When it comes to green living, people interested in reducing their own carbon footprint are willing to make a lot of changes to their regular routine. They may start recycling, find ways to conserve energy and water around the house, and even opt for public transportation or an alternative-fuel vehicle to cut back on carbon emissions. But where you can really make a difference is with your consumer dollars, which help to determine the products that come to market and remain viable. If you demand green options on store shelves and refuse to buy anything else, companies are going to start greening up the works in order to earn your patronage. You have more power than you think! But when it comes to eco-friendly clothing, a lot of people feel that they have to draw the line at work attire. After all, there simply aren't that many companies designing duds for the eco-minded executive. But there are still plenty of ways to greenify your work wardrobe. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Skip dry cleaning. Not only have "dry clean only" garments been subjected to myriad chemical processes by the time you purchase them (aiding to pollution and waste via manufacturing), but now you're going to support an industry that is entirely chemical based for the life of the garment? Avoiding this ongoing cycle of pollution is a great place to start when it comes to going green with your work attire.

2. Vintage/thrift. If you're seeking some stylish threads to wear to work but you just can't afford brand new, eco-friendly options (they can be a bit more expensive at times) then you should consider an alternative to buying new that could save you money and deliver on some fantastic finds. Even if you have to get pieces tailored to fit you, the extra expense probably won't add up to the price you would pay in a retail store. And if you love vintage anyway, this could be an opportunity to show your stylistic sensibilities (not to mention your green ones) in the working world.

3. Shopping online. If you want a better chance of finding eco-friendly work-wear, your best bet is to look online. You might be surprised what you can find in the way of green attire that is entirely office appropriate. Men can get organic oxfords at Boll Organic and check out slacks, jackets, and even shoes at Ecolution, while women can find some amazing options from designers Linda Loudermilk and Margaret O'Leary.

4. Maintaining garments. If your clothes are high-quality to begin with and you treat them with care, there's no need to trade them in annually for the latest model. A big part of the green movement is conservation, so think about hand-washing delicate items (organic cotton, peace silk, etc.) as a way to make them last longer. Keep in mind that organic clothing is already more durable simply because it hasn't been treated with dozens of chemicals, so you should be able to make it last easily 10-20 times as long as processed linens.

5. Custom clothing. Although you may have trouble finding suitable options in the way of wash-and-wear work attire that is also eco-friendly, you'll have a much easier time securing organic and chemical-free textiles. And while it can be expensive to get your clothing made by a tailor, the truth is that you could spend just as much on a nice suit in a store (and then pay extra to have it tailored anyway). It's not like you're shelling out to create a custom motorcycle jacket (or motorcycle helmet), which could cost you beaucoup bucks in materials and labor. These are pretty basic pieces that nearly any experienced tailor can create. Plus, you don't need every piece to be custom. You'll find plenty of eco-friendly options for shirts and other common garments. It's really just the suiting that you may have difficulty obtaining.