Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Nicole Bridger’s Eco Fashion from the Heart: Autumn, 2009 Collection

Visceral White Shirt Lust: the perfectly overlong sleeves, the gently gathered neckline (oh-so-flattering) and the dropped armholes. It couldn’t be any better.

“I called this season ‘perspective,’ ” says Canadian eco fashion designer Nicole Bridger, of her Autumn, 2009 collection. This past year has shifted the lens for many of us, and it is a designer’s job to echo what’s happening both culturally and personally in her creations, which Nicole has done beautifully.

Calls to mind evenings by the fire, while reading A.S. Byatt’s “Possession” and drinking Earl Grey. Pairs wonderfully with a white button-down as shown here.

“I realised I’m all about neutrals, greys, creams, and browns [this year]. They just work and its what I like,” says the designer. These colors are also about sobriety and will stand the test of time; pairing them with a shock of color (a scarf or bold bracelet) will anchor them well in this Fall’s styles.

Leggings, an oversize shirt and biker boots. What could be more sublimely simple for Autumn dressing?

“The world is a beautiful place and I’m inspired by things around me, things I see when I travel, and nature,” Nicole explains about her latest collection. She’s not only inspired by the natural world, she keeps her impact on the planet in mind at all times. Her entire collection is made of sustainable organic fabrics and manufactured ethically.

This tunic would be gorgeous over skinny jeans and a slim-cut knit base layer in a bright color (red!) which would peek out from the oversize armholes, calling the attention of those who want to know what’s around the next corner.

“This year, the space [that inspires me] is in my heart. I get inspired by life lessons I’m learning,” she says.

Easy and sharp at the same time, this cardigan makes your day automatically more cozy on the inside while not looking a bit sloppy outside. Could you wear it with nothing underneath for conservative sexy? Definitely.

Nicole uses organic supima cottons and organic wools. The designer takes sustainable wool seriously; not only must the fabric not be treated with pesticides, but the humane treatment of sheep is also a consideration (sheep shearing is notoriously violent and bloody).

Romping About in Samantha Pleet's Fall, 2009 Collection

Designing since 2005, Samantha Pleet was quickly recognized as an up-and-coming designer, earning her a collection with Urban Outfitters called Rapscallion.

Now, Samantha has gone ecofriendly, and her Fall, 2009 collection is locally made in New York City (Samantha lives in Brooklyn) and her factory is powered by wind! Fall collection pieces include organic cotton and organic wool and definitely has that hipster/piratey wenchy/magical thing going on.

Samantha Pleet’s Romper and Jumpsuit are available at Kaight, whose blog first alerted me to this fab designer.

Now I know what I’ve been missing my whole life! A gorgeous cape to wander through the woods in, with purple piping to delight. This one is made from organic wool.

The ruffle detail around the hips of this dress makes it sweetly sexy and very flattering by accentuating the waist and hiding the bum.

Perfect jumper for exploring the wilds of autumn, and could be worn with thick tights and high boots on mild winter days too. The military button detail is just exactly right.

Simple is as simple does.

All images by Jacqueline Di Milia from Samantha Pleet’s Fall, 2009 Collection.

A Case of Coat Lust

Confession: I have many winter coats. There’s the 3/4 length periwinkle wool overcoat, the chunky-knit turquoise peacoat, the 70′s butternut squash colored fuzzy cape, the plain black wool number with the best hood ever, and the abbreviated khaki raincoat. I love them all, and wear them all, too.

Obviously I am not a one-winter-coat girl, but I think it’s OK because I’ve had most of my coats for several years, and clean them each Spring to keep for the next year. I always think my coat wardrobe is complete, but then I’m tempted with the likes of these…..

Hoodlamb Drop Top in Natural at The Hempest, $249

Hoodlamb Hemp in Camoflage, at The Hempest, $259

Stewart+Brown Altai Coat, on Paygaya, $795

Passenger Pigeon’s Double Breasted Hoody in Hemp and Cotton, at Sodafine, $188

Stewart+Brown Wool Khara Coat, at Pangaya, $374

Delano Collection Organic Wool Ramona Coat at Greenloop, $425