Does Eco Have To Mean Ugly?
I've been googling for grocery bags -- the kind made out of recycled soda bottles that you take with you to and from the grocery store. I have yet to find one that doesn't look like it's carried by somebody whose hairy toes are firmly ensconced in Birkenstocks. Well, for a moment, I thought I was in luck. There was a fashion show in London last week, supposedly eco-friendly...but was it fashion-friendly? Doubtful.
Reminiscent of Jessica Ogden and Marni, the hemp label Enamore showed kimono wrap-over tops and romantic knee-length culottes with trims from recycled curtains, and 1960s A-line bell-sleeved coats in an antique palette of dirty rose, chestnut and charcoal. Enamore's spring/summer show is the first collection of the Brighton-based Canadian designer Jenny McPherson."I blend hemp with luxurious silks, wools and cottons. It's time to dust off hemp's canvas sack image," said McPherson, who nonetheless plays down the eco argument. "This has to appeal to the mainstream," she said. "I can't rely on a bunch of hippies. They'll be knitting their own clothes."
I dunno, the stuff at the Enamore link above looks like the same old hippie shit to me, probably just a lot more expensive.
Does the grocery bag have to be beautiful, or just not excessively ugly? I've seen some plastic netted bags that look fine. They have an old Europe feel (imagine loading the groceries into the basket on the front of your bike).
Lena at February 14, 2005 7:56 AM
I like those netted bags, aesthetically speaking. But, in Europe, at least in Paris, they load them into a granny cart to take home. I need something sturdy that can carry all my wine and the cans of Thai soup I buy for when the food from my two personal Sally Struthers', Gregg and Lena, dries up...lest I be forced to consider mustard a vegetable. Something that can replace double-bagged paper bags. With form and shape! I would have gotten them in France, but somebody just brought to my attention how much waste is involved in getting bags every time at the grocery store. They're right. At least reusable bags are cheaper than hybrid cars!
Amy Alkon at February 14, 2005 8:05 AM
What about canvas bags? They come in many styles and colors. They are very sturdy and can look neutral.
Canvas at February 14, 2005 8:23 AM
I want one shaped like a paper grocery bag, with a flat, rectangular bottom. But I'd rather buy ones made from recycled bottles than cotton. Still have yet to see anything un-ugly. If I'm going to have bags on a semi-permanent basis, my allergy to ugly has to be a consideration.
Amy Alkon at February 14, 2005 8:33 AM
"I want one shaped like a paper grocery bag, with a flat, rectangular bottom."
This is the only case in which a flat, rectangular bottom is desirable.
Lena-doodle-doo at February 14, 2005 9:46 AM
Well, I like the Trader Joe's canvas bags, which, while not square and rectangular, have good straps/handles, and the spiffy TJ logo. Now, I concede that I like the logo because I live far, far from a Trader Joe's at the moment, but I use these for my shopping.
Alternatively, the Friends of the Libaray here (and in many other places) make great canvas tote bags, often with rectangular bases. The one I have doesn't have straps that are as good as the TJ bag, though, so your shoulder starts to hurt. If you're not waking far (say, just home from the Wednesday marked), they work fine.
caroline at February 14, 2005 1:01 PM
u can check the bags offered at
www.reusablebags.com, maybe u can find there a nice bag with chic. I broguht up two beatiful shopping bags from my last trip in India - Although they're from cotton, they are big and strong enough to carry all your groceries home and they have great printing on them of Indian's symbols.
btw, didn't u like Enamore's hemp jeans? I thought they were looking good.
ronen at February 27, 2005 5:41 AM
Thanks so much! Those are great. And best of all, they don't have any dumbass hippie logos or sayings on them. I'm going to get a bunch.
Amy Alkon at February 27, 2005 9:21 AM
Just bought the
ACME Workhorse Reusable Shopping Bag Set
Each bag folds into its own ultra-compact pouch
Super compact set yet it has everything you need to eliminate accumulating unwanted plastic bags!
Set includes 10 pieces:
5 Ultra-Compact ACME Workhorse bags
4 Reusable Produce Bags
1 packet of 12 BioFresh B
Amy Alkon at February 27, 2005 9:38 AM
The Wildwood Cottage www.wildwoodcottage. sells durable canvas grocery bags that can hold over 20 pounds of groceries even when wet. Using a canvas grocery bag is also good for the environment.
Joy at May 22, 2005 6:40 AM
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