and tears in knitwear.  Whether a moth has made a meal of your garment, or you destroyed it all by yourself, The Knitwear Doctor will save the day.  Keep her in mind when you are cleaning out your closet and considering tossing an expensive or sentimental item.   

Sienna Miller has proven time and again that she is a fashion force to be reckoned with.  Entering the fashion scene as the epitome of boho chic, her style has evolved to a more sophisticated, yet still carefree and unexpected vibe.  Her look is never boring , over thought, or trashy.  While sex does sell in Hollywood, and she is certainly sexy, it is refreshing to see a young woman not put everything out there for the world to see.  She is one of the few that seem to be completely comfortable in her skin and with her fashion choices.  Whether she is shopping on London’s Portobello Road, or on the red carpet promoting her new GI Joe movie, her style and undeniable good looks continue to please and surprise.  Regardless of your style , own it!  Make fashion choices with confidence and the world will be in awe. 

Photo credit: www.whowhatwear.com

Check out the September issue of Orange Coast Magazine to see the 8 page fall fashion spread and cover that I styled, featuring OC up and comers Ashley Benson, from Eastwick, Kayla Ewell from Vampire Diaries, and Justin Chon from Twilight.

www.orangecoastmagazine.com