For environmentally minded teenagers, back to school fashion can be a problem.

 

They want to be in fashion and have something new to show off on the first day of school, but they don’t want to damage the planet in the process.

 

Where can fashion-minded green teens turn for 2010’s back-to-school eco-fashions?

 

There are plenty of options — even for those who need to stick to a budget.

 

Buying clothing made from organic cotton or from hemp is a great way to add eco-friendly pieces to a wardrobe, but it’s not the only way.

 

More and more teens are beginning to embrace secondhand fashions and accessories.

 

Whether you’re looking for new or already-worn fashions, here is what’s out there for this year’s back to school fashion trends:

 

Leggings – Leggings are this year’s must-have fashion for the school year. Paired with long T-shirts and tunics on the warmer fall days or sweaters in the winter, they’re versatile as well as stylish. Lux Green Living offers leggings ($42) in six different colors that are made with organic cotton.

 

T-shirts – The basic tee never goes out of style. American Apparel has organic T-shirts for a very reasonable $18 in nine fashion colors including this year’s hottest color – gray (or as American Apparel calls it, cinder).

 

Plaid – Plaid anything is hot this year. This plaid camp shirt ($10) from Faded Glory is made from organic cotton, and will look great with leggings, jeans or shorts.

 

Anything from Emma Watson – Today’s teens grew up watching Emma Watson playing the heroine Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies. Just barely out of her teens herself, Watson now has her own line of eco-friendly fashions from People Tree in the UK. Her collection includes T-shirts, dresses, jackets, accessories and more. She also has a line for boys. Prices vary and shipping to the U.S. may be pricey.

 

 

Baseball caps – Baseball caps aren’t just for baseball any more. They haven’t been for a long time. Life is Good has a Good Karma collection that’s made from organic cotton with several styles of baseball caps ($25) to choose from.

 

Hoodies – Hemp is a very renewable resource, and it makes durable, good-looking clothing. The Hempest has a wide variety of hemp hoodies for guys from plain colors to in-style prints. Check out the hemp camo hoodie – anything camouflage is in style this school year. Prices start at $39.95.

 

T-shirts – REI carries several stylish printed organic T-shirts for young men (prices vary), and American Apparel carries the $18 basic color T-shirts (in nine different colors) that never go out of style.

 

Eco-friendly, back to school fashions don’t need to be made from organic cotton or hemp. Reusing is also eco-friendly, and buying secondhand clothing and accessories is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to put together a fashionable wardrobe that fits an individual teen’s style. While leggings, anything gray, and all-things camouflage or plaid may be the “in” back-to-school styles this year, green teens often have their own sense of style.

 

A trip to the local thrift store or consignment shop, a Saturday morning spent picking through clothes at yard sales, or an evening perusing the fashions on eBay or the vintage, handmade, and repurposed styles on EcoEtsy may turn up some unique, one-of-a-kind fashions that a green teen will wear proudly on the first day of school and beyond.

 

Have another tip for back to school fashion? Leave it in the comments below.

 

See also:

• Back to school tips