Ethical Street Style: Garden State

Temperatures were sky-high, but we weren't in a minimalist mood when we styled this eco-friendly summer look, pulling more than a few of our favorite pieces on the kind of day when everyone wants to be wearing as little as possible. But even though we were ready to pare down this outfit, our selections proved surprisingly compatible.

Perhaps that's because the details that make each of these items so special only reveal themselves upon close inspection. Take note of the metallic threads that lend a quiet shimmer to these otherwise laidback shorts; the diaphanous swirls of earth tones and indigo on that crisp button-down shirt; the latticed handcarvings on the cylindrical amethyst necklace; and the pitch-perfect luster of the brown leather doctor's bag.

Of course, the day that we plucked all of these not-your-garden-variety items was the day the fates (assisted by our creative director's artistic eye) steered us into this elysian nook–a tiny community garden that seems worlds away from our base in ever-busy New York City. With the help of the leafy shade, our editorial assistant Natasha stayed cool as a cucumber and looked pretty as can be. Take that, heat wave.

Shorts: Ace & Jig. Top: Upstate. Necklace: A Peace Treaty. Bag: Fleabags.

The Way We Wore is our take on ethical and eco-friendly street style. Now you're up: shoot a selfie, start a movement. Tag your pictures #TheWayIWore to share your conscious looks with our ethical fashion community.