restitchstance

Why we need more POC in sustainable and ethical fashion! ft. Proclaim

Hi friends and lovely readers! Today, I’m talking about something that’s been weighing on my mind since I started this blog: sustainable and ethical fashion’s diversity problem.

The sustainable and ethical fashion community is so wonderful and full of awesome, creative, and thoughtful folks, but it’s also not that diverse. And while I think this space is generally more progressive and cognizant of social issues than the rest of the fashion industry, sustainable and ethical fashion that doesn’t include people of color isn’t as revolutionary as it could be.

I’m also excited to introduce you to a brand that’s addressing fashion’s diversity problem head-on: Proclaim! But first, let’s talk about why we need more POC in sustainable and ethical fashion.

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education, Reviews, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

27 Comments

September 17, 2017

Why should we care about sustainable and ethical fashion, anyway?

In the past five months, I’ve learned a lot about sustainable and ethical fashion. If you’ve followed along, thanks so much for learning and growing with me. What I’ve realized from talking to this community is that a lot of you are interested in learning more about sustainable and ethical fashion, but have no idea where to even start—and my blog has been a messy diary of my own fumbling journey into slow fashion, rather than a comprehensive guide.

I want restitchstance to be your starting place (like it was mine!), and a space where we can learn and help each other do less harm with more style. From now on, I’ll work to create more informational content to guide your slow fashion journey, in addition to styling and lifestyle inspiration.

Today, we’re going back to the basics. Let’s talk about what sustainable and ethical fashion is in the first place and why it matters.

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education, Fair OOTDs, Style

by Cat

28 Comments

October 1, 2017

A broke girl’s guide to sustainable and ethical fashion

So you care where your clothes are made and how, but can’t afford to buy organic cotton, artisan-made, fair trade everything? Yeah, me neither.

Before I began my slow fashion journey, the aspect of sustainable and ethical fashion that seemed most daunting to me was the price tag. But I’ve since learned there’s more to this conscious fashion lifestyle than just buying from (usually pricey) brands that tout their sustainability and ethics.

Here are some tips to help you be a more conscious consumer at any budget!

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education, Fair OOTDs, Style

by Cat

18 Comments

What Marie Kondo taught me about conscious consumerism

I have always been a messy person. Every space I’ve inhabited—my childhood bedroom, my college dorm room, my current apartment—has been a victim of my tendency to cover every horizontal space with stuff.

So, with an admittedly skeptical mind, I read Marie Kondo’s famous self-help book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

And, I am now pretty convinced that tidying up will change my life. Surprisingly, I also learned a thing or two about conscious consumerism from Marie Kondo.

Featured, Lifestyle, Slow Living, Sustainable Living

by Cat

0 Comments

January 6, 2019

Dear Reformation, stop commoditizing my culture // On cultural appropriation in “ethical” fashion

In their first drop of 2019, Reformation kicked off the year with a new style they’ve dubbed the “May dress.” According to the website, the dress is “a tight fitting, mini length dress with a mock neck collar, frog closures and short sleeves.”

According to Chinese people, that’s a qipao (also known as a cheongsam)—a traditional dress most often worn for formal occasions.

As one might expect, when Ref posted a photo of the dress on a white model on Instagram, the comments section blew up in outrage. And as one might, sadly, expect, Reformation hasn’t issued any statement in response, or pulled the dress off their website; in fact, the dress is on their front page.

Featured, Style

by Cat

11 Comments

December 23, 2018

The Best Books I Read in 2018 (all by women of color!)

In 2018, I majorly stepped up my reading game and have been blown away by the poignant, imaginative, and diverse stories I’ve seen on the shelves of my local bookstore and library.

So, in no particular order, here are the best books I’ve read in 2018!

Featured, Lifestyle

by Cat

2 Comments

December 19, 2018

I KNITTED THIS SWEATER IN ONE WEEK

Yup, you read that right. One whole sweater, in seven days, with my two hands.

You might be wondering if I have knitting machine hands or something, but the secret is simple: Big yarn and big needles. Not only are extremely chunky knits the very definition of cute and cozy, they also knit up super quickly.

I reached out to Wool and the Gang to try one of their chunky sweaters, and they sent me their Eden Jumper kit.

DIY, Fair OOTDs, Featured, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

2 Comments

December 12, 2018

How I got to model for my favorite brand, Girlfriend Collective

Thanks to everyone who’s been sending me screenshots of the Girlfriend Collective website, with MY FACE on it! I truly appreciate the love!

For those of you who don’t know, I was lucky enough to hang out with the team that makes my favorite leggings ever, along with some fellow Girlfriend fans. Here’s how it all happened.

Fair OOTDs, Featured, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

2 Comments

November 21, 2018

This startup proves there’s a more ethical and sustainable way to do tech // ft. Nimble

When I think about shopping more consciously, I’ll admit that my electronics and tech don’t top my shopping list. I’ve happily given up my fast fashion addiction to embrace slow fashion, but taking a more conscious approach to the gadgets that power my life, my career, and this blog is mostly uncharted territory for me.

This is partly because I find shopping for clothes fun and do it on a regular basis, but rarely buy new electronics. It’s also because, compared to the overwhelming selection consumers have when it comes to fashion, there are narrower options when it comes to the electronics we buy.

I recently learned about Nimble, a company that takes a more thoughtful and conscious approach to consumer electronics and tech, and I’m thrilled to partner with them to share their story with you.

Fair OOTDs, Featured, Lifestyle, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands, Sustainable Living

by Cat

0 Comments

November 19, 2018

The best ethical and sustainable Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales of 2018

The annual celebration of consumerism is upon us again! But while Black Friday and Cyber Monday have a reputation as horrific displays of mass consumerism, they are also an opportunity for many of us to buy ethical and sustainable goods that may otherwise be out of our price range.

Best of all, most of these brands are online…so you can skip the crowds and lines and shop from your bed!

I’ll be listing Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for ethical and sustainable brands here. Bookmark this page and check back throughout the weekend for updated sales.

Featured, Shopping Guides, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

0 Comments

November 18, 2018

5 ethical brands making fine jewelry affordable (+ gift ideas!)

It’s only recently that I’ve tried to invest in longer lasting jewelry pieces as my tastes have changed to embrace more timeless styles and higher quality jewelry. Fine jewelry is, however, expensive. Luckily, there are fine jewelry brands that prioritize affordable pricing and ethical standards!

With the holidays coming up, I thought it’d be the perfect time to whip up this roundup of ethical fine jewelry brands that won’t break the bank* (plus a few gift ideas for fun!).

Featured, Shopping Guides, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

4 Comments

November 11, 2018

Cat in the Wild | Choose your own adventure at Denny Creek, WA

Okay…so I did this hike twice. In one week. Can you tell I really like this trail?

I can already tell that Denny Creek is going to be a favorite of mine that I’ll revisit again, for its ridiculously sweet payoff to effort ratio and proximity to Seattle (only an hour’s drive).

Fair OOTDs, Featured, Lifestyle, Outside, Style, Trail Journal

by Cat

1 Comment

November 7, 2018

Cozy and conscious fall essentials with Les Lunes

My friends know that when it comes to fashion or comfort, I will always choose the latter, hands down.

Is it too much to ask for cute clothes that are also soft, comfortable, and warm? I don’t think so!

I’m happy to partner with Les Lunes, an ethical and sustainable brand that doesn’t think so either! Les Lunes combines luxurious comfort and softness with fashion-forward designs for the perfect fall wardrobe, and they do it all with care for the environment and the people who make their clothes.

Fair OOTDs, Featured, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

0 Comments

What Marie Kondo taught me about conscious consumerism

Dear Reformation, stop commoditizing my culture // On cultural appropriation in “ethical” fashion

The Best Books I Read in 2018 (all by women of color!)

Featured Posts

Why we need more POC in sustainable and ethical fashion! ft. Proclaim

Why should we care about sustainable and ethical fashion, anyway?

A broke girl’s guide to sustainable and ethical fashion

Recent Posts

What Marie Kondo taught me about conscious consumerism

Dear Reformation, stop commoditizing my culture // On cultural appropriation in “ethical” fashion

The Best Books I Read in 2018 (all by women of color!)

I KNITTED THIS SWEATER IN ONE WEEK

How I got to model for my favorite brand, Girlfriend Collective

This startup proves there’s a more ethical and sustainable way to do tech // ft. Nimble

The best ethical and sustainable Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales of 2018

5 ethical brands making fine jewelry affordable (+ gift ideas!)

Cat in the Wild | Choose your own adventure at Denny Creek, WA

Cozy and conscious fall essentials with Les Lunes

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