Hey friends! Summer has been rolling by, and so too have some gorgeous new looks.
I definitely don't think I'm alone in this feeling: I'm walking down the street, and all of a sudden I see someone wearing a breathtaking dress/pant/jumpsuit/etc. and I just think, "I NEED to have that!"
But, alas, I remind myself, it likely came from a fast fashion retailer. So it will not be mine anytime soon. :(
However, I then realize: slow fashion is not that difficult! That's the Ethigirl mantra. And so, I do some research on an alternative.
And that, friends, is the post I'm bringing to you today! I wanted to take a look at some of my favourite fashion trends I've seen lately, and provide sustainable fashion alternatives that you can shop in case you find yourselves in the market for any of them. Enjoy!
trend #1: woven circle bags
First up are all of those amaaaazing woven bags I've been seeing all over the place. I first stumbled upon them in a boutique near my apartment, and I was super excited to have my first encounter with them be ethical! I forgot to grab the brand name when I left that day. However, it didn't take me long to find an option when researching for this article!So, here's two:
Thirty One Bits' Woven Drum Bag - Metal Handle ($88)
The (Ethical) Details: Thirty One Bits is a new brand discovery for me! The brand's story began in 2008 when three college students came together to connect passionate, skilled women artisans in Uganda with a global market in a fair, empowering way. Some of the brand's core values include access to the global market, fair pay & dignified jobs, clean & safe workshops, and more.
The (Product) Details: This circular bag was hand- and artisan-made in Teganan Village, Bali. According to Thirty One Bits:
Teganan is one of the oldest villages in Bali and continues to hold much meaning and ritual of the Balinese culture. The grass is only found in the jungle and one must forage this unique wild grass to make the bags.
Boho Bags' Ata Bag (Medium) ($45)
The (Ethical) Details: These bags are handcrafted by Indonesian artisans with the mission of showcasing their incredible quality and beauty beyond where they make them, but in a more ethical way. Fair pay & conditions, as well as high quality, are never sacrificed.
The (Product) Details: According to Boho Bags' website, these bags are made with indigenous Ata grass from Bali. They're also lined with beautiful fabric and finished with a leather strap and clasp. They're also dried on a coconut fire!
trend #2: fun pants
I am ALLL about this trend. I think a good pair of pants is such a flattering look on absolutely everybody. I have a couple pairs that I alternate so often that my colleagues at my internship have labeled my pants looks as my staple. And so, I can't help but adore them on other people, too!
There are many variations to this trend: high-waisted with a tie-front, brightly-patterned, button fly, and more. My personal favourite is a sky-high-waisted pair with pretty noticeably flared legs. Ideally, they hit just a little above your ankle.
Fortunately, there are also a lot of ethical options with which to engage in this trend! My favourite pairs are both thrifted, one even from thredUP, a huge online consignment store. However, there are also tons of firsthand ethical options. Let's discuss two.
Everlane's Straight Leg Crop ($68)
The (Ethical) Details: Everlane is getting so popular and iconic that I wonder how much longer I'll even have to write these blurbs for it. Everlane is all about radical transparency. Each product features the exact city and country in which it was made, as well as a link to a sub-page for the exact factory in which it was made. This page is an entire bio on that factory's details, including how and why they chose it, how many people work there, and their ethical standards. It's polished off with intimate photos of employees creating the products. They do an ethical audit of all these factories on the regular, and shoot for a score of 90 or above on them all.
The (Product) Details: I don't own these pants; however, I do own the shorts version in olive. The quality is outstanding. I truly can't recommend them enough. I especially love the large pockets on the front and back of the piece: such a beautiful and timeless detail. Everlane offers these pants in a variety of colours, as well as in short or regular length.
Dazey LA x K.S. Garner's Finley Cord Pants ($82 - but 10% off with code ASPENIRIS)
ALRIGHT, I think I died and went to heaven with these?! Amazing.
The (Ethical) Details: Dazey LA has been by badass Dani Nagel, who worked in the clothing industry for awhile and decided to do something different. She created Dazey LA, a cut-and-sew, made-to-order apparel shop dedicated to empowering women through amazing graphic tees. The Dazey Lady shop grew out of that mission when Dani decided to start offering the products of other badass women entrepreneurs with awesome missions. Kelsey of K.S. Garner is one of those entrepreneurs. Her small-batch, handmade collection originates from Phoenix, AZ.
The (Product) Details: These cord pants by K.S. Garner are an example of the success of Dani's Dazey Lady shop. All of their products are handmade in Phoenix, AZ. Their killer colour combo and gorgeous sewn-on pocket front make them absolutely shopstopping.
If you find this product a bit pricey, I have a discount code! Use code ASPENIRIS at checkout for 10% off (and support Ethigirl in the process)! Moreover, Dazey LA offers Afterpay to make it more accessible. Simply select the Afterpay option and split your payment into four interest-free ones.
trend #3: chunky earrings and jewelry
Finally, this trend COULD be my favourite. I absolutely adore jewelry. I always have. Going to Claire's and picking out new pairs of earrings was one of my favourite past times as a kid. As I've grown up, my adoration has grown up with me, and now into this trend!I've been seeing so many artsy pieces of jewelry all over Instagram lately. I want to buy them all. I love the daring-ness of these pieces! They stand out so much. I especially like quirky-shaped earrings. Here's my favourite recommendation for them...
Dazey LA x Sigfus Jewelry's Mini Blossom Earrings ($35 - but 10% off with code ASPENIRIS)
The (Ethical) Details: Another one of Dazey LA's absolutely incredible Dazey Lady shop gems! Sigfus' pieces are all handcrafted in Tucson, AZ (I seriously sense a trend here). Lauren Valenzuela, the woman at the helm, designs and makes all of the bold pieces herself! According to Dazey, the brand is passionate about "women, diversity, and inclusion" - all things Ethigirl can get behind.
The (Product) Details: Now let's talk about these amazing creations!! I love everything about these earrings. I just think they're so different from anything else I've seen. I love the terrazzo-like top, and how well it matches with the more matte, half-circle bottom. The extra etching on them just really brings the whole piece together.
conclusion
Well friends, there you have it! Three trends to love and to partake in sustainably. Are there any I forgot? Let me know in the comments! Liked this post style? Let me know in the comments! Got a haircut? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to chat.
With love and sustainability,
Ethigirl