Eco Extra: Enviornmental Chic

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MAKING A MINIMAL carbon footprint is a noble concept. But there's no sense in stepping lightly in ugly hemp sandals when hip designers have warmed up to globe-friendly accessories. Finds range from punk-tastic earrings made of repurposed vintage chains to espadrilles from Payless' new organic shoe line, Zoe & Zac. "You're seeing things like old leather jackets recycled into handbags and people making necklaces out of dead-stock beads," says Angelina Bennett, owner of eco boutique Beklina.com. "People are getting more creative about what green really means."

» COMING ROUND AGAIN
Melissa Joy Manning uses recycled gold in stacking rings. (Pictured above; $498, Ginger, 7114 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda; 301-664-9242)

» TANGLED UP IN THE GREEN
Alpaca and silk — both sustainable and soft — are woven into sleek stripes on Rachel Comey's scarf. ($285, Beklina.com)

» NO-TRACE THREADS
Organic cotton uppers and recycled rubber soles make Zoe & Zac's espadrilles pretty and PC. ($27, Payless stores and Payless.com)

» STALK OF FAME
Call these bamboo cube clutches the Earth girl's "It" bags. The mod babies seem especially apropos for summer nights out or for hitting the panda enclosure at the zoo. ($50, Raw-bags.com)

LINK POSITIVE
Recycled chains dangle from a pair of gritty-yet-pretty earrings that'd add edge to both cubicle and club outfits. ($90, Dirtylibrarianchains.com)

Photo by Marge Ely/Express