Where can you Find Fair Trade Clothing?
October is Fair Trade Month- a time to celebrate artisans and the products they make and and are fairly compensated for. When you think of fair trade goods, most likely you think of food, coffee, home decor, crafts, and jewelry. However, fair trade has expanded in recent years and includes clothing too. What is fair trade clothing? When you buy garments with the Fair Trade certification you are purchasing apparel made with strict ethical trade standards. It ensures adequate working environments and fair pay for workers, often in developing countries. Clothing is a labor intensive business, and people deserve to be paid fairly for their labor. What are the benefits…
Sustain your Comfort Through the Lockdown: Eco-friendly Leisurewear
We’ve been in lockdown for a while, and let’s face it: we may be here a while. Our idea of day to day norms has drastically changed. I’ve sat through so many FaceTime calls, Google Hangouts, and House Parties that I’ve started to forget what people look like from the shoulders down. But I’ve got to imagine that sweat pants are the new norm, because mine are getting a lot of wear. Just because your sweatpants take zero effort to wear, does not mean they were effortless to make. Keep in mind that all clothing is labor intensive, and people deserve to be paid fair wages for their labor! Here…
20 for 2020: Women Who Inspire Those to Go Green & Shop Ethically, Part 1.
March is one of my favorite months of the year for many reasons; I love college basketball, St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of spring is in March. Mainly I love March because it’s Women’s History Month: a time where we can pause to observe and celebrate the vital role of women in American history and appreciate the struggle women went through and continue to experience to get equal rights. Unfortunately, the Coronavius pandemic has largely overshadowed Women’s History Month this year. It is a dark and uncertain time for all. I know for many simply reading the news produces much anxiety. Let’s all take a moment to step…
Cozy and Sustainable Coats for Winter
Winter is here and it’s time to break out the coats out for the season. Luckily there are lots of great ethical options for outerwear. Companies are starting to use recycled down and other sustainable materials for coats, and many of these coats are B Corporation or Fair Trade certified. My go-to sustainable coats are a wool pea coat purchased from Amour Vert (currently on sale) and a Sherpa coat from Whimsy & Row (pictured below). I’ve included these styles and more in a short list of my favorite sustainable winter outerwear from some amazing companies who are working to inspire change in the industry. Amour Vert Amour Vert transforms…
FALLing for Ethical Boots
Forget diamonds– shoes are a woman’s best friend. Why do we love shoes so much? My theory is that it’s because shoes are versatile and body type doesn’t matter when it comes to rocking a pair of shoes. As I’ve learned more about ethics of the garment industry I’ve especially focused on what I put on my feet. Over the years shoe companies have become exposed and known for bad labor and environmental practices. In the 90s Nike and other sports shoe brands were exposed for their use of child labor and sweatshops. However, it’s not just sneakers that are made unethically. When it comes to boots, many consumers are…
Meghan Markle, J.Crew, and the Rise of Do Good Denim
“When girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them.” -Meghan Markle in speech to University of the South Pacific in Australia Meghan Markle and Outland Denim Beauty Meghan Markle has quickly become a fashion icon and when Markle wears something, people want to know where its from. Not only does she have style, but she has heart. She is a strong advocate for female empowerment and supports brands with a cause. On a tour in Australia the duchess was photographed wearing Veja sneakers and a black pair of skinny jeans from Outland Denim (the high-rise…
How to Wear Women’s History Month
Yesterday I celebrated International Women’s Day with my class of first graders. We watched a video that gave students some background knowledge of the holiday, including social injustices women faced and how women fought for gender equality. We watched a news clip of a 9 year old girl who wrote a letter to NBA Steph Curry asking why his shoes weren’t available for girls and discussed the power of writing a letter. Then we shared several stories and wrote about women who inspire us, including Mae Jamison, Simone Biles, Hillary Clinton, Malala, Beatrix Potter, Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, the list goes on! I was so impressed with the ideas they…
Winter Cause Box
Recently I wrote a post about my fixed feelings about New Year’s Resolutions. As I’ve had more time to reflect I realized that it’s important to find a balance between self improvement and self acceptance. Love oneself as you are but don’t be afraid to set new goals for yourself. The Winter Cause Box was curated with New Year’s goals in mind. The people behind Cause Box chose a variety of tools and treats to help your personal goals in 2019, or as they describe it goals that “build off of the accomplishments of our past year and push us to be greater versions of ourselves in the new year.…
Sustainable Denim Tops and Jackets for Fall
For those of you who like to wear your denim on top, you’re in luck. Canadian tuxedos are a faux-paus of the past, and now denim-on-denim has become a desired look. Denim has been a staple in our wardrobes for decades, and is actually the most used textile in the world. However, it comes at a huge environmental cost. Denim is made primarily of cotton, which requires thousands of liters of water to produce. Many companies also use pesticides and synthetic dyes to make jeans. Luckily, many conscious minded brands have joined the Better Cotton Initiative, which uses less water and chemicals than other cotton, and has the least impact…
Sunsais: Trust What You Wear
Barcelona is one of the best shopping cities in Europe. The shops seem to flow out of every corner in every district, and it is admittedly hard to show self-restraint. If you’re going to pick one district, I recommend the Gracia district. Sunsais is located in Vila de Gracia, which has been called “Barcelona’s coolest suburb”. This historic old center is where the famous Festa Major de Garcia takes place in August- a huge street party of concerts, food and drink, and a wonder of spectacular themed decorations. During the other months tourists can enjoy restaurants, cafes, and art galleries. There are also a variety of shops on every cobblestone…
