8 / 11 / 198 / 28 / 19
All the little things bringing me joy lately:
1. My first drag show. It was so much fun! I love seeing people being unapologetically themselves, and I think drag queens epitomize that. Dressing up in ways that are considered unconventional by society, and doing it proudly and publicly…I love it! Also, some of these ladies were so talented. Like, cartwheels-in-stilettos talented. Unreal.
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4 / 14 / 194 / 13 / 19
Sometimes we see new clothing trends on the racks but are unsure whether these trends would actually work on us; on our normal bodies living our normal, everyday lives. When it comes to ethical fashion, trends can especially be complicated. As I strive to wear clothing for longer rather than subscribing to a fast fashion model, my goal is actually to steer away from trends and toward a lasting personal style that transcends time. Still, if you’re someone who chooses to buy ethically made fashion, you are going to have to buy what is trending at the time you shop. So it’s important to consider the trends that are out there and decide whether they will work for your personal wardrobe!
I recently visited my favorite ethical fashion boutique, The Flourish Market, to find out what is currently trending in the ethical fashion world. Chief of Style Katy dressed me in several different ethically made outfits to show y’all how the latest trends look on a real life person. Here they are:
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3 / 31 / 198 / 28 / 19
If you’ve gone clothes shopping lately, you may have noticed a new trend hitting the racks: snakeskin! This animal pattern is popping up everywhere. Unsure about how to wear it? I’ve teamed up with my favorite ethical fashion boutique, The Flourish Market, to show you a couple of different ways to style this versatile pattern! (And I’ve got a coupon link for 15% off your first order at The Flourish Market, too!)
Y’all have been asking me for outfit styling posts for a while now. While I often blog about fashion, I come at the topic from more of a social and environmental justice perspective. I don’t actually consider myself much of a fashion expert! So, I asked Katy, Chief of Style at The Flourish Market, to help show me (and y’all!) different ways to wear one of the latest trends in the fashion world, all while keeping it ethical! (You can read more here about why I choose to purchase ethically made clothing.)
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2 / 17 / 194 / 10 / 20
In this guest post, ethical fashion enthusiast Elizabeth Langefeld shares about the challenges she has faced finding ethically made workwear and recommends 12 sources for polished, office-ready looks!
The great thing about being in a book club is reading books I never would have found otherwise. Even if the book isn’t memorable, the discussion is.
Three years ago at one such meeting, Laura brought up that she had looked at the Slavery Footprint website and was changing the way she was shopping. I had long been trying to purchase items made in the USA to support families in our country, and I was concerned about the origin of my clothes made elsewhere but unsure of how to combat the issue. How could I reconcile the values I hold as a Christian with the often abusive practices of manufacturing? It felt overwhelming, but worthwhile, to find garments where I could trust that those in the production line had been paid fairly and were working in safe conditions.
Laura pointed me to a few sources, which helped me find more sources, and now I can’t imagine ever going back to my “old way” of shopping. I actually feel better when I’m in clothing from companies that pay workers a living wage. I’ve found that while the price point is a little higher, I’m buying items I love and am therefore buying less overall. My clothing budget hasn’t really changed, thankfully!
I’ve been very fortunate to not find it difficult to source items I like that are ethically made. Unfortunately, though, selection seems to be limited in the workwear category. While we are in an increasingly casual society, many of us do still need to look nice at work! On a given day in higher education, I may meet with a dean, attend a conference, or network with alumni. I don’t work in an office that expects suits (thankfully!), but for every “casual Friday,” I’ve got plenty of days to look nice.
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11 / 18 / 189 / 2 / 19
Sometimes, ethical and sustainable fashion means NOT buying new clothes.
I haven’t shared many outfit posts on the blog lately because I haven’t been shopping much! I purchased quite a few cold weather tops and sweaters last year, so I honestly haven’t needed to do much shopping as the weather has changed this year. But I have to confess: I have felt anxious about not having any great new ethical fashion finds to post here on Fairly Southern.
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8 / 13 / 184 / 10 / 20
Last updated: 9-2-2019
I’ll never forget the moment I realized that the ethical fashion movement is anything but plus size-friendly. A friend of mine had read one of my blog posts and was talking to me about how she thought fair trade was a really good idea. “But, what about plus size people like me?” she asked. “Is there stuff for us out there?”
I felt shame rising in my throat as I realized this was not something I had ever considered. My privilege and lack of awareness, however unintentional, was suddenly exposed. I frantically flipped back through every ethical fashion brand I could think of in my mind, realizing with disappointment that I had never seen any of them advertise plus size clothing. There were a grand total of ZERO brands that I knew of at the time that I could recommend to my friend.
Part of the problem was that there aren’t a ton of plus size ethical fashion options, and part of the problem was that I just hadn’t stumbled across any yet. If you’re a person who is plus sized and interested in transitioning to an ethical wardrobe, this post is for you! I have rounded up 26 stores and brands that sell ethically made plus size clothing–all gathered together in one convenient, alphabetized list! Read More
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6 / 10 / 184 / 10 / 20
Today, I am thrilled to feature a post on ethical maternity fashion from my good friend Christie Barker! She is a Poshmark stylist, momma-to-be, and my go-to person for fashion advice. Check out her Poshmark closet and keep in touch with her on Insta!
When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to be extra conscious about choosing ethically made and secondhand fashion. I knew I would only be wearing these clothes for a short time. I wanted to create the least amount of waste possible and make more informed choices for what I was purchasing new.
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3 / 18 / 184 / 10 / 20
Y’all, it is almost officially SPRING!! The air is a tad warmer, it’s staying light longer, and flowers are starting to bloom. It has given me such a mood boost, and I have found myself drawn to fresh, light clothing that matches the approaching season!
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take my mom to The Flourish Market for the first time. It was fun to show her a place that means so much to me! She purchased a fabulous knotted top, and I took home this bell-sleeved beauty. Read More
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2 / 25 / 184 / 10 / 20
A hint of spring is definitely in the air! We have been having blessedly warm weather here in North Carolina for the past week, but winter isn’t quite ready to be done with us just yet.
With colder days still on the forecast for these last few weeks of winter, I have found myself reaching for seasonally appropriate clothes that also hint at the next season to come. My favorite color right now, hands down, is mauve.
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1 / 14 / 184 / 10 / 20
In case anyone has been living under a rock and hasn’t noticed, it has been exceptionally cold so far this winter. The temperature has frequently been in the teens and 20s the past couple of weeks here in North Carolina, and this thin-skinned Southerner can only take so much, y’all. Until winter finally high tails it out of here, dressing warmly is essential!
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