My Summer of Soap

Shopping List for Summer of Love Trendoids:

*Fringed Minnetonka boots

*White Wayfarers

*Layered thrift-shop necklaces (also okay from H&M…)

*Miu MIu maxidress

And… soap? That might be taking dedication to another level.

We spotted hippie favorite Dr. Bronner’s soap at the Lower East Side restaurant Freeman’s over the weekend, which lead us to contemplate the lengths one goes to achieve a fashion lifestyle instead of just a look.

Dr. Bronner’s became an iconic brand in the 60’s and 70’s when the company’s emphasis on social responsibility, and the use of certified organic materials struck a chord with the original flower children. And every guy we’ve dated says he used it at summer camp.

Their soap is instantly recognizable by its two-tone label, covered in company values and scripture. And since the soap comes in no-frills scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint, we can add “natural” to the list of principles scrawled across the bottle.

So here’s the question:

If you’re dedicated enough to buy a $1000 dress in celebration of the Love Summer, can you also suck it up and use $6.50 biodegradable soap?

—ALLIE MERRIAM

posted by melissa

Jun 26, 2007 9:38AM

bronner's is awesome. it smells really good and the stuff written on the bottle is completely crazy. it's good hand soap, but don't use it on your face, it doesn't have a drop of moisture.

posted by a lady

Jun 26, 2007 9:51AM

the mint is really good, plus you get a huge bottle for not very much. it's budget friendly and a lot of non-hippie, very stylish kids I know have been using it for years.

posted by JD

Jun 26, 2007 10:05AM

I hope things like biodegradable soap and other organic and earth-friendly products become a staple with the wealthier fashion set instead of just a trend. Despite their more expensive prices, maybe it could compensate somewhat for many of these people's private cars, planes, etc. and general waste.

On the other hand, for a twenty-something considering it a style statement...sure, why not?

posted by Sarah

Jun 26, 2007 10:33AM

Just be careful you don't get too much of that peppermint soap up in your sensitive areas! Oye! That'll wake you up!

posted by e

Jun 26, 2007 10:38AM

Ooooh, do not like that stuff! I second that bit about "sensitive areas", and it sucks the moisture out of your skin. The last thing you want to have to do in the summer is put on thick creams because your skin is so dried out from a soap.

posted by I dont just like you. I like you, like you.

Jun 26, 2007 11:42AM

I have been using the lavender soap since forever (its way more gentile that the peppermint). literally my mom used Bronner on me as a baby. i love the stuff.

BUT

have you ever actually read the bottle? doesnt it seem like Dr. Bronner should be on a platform in the subway surrouded by pepsi cans? hes a straight loon.

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2007 11:53AM

Sarah, I was totally going to say the same thing. I love the smell, but hand soap only bb.

posted by dollyrocker

Jun 26, 2007 12:57PM

I love Dr. Bronner's Soap... I use the Lavender to hand wash my delicates & the Almond for the bath & shower. Dr. Bronner's was recently in the news... "On April 4th, 2007, Don Bolles, the Germs' drummer, was faced with possession of GHB, after an 8oz bottle of peppermint Dr. Bronner's Magical Soap soap in his possession tested positive. After both the internet community and Dr. Bronner's came to his aid, further analysis revealed that there were flaws in the field testing kit."

posted by Martine

Jun 26, 2007 1:26PM

Dr. Bronner's is like the Maybelline Great Lash of body soap! The tea tree oil one is great for summer since it's a natural antibacterial.