Accessories are superheroes of the fashion world. Since not every woman is a walking epitome of the Devil that wears Prada who can afford every new expensive fashion item that comes out of the woodwork, fashion frugalistas often turn to accessories to save their day. With some beadwork around the wrist, a full, fluffy scarf around the neck and a little more frills, they could easily assemble a new ensemble—without spending a lot of course! Even better, people who love to accessorize can also help the society and the environment by choosing eco-friendly fashion accessories. Here’s how:

Choose organic. In this blog, we’ve discussed the benefits of choosing organic stuff a lot of times. By not making use of harmful chemicals, organic products afford people and the environment a lot of benefits. The same holds true for fashion accessories. When buying bracelets or anklets made of bamboo for example, choose those made from organically-grown bamboo. When choosing tights or scarves, buy those made of organic fabric. Of course, to complete the organic package, remember to clean or wash organic clothing only with similar organic products like BabyGanics’ Loads of Love Laundry Detergent.

Choose sustainable. Choose items that have been produced in sustainable ways. When choosing rings and necklaces, opt for those made of recycled silver and metal. Moreover, avoid products that make use of body parts of endangered or threatened species. Forget elephant ivory bracelets or stoles and shawls made from the fur of European mink. Wear faux!

Rent girl, rent. Investing on your image can be a very tough job. For instance, just how much money do you need to purchase a single handbag so you could flaunt your sassiness? Do you dare spend $300? How about $1000? Heck, real deals would not even think twice about buying $10,000 bags. Of course not everyone can afford to invest in such fashion accessories, let alone seven of them (one for each day!). One attractive option is for you to rent designer bags through online renting services. Or better yet borrow your mom’s or your best friend’s!

Buy mom and pop. Ever wondered why those chintzy fashion accessories of shoddy construction you buy from big stores cost so much? They probably do for all the wrong reasons. They were probably sourced from sweatshops a continent away from America, produced by underpaid and abused laborers and then wrapped up in packaging that costs double that of the products themselves. By choosing mom and pop products made by cooperatives, independent artists and small enterprises, you’ll not only get your hands on items that cost less, these things are also bound to be of high-quality because of the extra tender-loving-care the small-scale entrepreneur put on their products. Being small, the businesses you’ll be supporting are sure to have lesser ecological footprint than those big companies.

Buy fair trade. Another way you can help workers from poor communities is by buying fair-trade accessories. This ensures that the products you buy have been fairly traded, meaning to say the people who produced them have been compensated for adequately and justly. Never buy products of suspect backgrounds, like diamonds not certified under the Kimberley Process. This scheme, sanctioned by the United Nations, ensures that the jewelry you are buying does not contain conflict diamonds, gems whose profits are used to fund wars and insurgencies, or are mined under unethical conditions.