In this era, where bags are hailed or villified for their use of controversial materials, wearing a certain style can make a social statement as well as a stylistic one. We all know the virtues and vagaries of the “I’m not a plastic bag phenomenon;” there are other efforts that speak a similar truth.

Vegan Queen, the purveyor of so-called “conscious luxury,” is one designer I’ve come across that does just that. One of her latest that caught my eye is the Boston bag. Crafted of organic terry cloth and polymers that are PVC-free, the colors are what is striking about this particular item — the plum and olive complement each other beautifully.

Honestly, I steer away from bags that aren’t leather because for durability reasons, even if they are environmentally conscious. I think that Vegan Queen has accomplished a great feat, in that her bags are made of recyclable materials while also being well-designed. Details like metal feet on the bottom and hardware with an antique brass finish add to this intrinsically funky yet fun combination. $805 at VeganQueen.com.

This post is tagged Environmental Alternatives