It used to be that when I imagined eco-friendly, environmentally conscious recycling types I visualized caftans and Birkenstocks. I could almost smell the patchouli. Now, however, I consider myself one of those types and I don't own ANY sensible shoes (trust me). One of the most fashionable ways to "go green" is to shop vintage. I know what you're thinking, "Vintage is a nice word for hand-me-downs from the Good Will." Not true! There are actually a lot of high-end resale boutiques that offer designer clothing at a fraction of the cost. If you live in the Los Angeles area, a great spot is It's A Wrap. They have two locations, one on the Westside and one in Burbank. They specialize in "gently used" production wardrobe. One of the fun parts of shopping there is that they have a code attached to each item that tells you what television show or feature film it is from. I once found a Prada suit from "All My Children" for $200. PRADA! They have everything from men and women's clothes to shoes and even a kid's section. It's also a great spot for killer Halloween costumes. Another great spot for new, used and vintage is Wasteland, which also has several locations in Northern and Southern California. Recently, I was in New York on business, and I stopped into Second Time Around on 7th Avenue. If you watch Bravo (when you are not watching NBC of course), then you've probably seen STA featured on the new show "Fashion Hunters." I picked up an Yves Saint Laurent skirt and a Zac Posen top - both of which still had their original tags on them - for a steal! And of course, you can always shop online to find great designer items that are just waiting to jump from someone else's closet into yours.

The beauty is, by buying previously owned items you are saving them from a landfill, which reduces your carbon footprint. Not to mention, you are saving money. Which means more money for shopping - it's genius! So next time you're looking for a party dress, or some cool shoes, find a consignment or vintage shop near you. You'll probably find a unique item for your wardrobe and earn good green karma at the same time!