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

This is a good one, friends! The Endery uses deadstock alpaca yarn to create beautiful, colorful knitwear. This yarn is already out there left over from other projects + waiting to be useful. Often these materials are simply discarded as waste...so here we have zero-waste sweaters + hats + scarves! And...they are certified fair-trade! These skilled knitters can often work from home, allowing them to be close to their families. The Endery puts it like this, "Instead of creating more things, we look to create jobs using what we already have." Fantastic!

We woke to freezing rain which is now being covered with a layer of snow. One thing is for sure...it's sweater weather.  :) I find it incredibly exciting that fair sweaters are popping up more + more. From the cult favorite, Babaa, to the lesser known (but equally lovely) Nido...I hope there is a sweater here for everyone to love. The cost of these sweaters is quite a bit more than the synthetic ones to be found near the bulk, plastic-packaged, toilet paper. If you've ever bought the materials to knit your own sweater (another wonderfully fair option), you know that slow fashion sweaters are not cheap. These are the sweaters you purchase thoughtfully...just one at a time. You wear them over + over this year...repair them as needed + keep right on happily wearing them for years to come. 
 
american giant :: merino + cotton :: made in usa :: women's + men's
babaà :: spanish cotton + wool from local sheep :: designed, spun + made in spain :: for women, men + children
bare knitwear :: natural fibers :: made in peru :: fair-trade certified
​baserange :: merino wool :: made in france
emerson fry :: merino wool + organic cotton :: made in the usa 
endery :: deadstock alpaca :: fair-trade labor :: peru
good night, day :: natural fibers :: made in-house in canada :: knitting patterns available too
han starnes :: based in nashville :: han is taking this season off, but we look forward to her return
howlin' :: natural yarns from local mills :: knit Scotland + Ireland :: for women + men
james street :: traceable materials :: made in california
kordal :: natural fibers :: made in Peru :: fair wages
​kowtow :: organic cotton + new zealand merino wool :: fair-trade from seed to garment
​lauren manoogian :: natural fibers :: made in peru
l'envers :: natural fibers spun in spain + france :: designed + made in spain :: for women + men
micaela greg :: natural fibers :: made in usa + in fair-trade factories in peru
nido :: argentinian wool :: designed + handmade by a group of women knitters in beunos aires, upon request 
pact  :: made in organic cotton + wool :: GOTS certified :: made in a fair-trade factory
peruvian connection :: natural fibers :: made in peru :: fair wages
wol hide :: natural fibers :: made in peru :: small, family owned factory :: home knitters

See also: recycled cashmere + fair wool sweaters. This post will be easily accessible at the bottom of the ethical brands page...for when a sweater might be needed...and will be updated as needed.  :)
​
All lovely photos via links.

Stay warm, friends!
Jane

A little outfit formula for those of us who work from home + also want to look presentable for out-of-the-house encounters. These are also outfits for weekends that involve a mix of cozying up at home, running errands + enjoying time with friends. 

My existing formula involves wearing something on top that works just as well with leggings as it does with jeans or nicer pants. That way I can switch pants back + forth as needed throughout the day. That works, but this new formula results in outfits that bypass the switches. 

This season I'm all about monochromatic dressing. I feel like this approach elevates these more casual pieces a bit. Obviously the pieces could be worn with other pieces in one's simple wardrobe as well. I've purposely chosen bottoms here that are not leggings (which I do love) in order to possibly deviate a bit from athleisure (which I also appreciate). Throwing on a jacket + a pair of shoes or boots would take me from cross legged on the couch to presentable out in the world...and back again.  :)

This look could be achieved by wearing existing wardrobe pieces of the same color together...or by adding a bottom to match an existing top. The comfy basics can adapt with the choice of jacket (sweater coat, denim jacket, oversized suit jacket, moto jacket) + footwear (fur-lined boots, trainers, heeled boots, birks, loafers)...resulting in an outfit that is comfy + as casual or cool as desired.  :)

Love,
Jane

Recycled cashmere has been catching my eye this autumn. As with any natural fiber, and especially with cashmere, reusing rather than starting again from scratch is an exciting advancement. Much of the cashmere used in recycled cashmere at this point comes from fibers left over + previously discarded from the cashmere industry. It would be wonderful to see previously worn cashmere getting a second chance, but this is a great start. This is often how the technology advances, new options for recycling come into play, and then collection can have a focus + outlet/input.

Another intriguing way of recycling cashmere is simply cutting it up + sewing it back together into useful shapes. This could be a way to use bits of sweaters riddled with holes or stains...or too small, secondhand sweaters. These makers are doing amazing work! I love seeing the sleeves of sweaters made into pant legs, and that amazing scarf/blanket is the most beautiful way to ensure that no scrap of this luxurious fiber goes to waste!

Love,
Jane

Autumn seems like a natural time to consider color...and I love these nature inspired tones. These lovely pieces could mix + match + layer for lots of lovely outfit options. We obviously don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe's worth of pieces, in order to consider color in our own collections.

One way I've been considering color is by choosing pieces in white + natural tones.  :) I choose white tones not only because I like them...but also because I'm thinking about longevity. I am anticipating extending the usefulness + my own love for these pieces by dying them with natural dyes as necessary or desired. Dyes are a great way to add a little color to a thrifted, stained or existing piece in one's wardrobe! I love indigo dye + am looking forward to trying some of EarthHues natural dyes too.

Another way I like to add a little oomph to my regular outfit lineup is by mixing colors in unconventional ways. A few of my outfit dreams using the pieces above include...

I'm actually wearing this combination right now. It doesn't seem like it would work (one of those unconventional color combinations mentioned above), but I think it does.  :) It's one of my favorite cozy at home looks.

I like the idea of sliding a heavier, cozy layer over a simple, sleeveless jumpsuit. The ease of two piece dressing feels like a luxury as temperatures dip. I'd really like to see these different tones of green together, but I have a similar grey jumpsuit already in my closet that would benefit from a cozy layer like this.

These colors are an autumn dream...and that green cardigan above could take this pairing into cooler days. Let the leaves fly!  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Cozy socks are one of the pleasures of cooler days. Socks can be a simple way to add a playful touch to an otherwise subdued ensemble. They can be a sweet + useful gift or a necessary indulgence. Here in the USA, it is still possible to find socks made closer to home. (yay!) I hope this might also be the case elsewhere around the globe. This is a list of predominantly American sockmakers working to integrate as many of the following qualities as possible: natural materials with traceable origins, fair wages + durability (often backed by warranties or free repairs). Most of these socks do contain a bit of synthetic fiber for stretch + durability. 
​
Zkano + Little River Sock Mill :: organic cotton grown, spun + dyed in the USA :: American wool :: made in Fort Payne, Alabama :: send back spent socks for recycling :: women's, men's + children's 

Vreseis :: Sally Fox's own Californian, organic cotton...spun + knit in North Carolina :: undyed, color comes from the biodiverse cotton grown :: unisex 

​Harvest + Mill :: organic cotton grown, spun + knit in the USA :: undyed, color comes from the biodiverse cotton grown :: men's + women's

Pansy :: organic cotton :: USA grown + made :: unisex​

This post will be linked at the bottom of the ethical brands page along with a few other posts about fair items...for when they might be helpful. All lovely photos via links. Unlinked photos, mine. 

Love,
Jane

Temperatures are climbing into the mid 90s here today (phew), but the light is shifting...sunsets are arriving notably earlier...and the sunflowers are back in all the familiar places. Autumn is on its way. Here are a few things that have caught my eye + my imagination in anticipation of the delicious season to come.

-Black Crane's cozy set actually has me looking forward to cooler days.
-Some dried banskia would be welcome on the shelf all season long.
-If I needed a new pair of jeans, these would be the ones.
-A soft, cozy sweatshirt that I could wear day after day.
-Should I become that kind of hat person?
-A cozy jacket for windy days ahead.
-A multi-purpose balm for thirsty lips, skin + heels to come.

Lots of new collections are arriving from all of the brands on the ethical brand page. If something new is necessary, it might as well be fair! I'm keeping a small list of desirables + giving it some time to percolate.  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Swimwear :: instead of polyester, econyl or recycled polyester ::
For someone like me, fairly made, organic cotton pieces like those from Pansy (available with natural rubber elastic + without added lycra/spandex), Arq or State work well for dipping toes into streams, wading in lakes or rivers + enjoying the sun. A cotton bodysuit like Nude Label's, Thief + Bandit's or Everlane's could work for some as well. Many of us only wear swimwear occasionally + a fewer of us really use it seriously for swimming or surfing.

I thought that bamboo might be a good natural material for swimwear, but I was not able to find any at this point. There are some organic cotton/bamboo sports bras at Tasc that might be an option for some. This modal bodysuit from Commando (or this one from Ripple) is like bamboo in that it comes from natural origins, but requires more processing than other natural fibers. Apparently rayon fibers made up a large percentage of the fibers found in this study of microparticles found deep in the ocean. This provides us with further reason to avoid these fibers (rayon, lyocell, tencel). (Ugh.)

Please don't be fooled by ChitoSante fabric made with shellfish shells. Only a small portion of the fabric is made up of (or treated with) this biomass. ChitoSante is polyester.

Swimwear for serious swimming...at this point...may be an appropriate use of recycled polyester. These pieces of clothing are quite small + don't need to undergo rigorous agitation in the washing machine. If a wetsuit is in order, check out Patagonia's 85% natural rubber wetsuits. ​Continue to prod brands to seek innovation.

Work-out clothing :: instead of polyester in all its forms ::
Tops: It's easy enough to wear an 100% cotton tee or tank already in our wardrobes instead of a polyester one. 
Sports bras: There are lots of organic cotton + hemp sports bras available. No reason not to embrace them (some brands below). Also consider the level of impact workouts entail. I find that for hiking, biking, walking, rowing, yoga + weights...I don't really need a heavy duty sports bra.
Bottoms: Leggings aren't the only bottoms that can be worn for workouts. Consider looser bottoms that won't require such stretchy fabric. There are lots of organic cotton + hemp bottoms (including leggings). Conscious Clothing, Ripple Yoga, Hard Tail, Purusha, Reprise, Thief & Bandit, Satva, Tasc, Pansy + Pact are some great sources (check fabric content). I have done yoga in various Pact leggings which do hold up.


Patagonia is investing in testing + technology meant to develop plastic fibers that shed less...but is that really any sort of solution? We already have access to the fibers that humans have been wearing for thousands of years...natural fibers that return to the soil. Processing these raw materials into clothing we can wear is not without cost to the environment, of course. The best thing we can do is to wear our natural fiber clothing over + over + over again...to mend + repair it...and to wash it as little as possible.

There are gadgets + devices meant to attract or catch microplastic fibers before they can reach the drain, though the fibers must be discarded somehow...and some will inevitably fly off into the air or have to be tied up in a plastic bag to be preserved in a landfill for posterity.

Keeping waste out of the landfill is always top of mind, and I'm really not sure what the answer is in regards to the polyester + nylon items we may be replacing. When I first replaced some of our jackets, I sold them thinking that that may keep those who bought them from buying new pieces. Maybe donating these pieces to be used in carpet underlayment would be positive? (We may have to cut an arm off in order to avoid resale + donate to Goodwill in a bag labelled "rags".) This processing will produce microfibers too though. The bottom line is: the less plastic microfiber producing items in production + use...the better. 

Our actions have an impact. Our voices may have a bigger impact. Educate + encourage with kindness. Encourage the people making these pieces to consider their impact + where they are spending their good intentions. Let's continue to ask for more innovation + creative thinking in this area. No more microfibers, please.

Lovely photos via links. Unlinked photo, mine. A few more ideas: simple workout wear :: 3 ways.

Love, 
Jane