[Photo: Peter Lindbergh]

It may come as a surprise that Tonne Goodman once referred to herself as a hippie. But the famously minimalist fashion stylist, who bid goodbye to her waist-length honeyed blonde hair and wide-legged corduroys decades ago, has always championed an environmentally conscious life. As she puts it, “I participated in the first Earth Day in 1970 and I have participated ever since.” 

It’s a philosophy she’s been faithful to in her work—Goodman became Vogue’s first-ever Sustainability Editor during her twenty-plus year tenure at the magazine—as well as her wardrobe. “I’ve really stuck to what works for me,” she says of her signature sartorial simplicity. In the early 90s, following the birth of her two children, she adopted an exacting—if not effortless—uniform, which she maintains to this day: crisp white Levi’s 501s, suede Belgian loafers, and Charvet’s Cheerio-printed silk scarves. 

“Part of my sustainable approach is to buy something and wear it until it’s unwearable,” explains Goodman who was recently seen at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in a Calvin Klein tuxedo that she’s had on rotation for nearly 30 years. “I don’t do any impulsive buying, which is one of the things that has kept the fast fashion market alive.”  

Naturally, she extends her scrupulous shopping habits beyond her closet, too. Goodman opts for refillables over single-use plastic bottles, stocks up on seasonal produce at her local farmer’s market, and composts regularly. “In buying certain products, you support and promote them—it’s very important to realize that your purchasing power has a lot to do with sustainability. A lot.” As for her rules of thumb? “Be decisive, keep it simple, invest in quality, and make it last.” 

Below, Goodman shares her top picks—all carefully chosen with the earth’s well-being (and yours!) top of mind. 

Levi's 501 Jeans

“I wear Levi’s 501s in white—only white—religiously because they're perfectly cut and do not have any stretch. I do not like stretch at all. You can wear them for a long, long time. I have four or five pairs that I rotate. They’re the best thing.” 

Terracotta Cotton Cocktail Napkins 

“Merci is a terrific store that I visit every time I’m in Paris. I originally found these recycled cotton table linens there, which are quite brilliant. They come on a roll and you tear them off, like paper towels. They’re available in many sizes and colors, all in a very elegant palette.” 

Skin Activator 

“This serum sounds fantastic and is extremely admirable with its refillable and recyclable component.” 

Organic John Patrick Long Slip Dress 

“I love John Patrick as a person and a designer. I used to wear a lot of his sweaters and still have the original Bias Slip, which I now wear as a nightgown in the summer.” 

Cloud Paper 

“Cloud Paper is fabulous. They make toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue paper from bamboo, which regenerates very quickly. After you subscribe, they deliver it to you on the basis that you need. It doesn’t go to the store—it skips that whole process.”  

Muji Denim Shirt Jacket 

“Muji has a very ethical approach. I love this contemporary version of my vintage French workman’s jacket, which is so hard to find. Muji’s is made with a blend of organic cotton and kapok, a fabric made from plants grown without any pesticides.” 

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Liquid Soap  

“I started using Dr. Bronner’s in the 70s. Right now, I have the peppermint scent in my shower, but the orange is also really nice. I get my bottles refilled at LifeThyme Market. Saves buying more plastic! Saves producing more plastic!” 

Dries Van Noten Coat 

“One designer I’ve always gravitated to is Dries Van Noten. His designs last forever and never go out of style. They’re as chic as can be. That’s my indulgence. I have a navy version of this coat, which I got years ago. It's classic and perfect.” 

Pampered Chef Mesh Produce Bags 

“When I go to the farmer’s market, I bring vegetable bags and a string tote, which is brilliant because it holds a ton. But don’t buy yours on Amazon!”