So let’s dive right in, shall we?


~ Boxers ~

I wrote about Patagonia last week, but let’s recap. This southern California-based retailer is at the forefront of sustainability in textiles. Their mission statement reads: “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Their position on corporate social responsibility can be found here.

• Tighty-whiteys and boxer briefs, made primarily from recycled polyester.
• Regular baggy boxers, again from recycled polyester.

The progressive Cottonfield USA is an organic company, using cotton grown in America, milled in America, and made in America. All their dyes are also free of heavy metals. Their commitment to organic products is laid out on their website.

• They have two styles of briefs, the classic and the sport.
• They offer one style of boxer briefs.
• And these are their boxers, though honestly they don’t look very comfortable (or stylish).

I absolutely love Faeries Dance for their affordable options. They’re all sweatshop-free, made with environmentally sensitive fabrics and low-impact dyes. You can read about their policies on their website.

• Of course, they have tons of underwear options!

Rawganique is a ‘human scale family business’ that specializes in organic hemp and other natural fibers. Their products are all sweatshop free, and made in the US, Canada, Europe, and Thailand. You can read a lengthy explanation of their business plan on their about page.

• They have quite a variety of offerings, from briefs to boxers to boxer briefs.

And again . . . *sigh* . . . if worse comes to worst you can always get organic cotton briefs from American Apparel. Also available in a 3-pack. (but read about why I don’t like to support them, here, in italics)


~Socks~

My absolute number one favorite online sock source is the amazing, the incomparable, Sock Dreams. Not all of them are organic, or sweat free, or even vegan, but there are plenty of options that are. And all of the Sock Dreams label are made right here in Oregon. Here are some of my favorite choices:

• Here’s their eco-friendly page, with TONS of styles.
• Some simple organics, nothing fancy.
• There’s lots and lots more, and they’re really well-priced, so check ‘em out!

Patagonia, pricey as they may be, has a small but significant selection.

• The lightweight everyday version, organic cotton and nylon.
• The lightweight ski liner socks are mostly recycled polyester.
• The lightweight hiking crew liner is the same.

Good old Cottonfield USA has such a comprehensive collection of apparel.

• They only offer one option, but it’s pretty reasonably priced.

Faeries Dance comes through again!

• Check out their entire selection with tons of cheap choices to choose from!

No Sweat Apparel was one of the first socially conscious companies I discovered, way back in the day (I asked for an awesome pair of red high top ‘chucks’ for Chanukah). They’re a great company that have been doing good for a long long time, and they seem to be hurting in this economic climate. So why not support them?!

• The women’s cotton crew socks are made in the US and vegan. Unfortunately the men’s classic is a wool blend. *sad trombone*

And that about wraps it up, my dears. Please do continue to share your own ideas and discoveries. I’m always looking for more alternatives!

That is, until the elastic wears out in all your panties. Or your last good bra just melted in the dryer. Or you’ve blown out the toes in your entire collection of stripey long socks. What about these garments – the more personal underthings? How do we remain true to our values without having to buy such skintimate skivvies . . . secondhand? (eek!) Well, like this:


~ Panties ~

Patagonia is a southern California industry leader, pushing the limits of sustainable clothing for the past 2 decades. Their mission statement reads: “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” They’ve also written a comprehensive essay on corporate social responsibility.

• They may be a bit pricey, but these organic cotton choners are pretty damn cute, from a pretty damn cool company.
• Um hello!? Unders made out of old plastic bottles! Here & here & here. WOW!

Blue Canoe is another California-based company, with an entirely organic line. All their clothing is manufactured in San Francisco, California. You can read all about them here.

• Organic cotton string bikini
• Organic cotton + spandex panty
• Organic cotton + spandex boy shorts

Cottonfield USA uses only 100% certified organic cotton, grown in America, milled in America, and made in America. All their dyes are also free of heavy metals. You can read all about their commitment to organic on their website.

• Here’s their entire panty page, w00t!

Faeries Dance is a sweet little online company featuring diverse pieces from a variety of vendors. They have great options and lots of cute cuts. All are made sweatshop-free, with environmentally sensitive fabrics and low-impact dyes. Read about it on their ‘About’ page.

• The panty page! Lotsa choices, cheap cheap prices!

And . . . *sigh* . . . if worse comes to worst you can always get organic cotton underwear from American Apparel. (read about why I don’t like to support them, here, in italics)


~Bras~

Bras are so hard to find! You can get organic, but it’s not sweat-free. Or you can get vegan, but it’s not green. You can definitely find lots of yoga wear/sports bras, but anything underwired or purty is like ‘Where’s Waldo?’ on the internets. But here’s what I came up with.

Patagonia, as noted above, is always a good bet for quality and conscience.

• Here’s the organic cotton selection.
• Here’s the rest of them – spandex, nylon, and mostly recycled (and recyclable) polyester.

Blue Canoe, discussed above, has a pretty disappointing selection of bras. But if you’re looking for something sporty you may want to check them out.

• Here’s their catalogue page.

Faeries Dance, bless their hearts, have tons of options to choose from. Lace, push-up, and prints included. I love these guys!

• Get the whole list and see for yourself. It’s good stuff!

Enamore is the perfect choice for those across the pond. Sexy, sultry, specializing in sustainable and vintage fabrics. A bit on the pricier side, but also the nicest ‘eco’ lingerie I’ve seen!

• The Bedrock range. (raWr!)
• The Bamboo Bralette is adorable.
• This chic Underwire Bra is utter sexy sophistication.

So there you go, my ever-conscientious, fabulous fashionistas. Now you’ll be just as fly on the underside, as you are on the outside (and on the inside!). But it’s not quite over yet. We mustn’t neglect that essential other half . . . our feet! Nah, just kidding, I mean boys of course! And yeah, socks too.

Tune in next week for part II, on sustainable socks and boxers!

Marc Jacobs 2009, Luella 2009, Rodarte 2009

I don’t ever follow trends, but I do love to draw from cutting edge fashion for fresh ideas to add into my own aesthetic. And these transitional seasons can be the most inspiring times!  Fashion is the manifestation of so many things; it’s about projecting out from your insides, it’s about reflecting back what surrounds you, and it’s all about telling your story.  And the spring story sings about shedding the weight of winter and wiggling into an outfit that allows you shine like a lovely daffodil! 

But if we’re all supposed to be bursting with shine, how come the entire fashion blogosphere is so uninspired, seemingly stalled in a giant, collective yawn?  Everyone, including myself and most likely including you too, is completely unimpressed with the vast majority of modern fashion.  We all seem to be waiting for something to knock our stripey socks off, and in the meantime we’re hiding in leggings and tunic tops, twiddling out thumbs.  Something’s gotta give. 

So, what do you do when new style stagnates and inspiration is nowhere to be found?  Well, I’ll tell you what I do.  I return to my roots! 

Everyone’s personal sense of style has a distinct origin. Maybe you began emulating your mother as a little girl, and now you only feel like a woman when wearing pearls. Or maybe little 9-year-old-you fell in love with a girl who said you looked nice in your sailor pants, causing navy and white to permeate your entire wardrobe ever after. Or maybe, like me, you didn’t even discover fashion until later in the game, when you got hit hard and fast with a subculture explosion of music, art and clothing that imprinted your ego so deeply it scarred. 

MmmMm yes, the delicious grunge 90s. The ripped jeans and old flannels, ‘clashing’ patterns and torn tights, vintage dresses with combat boots, ad oh oh oh, the music that carried it all. 

These are the clothes that shrouded me through my formative years, and visiting them again allows me to tap into some of that incredible energy I experienced as a young teen.  Disregarding the hormones, the mania, the self-doubt and the misdirected rebellion, those were some of the most creative, most magical, and most present years of my life. Wearing clothes reminiscent of then, I can’t help but feel comfortable, carefree, and absolutely centered.  And so I’ll borrow from the past right now, when I need a little bit of that teenaged enthusiasm. 

Whether you’re an 80’s power suit queen, a pretty prairie belle, an über-mod urbanite, or just a scrappy grunger like me, wearing clothes that rejuvenate you is an essential part of keeping you feeling beautiful and confident.  So if you know the root-style that’s going to make you feel great, dig into it and revel, no matter what the current trends dictate.  Everything old is new again, so one of these days you may just find yourself on the cutting edge.  Until then, at least you won’t be yawning for inspiration at every passing fad.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go shine up my combat boots.

Everyone has their ubiquitous basics, like plain solid tees, nice neutral slacks, and the ‘little black dress’.  But these are just clothes, and what you need to target now are garments.  A garment that dresses down with sandals and a sunhat on a warm spring day, and dresses up with a chic watch and a smart vest for a professional rendezvous, and also layers well with knits to keep you warm in winter.  These targets are not just casual clothes.  Because really, when you put on clothes, you’re just wearing clothing.  But when you put on a garment, you’re on your way to an outfit, and that’s the difference between getting dressed, and dressing up!

For a low-volume / high-impact wardrobe, you’ll need your boring basics, your incredible accessories, and a small significant stash of these magical, morph-able garments.  So, what lends an item this ultimate flexibility?  The most important criterion is this: how do you feel when you wear it?  Believe me, the blouse may match everything in your closet, but if it makes you ‘feel fat’, it’s never coming off the hanger.  Conversely, it doesn’t matter if it’s a chartreuse crinoline – if it’s comfy and it makes you feel like a million bucks, you’ll rework your whole wardrobe just to wear it every day.  Your first priority should always be your own comfort (that’s physical *and* emotional, my dear).

So secondarily, you’re aiming for a quasi-statement piece that will focus an outfit.  It can’t be so neutral that it’s boring, but also not so wild as to pigeonhole it.  Your standard basics will fill in as needed to cover your skin, and your standout accessories will style the overall look.  Your glorious garment, however, holds it all together and elevates it into an aesthetic masterpiece.

This garment may be the perfect blazer, one that fits as though tailored by a lover.  The right blazer can plop over a men’s undershirt and baggy denims for a perfectly disheveled Sunday brunch.  That same blazer could equally as effectively – and stylishly – ward off the chill brought on by the strapless sweetheart neckline of your Saturday night cocktail number.  Now that’s perfect versatility.

And of course, there is the quintessential chameleon: a pair of painted-on skinnies.  Skinny jeans are more adaptable than wide-legs because you can casually pair them with slip-ons and a tank top for daytime, but you also can wear them under knee-boots and a chunky sweater come nightfall.  If you must pack light for a last minute trip, skinnies are your very best friend.

Other dynamic apparel may include a funky fun vest, one-of-a-kind vintage boots, and of course, the perfect dress.  Which leads me to my visual aide – an example out of my own closet – my cotton light grey empire waist spaghetti strap tunic dress.  Whew!

I got this baby for 6 or 7 dollars last spring, and I swear I’ve gotten more wear out of it than anything else I’ve ever owned.  Not only is it perfectly suited to my body type (it makes my boobs look great), and not only does it stand up solo *or* amongst multiple layers, AND not only is it the perfect shade of match-anything grey – but because it’s comfy and lovely and wearing it makes me feel damn awesome, so I do!   This is versatility:

I love this dress so much I wore it, and it alone, while primping for my wedding!

It looks awesome paired with bright pops, shown here under blue and over red.

Simple in summer – over a black tank top and flip-flops, Honeymooning in Mexico.

All the way to the dead of winter, for President Obama’s inauguration this January.

I can’t even begin to show the infinite ways I’ve worn and worked this one treasured dress.  But I think you get the idea, no?  Now be off, you fabulous beauties, and find those golden garments!