Those were the days that I didn’t even think to check the fabric content of the pieces laying closest to my skin. The days when I prioritized having drawers full of cheap, colorful (often synthetic) undergarments, instead of investing in quality natural pieces that would dramatically improve my day-to-day comfort.

But one day I just had had *enough* of the constant discomfort and distraction of polyester underwear. When I started experiencing psoriasis flare ups, I knew it was time to truly start prioritizing what I was putting next to my skin. 

I sent my synthetic pieces to a domestic textile recycling facility (I generally try to swap or resell all of my unwanted garments, but used underwear is of course, an exception to that) and then finally went the natural route — and never went back.

My Experience With Brook There

(Transparency note: this post was sponsored by Brook There. All opinions are my own.)

Whether you’re completely making the switch to natural undergarments or want to slowly start replacing worn undergarments — or already have a natural underwear drawer and need a few more items — you’re probably doing some research on different brands.

Well in this review, I’ll share my experience with Brook There’s organic cotton undergarments to help you decide if they’re right for you! 

Recently, the Brook There team sent me some of their pieces to try out and review. Specifically I’ve been trying out the Cairn Triangle Bra and Cairn Hipster, as well as the Undyed Curve Convertible Bra and Undyed Bikini Undie. 

It was tough to choose because Brook There has a variety of colors, including a range of neutrals, some pretty pastels, as well as a variety of rich and bold colors. But I was curious about the undyed option and the Cairn was such a gorgeous color.

Upon receiving these pieces in their minimal, recycled packaging (more on Brook There’s eco packaging and other sustainability practices below!) I was definitely impressed by the quality of the fabric and construction of these garments. These were clearly pieces crafted with care. While they may be more expensive than your standard underwear and bralettes, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality, comfort, and knowing that these products were made sustainably and ethically.

Now let’s dive into the specific products I tried from Brook There…

Brook There’s Bralettes

I am very picky when it comes to bras and bralettes. Because let’s be honest: most of them are terribly uncomfortable! In fact I’ve pretty much stopped wearing bras and opt almost exclusively for bralettes.

This might not be for everyone — especially for those with larger bra sizes who want or need more support! (I personally typically wear a 34C.) — but for me, wired bras are a total no-go.  And while the no-bra movement has been gaining steam, I must admit I’m not quite there! The happy medium for me is bralettes.

All that to say I’m a big fan of comfy bralettes. 

And Brook There’s bralettes definitely rank high on comfort for me. The organic cotton fabric is soft, the elastic offers some support without being constricting, and one feature that I really love is that there is no clasp!

The concept behind a clasp is that it allows the size to be adjusted. Usually when you first buy a bra, you use the farthest out loop and then as the band stretches, you tighten the bra by moving to the closer loops. 

But the reality often is that these clasps in the back just make it really cumbersome to put on a bra. And generally, bralettes are more flexible than wired and/or cupped bras, making the 3 different sizing options feel a little unnecessary.

So I was excited that the Brook There bralettes did not have a clasp. 

The bras do still have adjustable straps still though so there is still some flexibility to make the fit a bit tighter or looser. 

The differences between Brook There’s bralette styles:

Triangle Bra: A classic! A minimalist bralette with a V-neck that can be worn with a variety of tops. Feels supportive and secure. Accommodates up to a cup size C. At $48, this is the lowest priced option from Brook There’s lineup.

Curve Convertible. The main difference is that these straps can be worn multiple ways. In addition to wearing the straps vertically, you can also wear the straps crossed in the back, making it easy to hide the straps white wearing tanks and other styles of tops that don’t accommodate typical bra straps. This bralette is also curved like a scoop neck, rather than a V. Accommodates up to a cup size C. Priced at $56, this style is the mid-tier of what Brook There offers.

Pixy Bra: Brook There’s most supportive style which features details that offer shape and support without sacrificing comfort. Accommodates up to a cup size D. I didn’t try this style because I personally like to lean more minimalist when it comes to bralettes. But I think this one would be great for those looking for a bit more support (or anyone with a cup size D that’s sized out of the other two styles). At $68 this is the most expensive option that Brook There offers.

Key Takeaways:

• Brook There’s bralettes are soft and comfy throughout the day.
• The bralettes do not have back clasps, but do have adjustable straps.
• If you’re looking for more support or wear a D cup, opt for the brand’s Pixy Bra.
• If you are looking for easy-to-wear and comfort, Brook There’s bralettes are for you! If you’re looking for a lot of support, you may want to look elsewhere for a wired bra. Brook There’s size range also does not currently accommodate larger than a cup size D.
• Brook There takes quality and sustainability seriously, making their pieces an investment for the long haul.

Brook There’s Underwear

Underwear tends to not be quite as complex as bras, but there are definitely still considerations to be made when it comes to both fabric and fit!

In terms of fabric, Brook There’s underwear is made from 94% organic cotton and 6% spandex for fabric recovery. 

The underwear is ultra soft and is really comfortable against my skin, like the bralettes. I was especially excited to see that Brook There offers an undyed option. Undyed fabrics can have a lighter footprint on our environment and be gentler on our skin. But it’s quite rare to find undyed garments, including undergarments.

I tested out the Undyed Bikini Undie and the undyed organic cotton fabric is a really lovely off-white color that can be worn under a variety of skirts, dresses, and pants. 

I also have been wearing the Cairn Hipster, which is a gorgeous dark purple. Purple is my favorite color (which is why I chose that colorway) and this shade does not disappoint!

With my experience of the two colorways I selected, the photos on Brook There’s site were accurate and aligned with the actual products received.

When it comes to styles, Brook There covers the basics: bikini (a classic!), hipster (similar with a bit higher of a waist), boyshort (most coverage), and thong (least coverage).

The bikini and hipster styles are quite similar, but I have a slight preference for the hipster, with the slightly higher waist.

Key Takeaways

• Brook There offers an undyed option, great for those with sensitive skin or who want to opt for an even lower impact piece.
• Colors shown on Brook There’s site were quite accurate to the actual product.
• The brand has a variety of styles and colors of underwear, depending on your needs and preferences.

More on Brook There’s Sustainability

I’ve touched on the sustainability elements of Brook There throughout this review, but I thought it was worth dedicating an entire section to it here.

Fabrics

Brook There uses organic cotton made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified yarn. This yarn is milled and dyed with fiber reactive dyes in California. FIber reactive dyes have a few environmental benefits: more than 90% of the dyestuffs are reacted onto the fibers (which minimizes waste) and fiber-reactive dyes work with less water and with lower temperatures (which reduces energy use). 

Plus, fiber reactive dyes actually bond with the fiber, making the color more permanent, and ideally — ensuring that garment lasts longer in the wearer’s closet!

(Fiber reactive dyes can typically only be used with plant-based cellulosic fibers, so you won’t find these lower impact dyes used on polyester garments.)

Production

It was really important to Brook There to keep their supply chain as close to home as possible — which means domestic production in the US. This not only reduces the emissions from shipping compared to overseas freight, but helps the Brook There team have more transparency into their supply chain and ensure their ethical standards are being met. 

Their fabric is milled and dyed in California, which boasts some of the strictest ecological standards for producers and then is cut and sewn in Massachusetts. Brook There has a direct relationship with their partners, and can ensure that everyone along the production process is being paid fairly and works in safe, healthy conditions. 

Another bonus is that the brand’s orders are fulfilled in the same cut-and-sew facility, which ensures that their pieces don’t have to get stuffed into polybags. Using polybags is often a requirement when shipping garments between facilities. (And we may not even always see this plastic waste as a consumer if the pieces get repackaged in the shipping facility.)

Going above and beyond to reduce packaging waste, Brook There uses Eco-Enclose recycled poly bags to ship their garments and recycled tissue paper to protect the pieces inside the bag. I was really impressed with the minimal packaging when I received my Brook There pieces!

In short: Brook There is a sustainably-minded small business that prioritizes people and planet along their entire supply chain.

The post How Does Brook There’s Organic Lingerie Stack Up? My Experience and Review appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

But in order to serve these multitudes of purposes well, lingerie comes in a wide range of fabric compositions, some of which have been treated with chemicals to aid these functions. However, the problem arises when our skin (and the environment) begins to absorb these chemicals. 

Simply put, lingerie is like a second skin that isn’t just skin deep.

Akin to the moisturizers and creams we apply, lingerie doesn’t just sit or hug our skin all day long, if there are chemicals present in the fabrics of our bras and underwear, they can potentially penetrate through our skin. In other words, as we sweat, our pores can potentially draw chemicals out of the fabric and absorb them into the body. 

This is where a pared-back and consciously considered approach to choosing lingerie — especially its fabric — is needed. And opting for minimally treated natural fibers like organic cotton can be one of the wisest decisions you can make for your skin and the environment.

*Transparency note: This content was made in partnership with organic lingerie brand Brook There.

Breathable, non-toxic organic cotton lingerie

Somewhere in the consumerist process of being seduced by lingerie marketing for years, even our most basic sets of everyday bras and underwear began to get replaced by synthetic materials. After all, nothing boosts your confidence like the knowledge that the lingerie you’re wearing makes you look and feel amazing. 

But what if we told you that you could achieve similar effects through organic cotton lingerie? 

Organic cotton makes for a great choice of lingerie fabric owing to its moisture-absorbing properties and breathability. Did we mention its unparalleled softness?

Since this variety of cotton is completely handpicked, the process preserves the length of its fibers while also ensuring these fibers aren’t weakened or broken, resulting in softer clothing. 

Moreover, people with extremely sensitive skin conditions like atopic dermatitis can benefit from using hypoallergenic organic cotton lingerie especially since their condition predisposes them to have an increased chance of chemicals getting absorbed into their bloodstream due to the compromised integrity of their skin barrier.

In fact, organic cotton’s hypoallergenic properties are one of the main reasons why it’s also heavily favored by infant and children’s clothing brands.

When it comes to articles of clothing that are just like your second skin, a simple switch to natural fabrics like organic cotton can do more than just help you feel comfortable. It can help the environment too!

A garment’s sustainability is highly influenced by its choice of material because it includes the full gamut of impacts.

From climate change and the use of non-renewable resources, to loss of biodiversity and water pollution — not to mention its damaging effects on producer communities and human health. Fortunately, the benefits of producing organic cotton are widespread.

Organic cotton is a naturally cultivated fiber that goes a step further than its conventional counterpart (that’s all too often doused in pesticides) by eliminating all forms of synthetic chemicals during the growth stage itself. 

Not only is this practice better for the soil but also the cotton growers who could be adversely affected by the chemicals inhaled. And when grown in line with organic standards, the organic cotton you’re wearing has adhered to strict ecology and toxicology guidelines. In fact, in its most natural and undyed form, organic cotton can even be safely composted.  

Where to find natural organic cotton lingerie

If you’re wondering where you can find good organic cotton lingerie, then look no further. Brook There is a female-founded brand where you can find the perfect underpinnings to take you from day to night made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. 

From bras and underwear in a wide range of styles to slips, camisoles, and loungewear, Brook There will have you covered in organic essentials that have been milled and dyed locally in California, which has some of the most strict laws when it comes to ecological requirements for producers.

Composed of 94% Organic Cotton and 6% spandex (included to help the lingerie maintain its shape), the brand’s pieces are dyed using fiber-reactive dyes, which have a lower impact on the environment than their conventional counterparts. 

Brook There’s bras range from 32 A and go up to 38 D, while their underwear and loungewear collection caters to sizes XS-XXL. What we love most about their lingerie line is the expansive range of neutral hues that go from pale wheat to chocolate brown, making it the perfect foundational piece for sheer clothing. 

Brook There also does a fair bit to keep their environmental impact low by maintaining local production and sampling facilities, to avoid any extra carbon emissions caused by freight and transportation. To keep the impact low after purchase, the brand recommends caring for their lingerie by machine washing on a gentle or cold cycle and line-drying when possible to conserve energy.

Explore Brook There and its range of organic cotton lingerie to find your next everyday essential. 

About The Author:

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers

The post Here’s Why Organic Cotton Lingerie Has Your Best Interest at Heart appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

It can be hard to know what the “right” pair of denim is when you’ve been told that skinny jeans are out one day and low-rise jeans are making a comeback the next. Fashion’s ever-changing trend cycles slyly persuade us into buying more jean styles than we need, and most importantly, make us covet styles that aren’t even inclusive of all body types. 

When in reality, a well-fitted pair that suits your figure and flatters it the best will always be in style — even if it is a supposedly outmoded pair of skinny jeans. 

Common Fit Issues With Denim

Despite stocking inclusive sizes, most jeans in the market today need alterations to provide an ideal fit. That’s because there is no standard body type that fits into the preset measurements and proportions. For example, even if you’ve been a size 12 your entire life, chances are, you’re not going to fit into the same size at two different brands. 

Our bodies come in all shapes and sizes that tend to change as we age. They aren’t apples or pears, inverted triangles or rectangles, they have beautiful bumps and curves that are unique to every individual. 

But fashion brands aren’t entirely to blame for not creating a pair of jeans that fit you like a dream. In order to embrace body inclusivity to perfection, there’d have to be endless aisles of sizes and that many more jeans produced.

On a scale of one to ten, most jeans available in the market can be rated a five or six, because their shortcomings are usually present in the form of these issues:

• Too long or short in length 
• Gaping at the back
• Have a loose waistband
• Too tight at the thighs 
• Hurt at the waist while sitting
• Saggy or too tight at the crotch 

If you have experienced one or more of these fit problems with a pair of jeans you’ve purchased in the past, then you are not alone. While stretchy jeans or elastic waistband jeggings may seem like the cure-all to most of the aforementioned fit-related issues, these types of jeans aren’t without their own problems. 

Stretchy jeans contain a significant percentage of elastane, which gets its flexible quality from a long chain polymer known as polyurethane (AKA plastic). This affects the jean’s sustainability as well as its recyclability or biodegradability at the end of their life. 

While elastane is just a small part of the sustainable puzzle, creating a pair of jeans also involves an intense dyeing process to attain certain colorways and washes that consume a lot of water before it even reaches the store shelf. 

Transparency note: this content was made in collaboration with unspun. As always, we only partner with brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability that we love, and that we think you’ll love too.

Get Custom Made Jeans Online in Three Simple Steps

Fortunately, the dream denim makers at unspun provide a smart and effective solution that not only addresses all of your fitting woes but also has a lower environmental impact. 

Curious to know how they create the perfect fit? Let us break down the how, what, and why investing in a pair of custom made jeans by unspun will be your best sartorial bet.

Step 1: Design your own jeans made to order

Start by visiting the unspun website where you can dive right in by choosing your preferred style that ranges from skinny and straight fit to wide leg, baggy fit, and beyond. 

Or if you’re anything like us and prefer some expert assistance, you could take unspun’s fit quiz that allows their algorithm to better understand your personal preferences when it comes to how you’d want your jeans to make you feel, while you choose your color, fabric, level of stretch, and even the type of topstitching. 

Based on your responses, unspun narrows down your preferences to match you with three different bespoke jeans styles where you can choose to further tweak your choices for preferred hem length, waist rise, and stitch color in the dropdown menus. 

Think of it like being set up with potential matches on a dating app based on your personal taste. Because shopping for a new pair of jeans can actually feel like a first date. It might be too early to tell if you’ve just met your soulmate, but something about them screams keeper. And once you’re better acquainted, it could be a match made in denim heaven!

Step 2: Take a 3D body scan to get your own made-to-order jeans

Once you check out and purchase your custom made jeans, unspun will send you a link to download their app where an iPhone (X or later– FaceID required) to 3D scan your body and upload your measurements. 

Getting fitted takes about five minutes and allows them to collect over 100,000 data points from your scan to sculpt a fit that’s unique to the size, and actual 3D shape, of you and your body. This is why the fit of unspun’s custom jeans is known for being so good; beyond just measurements, there are so many different ways those measurements could be shaped!

After you’ve ordered your jeans, completing the scan is easy– all you have to do is slip into some skin-tight clothing (like gymwear), step into a well-lit room in your house, and you are ready to get fitted. Their video tutorial will guide you as to where you can place your phone, and how you can stand and do a 360º spin, all while following the sound of their audio countdown. 

unspun reports that, with their app, your iPhone projects over 30,000 dots of infrared light onto your body. And as you take a step-by-step spin, the Face ID sensor stitches all these depth maps together to create an accurate 3D body model that’s completely unique to you. Consider this your doorway to the future denim dressing room!

Or, if you’re located in San Francisco, you can choose to book a fitting in person at their headquarters. If you’re looking for some additional styling support, you can also avail yourself to a booking on a remote fit video call where you can directly chat with their experts for 30 minutes where they can advise you on customization options, and help get you set up for your 3D body scan at home.

Step 3: Take your brand new custom fit jeans for a spin 

Once they’ve scanned your measurements to create your digital model, unspun will use the specifications from your scan to create your perfectly fitted pair of tailor-made jeans and ship them to your home within about four weeks. After you’ve received your made-to-measure jeans, the denim experts at unspun recommend wearing them for a week to break them into their true fit. 

While they offer a 100% fit guarantee, if you are still not satisfied with how they sit on your body after the break-in period, you can reach out to them by sharing an email with photos of you in your jeans from all the angles necessary to help them pinpoint the issue and build a second version that incorporates your personal preferences. 

Alternatively, you can always visit them in person at their San Francisco or Hong Kong store to consult with a fit specialist and they’ll adjust and rebuild them with free alterations and returns. Your alterations will be fast-tracked to the front of the line and will be handed back to you after two to three weeks.

Is the Custom Made Denim From unspun Sustainable?

Straight off the bat, the very fact that unspun has no inventory and operates on a made-to-order model separates them from the crowd of brands that overproduce denim in endless styles to accommodate the ever-changing trends every season. By doing this, unspun makes a strong case for ditching all of the trends in favor of personal style and custom fit jeans that last a lifetime. 

Don’t just take our word for it. unspun has received the elusive “Great” rating from the go-to sustainable brand rating platform Good on You.

Their denim is made from fabric compositions that are mainly composed of either pre-consumer recycled cotton or GOTS-certified organic cotton. 89% of unspun’s range is plastic-free and 11% is recycled, with 89% made with recyclable inputs. unspun has also switched their entire thread range to dissolvable thread. 

Some of unspun’s styles feature a small percentage of circular stretch yarn, in case you do prefer some stretch in your denim. Unlike conventional elastane, Roica breaks down without releasing harmful substances. It’s the first Cradle to Cradle-Certified stretch yarn, receiving a Gold Level Certificate.

While conventionally created denim creates a lot of water waste that leaches toxic dyes into waterways, the custom made denim makers at unspun use a unique technology that helps them recycle water after each washing step, where the denims are drained (without pollution) and pumped back into their system in a closed loop. 

In fact, once you’ve received your custom fit jeans, they recommend barely washing them, and only if needed, once every ten wears should suffice.

If you are ever ready to let go of your tailor-made jeans — after what we’re hoping is a long and happy sartorial run — unspun encourages returning them so they can repurpose your preloved denim into samples, or have them downcycled by their collaborators (hello, Pangaia!).

unspun’s range of custom fit jeans for women and men starts at $85 for a pair of shorts and $200+ for full-length denim jeans. Pro tip: sign up as a product tester to get a $40 gift card towards your first pair of custom made jeans in exchange for giving unspun some feedback. 

About The Author:

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers

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The post How To Get Custom Made Jeans Online appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

You wouldn’t be alone if that’s what you’ve thought slow fashion is restricted to — after all, that’s been the aesthetic promoted on curated slow fashion Instagram feeds and online shops since the early days of the movement.

But slow fashion is not limited to just one singular aesthetic. If you love an eclectic style, you don’t need to give up color — or even bold prints! — to embrace slow fashion. 

You don’t need to suddenly change your personal style to belong in this movement. In fact, quite the opposite.

First of all: slow fashion goes deeper than aesthetics and is about a mindset of buying fewer, better if you can and caring for what you have. After all, there are fast fashion brands that can (and do!) just copy and paste styles from slow fashion labels.

Secondly, slow fashion is about personal style over microtrends. Rewearing and outfit repeating is the name of the game! The thing is, if we genuinely love our clothes, we’re going to feel more invested in caring for them, mending them, and even altering them.

Slow Fashion Brands For Your Style

While at the beginning of the slow fashion movement, the aesthetics did seem quite limited, the space has matured and expanded vastly over the years.

Today, there are an incredible number of brands out there with a variety of aesthetics — from feminine to grunge, minimalist to bold, outdoorsy to preppy chic.

And our partner wearwell is a conscious fashion marketplace that curates clothing, accessories, and jewelry (along with home goods and secondhand items) from trusted fair fashion brands that produce slowly and thoughtfully in a wide range of aesthetics.

Wearwell goes through a multi-step process with each of their brand partners to ensure that they’re working with brands that are truly making a positive impact. Since each brand goes about conscious fashion a bit differently, you’ll notice that each brand on wearwell has a set of icons — from zero-waste production and circular business model to employee-owned and BIPOC-owned — which you can learn more about here.

So without further ado, here are slow fashion brands for eight different aesthetics! 

Note: this post was sponsored by wearwell. As always, all opinions expressed are our own and we only work with partners that meet high standards for sustainability and style that we truly love — and which we think you’ll love too!

Sustainable Colorful and Bold Fashion Brands

Many craft communities use traditional techniques and practices that celebrate color and prints. Take block-printing or natural dyeing practices using locally-sourced plants, for instance! For many artisans, different colors and motifs may hold significance far beyond aesthetics.

These artisans who weave, embroider, hand-dye, or print clothing are the original slow fashion practitioners. 

The following brands partner with artisan communities — and pay fair living wages, ensure safe healthy conditions, and invest in educational and growth opportunities — to celebrate and sustain their traditional crafts.

Mata Traders

• Featured: Ruffle Maxi Dress / Randi Midi Dress / Heishi Earrings

People Tree

• Featured: Margie Blouse / Neha Blouse / Alison Floral Skirt

Romy Studio

• Featured: Pebble Dangle Earrings / Drop Hoop 

Faire Collection

• Featured: Mia Bracelet / Stella Hoops / Vera Earrings

Sustainable Artsy Clothing and Accessory Brands

Creating a wardrobe that’s as creative and free spirited as you are? These brands partner with skilled artisans and source natural fibers and materials to craft unique pieces in easy going silhouettes and interesting textures. From rattan bags to flowing dresses, these pieces are perfect for festivals, trips to the beach, and everywhere in between.

Maelu

• Featured: Sinead Open Jacket / Lana Lounge Pant / Willow Dress

Manava

• Featured:  Anuna Bag / Syuti One Bag / Vanna Bag

Mercado Global

• Featured: Felipa Belt Bag / Margarita Bag / Ofelia Bracelet Clutch

A Few More Picks from Wearwell

• Nat Woven Crossbody / Beachcomber Necklace / Skylar Hoop Earrings / Tia Necklace

Outdoorsy & Adventurous Eco Fashion Brands (“Granola Girl”)

While “granola girl” is an aesthetic born from TikTok’s rapid trend cycle, the basic premise is pretty timeless. Essentially it’s an outdoorsy aesthetic featuring pieces you might wear hiking or cozying up in a cabin in autumn. 

Think layering with flannels and fleece, adding in functional cool-weather accessories like boots and beanies, and making a statement with graphic tees and reusable bottles with funky stickers. Add in a pair of overalls and some chunky sweaters and you’re ready for the “granola girl” glamping life.

Toad&Co

• Featured: Reese Flannel Shirt / Taylor Sherpa Pullover / Taren Legging

Outerknown

• Featured: Sea Romper / Zion Chore Jacket / Voyage Overalls

Thought Clothing

• Featured: Cora Utility Jacket / Ilia Coat

A Few Athleisure Picks from Wearwell:

• Classic Cotton Leggings/ Rhea Rib Crop Top / Yoga Pocket Leggings

Feminine & Vintage-Inspired Ethical Fashion Brands  (“Cottagecore”)

Another aesthetic that had a major moment on social media but is actually quite classic is “cottagecore”. This is basically an old-world, feminine style that features ruffles, lace, puff-sleeves, and flowy midi and maxi dresses.

And cottagecore has gone beyond fashion to encompass self-sufficiency (think growing your own veggies and baking homemade bread) and a slower pace of life. 

While trends can encourage overconsumption, I love that cottagecore inspires sufficiency and slowness. Plus, I’ve personally been a fan of puff-sleeves and prairie dresses long before it was filling TikTok feeds. 

If cottagecore is something you’re into (for your home or closet), vintage shops are always a great place to start. For clothes that fit the bill with their vintage-inspired silhouettes and feminine styles, check out these ethical fashion labels.

People Tree

• Featured: Mallow Dress / Lea Striped Dress / Soleil Dress

Mata Traders

• Featured: Dawn Dress / Inez Bubble Sleeve Dress / Sohla Dress

Classic & Minimalist Slow Fashion Brands

Timelessness is a quality we often emphasize when talking about slow fashion. And for good reason — focusing on timelessness over trends can help us make more intentional choices for the long-haul. 

Timeless may mean something different for everyone, but classics tend to be considered as “timeless” because they don’t necessarily go in or out of style. (To be clear, just because a trend is considered “out”, doesn’t mean we have to stop wearing it. But you may prefer to just opt out of the trend cycle completely and embrace these “classics”.)

Some may worry that classic means boring and bland, but these brands are proving that is anything but the case.

Black Borders

• Featured: Bailey Box Top (in black) / Cap Longline Dress / Marion Mock Neck

O My Bag

• Featured: Audrey Bag / Audrey Mini Bag / Georgia Tote Bag

Ética

• Featured: Finn Slim Straight / Joni Classic Shirt / Chelsey Jacket

Purpose Jewelry

• Featured: Halo Studs / Allure Cuff / Chloe Ring

A Few More Picks From Wearwell

• Madeleine Earrings / Crossback Dress / Amira Dress

Easy & Effortless Conscious Fashion Brands

Sometimes we just want to keep it simple. Some days I’m all about creativity and experimentation, while other days, I frankly just want to get dressed in something that feels as close to my PJs as possible! And most often, I like to mix it up with stylistic pieces and more basic ones to balance out an outfit. 

So whether you like to have a few basics as foundations or you like to keep your wardrobe streamlined with exclusively comfy mix-and-matchable pieces, here are a few brands to know.

Elegantees

• Featured: Austen Top / Katia Skirt / Juvia Mock Neck Top

Alternative Apparel

• Featured: Savannah T-Shirt / Bianca Sweatshirt / Eve Maxi Dress

Modern Preppy Slow Fashion Brands

You don’t have to be enrolled in a Northeastern college-prep school to love this polished aesthetic. This style features plaid, stripes, and solids in ranges of blues, beiges, and creams.

People Tree

• Featured: Jaspal Boyfriend Blazer / Emerson Striped Trousers / Jasmin Cardigan

O My Bag

• Featured: Ted Travel Case / Audrey Bag in Cognac (Apple Leather) / Laura Bag

More Clothing Picks From Wearwell:

• Weekender Jumpsuit / Lizzy Sweater Skirt / Bridget Cardigan

More Accessory Picks From Wearwell:

• Short Crew Sock in White / Pearl Charm Necklace

Rocker Chic Conscious Fashion Brands

If you’re looking for an aesthetic that’s polar opposite to cottagecore, you’ve met your match! Inspired by punk and rock bands, this edgy aesthetic features leather, denim, and graphic tees. 

Whether you want to go 100% grunge or mix in a few edgy pieces to balance out more feminine styles, here are a few picks from wearwell.

Lennox Fitted Jacket / Jett Restructured Jacket / Chevron Denim Jacket / Billy Jeans

Not Sure What Your Style Is?

Wearwell has a “Find Your Style” quiz right on their website. Just answer around 25 questions to get a curated selection from their team of stylists. 

If you’re looking for more personalized attention, wearwell also offers personal styling services through their membership program. Their monthly membership includes access to styling whenever you want for a small fee, while their annual membership includes seasonal styling sessions. Both memberships include 10% off all orders as well as free shipping & returns and other great perks. 

Wearwell is also a 1% For The Planet Member and wearwell members and shoppers can select which nonprofit they’d like to help support through Beam Impact.

Curious to check out more from wearwell? Browse their entire site here.

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So, this article will break down why ethical fashion costs more than fast fashion, why affordability is part of the ethical fashion movement, and how fair fashion brands can make their pieces more affordable, without sacrificing sustainability.

Why Ethical Fashion Costs More (Sometimes)

Looking at the dirt cheap prices fast fashion brands have thrown at us, (99% off sales and $1 Black Friday deals, anyone?) it’s not difficult to see how we lost sight of the value of clothing and other fashion purchases.

The unfortunate reality, though, is that somebody is paying for these dresses selling for less than the cost of a sandwich. There’s simply no way that brands can pay their factories fair prices that enable them to pay living wages when those blouses are selling for $8.

The thing is that ethical fashion will never reach the prices of ultra fast fashion — there are simply too many corners that have to be cut.

That said, ethical fashion is not always more expensive. In fact, many fair fashion brands sell reasonably priced pieces similar to brands on the high street. 

In some cases, this is because these brands are using some of the strategies outlined below to minimize costs without cutting worker wages or making other decisions that go against their values.

Also worth noting, many designer fashion brands charging $2,000 for a pair of trousers are not necessarily more ethical or sustainable than mid-market or fast fashion brands. Expensive does not equal ethical. It doesn’t even always mean higher quality — it may just mean more money was spent on marketing or money profits ended up in the hands of the CEO.

But before we get too far into that tangent, let’s move on.

Why Affordability is Part of Ethical Fashion

While ethical fashion won’t ever be priced like ultra-fast fashion brands, this doesn’t mean that we can’t think about ways that ethical fashion can be more affordable. 

Ethical fashion does not need to be a luxury. And although slow fashion purchases are about making mindful investments for the long haul, these purchases do not need to break the bank — and they shouldn’t be only available at prices that feel exclusive.

After all, part of ethical fashion is as much about inclusivity as it is worker rights and environmental concerns. 

Plus, of course, I would be remiss to omit here that part of ethical and sustainable fashion is buying less in the first place by wearing what we have more, mending worn clothes, shopping secondhand, swapping & borrowing, and so on. 

So, firstly, you don’t have to buy new to participate in ethical fashion and secondly, even if some of the individual pieces are more expensive, following the ethos #fewerbetter often means spending less overall.

The Business Model Shifts That Could Make Ethical Fashion Affordable

The question remains, then how could ethical fashion brands — and the industry at large — work to make prices more affordable while not sacrificing sustainability or underpaying the workers in their supply chain?

Here are some approaches that accessibly-priced conscious fashion brands like 2°EAST have been using.

1. Go Direct to Consumer

The frustrating truth about prices in fashion is that the vast majority of the cost the consumer pays doesn’t go into producing the actual product, and it certainly doesn’t get into the hands of the people who made that piece.

In the fashion industry, profit margins between 2x and 2.5x for both the brand and the retailer are standard.

Let’s take 2°EAST watches as an example:

Taking into account the costs for quality, responsibly sourced materials, fair wages to workers, and other factory overhead expenses, such as energy and real estate costs, it costs the brand $66 to produce each watch. 

Following industry standards of 2-2.5x profit margins, the brand would then charge $132 – $165 for each watch. (2°EAST errs on the lower end of profit margins, and charges $130 for their watches.)

The brand or designer markup goes into things like marketing, research & development, and salaries for brand employees. 

The next step in the ‘typical’ fashion supply chain is what creates the single highest price increase: Retail markups.

Typical retail profit margins in fashion are also 2-2.5x — and these markups are a multiplier of the brand’s price.

Continuing with the 2°EAST example, if this ethical watch brand decided to sell their watches to a retailer for $130, the retailer would then charge customers $260 – $325 for that same watch. (And if 2°EAST took a higher profit margin themselves, that watch could go for over $400 when all is said and done.)

To put it succinctly, because of markups, the end consumer is typically paying over 4x what the original garment, bag, or other item costs to make.

While there will always be some markups — as brands need to invest in their design, marketing, and product development — a direct-to-consumer model could mean that brands can sell their products for half (or less) of the price.

*Note: this is a simplified analysis and actual numbers may vary, depending on the brand and retailer.

2. Own Your Factory + Skip the Middleman

It’s no secret that fashion brands have outsourced (mostly to countries with lower wages and looser environmental and labor standards than their home countries) as part of their race to the bottom to get the lowest prices and highest profits. 

In addition to lower wages, outsourcing enables brands to be able (for now, at least) to skirt responsibility for the conditions in the factories. Meaning they’re largely not on the hook for investments in improving safety measures, training workers, or transitioning to more sustainable practices. 

But outsourcing still comes with a price tag — especially for specific and specialized products, like watches — because brands may need to work with an agent.

This agent is typically local to the manufacturer country and helps brands coordinate relationships with manufacturing facilities. 

This can make the production process much simpler for brands, but there’s a catch. For one, the agent may not reveal to the brand where their products are actually being made, since these factory connections are essentially their business. 

It makes sense that the agent wouldn’t want to give up information that could allow their clients to go around them, but it certainly doesn’t help the fashion industry become more transparent.

And, this agent charges a (sometimes significant) fee for their services — they may also charge their 2x profit margin.

Going back to our 2°EAST example, this means that a watch that costs $66 to make, may end up actually costing $530 — 8x the cost.

Here’s the breakdown:

• 2x for the brand + 2x for the agent = 4x.
• 4x * 2x for the retailer = 8x.

2°EAST avoids the large majority of these markups not only by having a direct-to-consumer model, but also by owning their own factory.

How is this possible? 

Well, 2°EAST is co-owned by Sally — who is based in Hong Kong and is in charge of the brand operations — and Ron — who is based near Shenzhen, China and owns the manufacturing and assembly factory where 2°EAST’s watches are made.

Since the brand is co-owned by the manufacturing and assembly factory owner, this enables 2°EAST to skip the agent process, which gives them more transparency into their supply chain and saves them money on agent markups.  

(Related Read: Who Made My Watch? Behind the Makings of an Ethical Watch)

Clearly, there’s a lot of excess waste — in more ways than one — when it comes to the many layers of a typical fashion supply chain. Which leads me to the next strategy to make ethical fashion more affordable.

3. Create Timeless Designs & Produce Intentionally

The rapid trend cycle of fashion means that items go in and out in a matter of weeks, sometimes days. Couple that with the huge quantities that big fashion brands produce and you have a recipe for waste.

All large fashion brands, from fast fashion retailers to luxury designers, have been found guilty of contributing to fashion’s waste crisis. It’s a massive industry-wide problem that will take a lot to address. 

But one step in the right direction is to offer products that can be sold during any season or any year, as many slow fashion brands like 2°EAST do. 

Because the remaining unsold products don’t ever become “out of season”, there’s no need to disregard them. Remaining inventory can simply continue to be sold the following season or year.

Many ethical fashion brands and small labels already implement this, but I also have been surprised to see some still operating on a very strict seasonal basis where they have new collections each season that then go on sale the following season.

But, by offering a more timeless selection (which doesn’t have to mean boring, by the way!) brands can sell through most of their stock, reducing their costs in the process.

***

These three business shifts are just a few of many approaches that could be used to help make ethical fashion more affordable. 

There are several other innovative approaches — like a pre-order model or a pay-what-you-can sliding scale — that I’ve seen from slow fashion brands. 

I also hope to see brands in general become less dependent on selling new items and integrate resale as a major part of their business. This would make it easier to shop secondhand from ethical brands: a win-win for sustainability and our wallets.

Thank you 2°EAST for sponsoring this post and for offering an example for the fashion industry on how it can increase transparency and create more ethical supply chains, all while keeping prices affordable for the consumer.

>> Check out 2°EAST’s watches 

>>  Read more about 2°EAST’s approach

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This article will dive into a couple of exciting plant-based leather materials made from fruit waste, and will also discuss the problems with most vegan leathers on the market today.

This post was proudly made in partnership with Allégorie. The research for this post was done independently and all opinions are my own.

The Problem With Vegan Leathers

While vegan leather may sometimes be promoted as a sustainable alternative to animal leather products, the reality is more complicated. That is because today, the majority of vegan leather is made out of non-biodegradable, synthetic materials sourced from fossil fuels. More specifically, most vegan leather is actually polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 

Not only do these materials increase demand for petroleum, but PVC contains dangerous chemical additives that can pose direct health risks as well.  

The good news is that there are far better vegan leather alternatives that don’t have to come at the cost of your health or the planet.

The Agricultural Waste Problem

Before we dive into some of these more sustainable vegan leather alternatives, let’s talk about another huge problem: food waste.

About one third of all food produced in the world is wasted — that’s about 1.3 billion tonnes wasted every single year. Estimates put that number even higher in the United States The NRDC found that up to 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted. 

Considering that agriculture is responsible for 11% of total global greenhouse gas emissions and that many regions of the world use up to 70% of their freshwater for agriculture, that’s a massive problem. 

One Solution? Creating Vegan Leathers With Food Waste!

Of course, there are many solutions to addressing our food waste crisis and we need ways to ensure that edible food gets in the hands of those who need it most.

That said, there are also forms of agricultural and food waste that aren’t edible, such as apple peels or pineapple leaves. These forms of waste can still be used though when they are transformed into useful products — like vegan leathers!

Apple Leather

Note that the guide may contain partners and affiliates. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!

Apple leather is made from discarded apple skins leftover by the fruit juice and compote industry. In fact, the juice industry was responsible for about 1.4 million tons of apple peel waste in 2016 alone. (This estimate is based on juice consumption and usage ratio in juice factories.)

What do we do with all of these leftover apple peels? Turns out that these discarded peels — when combined with other bio content, recycled materials, and water-based PU* — can create a durable material with a texture similar to other vegan leathers.

While it may be difficult to imagine what apple peels might look like on a bag, the result is actually quite stunning! Take a look at Allégorie’s apple leather bags if you don’t believe me!

Top Picks: Black Gala Backpack and Rose Gala Camera Bag

All Apple Leather Accessories

Mango Leather

Another fruit with a waste problem? Mangos. This tropical fruit is very sensitive — it has to be hand-harvested and must be transported carefully, as mangos can get soft quite quickly. The actual percentage of mangos wasted varies by region, but it’s reported that over 60% of mangos in Kenya go to waste before they even hit the grocery store. And in Senegal, experts estimate that about 50-70% of mangoes get wasted.

Once mangos make it into the grocery store, they must make it through another test: getting into a shopper’s grocery cart! While these mangos do face better odds, about 12% of fruit in the produce aisle does not get sold. The USDA found in 2005-2006 that 8-22% of mangos do not get sold by grocery stores.

Allégorie makes use of these would-be wasted mangos, though, to create their chic mango bags! The brand partners with supermarkets to collect discarded mangos, which are then blended and combined with a water-based PU* to create a faux leather material.

Top Pick: Brown Mango Bi-Fold Cardholder

All Mango Leather Accessories

*Allégorie’s water-based PU technology uses water instead of organic solvents and does not contain harmful chemicals such as DMF and DOP. There is no pollution during the production process, zero emissions of hazardous chemicals, and other procedures in place to ensure environmental protection.

While using some non-renewably sourced materials is not ideal, all of the current plant-based vegan leathers on the market today are mixed with some percentage of synthetic materials for durability and strength. We hope to see further innovations and improvements in this space that will make it possible to create 100% bio-based accessories soon! But in the meantime, this is an amazing improvement!

About Allégorie

Beyond using innovative vegan leather alternatives like the two materials discussed above, Allégorie follows a number of other conscious practices in their business. Here are a few highlights about the eco-friendly vegan bag brand:

• Allégorie is women-owned and managed
• The brand works with material suppliers that follow high environmental standards, such as zero toxic chemical emissions, green energy use, and water-efficient practices (like water recycling).
• The company also follows strict internal due diligence protocols for both quality and ethics to ensure fair compensation, benefits, good working conditions, and reasonable working hours.
• The linings of the bags are made from recycled fibers and plant-based polyester made from non-edible plants and agricultural waste such as sugarcane.
• The final production of Allégorie’s bags takes place in New York City, so the brand’s team can visit and talk to the workers in this facility personally. Workers are paid fairly — i.e. they earn above the minimum wage with the additional compensation based on their expertise and experience
• Every piece in Allégorie’s collection is durable and created with timeless designs, ensuring longevity

P.S. If you find something you love on Allégorie’s site, you can use code CONSCIOUS10 for 10% off your purchase!

Check Out Allégorie

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The post Plant-Based Leather Alternatives Made from Fruit Waste appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

The good news is yes, cork is among the most earth-friendly materials being used today! 

What makes cork eco-conscious exactly though?

I’m working with JORD to bring you a breakdown of 5 reasons that cork is an eco-friendly material…

1. Renewable and Regenerative

Cork is harvested by cork strippers who remove the bark of cork oak trees — meaning no trees are cut down to harvest cork. This cork stripping process is done carefully by skilled workers (not machines) to ensure that the tree does not get harmed in any way. 

The cork oak tree renews quickly — once a cork oak tree reaches 25 years, the bark can be harvested about every 9-12 years! And with cork oaks living to about 200 years, each tree can be harvested numerous times. [1]

Plus, this harvesting can actually play a beneficial role in our environment as well.

After the cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, the tree regenerates more bark. The tree needs to absorb CO2 for this bark regeneration process and thus sequesters more CO2 from the atmosphere than it would if left unharvested. According to the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance, a harvested cork oak tree absorbs up to 5 times more CO2 than an unharvested cork tree. [2]

This is a beautiful illustration of the Indigenous lessons taught in Braiding Sweetgrass (which is a must-read, by the way!) of the essential role humans can play in reciprocity with nature and regeneration of the earth.

2. Supports Biodiversity

Forests with cork oaks have more biodiversity than many other types of forests — they can be home to nearly 135 plant species per square kilometer and provide a habitat for a variety of animals, including some endangered species like the Iberian lynx and Barbary deer! [1]

But, as the cork industry faced reduced demand for wine corks (amidst the rise of screw-off caps and plastic wine stoppers), the value of these cork oak forests declined as well. And, as the value of forests decreases, the risk of exploitation and clearcutting the land for other purposes increases.

Providing a market for cork products, though, increases the incentive to preserve these cork oak trees and the forests they live in — all while also protecting thousands of well-paying green jobs in rural areas. [3]

3. Durable

A key attribute that must be taken into consideration when evaluating the eco-friendliness of a material is its durability. Can this material be used to make products that actually last the test of time? Is the material tough enough to withstand years of wear and tear? Would you be able to adopt the practice of fewer, better things with products made of this material?

Cork, while lightweight, is in fact an ultra-durable material, which just so happens to also be stain and weather-resistant!

In an analysis of the properties of cork, BioResources science journal concluded that cork is:

• “Not very permeable to fluids” (i.e. waterproof)
• Has a low thermal coefficient (i.e. can withstand very high temperatures)
• “Exhibits elasticity and deformation without fracturing under compression” (i.e. will not break or crack when pressure is applied)
• “And has considerable durability” (pretty self-explanatory! [4]

4. Plant-Based Leather Alternative 

Natural doesn’t always mean cruelty-free and vegan doesn’t always mean natural, but the term ‘plant-based’ can be used to refer to materials that are both vegan and natural. 

Although they may be (deceptively) marketed as “eco-friendly”, most mass-market vegan products are actually just made entirely from plastic materials manufactured from crude oil.

Vegan leather alternatives are commonly made from polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is known to be the most toxic and environmentally damaging form of plastic. In fact, vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known carcinogen according to the National Cancer Institute and WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. [5, 6] 

Cork, though, can offer a viable natural leather alternative to these synthetic vegan leathers!

5. Reusable, Recyclable, and Biodegradable 

Reusable: Cork is a versatile material used for anything from insulation to crafts to flooring! 

Recyclable: Cork is recyclable! Check out Earth911 for a guide to recycling cork.

Biodegradable: Because cork is a natural material, it can biodegrade. Here are some tips for how to compost cork.

What is Suberhide?

Suberhide is JORD’s trademarked “cork-infused vegan leather”. The word comes from a combination of hide (cork bark) and suberin, which is a waxy substance found in the cell structure of the cork that gives cork its resilience.

The process of converting raw cork into JORD’s signature Suberhide retains the most amount of suberin possible, making it an incredibly durable material, meant to last a lifetime.

JORD sources their cork from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forests in Portugal, to ensure responsible sourcing.

As a material, Suberhide is soft and smooth. Though it is created from cork, it is nothing like the cork in wine stoppers; it’s actually a supple material available in several finishes. 

Check out this page for more on the process behind JORD’s Suberhide material — it’s pretty fascinating!

Where to Find Cork Bags

If you’re looking for an investment handbag for yourself — or perhaps a gift for a loved one — JORD’s Suberhide cork handbag collection has some really fab choices. Here are a few of my favorite cork bags from JORD!

Check Out JORD’s Full Collection of Cork Handbags

(And you can use the code CONSCIOUSLIFEANDSTYLE20 for 20% off if you find something you love or want to gift!)

Sources:

• [1]: Species Profile: Cork Oak, Rainforest Alliance
• [2]: Cork Forest Conservation Alliance
• [3]: Portugal Pops a Cork to the Regeneration of a Formerly Ailing Industry, Equal Times
• [4]: The Rationale Behind Cork Properties: A Review of Structure and Chemistry, BioResources
• [5]: Why You Should Avoid PVC Products, EcoWatch
• [6]: Cancer-Causing Substances: Vinyl Chloride, National Cancer Institute 

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17 Eco-Friendly Vegan Handbags to Love

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What is Plant-Based Fashion?

The post Is Cork Eco-Friendly? Here’s What Makes This Vegan Leather So Green appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

But there’s a way to do better — and I’ve partnered up with consciously-made jewelry brand, Laura Elizabeth, to demonstrate how.

First, let’s talk about why we need a better jewelry industry…

The Environmental Impact of Jewelry Production

Most of the jewelry seen shining on display at jewelers and department stores have a dirty origin. Much of the world’s gold comes from open-pit mines where large areas of native vegetation are cleared out and massive amounts of earth are scoured away and processed for trace elements. [1] 

As Earthworks puts it, “gold mining is one of the most destructive industries in the world.” It displaces communities, destroys environments, and contaminates drinking water with hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide. [2] And the energy use, degradation, and pollution will only increase as gold gets scarcer and more difficult to obtain, requiring increasingly more resources for fewer traces of gold.

Even back 20 years ago in 2000, the EPA found that mining had contaminated 40% of the watersheds in the West of the United States. [3]

How does this translate into the impact of the jewelry industry? The jewelry industry is the largest customer of gold, demanding about 50% of the world’s gold. [4]. 

And to help connect the dots between mining and the jewelry we wear, Earthworks calculated that there are 20 tons of mine waste produced for the average gold ring. [5]

The mining industry is just as exploitative of its workers as it is of the environment. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the mining and quarrying sector is a major driver of labor exploitation, responsible for 4% of forced labor globally. [6] The ILO also reports that there are tens of thousands of children working in gold mining today around the world, making the industry a major driver for child labor as well.  [7]

So, the problems are clear — now, how can the industry do better? Conscious jewelry brands like Laura Elizabeth have been paving the way for years, demonstrating how to produce stunning jewelry in a more environmentally and socially responsible manner.

What is Eco-Friendly Jewelry? And What is Ethical Jewelry? 

In order to find out if a brand is in fact creating ethical and eco-friendly jewelry, here’s what to look for:

1. Recycled or Vintage Metals

With the amount of gold and other metals in circulation today and the infinite recyclability of these metals, there is little reason to not choose recycled. Especially because recycled gold has the same quality as newly mined gold yet does 99% less damage to the environment, based on an analysis by DELL of various factors, like global warming, acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, and carcinogens. [8]

Laura Elizabeth is among the companies choosing the conscious (and logical!) choice, using recycled gold and other metals for their uniquely designed and sculptural pieces.

The metal used in the brand’s pieces is sourced from local recycling plants in Los Angeles (with the exception of the chains, wires, and clasps, which are from a jewelry making company called Rio Grande that uses 100% solar-powered energy for their facility and follows ethical sourcing practices). 

2. Non-Toxic Washes and Polish

Another dirty secret of the jewelry industry is that many manufacturers use chemicals like cyanide to clean and polish their jewelry, which has even led to some jewelry workers getting cyanide poisoning. [9] Laura Elizabeth, on the other hand, avoids using acids or hazardous chemicals and uses Seventh Generation’s household cleaning products instead. 

3. Prioritize Ethical Production

Similar to the garment industry, many conventional jewelry workshops and factories do not follow fair production practices and just as we ask #WhoMadeMyClothes, we also must dive deeper and ask #WhoMadeMyJewelry. 

Laura Elizabeth’s jewelry is made in a small, woman-owned studio in Los Angeles, that Laura has been partnering with for 10 years.

Silva, who owns the studio, ensures fair practices like reasonable working hours (7 hours a day, 5 days per week), proper ventilation, and fair wages, including paying employees 2 weeks additional pay when Los Angeles was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Clean (i.e. Non-Polluting) Production

If you’ve seen the documentary RiverBlue, you’re aware of the problems of improper disposal in the textile industry and the pollution this creates. Again, the jewelry industry is similar. Many manufacturers will dump the plaster used in the production process in the water and sewage system. 

The plaster to create Laura Elizabeth’s jewelry though is properly disposed of through a special sewer to ensure that it will not affect any ecosystem.

5. Eco-Minded Packaging

We can’t forget the last stage of the process: the packaging! Typically, packaging materials are made using virgin plastic and/or virgin paper. The more environmentally sound choice is to look for compostable and/or recyclable packaging. 

Laura Elizabeth currently uses recycled paper and packaging and will soon by using compostable boxes with biodegradable algae ink. 

And that covers many of the elements of what eco-friendly and ethical jewelry is all about! 

Laura Elizabeth clearly has these areas covered — the woman-owned and-operated brand creates exceptional jewelry that’s handcrafted with respect to the planet and to the people making and wearing the pieces. 

In addition to being earth-minded in their production of the jewelry, many of Laura Elizabeth’s pieces — like her cuffs — were designed by taking inspiration from nature’s elements!

To check Laura Elizabeth’s entire collection of timeless jewelry, visit their website LauraElizabethJewelry.com. You’ll find that Laura’s pieces are stunning by themselves or can easily be mixed, matched, and layered.

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Sources:

• [1]: The Environmental Disaster That is the Gold Industry, Smithsonian Magazine
• [2]: Dirty Gold’s Impacts, Earthworks
• [3]: Liquid Assets 2000: America’s Water Resources at a Turning Point, EPA
• [4] Gold Demand Sectors, Gold.org
• [5]: How the 20 Tons of Mine Waste Per Gold Ring Figure Was Calculated, Earthworks
• [6]: Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, International Labour Organization
• [7]: Child Labour in Mining, International Labour Organization
• [8]: Net Benefit of Gold Recycling, Dell
• [9]: Acute Cyanide Poisoning Among Jewelry and Textile Workers, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine

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32 Fair Trade and Artisan-Made Jewelry Brands

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Living Wages in Fashion: What Will It Take for the Industry to Pay Fair?

The post What it Takes to Make Ethical & Eco-Friendly Jewelry appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

Let’s start with the basics…

What is Plant-Based Clothing?

As it sounds, plant-based clothing is clothing — like the garments from Valani — are made from materials derived from plants, like eucalyptus trees, cork trees, the hemp plant, or even from the byproducts of fruits.

All plant-based clothing is vegan, but not all vegan clothing is plant-based. What differentiates plant-based fashion from vegan fashion is that the former implies that the materials used are natural. 

Why “Vegan” Doesn’t Automatically Mean Eco-Friendly

While many — especially those just getting started with conscious lifestyle changes — may assume that vegan equals green, the reality is that while vegan fashion can be mindfully produced, it can also be made from fossil fuels.

Vegan fashion can mean made from animal-free synthetics, like polyester for example, which is formed from a combination of coal, petroleum from crude oil, air, and water, [1] or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is derived from petroleum and salt. Not exactly earth-minded fibers!

Examples of Eco-Friendly Plant-Based Clothing Fabrics

In addition to recycled fabrics, responsibly-sourced plant-based fibers are a wonderful way to implement vegan fashion into your life in a conscious way. Not all fabrics are created equal, though. So, here are a few of the best ones to note.

1. Hemp

Durable yet soft, temperature regulating yet breathable — hemp is one incredible fiber. Add to that the fact that the hemp plant is fast-growing and resists pests, requires little water to grow, and can even heal the soil where it’s grown by extracting pollutants and restoring vital nutrients. 

To get an idea of just how efficient growing hemp is, consider this: on the same amount of land, hemp can produce 2.5 times more fiber than cotton and 6 times more fiber than flax (the plant that linen comes from)! [2]

Now, let’s talk about aesthetics. While hemp has had the perception of being frumpy in the past, Valani is shedding this granola image with their light and flowy Hemp/Tencel clothing designed with flirty feminine cuts — from puffed sleeve crop tops to ruffled frocks.

2. Banana Fabric

While it may sound cutting-edge to create fabric from a banana plant, it was actually back in the 13th century when banana fiber cloth was first introduced in Japan!  [3] The fabric faded away as cotton and silk became more popular, but this plant-based fabric is making a resurgence thanks to its sustainability and soft, silky feel.

Banana fabric is made from banana stems of the banana plant, which are typically discarded by the banana agriculture industry. So, nothing new needs to be grown or extracted to source the raw materials for this fabric.

Inspired by the naturally delicate and silk-like texture of banana fabric, Valani’s banana fiber clothing is dreamy and elevated, like the brand’s ruffled Sokha Banana Dress and romantic Srey Midi Skirt.

3. Tencel

In a nutshell, Tencel is a cellulose fiber derived from the wood pulp of eucalyptus trees and produced using a closed-loop process. 

While trees are a naturally renewable resource, not all cellulosic fibers are created equal. What sets Tencel apart is that it is sourced from responsibly managed FSC-certified farms (many cellulose fibers, like viscose and rayon, are made from trees harvested from ancient and endangered forests [4]) and the fiber is produced using an ultra-efficient process that recovers and reuses over 99% of the water and solvents used.

Tencel, like banana fabric, is another silky material. Valani uses the naturally hypo-allergenic plant-based fabric to craft elegant, timeless pieces with simple silhouettes that feel sophisticated and sexy.

More on Valani

Valani is a woman-of-color-owned, plant-based fashion brand that thoughtfully considers each detail of production. Valani colors their garments with Oeko-Tex certified low-impact and non-toxic dyes and avoids the use of any heavy metals in their dyeing and finishing process as well. 

Mindful of fashion’s massive textile waste problem, Valani also cuts their patterns efficiently to minimize the amount of fabric leftover. Any remaining fabric is used to create accessories and the scraps are utilized for things like pillow fillings.

And not leaving out any piece of the puzzle, each Valani piece is delivered to you in eco-friendly packaging made from recycled and natural materials like hemp and jute twine, recycled tissue paper and organic cotton labels.

Founder Vanni also has embedded charity into her Valani’s operations — the brand plants one tree for every garment sold and donates 10% of profits to various women’s rights, animal, and environmental nonprofit organizations.

Visit shopvalani.com and follow the brand’s Instagram page, @shopvalani, to learn more about the brand and explore their collection!

Article Sources:

• [1] http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Polyester.html 
• [2] https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/hemp
• [3] https://kougeihin.jp/en/craft/0133/
• [4] https://canopyplanet.org/campaigns/canopystyle/ 

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The post What is Plant-Based Clothing? Plus, 3 Eco-Friendly Vegan Fabrics to Know appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

These everyday essentials, though, are not exempt from the issues that pervade the textile and garment industries. 

So let’s go back to the basics and talk about sustainable socks.

I’ve partnered with eco sock company Conscious Step to break down what to look for when shopping for socks and some of the relevant issues in the industry (i.e. why these elements are so important!)

1. Organic or recycled fibers
2. Ethically sourced
3. High quality

Spoiler alert: Conscious Step‘s socks meet all of these criteria! But this post is still essential reading because as conscious citizens and shoppers, it’s more important than ever to educate ourselves as much as possible on exactly what constitutes “sustainable” or what to look for to ensure responsible production so that we can feel confident deciphering the green from the greenwashing and support brands that truly meet our values.

(Cover image: Socks that Prevent Breast Cancer 3-Pack and Socks that Save Dogs 3-Pack)

Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for socks:

1. Organic or Recycled Fibers

I tend to prioritize natural fibers as much as possible in my wardrobe, and socks are no exception! While some synthetics are usually required for a comfortable stretch in socks, I like to see that the majority of the fabric is composed of natural fibers!

But not just any natural fibers. Conventional cotton, for instance, is natural and renewable, but the process of growing cotton fibers is hard on the environment and on farmers. Growing conventional cotton uses 16% of the world’s insecticides for global food and fiber production and 7% of pesticides while making up just 2.5% of the world’s arable land. The impact on farmers, as you can imagine, is just as severe. Three of the 10 most hazardous insecticides are actually commonly used chemicals to grow conventional cotton and Soil Association estimates that up to 77 million cotton workers suffer from poisoning from pesticides annually.

Organic cotton, on the other hand, is not genetically modified and is not treated with synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides. Organically-grown cotton is lighter on the environment — compared with conventional cotton, it reduces water pollution by 98%, reduces water and land acidification by 70%, and consumes 91% less blue water (i.e. surface and groundwater).

With Conscious Step‘s socks, you can rest easy as all of the cotton they source for their socks is GOTS organic certified!

2. Ethically Made

Simply put, cotton production involves a lot of people — in fact, Fairtrade estimates that 100 million households are directly involved in cotton production. And unfortunately, many of these cotton farmers face significant hardship as cotton prices have gone done while production prices have increased over the years.

Fairtrade works to ease this burden and provide farmers with more opportunities through their Fairtrade minimum price and Fairtrade premiums, which can be used to invest in projects that the community chooses. 

Many large brands aren’t even able to trace where their raw materials are sourced — let alone verify that they’re sustainably or ethically sourced. This is why looking for the Fairtrade seal when it comes to cotton is super important! Brands, like Conscious Step, that work with Fairtrade cotton are able to verify that the farmers growing their cotton 

Again, you can feel confident that your cotton was produced responsibly with Conscious Step, as all of their cotton is Fairtrade certified, in addition to being organic.

3. High Quality 

Socks are something we’ve become accustomed to purchasing in big packs at cheap prices — they’ve become somewhat of a commodity. And I’ve been guilty of doing this as well in the past. Even once I started my ethical fashion journey, I purchased cheap socks by the 10-pack. Turns out those cheap socks not only didn’t match my values, but they also were terribly uncomfortable and would start to thin out or rip after just a few months.

Conscious Step‘s socks, on the other hand, are super comfy when you put them on (ever had crew-length socks that dug into your skin and left red marks? Yeah, that doesn’t happen with these!!) and stay comfortable all day long (some of their socks feature a cushioned insole and arch support!) These socks also have the right weight and thickness where you can tell they’re sturdy but your feet don’t get overheated. 

Perhaps one of the reasons you’ve hesitated to invest in socks is the fear you’ll lose a sock in the wash. My tip is to use a microfiber catching bag, like the Guppyfriend Bag, which will stop any microfibers and microplastics from ending up in our waterways and keep your socks all in one place, and to air-dry your socks on a collapsible drying rack. 

Bonus: Look for other efforts from a brand!

Whenever possible, I try to look for brands that are going a bit above and beyond. What other initiatives or give-back programs do they have? 

Conscious Step has a unique give-back program — each and every sock design is inspired by a cause and $1 from each pair of socks goes to a nonprofit organization associated with that cause! These leaf-printed socks, for example, are “Socks that Protect Rainforests” and the money goes to Conservation International, helping the organization protect 10 trees in the rainforest. Pretty neat, right?!

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To shop for socks that meet all of these values (+ are super cute), check out Conscious Step here! And be sure to use code ELIZABETH20 for 20% off your order.

Note: This post was made in partnership with Conscious Step — as always I only feature brands I believe in and which strict high standards for responsibility and sustainability! 

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The post What to Look for When Shopping for Eco-Friendly and Ethical Socks appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.