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

Can wool be cruelty-free? (Spoiler alert: Yes it can!) / ft. Myssyfarmi

Wool is one of nature’s superstar fibers. It’s warm, moisture-wicking, odor resistant, anti-microbial, and when produced under the right circumstances, deliciously soft and cozy. It’s also one of the most biodegradable materials, decomposing within six months in ideal conditions.

But for those of us concerned with animal welfare, choosing to buy wool involves significant ethical considerations. Personally, wool is one of my favorite fibers to wear, and as someone trying to be a more ethical knitter and consumer, the welfare of the sheep from where my wool is sourced is top of mind for me.

That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with Myssyfarmi, a small-scale wool goods farm in Finland, to talk about this issue close to my heart!\

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education, Fair OOTDs, Featured, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

0 Comments

October 16, 2018

Better than Birchbox? / October Petit Vour Cruelty-Free Beauty Box review

I am a sucker for subscription boxes! I love getting little packages in the mail each month, filled with fun surprises. I mean, who doesn’t?

I’ve tried Birchbox in the past, but that experience was definitely a case of “better in theory than in practice.” I ended up with a bunch of sample-sized products that I never used up, mostly because the products didn’t fit my skin or needs. Worse, I couldn’t filter out brands that were cruelty-free or non-toxic, which became a deal breaker.

When I heard about Petit Vour’s cruelty-free beauty box that the products were also non-toxic and vegan, I thought it was too good to be true! Spoiler alert: It’s the real deal, and I think it’s way better than Birchbox.

Eco & Ethical Beauty, Featured, Reviews, Skincare

by Cat

0 Comments

October 14, 2018

Hey conscious consumer! It’s not up to just you to save the world.

Hey fellow conscious consumer! I have to tell you something.

The weight of the world is not on your shoulders, and conscious consumerism isn’t gonna save the world.

I know, this probably sounds hypocritical coming from someone who blogs mostly about conscious consumerism. Although I do believe that thinking critically about the things we buy and what kind of practices we support with our dollars is important, I’m worried that there’s too much emphasis on individual actions within the conscious consumerism movement.

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education, Fair OOTDs, Featured, Lifestyle, Slow Living, Style, Sustainable Living

by Cat

6 Comments

September 23, 2018

The future of fashion is gonna be dope & other lessons from the Garment Worker Center banquet

Obviously, I think about ethical fashion a lot, but it’s something else to actually see the faces and hear the voices of the women working in fast fashion sweatshops, fighting for change.

Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Garment Worker Center banquet in Los Angeles. The Garment Worker Center organizes low-wage garment workers in LA, empowering them to fight back against abusive employers.

The banquet was incredibly illuminating about the struggles of garment workers in LA, but it was ultimately a celebration of the community that had gathered to fight for garment worker rights and the garment workers themselves, who are so brave and strong for standing up to their oppressors.

After a powerful and moving night, I, of course, had some major THOUGHTS that I wanted to write up and share with you. Here ya go.

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education, Featured, Style

by Cat

1 Comment

September 16, 2018

10 ethical and sustainable boots for fall and winter 2018

Every time autumn rolls around, I’m more than happy to trade my tired old flip flops for a pair of sleek black ankle booties.

These boots are all ethically made, designed to last, and made for walking… and, of course, jumping into huge piles of crunchy leaves.

Featured, Shopping Guides, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

0 Comments

August 31, 2018

Remember those leggings I wouldn’t shut up about? They’re back, with sports bras! / Girlfriend Collective review

If you haven’t heard of Girlfriend Collective, they were the brand blowing up the internet last year with their scammy-sounding “free leggings” (you just had to pay $20 for shipping from Vietnam and wait like 4 months lol). HOWEVER, they are not a scam (yay), and actually make high-quality athletic wear from recycled water bottles in responsible factories. They’re launching their full line this summer with their internet-famous leggings and new sports bras in drool-worthy colors.

Fair OOTDs, Reviews, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

6 Comments

August 29, 2018

A fun, easy way to discover cruelty-free, natural, and clean beauty / Petit Vour Beauty Box review

I’ve been more conscious of my beauty purchases since learning more about how many ingredients in our beauty products can be toxic or irritating. I also want to commit more fully to buying cruelty-free and vegan products, because animal testing has always horrified me and there is literally zero reason to inflict such violence and cruelty on animals when animal testing doesn’t even yield conclusive information.

Unfortunately, it can take a lot of time to research the products you’re buying, and a lot of money to try out new products just to see if you like them.

Today I’m excited to share a really fun, easy, and affordable way to discover cruelty-free, natural, and clean beauty brands and products!

Eco & Ethical Beauty, Featured, Reviews, Skincare

by Cat

1 Comment

August 12, 2018

Is Reformation worth it? / My Ref collection & sizing review

Time to ‘fess up. I’m addicted to Reformation.

For the longest time, I determinedly held firm against their “cool girl” marketing and ridiculously adorable styles, appalled that just one dress could cost over $200. No way was I going to give in and splurge my nonprofit wages on these floral print wallet-temptresses, no matter how cute!

Featured, Reviews, Shopping Guides, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

2 Comments

August 1, 2018

What’s the difference between clean and natural beauty, and vegan and cruelty-free beauty?

I’ve always been a bit of a beauty junkie, and it felt inevitable that my conscious consumerism journey would eventually explore the world of clean and natural beauty, as well as vegan and cruelty-free beauty.

Like with most conscious consumer goods, there’s a lot of nuance and depth to these terms that gets obscured through pretty millennial marketing. I’ve written a quick guide to elucidate the murky vagueness around words like “clean,” “natural,” “non-toxic” as they pertain to the beauty industry. Hope this helps!

Eco & Ethical Beauty, Featured

by Cat

2 Comments

July 22, 2018

12 affordable ethical & sustainable summer dresses under $100

We’re at the peak of summer, which means I’ve been living in my favorite lazy outfit: the summer dress! I mean, when it’s pushing 90 degrees out, you don’t have time to pick out and coordinate two or more pieces of clothing.

Unfortunately, it’s hard enough to find a cute ethically made and sustainable dress, let alone one that fits within your budget. That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to spend hours online shopping in order to curate this list of sustainable and ethical dresses under $100! I know, really taking one for the team here.

Enjoy the fruits of my labor and shop my picks below!

Featured, Shopping Guides, Style, Sustainable and Ethical Brands

by Cat

2 Comments

Can wool be cruelty-free? (Spoiler alert: Yes it can!) / ft. Myssyfarmi

Better than Birchbox? / October Petit Vour Cruelty-Free Beauty Box review

Hey conscious consumer! It’s not up to just you to save the world.

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

Can wool be cruelty-free? (Spoiler alert: Yes it can!) / ft. Myssyfarmi

Better than Birchbox? / October Petit Vour Cruelty-Free Beauty Box review

Hey conscious consumer! It’s not up to just you to save the world.

The future of fashion is gonna be dope & other lessons from the Garment Worker Center banquet

10 ethical and sustainable boots for fall and winter 2018

Remember those leggings I wouldn’t shut up about? They’re back, with sports bras! / Girlfriend Collective review

A fun, easy way to discover cruelty-free, natural, and clean beauty / Petit Vour Beauty Box review

Is Reformation worth it? / My Ref collection & sizing review

What’s the difference between clean and natural beauty, and vegan and cruelty-free beauty?

12 affordable ethical & sustainable summer dresses under $100

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