Starting out our fairdare favorites series with the first + most everyday layer seemed appropriate. It's also the easiest category of favorites for me to choose. Most of the favorites here are tried + true...and highly recommended.  :) 

What I'm looking for :: organic cotton or natural fibers/materials (as much as possible), fair labor, traceable origins, durability, wearability 

Considerations :: Thrifting doesn't necessarily apply to the category of intimates, so having a fair favorite or two in this category is helpful. I'm willing to take special care to hand wash (bras) as needed + to line dry (as usual). This prolongs the life of these beauties + keeps them out of the landfill (or preferably the compost heap) for as long as possible. ​

For the whole family :: Pact :: organic cotton :: fair-trade labor :: budget conscious :: men's + children's too
​
We have lots of these in our house. I would wear them too, if they had a higher waisted version. Pact underwear are soft + long lasting + can be found locally (where we live).

For periods :: Lunapads :: organic cotton :: made in Canada :: boxers, bikinis + briefs
I have four of these + they have eliminated my need for liners. They feel like a light, reassuring hug. I just wash these along with the other dark laundry. 

For Europeans + for a back closure bra :: The Nude Label :: organic cotton :: made locally in Valencia, Spain 
I would love to try one of Nude Label's bras, when I need a new one. I like the back closure, because it allows one to tighten the fit as the bra stretches out. I also like that I wouldn't mind these straps being visible when wearing spaghetti straps.

Again...this fairdare favorites series will highlight a very few fair brands to maybe start a search with...when a wider search feels a bit daunting. For more (+ lots more) fair intimates including supportive bras + sports bras, right this way. There are new players in the fair intimates category all the time, which is very exciting! I'll keep my eyes out + will keep updating our fair intimates lists (which is searchable toward the bottom of the ethical brands page). This post will be searchable both there + toward the bottom of the fairdare page. Feel free to add your fair favorite intimates in the comments!  :)

Love,
Jane

I love the idea of versatile dresses that can not only be worn on their own, but can adapt to many uses, occasions + seasons. The images above come from Richer-Poorer, + I think they've captured this idea to perfection! 

A classic, black, slip dress is always the first versatile dress that comes to my mind, but there are so many other options as well. There may even be a dress or two in one's closet with possibilities previously untapped. Here are a few less-basic dresses that would be just as comfortable with trainers as they'd be with strappy sandals...a sweatshirt or a blazer...a cropped tee or a cashmere cardigan. 

When looking for a versatile dress I think of all the pieces that could work with a dress + then I consider if they would layer well with the dress I'm considering. A few things I keep in mind:
-a non-waisted or raised waist dress will work well with shorter + longer tops...a dropped waist limits these options
-a sleeveless dress has more potential to layer over + under well without any extra bulk or bunching at the shoulders
-look for dresses that would be breezy summer options on their own as well 
-a little wiggle room in fit is good for layering over other pieces
-keeping the neckline from being too high increases the ways that things can layer on top
-natural fabrics layer best...no static cling

A carefully chosen dress can be layered under + over lots of the things already in one's closet...over a slim tee or merino turtleneck...or under any number of things. I love the versatility of layering a dress under a tee, sweatshirt, tunic or even that same slim tee, so that dress becomes a skirt without any extra bulk or tightness at the waist. I've tried to stick with some basic layering pieces here, but trying not-so-basics like a flouncy sleeved top or smock could be great layering options as well.

I love that a single piece can wake up so many other piece already in one's closet. Suddenly many of those pieces can be appreciated in a whole new way.

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

There are planet warriors out there right now working toward closed-loop clothing. We've heard about how much water is required to grow conventional cotton + even organic cotton. How great would it be if we could just keep reusing the cotton that ends up in the landfill as discarded clothing?!

There are a bunch of barriers to closed-loop clothing. In the case of natural fibers like cotton, wool, linen + hemp...the longer the length of the virgin fibers the better. Long fibers can be spun into strong "yarn" that can then be made into durable fabric. 

When clothing is recycled, it has to be chopped into bits + the length of the fibers is cut short. New virgin fiber needs to be added in order to restore strength. But...I believe (+ experts much more in the know than I believe) that 100% recycled fiber is going to become mainstream. 

For Days is right out in front of this closed-loop future + making it our present! Buy an organic cotton, made in LA tee for $38 + wear that tee out + send that tee back to be recycled + get a new recycled/organic cotton tee (hopefully 100% recycled cotton someday soon) for $8 + repeat + repeat + ....  There are tees, tanks, sweatshirts, sweatpants + men's styles that work exactly the same way.

I received my picks of pieces to try + they are such nice quality. All of them are lovely, but my favorites are the 70's tee + the cropped sweatshirt. The cotton is a very nice medium weight that is built to last. My guy also chose a tee + polo shirt to try. It will be hard to choose which pieces to keep, since I think the most sustainable way to use For Days is to pick one or two pieces to wear over + over + to really wear these pieces out before sending them back. My hope is that this won't just become a different way to "fast fashion". 

This post is not sponsored. I like to share brands that I would spend or have spent my own money to support. In case you'd like to join the waiting list to try For Days out, you can use this link + enter this forjunedays141 code to move up the line a little faster. Both of us will also receive $4 off.  ;)

Love,
Jane

Sophe of Urbanroots Handmade wrote something recently that she exemplifies so well..."wear plants, eat plants, grow plants". It resonated deeply with me. We are eating strawberries from our garden every day now. The sun + soil + rain play such a large role in the food we put into our bodies. The same can be said for the clothes we put on our bodies.

Linen is a natural fiber that is breezy + cool in the summer. It is sturdy + long-lasting...gets better with age, time + wear...resists odors, so can go a little bit longer between washes ...and looks best a little rumpled. 

Last summer, a thoughtful soul shared that she had bought a couple of lovely, linen tops to add to her warm weather wardrobe + that they played a vital role in the enjoyment of dressing all summer long. I love the idea of just a few linen basics forming the backbone of a warm weather wardrobe. A few simple linen tops, a pair of swingy pants + a pair of shorts + a breezy dress could make quite a lovely one. No need to buy everything at once, but maybe as a couple of tops wear out + need to be replaced...one linen top could fill the gap. After a few years a small collection could form + be maintained...slowly + sustainably.

All lovely photos via links. Many more linen pieces can be found via the ethical brands page.

Love,
Jane

Pansy :: USA grown, organic cotton :: sewn in San Leandro, CA :: non-toxic dyes
This is a 100% made in the USA tee...from fiber to dyeing to seams. ​

Growing new organic cotton for each new tee is a resource heavy endeavor involving water, land + labor resources. Innovations in recycled cotton are exciting...and the fact that a tee can be made with 100% recycled cotton (no new fibers added) is a breakthrough. Everybody World is bringing us these innovative tees.

Hemp is another fiber focus for sustainable t-shirt makers. Hemp is a more naturally resilient crop than cotton requiring less water, chemicals + fertilizers. Hemp restores soil health rather than depleting it. It makes a sturdy, long-lasting fiber as well. A few brands are bringing us hemp/organic cotton tees.

The working conditions of the garment workers who put together our clothing are of great importance. We know that our purchases factor into the paychecks of all the hands who touched that t-shirt. It's exciting to know that there are people designing clothes with the entire process in focus. Fair-trade certifications bring credibility to ethical labor claims.

While all of these factors are wonderful, we can't lose sight of the fact that even organic cotton, hemp + recycled cotton require land + power + water + transportation + human resources. These processes create waste too. Just how many t-shirts does one person need? Can we find a second-hand tee that suits? Can we wear the ones we have longer + wash them less? Just a few things to consider before going any further.  :)

For Days :: organic cotton :: made in Los Angeles :: :: recycled :: closed loop system

For Days has a waiting list for "membership" at the moment, but looks to be quite an innovative brand. They are advertising organic cotton tees that can be returned to them for recycling...I'm assuming into new tees. I'm not certain whether you could call the recycled tee organic, but I'm certainly intrigued.

​There are lots more fair brands that offer tees on the ethical brands page. These are a few that stand out for the reasons below. Many offer both men's + women's styles/sizes. The criteria for making the list this time around was (at least):
-organic or recycled cotton or hemp
-fair wages
-under $50 (with one exception)

​Amour Vert :: organic cotton :: made in USA
Back Beat Rags :: hemp/organic cotton :: made in USA
Brook There :: USA milled organic cotton :: sewn in Massachusetts
​Dazey LA :: organic cotton :: made in USA
Everybody World :: 100% recycled cotton :: made in an ethical factory in Los Angeles
For Days :: organic cotton :: made in Los Angeles :: recycled :: closed loop
Freeset :: fair-trade, organic cotton :: fair-trade labor
Harvest + Mill :: organic cotton grown, spun + knit in USA :: sewn in San Francisco
Industry of Nations :: locally grown, organic cotton :: natural dyes :: fair wages 
Industry Standard :: organic cotton :: made in Los Angeles​
Jungmaven :: hemp/organic cotton :: made in USA
Know the Origin :: organic cotton :: fair-trade certified :: UK based
Loomstate :: organic cotton :: GOTS certified factory
Outerknown :: organic cotton :: fair-trade certified sewn
​Organic Basics :: organic cotton :: living wages :: Denmark based
Pact :: GOTS organic cotton :: fair-trade labor
​Pansy :: USA grown, organic cotton :: sewn in San Leandro, CA :: non-toxic dyes ($58)
Patagonia :: organic cotton :: fair-trade certified sewn
Reformation :: organic cotton :: made in Los Angeles
Richer Poorer :: organic cotton :: made in Los Angeles
Slumlove :: organic cotton :: carbon neutral facility :: fair wages

​
​I want to wear clothes from brands that value people over scale or profits. Thank you to all the people who make that possible!

All lovely photos via links.

Love, 
Jane

I'm not sure what sparked it, but suddenly so many independent pattern brands are expanding their size charts. It's exciting to see the inclusivity + buzz around it all. Pattern grading involves grading up + down from a particular size. As the grading gets further + further away from the original size, it can become increasingly distorted. This process along with the fact that certain proportions + measurements (like bust, thigh + bicep circumferences) need to be taken into account...not to mention that every body is built differently...makes increasing the sizing of patterns a time consuming process. It's exciting that the independent sewing community is recognizing the value of enabling more + more people to exercise their creativity + to wear clothing that fits!

For our purposes here today, I'm going to set the parameters for standard/expected sizing at around 32-44 inch bust measurements. Many of us know that we cannot always expect even this much inclusivity, but what I'm looking for is an extended level of inclusivity. It's about time!

Anna Allen :: patterns sizes up to 22
Blueprints :: busts up to 50 inches
Cashmerette :: sizes 12-28
Closet Case :: sizes up to 20 + extending (take the survey)
Colette + Seamwork :: up to size 26
Deer & Doe :: French sizes up to 52
Elbe Textiles :: currently working to extend size range up to a 52 inch bust
Fancy Tiger :: sizes up to 20
Grainline :: currently working to extend up to size 30 (participate in their survey)
​Leisl + Co :: up to size 20
Helen's Closet :: currently includes sizes up to 22 :: working to extend up to size 30
​Made by Rae :: bust sizes up to 51 inches
Marilla Walker :: bust sizes up to 49 inches
Megan Nielsen :: newly updated patterns up to size 30
Muse :: up to 50 inch bust + D cup
Named :: up to size 18
Paper Theory :: up to size 20
P4P :: up to 54 inch bust
Sew House Seven :: up to size 20
Sew Liberated :: up to size 24
Schnittchen :: up to 53 1/2 inch bust
100 Acts of Sewing :: up to 50 inch bust
Sew DIY :: up to 51 inch bust
Wiksten :: the newest pattern includes sizing up to size 22

For lots more wonderful independent pattern designers (not exhaustive by any means)...many more of which may join these ranks in the future...this list. Also more plus sized mentions here.

Love, 
​Jane

This collection by Go Gently Nation is ticking all the boxes for me right now: beautiful colors, easy shapes, natural fibers + made in Los Angeles. There are lots of adorable, simple, matching pieces for littles (0-12 years) as well. I could be happy with not much more than these pieces including the sandals, shorts + a big straw hat all summer long.  :)

​All lovely photos from Go Gently Nation.

Love,
Jane

Jeans are one of the most worn items of clothing today. Almost everyone would like to have a pair of jeans that feels like home...comfortable and familiar. Lots of us would also like those jeans to make our butts look great. :) I won't say that the search for a perfect pair of jeans is easy, but at least it can start fair. 

First things first...do you or I really need another pair of jeans? We might want to take a look at refashioning, altering or mending a pair of jeans already in our possession. Swapping or thrifting are great options as well...because there are literal tons of great jeans out there already. The prices are amazing (like $7-$10 where we live), but a willingness to search is necessary. Thrift stores, flea markets, etsy + eBay are great places to find vintage denim. Find inspiration to see thrifted jeans as treasures by perusing Bliss + Mischief and B-sides. With a little ingenuity, almost any pair of jeans can be reworked into a masterpiece.

Each of the brands pictured above takes a different approach to ethical and/or fair practices. It would be amazing if every brand was committed to organic denim grown, manufactured + sewn locally...but many brands are being thoughtful, creative + innovative. There are various styles + sizes (plus + petites too) offered by most of the brands, so take your time and investigate. 

The super adventurous may even want to try making a pair of jeans. There are some great jeans sewing patterns, along with in-depth tutorials, out there. Closet Case, Megan Nielsen, Anna Allen, Merchant & Mills, and Named Clothing offer jeans patterns. Thread Theory makes some incredible men's patterns too. Use some USA grown, organic denim from Houston Textiles or Sally Fox for the ultimate fair pair of jeans.

Quick reference for the fair jeans listed here:

organic denim + fair wages ::
industry of nations :: organic cotton :: fair wages :: natural dyes :: unisex :: $
j.crew fair-trade collection :: organic denim made in italy :: fair-trade certified factory :: men's too :: $
kowtow :: fair-trade certified organic cotton :: SA8000 certified factory :: $$$
madewell fair-trade collection :: organic denim made in italy :: fair-trade certified factory ::$ 
monkee genes :: organic cotton :: living wages :: GOTS :: men's too :: uk based :: $
nudie :: organic cotton :: made in italy + tunisia :: fair wear foundation audits :: repairs :: resells :: recycling :: men too :: $$
patagonia :: 98% organic cotton :: fair-trade certified sewing :: men's too :: $
people tree :: organic cotton :: GOTS :: fairwear foundation audited :: UK based :: $
outerknown :: organic cotton made in italy :: sewn in "the world's leading sustainable denim factory" in Vietnam :: life-time guarantee (repair or replace) :: recycling :: men's too $

organic or deadstock cotton + made in usa ::
agolde x amour vert :: organic + recycled denim :: made in usa :: $$
bliss + mischief :: deadstock cotton :: made in los angeles :: $$$
citizens of humanity :: organic cotton collection :: made in los angeles :: $$
jesse kamm :: made in usa :: deadstock fabric :: $$$

organic cotton ::
eileen fisher :: organic cotton :: sustainable emphasis :: $$
prana :: 79% organic cotton :: sustainable emphasis :: $

made in north america ::
arturo :: made in canada :: alterations + repairs (one year) :: men's too :: $
bluer denim :: made in los angeles :: men's too :: $
b-sides :: made + milled in the usa :: also re-worked vintage collection ($$$) :: men's too ::$$
doen :: made in the usa :: $$
emerson fry :: made in nyc :: $$
​esby :: made in usa :: $$$
​father's daughter :: made in los angeles :: $$
gamine workwear :: deadstock cone mill denim :: made in the usa by a single seamstress :: $
good american :: made in los angeles :: sizes for everyone :: $
ilana kohn :: made in nyc  :: $$$
imogene + willie :: sewn in the usa :: $$
industry standard :: made in los angeles :: $
mother :: made in los angeles :: $$
prairie underground :: made in seattle (usa) :: $$
reformation :: made in los angeles :: $
renewal workshop :: reworked discards from the apparel industry :: $
the great :: made in the usa :: $$$
also: search "made in the usa" on Nordstrom

$ :: $150 + under
$$ :: $150-$250
$$$ :: $250 + over

This is just a sampling or fair denim, so search for "organic denim" or "Australian jeans" or whatever makes jeans fair to you...and then please let us know, if you find (or already know of) some fair jeans brands that you love!  This post will be linked toward the bottom of the ethical brands page for reference. Happy jeans hunting!

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

When it comes to sleepwear, any old t-shirt will do. But sometimes it's nice to have a little something special to wear to bed...and around bed-ish times. It can be nice to have something a bit more covered up or presentable to wear when houseguests are about...or teenagers share the house...or when we are the houseguests...or just because. There are lots of places to find fair tees + elastic waisted bottoms that can be worn to bed, but here are a few brands putting some special care into more specifically pajama-type clothing:

coyuchi :: organic cotton :: GOTS certified
domi :: organic cotton :: GOTS certified
fair indigo :: organic cotton :: fairly made in peru
lacausa :: made in usa ​
la relaxed :: made in usa
maison du soir :: made in usa
pact :: organic cotton :: GOTS certified :: fair-trade factory
pansy :: organic cotton grown + made in usa
​richer poorer :: organic cotton :: made in usa

Pajamas could also be a wonderful beginner (or not so beginner) sewing project. Again, there are lots of ways to think about pajamas...a tee or tank with loose shorts or pants...or leggings...a robe or a sweatshirt or a sweater. We can sleep + lounge in whatever we choose, but here are a few indie patterns that would work well in this category.