"True, consuming just about anything is eco-detrimental," admits Matheson, who cites production, packaging and shipping, which take their toll, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to wear last year's designer denim for the next eight seasons. Please."

Matheson has come up with a "more realistic" plan.

"Be thoughtful about the clothes and accessories you buy and the habits you use when buying and taking care of them," she says. "Along with the process of lightening your environmental footprint, there's a surprising added bonus — you'll probably cut way down on buyer's remorse. My 'why the hell is that in my closet?' purchases are close to zero since I've started being an eco-conscious shopper. I get more compliments and 'where did you find that?' questions from my friends, including fashion editor friends."

Matheson does not suggest getting rid of all your "non-green" clothes and buying an entirely new wardrobe. "That wouldn't be green at all," she says. "But when you do get a craving for something fabulous, here are a bunch of ideas to help you become a greener fashionista. Because going green should never be just a fashion statement, green really is the new black."

Here are a few of Matheson's tips for thinking "green":

— Edit, edit, edit. Go through your closet: a tip from many fashion stylists and a great place to start whether we like it or not. Look at every single thing you own and pare it down, so you're left with only the things you "love, love, love, love to wear," says Matheson. "The idea is that if you love everything in your closet — even if you end up with a third of the clothes you had before you started the editing process — you'll have a much easier time getting dressed in the morning, and you'll always look stunning."

— Less is indeed more. "Crap in your closet — pieces that don't fit, don't flatter, or make you feel like you're wearing a tent — distracts from the amazing stuff that's already in there," says Matheson. "And if you're distracted from the amazing stuff that's already in there, you might think you need to go on a shopping spree to save you from wardrobe hatred. This is not a green solution!"

— Don't use shopping bags. Whether they're paper or plastic or whether that Chanel bag looks fabulous on your closet door handle, give them up.

"If everyone in New York City used just one less shopping bag per year, it would eliminate 5 million pounds of waste and save the city $250,000 in disposal costs," says Matheson.

This is an easy "green" strategy to employ. "If uber-elegant is the only thing that works for you, consider this the perfect excuse to invest in that beautiful bag you've been coveting," says Matheson. "Keep it right by your door and use it exclusively for shopping, so it's always clean, empty and waiting for you."

— Opt for organic fabrics. Cotton is one of Matheson's favorite ways to wear "green." But not just any "cotton" will do, according to this eco-expert. "Organic cotton is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, meaning none of that seeps into the air, the water, the soil or your skin."

Check out organic cashmere, linen, silk and undyed wool. "Read the label. If it's organic, it will say so," she says.

— Consider vintage. "Who knew buying a gorgeous 40-year-old Chanel suit is actually a way to preserve the planet?" asks Matheson. "Don't comb through awful secondhand shops hoping for a miracle," she adds. "You won't find what you're looking for there, anyway. Go to nice vintage and consignment shops. Or consider swapping gently worn clothing with your girlfriends."

— Always institute a waiting period. "This is good eco-shopping advice, but it's also just plain good shopping advice," says Matheson. "If there's even a hint of doubt in your mind but the item you're totally craving is expensive or, OK, isn't particularly eco-friendly, walk away for an hour or, better, a day.

"Put it on hold if you think someone else will snap it up. Sleep on it. There's a decent chance you'll realize you don't really need it. And if you do still want it, it's probably something that you really love, something that belongs in your closet."

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.