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

essential investment pieces: the ultimate sustainable + ethical brand guide

Hey hey lovely readers! I am hoping all is well. So, I don't know about you, but recently I've been starting to bring out my spring and summer pieces. It's been AWHILE since I've seen some of these beauties and it's got me excited for all of the gorgeous outfits ahead...and the fact that I won't have to hide them under an enormous coat!

With summer comes new life to fashion. With this new life comes the tremendous effort to completely refresh our wardrobes and to start over and revamp our entire identities and pack our things and get on the next plane out of town an--

Mmm, that might've been too far. Let's just say exam season's gotten rough. ANYWAY, where I was going with that lil ramble was that, although you should totally try out new trends and dress in whatever makes you feel the best, you shouldn't do this in a way that hurts the environment or the people who make our clothes.

That's why today, for Part Two of the SUSTAINABLE WARDROBE MAKEOVER SERIES, I'm going to be talking a bit about how to avoid doing that. In the series' last post, I talked about refining your style identity so you actually know what you're shopping for.

Therefore, today I'll be focusing more on buying less, but buying better. I am a firm believer that we should avoid buying new as much as possible (the last thing our world needs is more items for sale) but that when we really desire something, we need to be supporting amazing social enterprises.

More specifically, this post is going to focus on Essential Investment Pieces. We've all heard about basics, and the idea that they're "the building blocks to our wardrobe", but what does that really mean? What constitutes one of those items? I'll break that all down for you. Moreover, I'll also give you my fave brand recommendations for these amazing items!

But before I dive into this post, one last post callback -- if you've decided you DO want to make some space in your closet for these new investments, be very conscious about how you get rid of those old clothes. You may not know it, but clothing donations are a huge social and environmental problem. This might seem overwhelming, but fret not! I wrote a post here about how to do better :)

Without further ado, THE POST!

tops

tees

For a plain t-shirt, my go-to's are either Known Supply or United By Blue. Quality-wise, these pieces are each 100% cotton, which is essential to look for in a nice tee.

Known Supply // Krochet Kids

Known Supply is an apparel company which also houses the brand Krochet Kids underneath of it.

I have and recommend the basic Standard Women's Tee, available in Heather Grey on Krochet Kids for $20 and in a multitude of other colours on Known Supply for $28. I currently only own it in black and white, but plan to grab a few more soon!

Ethics/sustainability-wise, what's really cool about Known Supply and Krochet Kids is that all their items are made in women's cooperatives in India, Peru, and Uganda. Moreover, each item is hand-signed by the maker! Another thing which makes them really unique is that you can get most of their apparel hand-stitched with anything you'd like. I'm looking into picking up a custom Ethigirl tee soon! ;)

Also, you can get 10% off your next order with Known Supply // Krochet Kids using this link and the discount code ETHIGIRL!

United By Blue

I own a couple of UBB tees: two of the Women's Standard Pocket Tees, in grey and in green, (which retail for $38 each) and one of the graphic tops (which range, but cost around the same). What I love specifically about the pocket tees is that they have the pocket, and also that the sleeves have a cuff sewn right in! I always cuff t-shirt sleeves anyway, so this is a nice little detail. The shirts are also really flattering when tucked into anything high-waisted, which is how I always wear them.

UBB strives to make everything locally, or responsibly overseas, and with sustainable materials. They also clean one pound of trash from waterways with every purchase! Truuuly social entrepreneurship.

sweaters

So many knits and other beautiful sweaters can be easily thrifted. They're almost too easy to find! All of my favourite turtlenecks, one of which is 100% wool, is secondhand. Therefore, I totally recommend you try that out first.

However, if you're not able to find what you're looking for, my three suggestions are to purchase one of Fjallraven's gorgeous knits, a wool knit Irish Sweater, or to look at Patagonia's versatile selection. All three of these are insanely good quality that will most definitely last you a lifetime - I would bet my life on it.

Fjallraven

I own the Ovik Women's Knit Sweater in a red and purple style which no longer appears to be available online. It's extremely soft, extremely warm, and has gorgeous elbow patches and the Fjallraven fox logo on one of the arms! This sweater has been an excellent investment that I was lucky to catch on sale at a local outdoors shop. As a general rule, Fjallraven items are HARD to find for cheap, and that's because of the amazing quality which each item is made with.

Fjallraven is overall an outdoor goods company, meaning that sustainability is sort of a no-brainer for them: why would they want to hurt the thing which their products are made for enjoying? They offer a repair program, and they strive to use materials which are locally-produced and better for the environment.

Patagonia

Where do I even begin with Patagonia? It is one of my fave companies and truly one of the best models for a large, yet still sustainable and ethical company which exists. I own a multitude of products from Patagonia, but the one I will feature here is the Women's Better Sweater 1/4 Zip. Mine is in olive green, which is a colour they don't currently have in stock.

This sweater is excellent. It keeps in the heat so well, making it great as a layer for winter or even a substitute for a spring jacket. However you wear it, you're sure to be both warm and comfortable.

Moreover, like I mentioned above, Patagonia is super sustainable and ethical. They strive to use recycled or reclaimed fabrics or materials, to certify their sewing practices Fair Trade USA, they are a B Corporation, and they seek out factories overseas whose values match their own and then foster long-term partnerships with them.

Locally-Made Irish Sweaters - Aran Sweater Market

My last suggestion in the sweater department is a 100% wool knit cardigan from the Aran Sweater Market. I've had mine for over two years and I am still in love with it. My whole family owns these insanely well-made pieces that are built to last a lifetime. They're also extremely warm, yet still moisture wicking, as they were made to last intensely cold or windy conditions!

These are great to throw over a nice dress or blouse, or can be buttoned up and enjoyed on their own with jeans/pants. You can also purchase pullover crewneck sweaters, or many other styles. Their entire selection is available online.

Wool is a great material, and it's also all spun locally off the West Coast of Ireland, where the sweaters too are knit.

jeans

Ah yes, jeans. An item we'll all perpetually struggle with. The biggest thing with finding a great, long-lasting pair of denim is to try on a lot of different pairs. The worst thing you can do for yourself is only try on one or two.

Jeans are something you wear everyday. Do yourself a favour and make sure you love them - they do WONDERS to pull any outfit together.

Vintage Levis

What's that? Vintage Levis? Never heard of her! Just kidding. Vintage is alwaysss more sustainable, and Levis are such a hot item right now. Put them together and you're both sustainable AND hot ;)

You can walk into any vintage shop and find these. Now, the price tag on them is guaranteed to be a bit steep - we're talking around $50 at the least for a good quality pair, anywhere up to $100. But damn. I PROMISE you that when you slide on the right pair, you'll understand why they cost that much and you will do yourself a favour and you will buy them.

I have two pairs of vintage boyfriend Levi's, which tend to be the most popular. They're characterized by a mile-high waist, sometimes a button fly (in the case of 501's), and a straight leg. The denim will also have a very high cotton percentage and very little spandex. That's what you want for a long-lasting set.

If you're looking for where to buy these online, you can find them at places like ASOS and Urban Outfitters, as well as secondhand marketplaces like Depop or even eBay. Just be sure there's a return policy - you might not like the way you fit, and that's a lot of $$ to drop on a risk!

dresses

Mata Traders

Mata is an amazing company with gorgeous and eccentric dresses, tops, and jewelry. I have two dresses from Mata Traders, both of which are amazing quality and great investment pieces. I love the fun prints and high-quality fabrics and details that go into each item.

Their items tend to be on the expensive side, with dresses costing anywhere from $70-$100. However, I promise you that if you pick the right one, you'll be wearing it all the time. They have more and less statement-y dresses, so you can ensure you choose what suits you and your needs the most.

Each of Mata's items are made in a women's cooperative in India and Nepal, where employees are empowered with sewing skills and paid fair wages in safe conditions.

The dress I'm wearing here isn't for sale anymore as I bought it a couple of years ago, but I really also love this vintage-inspired one for summer!

conclusion

And there you have it! A master list of places where you can buy essential investment pieces ranging from tees to sweaters to jeans to dresses. I wholeheartedly recommend any and all of these great companies and choices. Try any of them out? Have any of your own suggestions? Let me know below!

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