Sandal weather is here, and there are some lovely, fair sandals to be found. It's interesting to note that more than a few of these sandals have their origins in the traditional warm weather footwear of their regions...and some are still made there by craftspeople who have had skills handed down to them through multiple generations. These designs have stood the test of time + wear, which gives testimony to durability + comfort. Many of these sandal brands utilize upcycled materials + vegetable tanned leather (processing which requires less harmful chemicals). When looking for sandals that qualify as "fair", I prioritize fair wages, care toward working conditions, attention toward production miles, environmentally conscious production + natural (biodegradable) materials. Each of these brands applies these standards to different degrees.

Beatrice Valenzuela :: designed + made in Los Angeles
Birkenstock :: made in Europe with cork + other natural materials
Brave Souls :: made in the Dominican Republic from local leather + upcycled car tires, fair wages
Bryr :: made to order in-house in San Francisco from wood + leather
​Cano :: made in Mexico, fair-trade
​Christy Dawn :: designed + made in Los Angeles from deadstock + upcycled leather
Cydwoq :: made in-house in Burbank, California from natural materials
Feelgoodz :: fair-trade, natural rubber
Fortress of Inca :: made in Peru, fair wages
Kiwi Sandals :: made by Rhett, a second generation maker, in Lucerne Valley, California
Larry :: made in NYC from American-made, shoemaker offcuts
Mohinders :: handcrafted by artisans in rural India with transparent + respectful sourcing
Nisolo :: fairly made in Peru, Mexico + Kenya
No6 :: clogs handmade in the USA
Ottowin :: locally sourced materials, made in Bristol, UK by Lucy + Ollie
Proud Mary :: made by artisans in Morocco, fair wages
Pons Avarcas :: made in Ciutadella, Spain by third generation makers, local materials
Rachel Sees Snail :: made by Rachel in Portland, Oregon...kits + classes too
Santa Venitia :: clogs designed + made in California on bases from Sweden
Sseko :: made in Uganda, multiple styling options, fair-trade
Sven Clogs :: handcrafted in the USA
Zuzii :: designed + made in-house + to order in Los Angeles

This is only a small collection of fair sandals. Secondhand sandals are worth a try (fit may be an issue). Search for handmade + vintage gems on Etsy. My intention was to keep the sandals listed here a little bit more budget friendly. Coclico + Beklina are two brands making some beautiful, fair, investment sandals.

As ever, the sandals in our own closets are the fairest of them all!  :) And a good cobbler is a treasure indeed. Enjoy these longer, warmer, sandal-weather days with all of the sunshine, long walks, food eaten outside, easy conversation + adventure that await.  :)

​Photos via links. This post will be easily accessible toward the bottom of the ethical brands page...for when we're looking for some fair sandals.  :)

Love,
Jane

Just a few lovely things I've come across lately: Go Gently Nation's summer collection is gorgeous. I love the guaze-y, strappy dress + the story shared along with it of the founder's trips to Palm Springs packing only this dress. The colors + easy fit of these natural-fiber, made-in-Los-Angeles pieces are completely dreamy to me. And these photos have me longing for California sand between my toes.

I'm loving the simplicity of these meals offered as inspiration for what to do with our farmer's market or CSA hauls. It always feels affirming to see recipes listing a limited number of common ingredients that result in super tasty meals. (Also- yay!- summer produce!)

I enjoyed spending some time this week with this article by Laura Rubin about writing for self-worth. I tend to spend a lot more time thinking about ways that I need to improve rather than respecting who I am. I appreciate Laura pointing out that self-worth "creates a beautiful foundation for self-improvement" (if that is what we want to pursue) as well.

And I'm looking forward to diving into the Self-Compassion Workbook alongside Julia. I'm hoping that the illustrations by one of our favorite artists help sweeten the willingness to engage.  :)

I hope you are finding some mind, body + soul-nourishing ways to spend some time each day.

All lovely images via links.

Lots of love,
Jane

We've explored fair intimates a time or two before here (most of them linked in this post). This time, I want to share my favorite bras...which seem to be a lot of people's favorite bras...for good reason.

The first time we discussed fair intimates, a question was raised about those of us with more supportive needs when it comes to bras. Ethical brands seemed to start out offering bras made mostly with smaller cup sizes in mind. These days, the rest of us have a couple of good options too.

My personal favorite bra is the Pansy Full Bra. This bra just might have lured me away from underwire...for good. First of all...it fits. (yay!) It feels soft, comfortable + supportive enough for everyday wear. Pansy bras are made of Texas-grown, North Carolina-milled, organic cotton...Rhode Island-made, natural rubber + cotton elastic...and organic cotton thread. They are designed, sewn + dyed within forty miles of each other near San Francisco, California.

I also admire Arq for their fair bras which are made from USA-manufactured, organic cotton + sewn in the USA. I tried the wide strap bra, when it first came out. It didn't work for me, but I'm certain my issue is fixed by the newer full-coverage version. I prefer the strap style of the Pansy Full, but imagine that the Arq Full straps could provide a little bit more support for those who desire it. I would very much like to try the crop tank as an option for combining bra + tank into one piece.

One more note on bras: We get to decide what we put on our bodies + that we like how we look. These bras do not create the exact same effect as my underwire ones did...and that is ok with me. 

Bra fitting can be difficult + I've had women help me out a time or two in a shop. These women would always bring me bras that were more padded + more pushed up than the ones I was looking at + would try to convince me that I needed at least a couple of these. Needed? Why? They would come back in a few minutes + ask if I'd tried the ones they brought + didn't I see the difference? Were they telling me that men would expect me to have them? or that "real" women needed to have them to be sexy or look good in their clothes? 

Our bras/the way we look in our bras/what our bras do to "enhance" us...do not make us worthy humans. That sentence on its own sounds utterly ridiculous...but most of us know what message I'm trying to address. We get to decide what is comfortable...what is attractive (+ if that matters to us at all)...what values we want our clothing to embody...what values we want to embody. I have absolutely nothing against any style of bra, I'm just reminding myself that I can choose to wear any style of bra + not have to feel "less than".

Not one of us comes out of the womb thinking cleavage is attractive...it is nourishment. We learned (mostly unhelpful + harmful) messages about what we should strive to look like. We can teach our partners + sons + daughters what is truly attractive. I bet none of us would intentionally choose a message that involves push-up bras. Let's be just as intentional with the messages we allow ourselves to believe + act upon (whether we choose to wear underwire or not).  :)

All lovely photos via links. More fairdare favorites right this way. 

Love,
​Jane

A few fair finds I'm loving right now ::

The system of laundry baskets we currently use leaves our dirty laundry on full display in our bedroom. I've been craving something that keeps all the socks + underwear a little bit more disguised...and also adds a little warmth to the space. These fairly traded baskets are made by artisans in Ghana using native grasses (+ are on my wish list- maybe just two will be enough).

I still appreciate the tomboy style of Madewell. They offer a few denim pieces that are made in a fair-trade factory...including these white shorts + denim overalls. Anthropologie offers a few made-in-the-USA pieces....including these linen overalls. These pieces are pretty classic, and I can imagine wearing them on repeat for years to come. A myriad of secondhand pieces from each of these brands can be found online (try eBay or Poshmark). 

Everyday Oil is one of those brands that has stuck to doing one thing with great care (which I love). With the advent of Covid-19, they decided to make hand sanitizer using 100% plant based ingredients. I had no qualms about ordering some of this as soon as I heard about it...and I kid you not...I could wear it as perfume! The scent is amazing! 

A few of the fair brands that I loved in the late 90's are still out there making lovely linen pieces. CP Shades has been making their lovely pieces in their own San Francisco factory (now powered solely by renewable energy) for over 40 years. Flax has made their pieces in the same worker-owned factories in Lithuania for over 25 years. ​Cut Loose makes their pieces in San Francisco, where they began selling at craft fairs in the 70's. (Again, secondhand pieces from these brands can be found on the sites above + also on Etsy.) The current ethical fashion favorites have surely taken quite a bit of style inspiration from these longstanding ethical trailblazers. 

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

I'm a big fan of brands that choose to do a very small number of things very well. By focusing on one thing at a time, a brand can be uncompromising about detail, quality, sourcing, sustainability, working conditions, materials, pollution + waste.

FOUR Objects is focused on creating four exceptional pieces per year for four years. In adopting this slow, deliberate production model, this woman owned brand is able to take a critical look at how well they are serving customer, maker + environment. FOUR addresses their customers as collectors. I love the awareness of the power of words. Clothing is meant to be carefully chosen, kept + worn repeatedly for years to come. (Repair + resale services are in the works as well.) The slow + deliberate nature of this collection allows one to pause + consider the details + craftsmanship that goes into each piece...and the value of each piece thoughtfully added to one's own clothing collection.

All lovely images via FOUR Objects.

Love,
Jane

A few things:
-Many small business's + restaurants are struggling to stay afloat during this pandemic.
-We are lucky enough to still have an income at the moment. 
-There are a few local spots, fair brands + well-curated shops that I love. 
-I don't need all the things.

It's such a tricky time. Business owners + artists are feeling torn about pleading for sales + acknowledging that their customers may be feeling the squeeze (or stranglehold) as well. 

​I'm trying to be a little bit more thoughtful than usual about where I buy things that I would be purchasing anyway. We could use some new kitchen towels, so I went ahead + picked a few up from my favorite maker. We have a birthday coming up, so I did a little extra thinking about what to purchase...making an effort to choose local goods that support a few spots that we love. I need a couple of tops for warmer temperatures, and I'm thinking through who my purchases will support (whether thrifted, sewing supplies or fair).

Every purchase supports someone + some system. Slow food, slow fashion, slow consumption...they were always all about sustainability. I'm hoping that with a whole lot of creativity, ingenuity + consideration, we can bolster the resilience of each other + emerge stronger + more sustainable than ever. 

Love,
Jane

These days + all the others...I try to stay focused on loving what I already have...which is a whole lot.  :) These are a few of the things that I'm loving right now...a few of them I already have...and a few look like lovely ways to support some small businesses during these trying times. Looking for a few of these pieces on resale sights is another way to support others who might be in need of some income + to use what already exists. Making is a great way to support independent fabric/supply stores, sewing pattern makers + our own creative spirits. 

alabaster linen overalls :: linen overalls in creams + natural colors are some of my favorite things to wear these days 

sandalias :: the sandals I've worn for the past few years are on their way out...these would be lovely, easy slides to wear on the warmer days to come 

soft tees :: these soft cotton/modal tees (+ tanks too) are my favorites

deet-free golden hour :: we've collected our first mosquito bites already + are hungry to spend as much time as we can outside...so...

white sands photo shoot :: this photo shoot is pure artwork + transports me...if even just for a moment

matcha lime exfoliant mask :: packaged, single-use face masks are all the rage, but this one leaves no trash behind + sounds like it would smell as fresh as it would make my face feel

​the help :: I borrowed this one from Jo this weekend + loved it...the movie is great, but the book is better + takes more time to read  :) 

What are you loving right now? I'd love to hear!  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
​Jane

Worn denim, washed-out olive button-downs, soft sweatshirts + big ol' slouchy jackets are pieces I'll never get tired of wearing. I'm always on the lookout for these worn-in pieces when we're thrifting...and...I already have them in my own closet. 

Bliss + Mischief offers some of my favorite inspiration for adding just a little bit more love to these classics. Sometimes a little change goes a long way toward enhancing connection with a piece. There is something about slowing down + pulling thread through fabric that takes me in close. The piece becomes something more than the way it looks on my body. I value it a little bit more for what it is...I feel a some kinship to the garment workers who stitched the seams...I become part of the making, not just the wearing.

A little hand-stitching is such a calming, meditative practice...perfect for these cold, cloudy days. And a little change might be just the thing to perk up a small wardrobe after prolonged cold weather wear. A few of the ways I've added just a little bit more love: 01, 02, 03...clearly Bliss + Mischief inspired.  :)

All lovely images via the lovely Bliss + Mischief. Much of her collection is comprised of vintage finds enhanced by gorgeous embroidery + patchwork.

Love,
Jane

Phew! After reading a recent collection of articles concerning garment workers, I went through our list of ethical brands again with a slightly different perspective. I finally made it through the list + feel quite encouraged by this collection of ethical makers! It took me a while to get through the list, because: 
a. there are SO many more ethical brands out there now than when I first began! (yay!)
b. there is so much good stuff being made by these brands that I was easily distracted!

Unfortunately, there were a few disappointments like:
-BackBeatCo moved some of their production to India
-Richer Poorer stopped using organic cotton + USA production
-Dusen Dusen moved production overseas
-Lacausa is making some of their clothing overseas

I really hate to call brands out like this, but thought I'd let you know in case one of these is a favorite of yours + you'd like to reach out to let them know what is important to you, your feelings +/or hopes.

On the other hand, there are brands realizing that their customers support ethical choices + moving toward making their offerings even more ethical! (happy, happy dance!!)
​-Christy Dawn is working toward making regenerative cotton dresses in collaboration with cotton farmers in India
-Mate the Label shifted to making all of their product from organic cotton this year. They use cotton thread rather than polyester (making their garments completely biodegradable) + are working toward getting away from using even compostable product bags 
-Imogene + Willie is now making all of their knits in-house in Nashville
-Industry of all Nations now offers repairs + re-dyeing
-Hackwith Design House seems to have moved to using all natural fibers
-Ecoalf is using pineapple "leather" in their footwear

Fantastically exciting, right!!? And those are just the advancements I noticed this go around. Many other brands continue their commitments to caring well for farmers, garment workers, the environment + customer!

There were a few brands that were removed from the list + a bunch that were updated. I tried to make note of the many brands manufacture within a few miles of their headquarters which means that it is much easier to keep an eye on production + to see to the well-being of the garment workers that make their clothing (exposing the reason for the prevalence of California based brands).

Brands respond to voices! Many brands extended their size range this year thanks to a number of women voicing their case for such. Bravo to speaking up + to the brands that listened + took action! Speak up!  :) I think this has been the most exclamation point heavy post I've written...but this is what this whole thing is all about + it deserves celebration! Wish we could all jump up + down together!  :)

Lovely images via links.

Love, 
Jane

Overalls are made to layer...nothing new there. The various stylings of this pair of overalls from Ali Golden caught my eye though. My default thought on wearing overalls veers toward pairing them with fitted tees + tanks. Layering a cardigan overtop is cozy + looks great...but can present a little issue throughout the day...on + off.  ;) I had almost decided that jumpsuits + overalls just don't work for me as well in the winter. Then I saw these outfits...all using the same pair of overalls.

I enjoyed seeing a few layering options that I don't usually consider...looking so good here. Monochrome layering...layering a sweater or button-down underneath...and a bunch of footwear options that change up the look too.

I love finding a little bit of inspiration to increase the versatility of what's already in my closet. So...I'm reconsidering wearing my overalls in winter (+ always love them for spring, summer + autumn).  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
​Jane