One Year of Ethigirl: A Review!

Hey there! Happy September! Though it’s been a little while since the official anniversary, I wanted to take a minute to write a post that rounded up some of my sweetest moments from Ethigirl’s first year of existence.

Now Ethigirl is still very much a baby at this point. She’s got a lot of stuff she wants to accomplish in these coming years! That said, for a one year-old, I think it’s pretty amazing all that’s happened in 365 days on the Internet (and planet).

So, let’s take a little trip down memory lane!

August 2018: The Birth of Ethigirl

I started Ethigirl after a lot of thinking. I’d previously attempted a personal blog but didn’t have much direction and, therefore, failed to update it regularly. I had all of this knowledge on sustainable and ethical fashion, but nowhere to concretely direct it. However, I also lacked the confidence that I had any ~hot takes~ worthy of putting onto the Internet. That changed after a few of my friends contacted me for advice on getting started in the world of conscious consumerism: maybe I could be a resource. And so, I did a lot of research until I soon launched Ethigirl.com! She used to look a lot different: she started out with a different logo and a different platform, Wordpress.

August-October 2018: Getting Started

Those first two months, I wrote a lot. I was priding myself on posting very regularly, as I was excited and motivated to keep growing my audience. I also launched most of Ethigirl’s social media platforms, including (most namely) my Instagram and Facebook. However, my Insta didn’t start out very aesthetic as I lacked a lot of good pictures to use at that time!

I was lucky to borrow my friends and one of their cameras to get some great shots. 

Some of my fave posts from that time period are my Fall Fashion Lookbook and Depop Shopping Tips. I’m really proud of these articles because of how hard I worked on them, and how unique I felt the content inside was. 

Fall 2018: Discount Codes, Logo Redesign and More!

As the months passed and I kept writing, Ethigirl grew out of her initial logo. So, I knew it was time for a change. I needed to better define the brand and its story. After a lot of thinking, I came up with what we have now! You can read more about that here. Each element has a distinct purpose, and encompasses the intersectionality of ethical and sustainable fashion that I feel is so important.

I also started applying to some of my favourite brands’ ambassador programs to spread the word about them and to give people some sweet, sweet discounts! Some of the brands I work with include Dazey LA and Krochet Kids.

Winter 2019: Opening Up About Mental Health

At some point, it started feeling right to share some more personal thoughts about my mental health within the Ethigirl community. It turns out that they really resonated with people, because my Personal Pieces are some of my most popular posts of all time. I’m particularly proud of my Social Change Burnout article, which put into writing so many of the thoughts I’ve struggled to communicate for so long. 

Winter 2019: Working With Erin From Vella Vintage!

One of my absolute top highlights from this past year has been all of the members of the ethical fashion community I’ve had the pleasure of meeting (both in person and online)! The first powerhouse that comes to mind is Erin, the creator of Vella Vintage. Vella is an online thrift shop made up of collections that Erin curates based on their theme. Erin also creates thrifted mystery boxes for her customers. 

As part of our collaboration, Erin wrote an article about me for her Girl Boss Blog, and I wrote an article about her. We even worked to offer Ethigirl readers 25% off on Vella pieces with the code ETHIGIRL25. 

Winter 2019: ethigIRL

Around late winter I started itching to get out there and talk to some people about Ethigirl in real life! So, I tabled at two events, and I even attended the Canadian National Fair Trade Conference in Ottawa in March. All of these things allowed me to have an excuse to print custom Ethigirl stickers and to grow our community a little more. 

May 2019: Podcasting!

In May, I recorded a podcast episode with Marjorie of A Sustainable Mind, a show on which she interviews environmental changemakers! I’m so excited about how this opportunity was able to spread my message to some new people. We talked a lot about accessibility in slow fashion, why screwing up is okay, and individual versus collective actions. You can listen to the episode here!

August 2019: A Site Makeover

Over the summer a number of things led me to decide to completely switch my CMS (Content Management System). I realized over time that Wordpress just wasn’t the right fit: it required a ton of constant maintenance that I didn’t have time for, and I was always unsatisfied with the aesthetics and overall user experience of the site at that time. So, after some research and consulting with the right people, I chose to take my business to Squarespace. 

I created lots of wireframes and finally landed on the design I have now! I am so much happier with how things look, and I’m sure I’m going to keep changing it. What’s great is that Squarespace will allow me to do that extremely easily. 

So, there you have it! Some of my favourite moments of Ethigirl’s growth into a toddler over this past year. As always, thanks for reading - and feel free to let me know what your fave Ethigirl post was from the year!

With love and sustainability,

Ethigirl

sustainable fashion swaps for summer 2019 trends

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

ethical swaps for your fave fast fashion brands

Before I became an Ethigirl, I bought a lot of clothing. It was something I loved to do and I prided myself in looking unique, while still put together. So while in the midst of my switch, although I knew ethics and the environment would always come first, I still wanted to make sure I would look good.

So came the research! One quick Google search of “fair trade clothing” led me into a wormhole (a good one) of new brands selling every type of clothing, accessory, and shoe I could possibly want to buy. It was overwhelming in the best possible way.

What I’m trying to say is that there is no shortage of fair trade, ethical, and sustainable clothing to buy. In this post, I want to share a few of my absolute staple brands, and the fast fashion brands they might remind you of. These brands are not in any way copying fast fashion labels, but if you feel you identify with the style of, say, American Eagle, this post will show you how you can still rock that style and feel good about it. Finally, one more reminder: making the switch doesn’t mean completely remodeling your wardrobe on day one! Still love and appreciate those American Eagle pieces and use them ‘till the very end. Then, once they need a replacement...basically, turn here.

Finally, without further ado: the swaps!

SIMPLE, FLOWING PIECES WITH A CALIFORNIA VIBE: KNOWN SUPPLY

The Known Supply dress

The American Eagle dress

The “She is We” tank

WHAT ETHIGIRL LOVES: I cannot say enough about Known Supply, really. I follow all their social media accounts, read all their blog posts, and promote them frequently on my own Facebook account. I am so in love with what they do. They have fair trade-certified, women-only cooperatives in Peru, Uganda, and now India, where they create beautiful pieces ranging from tees to dresses to jumpsuits to sweaters. The prices are, of course, high enough to be ethical, but also affordable to someone on a budget. Sewn into each piece is a tag which has, literally written on it, the name of the woman who made it. And you can even go on their site and write her a thank-you note!

Known Supply is super transparent not only about where their clothing is made but also their stances on political issues. They recently published an impactful letter called Our Humanity Matters about the separation of children from their families at the Mexico-USA border, wherein they declared they’d be sending 50% of their profits to a great NGO called RAICES Texas until July 19th, 2018.

The Sasha Top

THE COMPARISON: I think that their pieces remind me a lot of American Eagle because of their  beachy California vibe and effortlessly cute basics. For instance, this AE dress is, in my opinion, a lot like Known Supply’s Hollie Dress.

CURRENTLY ON MY WISHLIST: Like I said, I probably spend slightly too much time exploring Known Supply’s site, so I’m quite well-versed in what they offer. The things I currently would like to purchase are the Dazey LA collab “She Is We” Tank and the Sasha Top.

QUIRKY, WHIMSICAL DRESSES AND JEWELRY: MATA TRADERS

The Mata Traders dress

The Modcloth dress

WHAT ETHIGIRL LOVES: You’d be hard-pressed to find a fellow Ethigirl who doesn’t own at least one piece from Mata. I love this brand! It’s led by women, and also employs all women in its India-based, fair trade cooperative. The adorable, vintage-inspired, eye-catching prints on all of its pieces are inspired by the colours and bright culture of India, and I am so glad they are.

Mata Traders sells what I have before defined as investment pieces. Their dresses sell for relatively high prices, but are worth every cent because of their ethics and commitment to sustainability. Therefore, you’re likely not going to buy five at once, but you will definitely buy one, you will wear it at least once a week because you love it so much, and then you’ll go back for more. However, you can also find good deals on their older designs if you look through the website’s catalogue. I also love Mata’s handmade jewelry! They sell super unique earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, some of which are apparently designed by their student interns.

THE COMPARISON: Modcloth. Mata Traders’ unique dresses remind me so much of all the quirky designs that Modcloth also sells. So much so, actually, that they’re sold on the Modcloth site occasionally! For instance, this Modcloth dress reminds me quite a bit of Mata’s Myrabelle Shirtdress! I love the button-up front and the adorable pattern this piece boasts.

CURRENTLY ON MY WISHLIST: Mata’s Spring/Summer ‘18 collection has been so AMAZING that I have had my eye on almost every piece in it. I literally have no idea which thing to buy! I think, though, that I’ll probably go with either the Dilly Daisy dress in Peach Iris or the Raya Dress with cream stripes.

LUST FOR ADVENTURE: UNITED BY BLUE

The United By Blue tee

An example of another tee

The Highlands Travel Shirt

WHAT ETHIGIRL LOVES: United By Blue is so awesome! Their environmental commitment is just fantastic. It’s pretty hard to feel guilty about purchasing one of their super soft graphic tees or colourful enamel mugs when you know it was not only made sustainably but cleans a pound of trash from the ocean. Their prices are affordable, but you know they are worth every dollar. If you like camping (and even if you don’t), you’ve got to check out their site: I guarantee you’ll find something you want.

THE COMPARISON: Due to the nature of UBB, it’s pretty difficult to compare them to a fast fashion brand, as many outdoors clothing retailers tend to be a lot more responsible. I have noticed, however, a growing trend of apparel and accessories that you can buy anywhere with catchy, wanderlust-filled sayings like this "Go Outside" tee by Indy Brand that seem to be inspiring a new generation of outdoors lovers, which is awesome! I think UBB does this whole branding in the best possible way. This Tent Dreams Tee is fantastic evidence of that.

The Parks Pennant Ringer Tee

CURRENTLY ON MY WISHLIST: Like I said, UBB’s, well, everything, are just so irresistible. Right now, I’ve got my eye on a couple of things, including the Parks Pennant Ringer Tee and the Highlands Travel Shirt.

I hope that these comparisons, which are just a few of SO many, will inspire you to use your own unique sense of style and switch it over to something more ethical.

It’s not hard to do! Just do a bit of hunting and I guarantee you’ll find a new piece that you love. Finally, if there was a fast fashion brand or trend I didn’t mention that you’d love to find a comparison to, leave a comment! I’d love to help you out.

With love and sustainability,

Ethigirl