I'll be honest, I sometimes find myself struggling between my ideals and wardrobe budget. There's the sustainable, green closet I want, and then there's the lure of grabbing that trendy piece of the season for a great price and maybe not knowing the behind-the-scenes of how it's made. As I try to lead a more ethical life, including when it comes to my wardrobe, it helps when some of my favorite brands aid me in these efforts, whether it's manufacturing transparency, clothes recycling programs, special conscious collections, and more. It also helps when it's affordable! Maybe my purchase won't revolutionize green fashion efforts, but collectively we can normalize it with our buying power, and that counts for something.

Banana Republic is having a major sale - up to 75 percent off sitewide! A lot of these styles are produced with sustainability in mind, and making "better clothes for a better planet," the brand states. There are cozy knits made of recycled wool and cashmere, certified with the Responsible Wool Standard that protects the sheep that supply the wool as well as the land they graze, and stylish coats made of 20 plastic bottles. There are also jeans that use innovative washing and dyeing techniques that are better for the environment, as well as those that are produced in factories with programming that educates and empowers women in the communities where the products are made. Here are a few of my selections from Banana Republic's sustainable line.