Sometimes the best ideas strike purely by happenstance. Take the colorful “Electric Love” rings by Grain, a Seattle-area jewelry company. Co-designer James Minola whipped this up from scrap electrical wire while waiting for his partner, Chelsea Green, to finish an art class. Ms. Green’s friends admired the ring so much that they’ve added it as a permanent addition to their jewelry line.

Made to order from upcycled electrical wire from a building-materials supplier on Bainbridge Island, the hand-knotted ring comes in a rainbow of bright colors. From an email the designers sent us:

“Electric Love gives a second life to something that was headed for a landfill,” says Minola, “It is a small gesture but one that we always consider in our design work.”

Also, Grain is a member of 1% for the Planet, an association of businesses around the globe pledging to donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental groups. Feel-good all around.

“Electric Love” Rings, $19 at GrainDesign.com.

The “Alba” design is the quintessential timeless satchel in a seasonless burgundy shade. We can easily envision ourselves carrying this throughout the year, from summer happy hour to braving the masses while Christmas shopping.

It’s also designed with the multitasking woman in mind, with pockets galore and enough space for books and files. It’s the perfect balance between form and function, and it’s made right here at a small business in the USA.

Brown too basic for you? It also comes in a soothing sea green.

Paulina Carcach “Alba” Lambskin Satchel, $141 at Etsy.com.

Everybody, at some point, figures out that all clothes are not created equal, despite the fact I made my first pair of shorts at the ripe of age of seven, it wasn’t until I was 18 at an outlet mall that I realized not all clothes are created equal. We all may begin to think about ethical style in different ways and at different times, but I’m just happy when another person discovers their own personal fashion ethics. Here are a few stories of other people’s discovery. –Kara Cook

A few years ago, I became fascinated with the concept of barefoot running and the materials and technology that go into make “barefoot” shoes. The New Yorker had an article on them and I remember scouring it and then looking for other resources and information on the barefoot phenomenon and shoes which replicated barefoot movement or the sensation of running in bare feet, like Nike Free, Vibram Five Fingers, Vivo Bare, etc. I loved the fashion sense of the Vivo Bare, all while feeling like I was doing something good for my feet with a company that was unique. Now, I want to get more of them.
–Katherine from Connecticut

When we discover the origin of where most of our modern-day clothing comes from and who is behind sewing the hem of your pants or the seams of your blouse — sweatshops in 3rd world countries with abominable working standards grossly under U.S. standards — it is rather unsettling. But what are the options to avoid supporting such a depraved system? When I was in 7th grade my mother would take me to a consignment store where I found most of my wardrobe. Fortunately for me, my classmates appreciated my vibrant wardrobe. As a young person I shopped at consignment shops to save money, but as an adult I shop at consignment shops to find vintage styles and avoid supporting the giant sweatshop machine, which is behind nearly every commercial fashion label…I save money too!
–Jenny from Texas

I was standing in a crowded, smoke filled bar… well, maybe it wasn’t quite that bad. I was at my favorite country bar when I happened to notice that most of the people on the dance floor were dancing in beautiful cowboy boots. There were a few flip-flops here and there, but most of the “true” devotees wore leather cowboy boots. In that moment I knew that I wanted to buy myself — in all my California glory — a pair of genuine cowboy boots. When I returned to California for a visit I convinced my mom to go shopping. We walked into the one western store in California and that’s when I saw them: the perfect leather boots for my line dancing ways. I knew that they were going to be an investment, but that the trade-off would be the wear I would get from them because of durable exterior and solidly constructed interior. Those boots have been dancing (or walking), ever since.
–Angelena from California

Even though I don’t think about it too much, most of my eclectic bracelets and necklaces are recycled. One of my favorite memories growing up was sitting at my grandma’s kitchen table while she poured out pile after pile of her old jewelry, telling me I could pick out whatever I wanted! Hence my jewelry box is overflowing with everything from genuine stone necklaces, to lightning bolt earrings, big bangle bracelets, and rings from the 1920′s. Those small treasures mean more to me now than ever before. My sweet grandma recently had to move into an assisted living home and her health is rapidly declining. Each time I put on a piece of her jewelry — no matter how funky or out of style — it reminds me of her and makes me thankful for family.
–Sarah from Alabama

My first encounter with ethical style wasn’t something I was looking for – or to be honest – had ever really given much thought to. I was studying in Morocco and made the obligatory trip to Fes (or Fez for you westerners). Fes is home to the famous Moroccan tanneries, a smelly and involved process to dye and craft genuine leather goods. Now Morocco wasn’t my first encounter with local artisans or even my first time seeing a craft produced from beginning to end, but the tanneries of Fes were my first view into the old world process of producing leather goods that made you feel good about the quality of leather you were purchasing and the value of buying a bag (or shoes, or jacket, or ottoman, or all of the above) that would last a lifetime. I may have bought more than one leather bag in Morocco – but they’re still getting lots of use – and will continue to carry my books, and car keys, and wallet for years to come.
–Ally from Louisiana

Ethics and shopping is something that hit close to home with me the first time I ever left the continent. It was to Ghana, West Africa for two weeks the summer after I graduated high school. I’d never been to somewhere so poor. On a trip we got an opportunity to go to the local market to shop for gifts for friends, family and supporters. The translators took us to the “tourist” market with their colorful clothing, cool and funky jewelry, beautiful batiks and many, many other things all handmade with the makers standing there selling them. Even though we knew that the prices were “jacked up” because they like to haggle and tourists don’t know the local value of things, I always felt bad in the midst of the price banter because all I could think was, “Am I really haggling over the difference between 5 and 10 dollars for this?”

Turns out, the exchange is quite fun when you realize that haggling is the people’s social time and that they would never go below what’s necessary to sustain their family. Anyway, even though I learned to haggle, I still have a tendency to overpay for things and let them think they swindled me because in the end, it could feed a whole family where they wouldn’t have been able to eat before. All this to say, I really pay attention now that I’m back in the U.S. to which stores sell fair-trade products. I have never had buyer’s remorse from single fair trade item I’ve purchased. And how often can you say that?
–Chelsea from California

The modern age teaches us rather impatience.  We are encouraged toward fast food to satiate quick-forming appetites, soundbites to cut to the chase, cheap “disposable” clothing to suit every passing whim.  Gone is a life of contemplation, appreciation for the craft of the things with which we surround ourselves.  These days, it’s practically vogue to do what I’m doing — disparaging mass production.  And really, Walmart and China may be praised today for making more things available to more people.  But “more” — more emails per minute, more food on your plate, more plastic cups per dollar — isn’t always better.  I worry about the volume our modern culture has enabled us to have has supplanted a deeper appreciation for higher things, things made, written, and crafted with thought. --world traveler and blogger Ms. Glasses

All of Moop’s bags are stitched by hand using grown-in-the-USA cotton. In fact, she’s known for having quite a following on Etsy.

To celebrate its third anniversary and the introduction of its organic cotton Market Bags, Moop is offering 10 percent off all orders through Wednesday. Just enter coupon code MOOPLOVESYOU during checkout.

Market Bag in Organic Bright Cherry Red, $113 at MoopShop.com.

Looking for the perfect wear-with-anything piece of jewelry? We love the daintiness of this handmade recycled gold ring by Etsy seller BeyondTheRockz.

It features an antique bird stamp from the 19th century, embossed into a recycled 18-karat gold medallion and set in a sterling silver shank. Each one is stamped by hand using authentically antique tools to connect the wearer with the ancient art of metalworking.

Pretty beautiful stuff — and every ring is one-of-a-kind.

BeyondTheRockz Embossed Little Antique Bird Recycled Gold Ring, $160 on Etsy.com.

Tomorrow morning, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York will open its doors to the “Eco-Fashion: Going Green” exhibit, on display through November 13.

The exhibition features innovations in eco-design over the past 250 years, from a hand-loomed silk brocade dress circa 1760 to modern-day names like Bodkin, Edun, and FIN.

According to the curators, everything on display represents one of the following broadly defined themes:

• the repurposing and recycling of materials
• material origins
• textile dyeing and production
• quality of craftsmanship
• labor practices
• the treatment of animals

Admission is free, so if you’ll be in the city over the next six months, stop in and kill an afternoon admiring these works of eco-art.

The Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, New York, N.Y., 10001. (212) 217-4700.

There’s no better complement to billowy dresses and shapeless cardigans than a waist-cinching corset belt. Etsy has lots of options, but few as lovely as this handmade one by seller Contrived to Charm.

Featuring details like quality hand-stained leather, antique brass eyelets, and a custom fit, this luxe belt can get a shift dress under control like none other. (It also comes in a black stain or with antique silver eyelets.)

Fairytale Sweetheart Ribbon Laced Wide Leather Belt, $49 at Etsy.com.

Jezebel.com got its mitts on a 1986 copy of Elle magazine and posted this fascinating review of how fashion spreads and advertisements have changed (or not) over the past 24 years.

What stood out to us the most was the comparison of a 1986 Louis Vuitton ad that emphasized quality and its long tradition of fine craftsmanship, with a modern wordless two-page spread that sells fantasy in addition to a designer bag.

Is it fair to admit we prefer the 1986 approach? The era of the It Bag has passed; nowadays if consumers are going to spend big bucks on a fantastic purse, they ought to be given a reason why it’s worth it. And given the made-in-China charges of contemporary fashion critics, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the venerable brand to go back to its artisanal roots.

You wouldn’t necessarily think to look on Etsy for shoes, but there are tons of great handmade options! Take Sandali’s brown gladiators, artisan-made in Tel Aviv.

You can wear these soft leather strappy sandals a couple different ways: laced up like a goddess or worn low as an ankle strap. With a sturdy sole, you can expect to walk miles in these — like to the beach this summer.

And you get to support a small business while looking good. Awesome.

Sandali Brown Gladiator Leather Sandals, $55 at Etsy.com.

The handmade “Tell Tale” cotton jersey wrap hits all of our requirements for a great dress. It comes in two dozen colors and can be custom fitted to your proportions. It can be worn alone or over pants. With more than 1100 satisfied customers, there’s very little risk involved.

And best of all, the Boston-based Wildewear is part of the Hearts for Haiti collaborative, which is donating items to be sold to benefit earthquake recovery efforts.

Feeling good while feeling comfortable in your new handmade dress — what could be more appropriate for Earth Day?

Wildewear “Tell Tale” Custom Dress, $65 at Etsy.com.