Ethical Shopper’s Guide
These local shops say go green or go home.
Envi
Specializing in trendy organic and refit clothing, this Newbury Street boutique redefines eco-chic. Their extensive stock includes of one-of-a-kind boleros, funky vintage blazers, and silky bamboo knits.
164 Newbury St., Boston, 617-267-3684, shopenvi.com.
The Hempest
This crunchy-cool shop carries a wide range of basics (think button-downs, hoodies, tanks, and tees), as well as quirky accessories like chunky knit scarves and faux fur earmuffs—most of which is made from one of nature most popular renewable resources.
207 Newbury St., Boston, 617-421-9944, hempest.com.
Nike
What to do when your worn out, smelly sneakers have past their prime? Drop them off with at NikeTown. Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program (now in its 14th year) re-purposes shabby sneakers into tracks, tennis courts, and playgrounds for kids.
200 Newbury St., Boston, 617-267-3400, niketown5k.com; for other locations, nike.com.
Barneys New York
Barneys proves that eco-conscious and fashion-conscious can coexist. The swanky shopping mecca hocks organic skinny jeans, wedge sandals, and stylish minis from brands like Loomstate and Levi’s Capital E, along with Stella McCartney’s new 100 percent organic luxury skincare line.
Copley Place, Boston, 617-385-3300, barneys.com.
Greenward
At Greenwood, even the shelving is environmentally friendly. All of their Modern wares—jewelry, vinyl handbags, books, home furnishings—fit perfectly into an eco-friendly lifestyle, as owners and Cambridge-dwellers Scott Walker and Simone Alpen can attest.
1776 Massachusetts Ave., Unit 1, Cambridge, 617-395-1338, greenwardshop.com
Vanessa Noel Hotel Green
Green fiends can finally relax in style at Vanessa Noel’s chic boutique hotel on Nantucket, equipped with everything from the hemp shower-curtains, bamboo sheets, and milk-based wall paint. And even the yummy organic pancakes and popovers served at the in-house Café V is eco-friendly.
33 Centre St., Nantucket, 508-228-5300, vanessanoelhotelgreen.com
Studio Elle Pilates
A recent convert to the green scene, Elle Pilates now boasts LED lighting and cork flooring, and offers eco-friendly bamboo cloths instead of paper towels.
1318 Beacon Street, Suite 16, 2nd Floor, Brookline, 617-975-0100, studioelle.com
Specializing in trendy organic and refit clothing, this Newbury Street boutique redefines eco-chic. Their extensive stock includes of one-of-a-kind boleros, funky vintage blazers, and silky bamboo knits.
164 Newbury St., Boston, 617-267-3684, shopenvi.com.
The Hempest
This crunchy-cool shop carries a wide range of basics (think button-downs, hoodies, tanks, and tees), as well as quirky accessories like chunky knit scarves and faux fur earmuffs—most of which is made from one of nature most popular renewable resources.
207 Newbury St., Boston, 617-421-9944, hempest.com.
Nike
What to do when your worn out, smelly sneakers have past their prime? Drop them off with at NikeTown. Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program (now in its 14th year) re-purposes shabby sneakers into tracks, tennis courts, and playgrounds for kids.
200 Newbury St., Boston, 617-267-3400, niketown5k.com; for other locations, nike.com.
Barneys New York
Barneys proves that eco-conscious and fashion-conscious can coexist. The swanky shopping mecca hocks organic skinny jeans, wedge sandals, and stylish minis from brands like Loomstate and Levi’s Capital E, along with Stella McCartney’s new 100 percent organic luxury skincare line.
Copley Place, Boston, 617-385-3300, barneys.com.
Greenward
At Greenwood, even the shelving is environmentally friendly. All of their Modern wares—jewelry, vinyl handbags, books, home furnishings—fit perfectly into an eco-friendly lifestyle, as owners and Cambridge-dwellers Scott Walker and Simone Alpen can attest.
1776 Massachusetts Ave., Unit 1, Cambridge, 617-395-1338, greenwardshop.com
Vanessa Noel Hotel Green
Green fiends can finally relax in style at Vanessa Noel’s chic boutique hotel on Nantucket, equipped with everything from the hemp shower-curtains, bamboo sheets, and milk-based wall paint. And even the yummy organic pancakes and popovers served at the in-house Café V is eco-friendly.
33 Centre St., Nantucket, 508-228-5300, vanessanoelhotelgreen.com
Studio Elle Pilates
A recent convert to the green scene, Elle Pilates now boasts LED lighting and cork flooring, and offers eco-friendly bamboo cloths instead of paper towels.
1318 Beacon Street, Suite 16, 2nd Floor, Brookline, 617-975-0100, studioelle.com
Originally published in Boston magazine, June 2007
