Your Stylist: Eco-friendly jewelry in honor of Earth Day and spring’s bohemian vibe is in the bag

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Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly ‘Your Stylist’ blog column.

I am not usually one who switches her bag out every few months, but the black leather tote I have been carrying for seven months is starting to look too heavy now that the weather is getting warmer. What are my (inexpensive) options for a spring bag? MT, Los Angeles

What’s inexpensive to you may not be to me or vice versa, so I tried to stay below $100 or just a bit over. And for a leather bag that could be something you’ll carry through the season and possibly next spring as well, the price seems totally fair.

A big trend this spring is boho/70s, and to me, the best way to integrate it is through accessories. There are plenty of slouchy hobo and satchel styles out there right now at refreshingly affordable prices. A super versatile style is from Kohl’s. At just $59, this structured hobo shape works for that boho vibe and beyond.

I’m a sucker for woven leather, especially in an exotic python. But if you’re not exactly in the market for a $2,000-plus Bottega Veneta, then this woven leather tote from Rachel Rachel Roy ($129) is a good option for some texture without necessarily sporting tassels, fringe and crazy hardware or paying the price for real exotic skins.

I’m also really loving these structured satchels from Fossil and Lucky Brand. They’ve both got a lot of room, several compartments and a long strap option so you can wear it as a cross body bag.

If the 70s appeal of brown leather isn’t your bag, there’s a cute white and gray tie-dye hobo from Big Buddha that’s light and springy with just a touch of leather in the whip stitch handle.

Whatever you go with, just remember to leave the heavy, dark leather, chunky hardware and larger shapes for the colder fall and winter months. I imagine your large black tote looks cumbersome and overwhelming in warm weather -- like wearing a sweater to the beach on a hot day.

With Earth Day happening this month, I’ve vowed to try and start buying mostly eco-friendly clothing and accessories, but don’t know where to start. What do you suggest? Jewelry? Shoes? DL, Studio City

Trying to transform your wardrobe to an eco-friendly one can be daunting, so start with smaller things like accessories.

There are so many great jewelry designers using reclaimed metals and reworking vintage baubles from throwaway trinkets to gorgeous statement necklaces and quirky brooches and cocktail rings.

Designer Julia Failey makes jewelry from reclaimed deoxidized sterling silver, making them tarnish resistant and easily recyclable. These are good “everyday” pieces that layer well and work easily into most wardrobes.

For more of a statement, Gemma Redux and Lulu Frost repurpose old metal and antique pieces to create something more fresh and modern. Buying straight-up vintage pieces are also obviously very eco-friendly.

I’ve always found a lot of great eco-friendly jewelry resources browsing www.etsy.com. Many budding designers who sell their pieces on the site are creating work strictly from existing vintage pieces and making jewelry that is as good as new and most times even better.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

Left: Rachel Rachel Roy $129/rachelroy.com

Right - top: Lucky Brand $178/luckybrand.com, bottom: Fossil $148/piperlime.com

Jewelry - Top left: ‘Emily’ necklace. Reclaimed vintage cut brass chains with single cracked reclaimed chandelier crystal $398/Gemma Redux. Top right: Gemma Redux ‘Natalie’ necklace. Reclaimed vintage brass chains with reclaimed smokey chandelier crystals $368/Gemma Redux

Bottom: Kate Bosworth wearing eco-friendly jewelry by Julia Failey/Julia Failey