Organic Basics: Conscious Clothing For Yoga and Relaxing

Organic Basics Black Triangle Bra $47

About a year ago I wrote about the brand Organic Basics for the first time and their items have become a go to in my closet. I like the brand because the concept is simple and their products can easily fit in everyone’s closet like quality socks, solid t-shirts, exercise gear and more. The more minimalistic I become, I start gravitating towards clothing items that I can wear for years and years to come — things without patterns that’ll become outdated soon or poorly made fabrics.

Read my previous blogs on Organic Basics Here and Here

I was excited when Organic Basics launched their activewear collection earlier in the year and I got to test out their SilverTech™ Active Yoga Shorts in Burgundy. I’m an active yogi — practicing 2-4 times each week and I need clothing that’s breathable, stretches nicely, and fits comfortably while flowing in a yoga class. I go to hot yoga from time to time and it’s great finding items that don’t get too gross during class.

Organic Basics Yoga Shorts

size xs, Burgundy. Made with 5.4 pounds less CO2 and 26 less gallons of water than traditional manufacturing of a similar product.

These yoga shorts are really comfortable and feel durable, without being too thick. They don’t rise too much, which is a blessing because I’d hate to flash my yoga class, and pair nicely with my sports bras and sweatshirts. I wore them to my studio and my yoga teacher even let me know after class how cute they were! Plus they’re treated with Polygiene® Stay Fresh technology so that you can spend your time stacking yoga blocks vs. doing your laundry excessively.

As an environmentalist, I adored the transparency on their website under each product so you can easily calculate your environmental footprint when you make a purchase.

The impact of these shorts is drastically less than what it would be using virgin nylon and standard practices. I feel great knowing I saved water, waste and pollution by owning these shorts vs. that of another brand.

The different sustainable fabrics and fibers they use in manufacturing. Learn more here

Overall I’m stoked on the activewear collection and can’t wait to see what else they come out with. I’d recommend checking them out for all your basics and check out their Low Impact Project, you might see a familiar face!

Sustainable Lounging with L'Aquila Active and LA Relaxed

I’m so inspired by brands that make the choice to make and sell products that cause the least harm to the earth as possible. In a world of fast fashion, where the majority of big retailers use harmful chemicals and environmentally degrading practices to turn over clothes quickly, the brands that turn away from that and find sustainable solutions are heroic in my eyes.

When first transitioning to sustainable and ethical fashion it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why I share some of my favorite brands here with you to make it a little easier to know where to shop.

Some of my friends call me the “Nap Queen” because there’s no denying I love a good nap. I’m a busy-bee, so during my time at home I like to lounge around and love a good groufit (gray-outfit). So I opted to try L’Aquila Active’s Sherpa Sunday set from LA Relaxed.  

L’Aquila Active is a one-stop shop to browse and buy from a lot of sustainable activewear companies. In their own words:

“We strongly believe that Eco-conscious and sustainable apparel isn’t just for the future, it’s also for TODAY. That’s why we have created one of the first platforms for sustainable companies from around the world. All of our collections are created by small companies that deeply care about their employees, customers, and the environment. “ L’Aquila Active

so cozy!

This Sunday Sherpa set is so soft and cozy, but still breathable. It’ll keep you warm enough in the house without breaking out in a sweat. 

It’s Made of Tencel™ Modal/Poly Sherpa fabric. I’ve mentioned tencel previously, it’s becoming a sustainable fiber alternative for activewear that has the same quality of other fabrics. It’s a moveable material and great from yoga and other activities (or naps in my case).

Every brand in L’Aquilla’s collection is eco-concious and dedicated to sustainability. They carry brands like yogavated, that sources fabrics from recycled scraps, and Yoga democracy, that uses 95% recycled fibers during production. The set I have is from LA Relaxed, and they use plant-based and organic fibers that are safer and healthier for everyone at every point in the supply chain. 

Use code “GreenGirlLeah” for a discount and you’ll also receive a FREE Bamboo Straw Kit – Custom Beach Theme with your purchase

I recommend giving them a try and follow along here: L’Aquila Active: Instagram: l_aquila_active • Facebook: L’Aquila Active

Christy Dawn x Madewell Collection

I’m almost too excited to type a blog post, but attention everyone: two of my favorite brands teamed up for a collection. Two brands that are passionate about sustainability + fair trade practices. This is not a drill! Madewell and Christy Dawn have a joint collection! They sent me the dawn midi dress to check out and share with you all.

Shop Here

The Dawn Midi Dress

My favorite thing about Christy Dawn is that their dresses are elegant. I’m usually rocking a Canadian tuxedo (denim on denim for lyfe) so it’s nice switching it up and wearing a dress that makes me want to prance around in flower fields and write poetry. Christy’s simple designs and quality materials make for a really dreamy collection.

Madewell is making strides to be more sustainable and also use fair-trade practices. It’s great to see two big names in the apparel industry working together. I recommend checking them both out and supporting brands that care about people and the planet. See more photos from the photo shoot with @Cherthismoment below:

Fauxgerty: Conscious and Sustainable Fashion

On this blog I evaluate each line of clothing that I try on three principles, The Triple P’s: people, profit, and planet. I have a background in environmental science and currently work in the sustainable apparel industry, so I love diving deeper into ethical + sustainable supply chains and finding ways to support responsible businesses. I’m especially inspired by brands created by women, that embody both environmentalism and women empowerment.

Today I’m excited to be share my take on Fauxgerty, a sustainable brand designed by a fellow St. Louisan Chrissy Fogerty. I tried one of their popular dresses, The Fiona in black.

Fiona Dress in black

This dress felt like a quality material and is made from mostly tencel (a sustainable eucalyptus fiber), organic cotton and some spandex. It has a v-neck and a side-zipper to gather the waist. I’m a fan and wore it to a friends bridal shower with a few compliments! :) As a petite person, I love the length of the dress and it falls slightly above my ankles. I don’t drown in it and it’s got a nice movability to it. The material is thick enough not to be transparent, but light enough that you won’t feel overly hot. It can be dressed up or dressed down depending on what you pair it with and looks great styled with a hat! I paired it with brown sandals and a gold vintage necklace.

I was happy to see that the size range is 00 - 24 and that size-accessibility is also about of Fauxgerty’s mission as well.

“I want to create a brand as mindful about what we put on our bodies as what we put in them.”

– Chrissy Fogerty, Founder & Designer

The Triple P’s

People : There’s a story behind who makes each piece of clothing, which helps consumers stay connected to the supply chain and know their clothes aren’t being made with exploitative practices. Their sewers in Alabama are paid 71% over minimum wage and offered a good benefits in a safe facility. It’s sad this isn’t the norm everywhere, but I commend them for making significant efforts to help this become the norm!

Profit : Their prices are on the more accessible end compared to other clothing lines with maxi-dresses that I’ve reviewed. I would say they’re comparable to a Madewell or Everlane type brand with prices and luckily you can very easily find a selection of sale items. Most of the dresses I saw fell somewhere in between $125-175. Given their manufacturing processes, this doesn’t seem too steep and feels justifiable.

Planet : They incorporate eco-friendly fabrics into their pieces including certified organic cotton, leather alternatives and deadstock vintage fabrics. I’m particularly a fan of the use of deadstock (rescued leftover fabric that usually goes to a landfill) to repurpose discarded fabrics. They also make each design in limited runs, to reduce the waste from unsold clothing. I’d love to follow them on their journey and learn more about the ways they reduce carbon and water waste, but I have faith they’ll continue to innovate.

All in all, I’m really thrilled to see how this brand grows and am thankful that they’re making an effort to change the way we do fashion. Check them out here and follow along on my instagram to get more updates

Christy Dawn: Ethical, Sustainable and Elegant Dresses

Christy Dawn makes some of the most majestic dresses I’ve ever seen. They’re simple, but elegant and most importantly—made sustainably. I’ve never felt so beautiful in a dress, maybe prom, but my Christy Dawn Petite Elsa Dress is a close tie.

I’m an advocate for sustainable fashion because of the intense environmental impact of the fashion industry. I want to spotlight brands here that are taking strides to be more ethical and sustainable. Christy Dawn is one of those brands that I’m really happy to tell you about.

The fashion industry is responsible for over 20% of the world’s industrial water pollution. This is largely caused by the toxic chemicals used to transform raw materials into textiles. Christy Dawn uses deadstock fabric, collected and recycled from fashion mills and other designers, as an innovative solution to decrease their environmental footprint during manufacturing. Using deadstock means limited fabrics and colorways and less waste that ends up in landfills. You can feel special knowing you have a one of a kind dress made in L.A.

“No matter how a piece of clothing looks, it cannot be considered beautiful if, in producing it, the environment is destroyed or people are exploited. When deciding on where we spend our money, we all have an obligation to consider how a product is made and the impact its process has on the planet and its people” ~Christy Dawn

Let’s get into the dress. I decided to take it on a vacation to Joshua Tree (one of my favorite places) and it made me feel powerful, elegant, and soft all at the same time. Firstly, I’m 5’3 so I get really excited when brands have a petite line. The amount of petite dresses in Christy’s collection is increasing and the fit worked well enough for me to wear boots underneath. I love showing off my boots so this was an extra plus on the design team’s part. Maxi dresses for petite gals can be a challenge with getting the proportions right, but this fit was great.

The Elsa dress is a wrap dress, that surprisingly didn’t unravel and blow all over the place in the desert, with a plunge neckline and A-line skirt. It pairs really well with a set of heels, boots, and a pair of earrings. You can find the Dawn Dress in several patterns on the website.

In addition to manufacturing sustainably, Christy values her workers and even highlights them on the product pages. There’s a story behind every dress and Christy Dawn is transparent about the ethical process and support of their workers. They pay a premium for some of the most talented seamstresses in L.A. and pay a living wage and offer health benefits and paid vacations. Knowing the dresses are made in a supportive environment makes me adore the brand even more. Okay, i’m a fan as you can see.

So, how does Christy Dawn stack up with the triple p’s (people, profit, planet)? They treat their people well and ethically, the products are on the higher end side $$, but they’re making tremendous efforts to minimize their environmental impact and pay a living wage. I give them an A with the triple p’s and would recommend looking at the line for special occasions.

What are you waiting for, grab yourself a dress and make this world a beautiful and better place! Check out more pictures from my trip to Joshua Tree below and follow them on instagram @ChristyDawn

Jord: A Unique & Sustainable Wooden Watch

I’m always on the lookout for more eco-friendly versions of products made with natural materials. Plus, I love sharing them here with you on my blog to make your search a little bit easier!

I’m minimal when it comes to jewelry (I don’t even have my ears pierced), but I love a good watch. Jord has a fun line of wooden watches that aren’t too bulky or distracting, but are classy and unique. I was sold on my Cassia Walnut & Vintage Rose when I learned that they also include sustainability as a major part of their mission.

When I found out that Jord was started in my hometown, St. Louis, MO, I fell even more in love and knew I had to support this brand. We partnered together to do a giveaway where you can win your own watch:

Enter here to win your timeless Jord Watch. 

All entrants will have a chance to win a $100 gift code to use on the Jord site.

 

Here are my top green-girl reasons to try Jord for your next watch:

Jord watches aren’t made with toxic chemicals

It’s sad that all brands don’t do this, but Jord doesn’t manufacture with chemicals that could be harmful to your skin.

The wood in their watches comes from furniture remnants

A lot of the wood comes from furniture remnants that would otherwise be thrown away. They found a way to recycle the wood to create these watches instead.

The Bamboo is sourced sustainably

This is important because some bamboo and woods used for other watches are from unsustainable farms.

The styles are classic, but modern

Somehow they’ve managed to create vintage watches that mix well with my modern wardrobe.

When you’re shopping for new clothes or accessories know that there most certainly is a more sustainable version somewhere on the web! Try to support a company that prides itself in social and corporate responsibility and sustainability. Jord does just that.

If you’re a watch enthusiast, check them out and don’t forget to enter the giveaway to have a chance at winning $100 towards a new watch!

Social Enterprise Spotlight: Anchal Project

Photo: Leah de Leon

Social enterprises and non-profits have a special place in my heart. Social enterprises are companies that create strategies to maximize financial, social, and environmental well-being. Their bottom-line looks at people, profit, and the planet equally. One day, I hope to start one, but in the meantime I like searching for innovative social enterprises to support that are making a difference in the world. 

Instagram has been a great tool for me to find non-profits and social enterprises that promote sustainability, ethical fashion, and women empowerment. I search the hashtag #socialenterprise and #ethicalfashion to identify new companies to support. I was more than happy when I stumbled across Anchal Project, a non-profit social enterprise that believes design can change lives. 

Anchal uses design to create innovative products and sustainable employment that empowers exploited women worldwide. I was moved by their twofold mission of women empowerment and environmental preservation. (The products are also super cute, unique and well designed)

"We use a unique business model to empower women through economic opportunity while simultaneously addressing the environmental issues of the textile industry. It is estimated that over 30,000 women are part of the commercial sex trade in Ajmer, India. These women endure dehumanizing working conditions in order to provide a small income for their families. These women are trapped in a vicious cycle that not only limits their access to education and future opportunities, but their children’s as well."

Social enterprises have the power to save lives, by providing women with the means to support their families and escape slavery and poverty. Anchal Product founder, Collen Clines was inspired by her Design for Development seminar class in India after seeing the lack of programming and dire conditions. She knew she couldn't turn away and started a fundraiser to establish 501c3 status and create Anchal in 2010. 

All of Anchal’s home goods and accessories are entirely hand-stitched by Anchal’s 130 artisans in Ajmer, India with layers of the softest GOTS certified organic cotton. The home textile range includes bed quilts, pillow shams, throw quilts, decorative pillows and table linens. In addition, Anchal offers a variety of fashion accessories including scarves, tote bags and pouches.  All of Anchal’s heirloom quality pieces are artfully crafted with the highest quality craft and attention to detail.

Anchal products have been sold in Urban Outfitters, featured in Harper's Bazaar, Better Homes & Gardens, Brit + CO., and Design Sponge. Most recently in February 2017, Anchal’s Sari Quilt from the Narrative Collection was honored by NY NOW® and Apartment Therapy with not only "Handmade Global Design - Best New Product”, but the “Best in Market” award.

Below you can see me pairing my Anchal Small Patchwork Mint Pouch with a fully thrifted outfit with jeans and shoes from Goodwill and Plato's Closet. I encourage you to follow them on instagram, shop on their website, and get to know more about Anchal Project and other social enterprises like it! When you buy products from social enterprises, you're making the decision to support a cleaner earth and a better, more equal, future for people all over the world.