Blue Canoe:

I fell in love with Blue Canoe a few years ago at the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park. I bought a couple pieces, in classic blue, at a discount…and ended up wearing them all the time. Years later, believe it or not, they are still…blue! And the fabric is still like new. I love the feel of the amazingly soft cotton and the look of the styles on my body type.

At this year’s yoga conference, I met up with down-to-earth owner Laurie Dunlap and told her that my goal in life is to “wear yoga clothes every day.” Happily, I found that her new (and old) styles encompass not only extremely comfortable yoga wear but also a few pieces so stylish you could sport them at a business meeting (see her new Button Pant and Jacket on her website). You can also find flattering, cute dresses that are either casual or dressy.

Not only is every piece made in the USA, each is made of organic cotton, and has been since the company began 14 years ago. Laurie started as a one-person shop in Humbolt County, Northern California. Where did the name come from? By the lake she lived on, Laurie saw a row of green fiberglass canoes…and one wooden canoe painted blue. That idea sums up the business philosophy: unique, authentic and committed to keeping things on US soil.

From the beginning, Blue Canoe was known for its “un-granola” styles; it was the pioneer of fashionable organic clothing. The office still sits in the redwoods looking onto the lake, but the styles are as hip as urban San Francisco, where all the clothes are made. It is officially the longest-running successful organic cotton company around.

And, exciting news: Blue Canoe now features a new line of sustainable bamboo clothing. Think super soft underwear made of bamboo and cotton…it makes you want to throw out your old ones and replace them all (but don’t, wouldn’t be very eco-responsible now, would it?). Reminiscent of Laurie’s first designs of a swimsuit (all she wanted while she played volleyball or bodysurfed), they have just enough spandex for gentle support, plus are naturally breathable and don’t retain odors.

A couple of tops have gone with me on every one of my world travels:

1) In the Sheer Halter top, I can look sexy and still keep from “falling out” in a yoga class.

2) In the Strappy top, I’ve gotten tons of compliments on the flattering criss-crossing straps in back, plus it keeps me cool.

Now I’m adding on to my collection with:

1) The Metro Zip Up—I think it would fit in just great in London or Barcelona.

2) The Wrap top that I can go to “work” in….and then go out in.

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