Folk fashion runs deeper than its aesthetic. As a craft focused on handmade clothing, the focus on sustainability is something we can all benefit from.

“Like it or not, we are all engaged in the fashion system,” says Amy Twigger Holroyd, author of “Folk Fashion: Understanding Homemade Clothes.” And she’s not wrong. If you aren’t a round-the-clock nudist, then we all participate in the fashion arena, but it’s how we spend our time there that matters most. Her in-depth research into folk fashion revealed a not-so-surprising dichotomy between fast fashion of today and the craft-conscious techniques of decades past. However, there are hints of a handmade and homemade clothing resurgence, it’s the staying power of it all that’s uncertain. While you may never take up sewing, knitting, or crocheting yourself, you still have the power to shop consciously. The clothes we’ve chosen for you today have a folk-inspired look, with plenty of embroidery, ethnic touches, and handmade appeal, but more than just the aesthetic, these clothes are seasonally timeless and made to last.

1. Vintage Navy Caftan

Authentically vintage from the 1970s, this navy blue folk-inspired caftan is in excellent (mint) condition and embodies the idea of the sustainable element of handcrafted folk clothing. Great for fall, this piece can be layered by placing a long sleeve top beneath, wearing it with tights, pairing with ankle boots, draping a chunky cardigan over top, by belting the waist, and a host of other ways. We’re also really loving the styling inspiration from the image. Coupling this caftan with a wide-brim hat and your favorite necklaces is a great idea! Priced at $68

2. Chevron Stripe Kimono

Kimonos are great closet staple pieces, especially when you want to save time and head out the door quickly while still looking stylish. This particular kimono features a neutral black and off-white color scheme with a tribal pattern that’s perfect for wearing with much of what you already own. A black sweater, dark skinny jeans, and black boots are one possible combination. A cool graphic tee, comfy leggings, and knee-high boots are another. Layering with this pieces is a definite and it will instantly transform a basic top into something fashion-forward. Priced at $118.

3. Ethnic Embellished Joggers

The perfect comfy pants to dress up or down, these joggers will definitely be at the top of your wish list and perfect for wearing to Thanksgiving dinner, because two words: elastic waistband. What’s also great, aside from the awesome folk print and luxuriously comfortable design, is that these are highly likely to become a pair of pants you’ll reach for again and again, regardless of the season. Great for accommodating those food babies around holiday time, and perfect for an evening walk on the beach, there are so many ways and reasons to wear these. Priced at $148.

4. Floral Denim Shirt

A great year-round top, this denim shirt has added detail to set it apart from the typical chambray shirt. The floral embroidery, relaxed fit, and cut-off hem give it a vintage, lived-in vibe that’s perfect for creating an effortlessly stylish look. Pair with jeans for a denim-on-denim ensemble, or with other pieces, like skirts, colored jeans, leggings, and more. Definitely great for layering and awesome with boots, this is an autumn staple piece for sure. Priced at $98.

5. Embroidered Midi Dress

Delicate, detailed, and inspired by folk fashion, this fit-and-flare midi is one you can wear nearly year-round. Great for layering, this dress will work well with fall pieces, like bomber jackets, coats, cardigans, leggings, jeans, scarves, and boots. Pile on the warmth when the weather turns chilly, then peel them away in the spring and summer, and wear this dress solo with your favorite sandals. Other styling recommendations include: belting the waist, pairing with a trendy wide-brim hat, and layering this dress over a fitted long sleeve top for a 90s-meets-folk look. Priced at $98.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Vintage clothes are not only fun, but they’re also good for the environment. Anytime you can buy preowned, that’s one less item that will end up in the trash. We’ve taken a look at online vintage retailer, Rusty Zipper, which has a gorgeous election of vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories, and have chosen our favorite from each decade starting in the 1950s through the 1990s. We hope you enjoy this little blast from the past and become inspired to try out some vintage finds of your own.

The 1950s

Our picks for the ’50s are definitely nifty, so bust out your dancing shoes and crank the rock and roll music while we go over our picks for the decade. Starting from left to right, the first item on our list is the adorable authentic retro wrap dress from the 1950s that would look perfect with a pair of espadrille wedges for the summer. The checked plaid skirt that’s next in line could work for a casual outing, or with a blouse at the office. We’ve also thrown in a sweet sparkly clutch and flower brooch as accessories. And we are totally loving the blue checked shorts and sheer top – wear them together or separately for a super cool vintage look.

The 1960s

If you’re in the mood to channel some “Mad Men” minus the sexism, then we have several pieces that are totally groovy, baby. Starting from left to right we’ve chosen a cute as a button faux fur leopard clutch that will add a sweet ’60s vibe to modern day or vintage outfits. The blue cotton romper jumpsuit looks akin to something we might buy in today’s stores, and the yellow bell bottoms with embroidered bow stitch detail would look absolutely adorable with a white crop top. Next is the art deco-like handbag that looks surprisingly contemporary, and it’s alongside a great mod vintage ’50s mini dress. Wear this cutie with pair of sandals for a sweet springtime outfit.

The 1970s

The swinging ’70s brought lots of liberation and along with it some seriously bold patterns, colors, and a whole lotta polyester. Starting from left to right is a western shirt with hippie influences thanks to the bright colors and cute woodland images, like a forest snail and mushroom. The navy and white stripe shorts look like something you’d find in the stores today and would lend a modern vibe, something you might need if paired with those pink earrings. In the middle you’ll find a maxi house robe that’s far out and leaning a little toward the psychedelic side of things. And finally, we’ve chosen a sweet little handbag with matching change purse and a navy blue ric-rac mini dress that would look great with a pair of platform shoes.

The 1980s

Neons, acid washes, and shoulder pads, oh my! The ’80s may be a period in fashion history that you’d prefer to forget, but we’re not letting you get away that easily. Starting from left to right we have the infamous skort in red alongside a straw purse embellished with flowers. Although overalls made a comeback for a short time, this set is definitely a blast from the stone washed past. And finally, the oversized envelope clutch is the perfect pairing with the velour look sweater and abstract print designer pants.

The 1990s

As if grunge, skinny brows, and dark lipstick weren’t enough, we’re here to hit you with a dose of “Saved by the Bell” and “90210” inspired fashion you won’t soon forget. And if you’re more shocked to learn that the ’90s is now classified as having vintage clothes, you’re definitely not alone. Starting from left to right is the – you know you wore one so don’t deny it – fanny pack, alongside a denim vest, hot pink pants, and authentic vintage Nike sneakers.

Ideally, we recommend separating these pieces and pairing them with something modern in order to channel the ’90s without looking like you’re stuck in a time warp. With that said, we couldn’t help but include this tie dye t-shirt, “Half Baked” style, and these killer high waist shorts from Bongo, which would actually work with the right tops and shoes. Lastly, we’ve chosen this cross body bag from Avon that would add just the right amount of neutral kitsch to any outfit.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our selection of vintage clothes. Is there anything from our post that you would wear? Anything you’d rather avoid? Let us know what you think on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Ultra feminine details are in for spring, and since the changing of the seasons is just around the corner, we’ve created a collection of beautiful vintage jewelry and watches especially for you. From pendant necklaces to cocktail rings and timepieces, we have several springtime pieces that will look so sweet with all of your warm-weather ensembles.

When possible, choosing vintage accessories is always a great alternative to buying off the shelf. Not only does it support the small businesses that sell the jewelry, but it also cuts back on fast fashion consumerism that is so rampant these days. And besides that, buying vintage means that you will have also purchased a one-of-a-kind item that can serve as a great conversation piece when you’re out and about, or a treasured heirloom that can be passed along to close family or friends.

Thanks to the feminine features and pleasing palettes seen below, buying vintage jewelry for spring means your options will be as endless as they are beautiful!

1. Vintage Yellow Watch

Buttercup is one of Pantone’s top ten colors for spring, which is why we’ve picked this lovely, bright, and cheerful vintage Zarya wristwatch from the 1970s. The brand is said to be a classic soviet ladies watch that was produced in Moscow. This gently used vintage watch has character and the slender yellow textured band would look beautiful with a variety of springtime outfits.

2. Floral Bib Necklace

Floral prints and patterns are in for spring, so we’ve chosen these beautiful vintage enamel bib necklaces from the 1970s featuring sweet little flower designs. These would work well layered with your favorite white blouse and can even be reversed to display the gold plated back, emphasizing the shape.

3. Pink Cocktail Ring

Pink is trending for spring, just as Pantone declared when choosing Rose Quartz as one of the two colors for 2016. And in order to pay homage to such a lovely choice, we selected the 1970s vintage light rose Austrian crystal ring pictured above. Although large, this candy colored ring would still be a great piece to wear with coordinating outfits on an almost daily basis.

4. Filagree Perfume Earrings

These antique Chinese silver filigree and blue enamel pomander earrings are a fabulous vintage find featuring perfume vessels. The orbs are able to be unscrewed and your favorite scent can be applied to a piece of cotton batting and placed inside. With the dainty filigree and floral pattern, you can rest assured that you have the feminine trend covered.

5. Vintage Filigree Watch

Lace is another fashion trend that’s sought after for spring and this Seagull cocktail bracelet watch from the early 1980s is a great example of a vintage timepiece that captures the essence of the delicate material. This can be worn to the office, out for drinks, on a date, or to a wedding. Either way, you can’t go wrong with such a neutrally versatile and sophisticated watch.

6. Pearl Cocktail Ring

This eye-catching cocktail rings boasts a large pearl cabochon bead and is surrounded by clear crystals. The vintage bauble is from the 1970s and would work well paired with dressier springtime outfits for a variety of occasions, like weddings, cocktail hours, Sunday brunches, and even to the office.

7. Vintage Bangle Bracelet

This is the kind of bracelet that will instantly cheer you up every time you put it on your wrist. The beautiful molded aqua blue celluloid bangle is from the 1940s and was made in Japan. The open flower blossoms are dotted with clear chaton rhinestones adding just the right amount of sparkle. This is certainly a statement piece and would look beautiful with flowing maxi dresses and sandals.

8. Mid Century Earrings

These adorable pink and green flower earrings were made in Hong Kong in the 1950s. Too cute to pass up, these kitschy plastic clip-on earrings are perfect for spring and summer ensembles. If you’re hesitant about wearing clip-ons, which is totally understandable, check out this helpful tutorial on how to convert them to posts.

Sharing our vintage jewelry and watch finds has been so much fun and is certainly a breath of fresh air in contrast to the fast fashion that we encounter every day. We hope you’ve enjoyed our choices, and, as always, we want to hear from you! What kind of jewelry do you enjoy wearing? Do you already own any vintage pieces? If so, share your photos and let us know your preferences on the EcoSalon Facebook page!  

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In the world of sustainable fashion, there’s a lot of choice. Vintage clothing, made in USA, eco-friendly fabrics – what’s the best choice?

When it comes to shopping consciously there are a lot of choices that we can make. We can buy things made from sustainable textiles. We can choose companies that focus on ethical working conditions. We can look for things made locally. We can buy vintage or used. We can choose to not buy things at all.

Which raises the question: if you’re in the market to buy clothes, what should you be buying?

First off, we have to address the question of sustainability in the fashion world. “I think that most consumers aren’t aware of sustainable fashion at all. They go to thrift shops, consignment or vintage and are aware they are getting clothing that is used and probably cheap but not sure they equate that to sustainability,” says fashion writer, consultant and activist Amy DuFault.

What she means is that a lot of us buy used because we know that buying something second hand is inherently more sustainable than something new, but beyond that we don’t ask a lot of questions or know about the sustainability practices of most brands. She cites EILEEN FISHER and Patagonia as leaders in the industry. “These two brands have been around for a long time and have grown both companies with people and planet at the core,” says DuFault.

In a world run by business, it’s imperative that we seek out the ones with good values. Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard is known for citing conservationist David Brower’s quote, “There is no business to be done on a dead planet,” and he’s right.

Bring your clothes back to life

Working in the sustainable fashion world, DuFault herself committed to a fashion fast for 2014, meaning that she’s not buying any new clothing, jewelry or shoes. “I am hoping that I can look a little deeper into WHY I feel the need to have more when I already have plenty, why I think clothing will change me and most importantly, how I can love my current clothing while working with my local tailor and re-designing.”

That gave DuFault the inspiration for The Tailor Project, a collaboration between her and a local tailor Kathryn Hilderbrand. “I’m pretty amazed already at the response from everyone wanting to support it, sending me pictures of local tailors, revamping their own closets, making their own clothes again,” says DuFault. “It’s like a whole new movement and it’s cross-generational, international and fun.”

For DuFault, she puts mended or tailored clothing at the top of her sustainable fashion list; reusing what you have. Along those same lines, thrift and vintage clothing can serve a similar purpose, as “they require no additional material and processing inputs, no additional natural resources used and they engage wearers in a deeper experience of fashion beyond shopping,” says Lynda Grose, a veteran of the fashion industry – she co-founded ESPRIT’s ecollection, which was the first ecologically responsible clothing line developed by a major corporation – and now an Associate Professor at California College of the Arts.

“I buy thrift and vintage because it keeps natural resources circulating around in the economy,” says Grose. “Imagine the resources going into one garment that is sold and disposed of in six months versus resources going into one garment that goes from one to two to three owners and is worn for many years… it’s common sense.”

If you do buy new…

But if we are buying new, what should we be looking for?

“Origin, fiber content, price, washing instructions, and end life,” says sustainable strategist and founder of new Made in USA accelerator program Factory 45 Shannon Whitehead.

Sustainability isn’t just about what an item of clothing is made with or where it comes from; it’s all of those things.

As Whitehead points out, “‘Made in [blank]’ isn’t always an indication of ethical or unethical, which is why it’s just as important to consider the materials, as well as the life cycle of the garment. Ask yourself, ‘Will I wear this once or will it be a staple in my wardrobe for years to come?'”

In a consumer society with plenty of fast fashion options, we’re used to shopping in a disposable manner; a cheap and trendy t-shirt can be worn just a few times and then tossed away. But if you’re looking to shop sustainably you have to think about the pieces that will last.

Price is a good indicator of not only quality – how long is that cheap t-shirt going to hold out for – but also work conditions of the person that made it. “Consumers also have to begin looking at price tags and start seeing a red flag when something seems unusually cheap. If a t-shirt is $4.99, then there is a good chance that someone was exploited in the making of it. Think of the cost that goes into make a t-shirt [materials, labor, shipping, retail cut] and ask yourself what part of the supply chain keeps the profit. Hint: it’s not the garment worker,” says Whitehead.

Just like you may ask about the food your buying, who grew it and where it came from, you should be doing the same with your clothes, which means that you have to get beyond the labels. “If you must buy new, do it selectively: buy grown and sewn in US cotton goods,” says Grose. “Not just Made in US, ask where the fabric and the fiber come from too.”

A simple guide to shopping sustainably

With a complex supply chain, breaking sustainable fashion choices down into a hierarchy is difficult, but if you want a guide to follow, Whitehead has a good list that can be used as a rule of thumb when shopping:

1. Used – meaning low-end thrift shops and consignment

2. Vintage clothing

3. Made in the USA with a transparent supply chain – if you’re an American consumer

4. Made outside of the USA with an ethical supply chain

5. Made in the USA with little transparency

6. Made outside of the USA with little transparency

7. Big corporations and public companies (H&M, Zara, Gap, Forever21, and their parent companies)

But be careful when you are thinking about ethical supply chains. “I’m not talking about H&M’s “Conscious Collection,” says Whitehead. There is just as much, if not more, greenwashing taking place in fashion as in other industries; just because a brand is marketing something as sustainable doesn’t mean that it is.

The bottom line

Want a super simplified guide to conscious fashion? Buy very little, fix what you have, look for used clothes and when you are in the mood for something new, know where your clothing comes from and the people who are making it.

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The post Vintage Clothing, Made in USA or Eco-Friendly: What’s the Best in Sustainable Fashion? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Find spring 2014’s biggest trend on Etsy – play it up in chic sportswear!

The spring 2014 runways saw a revival of ’90s minimalism mixed with fashionable sportswear items that could be suitable for nearly any season. And what better way to rock this sporty trend than by sifting on through Etsy shops offering amazing handmade and vintage items. Get ready to glam your spring wardrobe with sleek leggings, hoodie dresses, modernized varsity jackets and slouchy pants to get your game on.

GEO Women’s Yoga Pant from BELMAICA
Pictured above, these leggings are effortlessly chic, and perfect on or off the mat with their shape-retaining and moisture wicking qualities. Check out BELMAICA’s many other legging designs too!

BI/G Hoodie from ProperFit
Isn’t this hoodie just perfect with the leggings from BELMAICA? We certainly think so. Dress it up with a pair of sky high ankle booties or down with some cute Keds.

Vintage White Lacoste High Waisted Shorts from PaperDarlings
Looking for something warm weather appropriate? These darling, vintage Lacoste shorts are fresh and chic, ideal for your spring break getaway. Wear them with a simple tank top for a relaxed afternoon, or perhaps a game of tennis.

Hooded Dress “Veilchen” from bluetezeitberlin
This hooded dress from German designer Kristin Jacob is stylish, sporty and extremely comfortable. Casual and super easy to wear, this handmade, cotton dress is perfect for work, play and covering up on a chilly Spring night.

Baggy Tribal Print Cotton Pants from persephonevintage
These awesome pants combine two of spring 2014’s coolest trends – slouchy pants and graphic tribal prints. Easy to wear, comfortable and perfect paired with simple tops trendy tribal jewelry – can’t beat that!

Custom Varsity Jacket from clothoo
To really go after this trend, a varsity jacket should be your outerwear gear of choice. We think the custom jackets made by clothoo are pretty amazing, and will most certainly be the most unique version you’ll be able to find.

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Etsy has set up their yearly holiday shop full of awesome handmade and vintage fashion gift ideas, decorations and of course some of the coolest styles for the Christmas season.

We’ve rounded up our favorite Etsy vintage fashion finds from both the handcrafters and vintage experts selling on through the site to give you some holiday wear inspiration. Get these festive digs for your wardrobe or grab them as gifts for friends and family. After all, Christmas comes around every year, so they’ll never go out of style… completely, anyway.

Gangster Wrapper Holiday Ragland T Shirt from TopBananaPhilly

Hand-printed on to an all cotton raglan tee, this awesome holiday slogan shirt is perfect as a white elephant gift to give at your work Christmas party – everyone will want it!

Snowflake necklace from PureRoxJewels

Dainty, delicate and pure, this sterling silver necklace is wonderful as a gift or treat to yourself. Ideal for the whole wintery season and easy to pair with almost any outfit, we love the uniqueness of each snowflake.

Vintage ’50s cocktail dress from BombshellsandBabes

Need a cute dress for holiday parties? This Audrey Hepburn-esque LBD is strikes the perfect chord between festive and sexy, and will be sure to turn heads left and right. The best part is that you wont have to save it for the holiday season since its ideal for any cocktail party.

Vintage Ivory Bead Encrusted Draped Gatsby Style Silk Cocktail Dress from enidandedgar

If the ’50s high waists aren’t your thing, opt for this stunning ’30s style gown and channel Daisy Buchanan’s hair and make-up for that effervescent vintage fashion flapper look.

Navajo ’80s Holiday Christmas Sweater from WELIKEWEIRD

We absolutely love this oversized geometric Navajo print sweater! Perfect for throwing over a pair of leggings for lounging, or donning over a dress to keep stylishly warm.

Christmas leggings from CaliforniaWear

These leggings are super cute and great for your comfy Christmas morning attire. The maker Nina has plenty more patterns to choose from in her shop, so check them out.

Images: Etsy

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 What’s the true price of your wardrobe?

With all the fashion books out there to choose from, it’s hard to see a front runner you should spend your time with. Enter Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline. While Cline has been equated to “the Michael Pollan of fashion,” we put her on the platform of pioneer.

From fashion victim to educated consumer, Cline takes us on a retail journey the likes of which we’ll never walk the same again. We caught up with her recently to see what she had to say about the state of the fashion industry. Here’s what she had to say.

Is there any original fashion out there anymore?
Totally. I think we’re looking for originality in the wrong places though. Fashion trends happen now on a global level, and change
constantly, and ironically we look to clothes bought off the rack at a chain store to make us feel unique. Think about women in the 40s and 50s. Even though they were all wearing a similar style, many of those dresses were one-of-a-kind and reworked from season to season. I think even today customization is the key to making your wardrobe your own. This could mean having shirts altered that you buy off the rack, refashioning pieces in your closet from previous seasons so they feel fresh, lobbing off sleeves, taking up hems, adding or removing embellishments, and dyeing shoes and garments new colors. I bought a gorgeous sleeveless blouse recently from an independent designer. And the first thing I did was take it to a tailor and have the buttons repositioned, so I could wear it open at the top. Now that top feels like it’s mine and a reflection of my style.

There was a part in Overdressed where you mention the American apparel industry might “benefit from copying” with consumer demand and appetite so voracious. What are the implications of a statement like that?

The industry benefits hugely, because trends are essentially copies of a specific style and trends sell clothes. So the industry profits from copies. That said, I think the pace of fashion has become maddening to a growing number of consumers, partially because of rampant copying. Trends are changing too fast, paradigms of style are being recycled too quickly. The whole game of fashion feels arbitrary and pointless now, and on a personal level, it’s frustrating.

Have we become a mentally ill society that we need so much clothing to fill a void or is it just a really unhealthy addiction? Maybe these are the same…

I think the industry has trained us to shop this way. As the fashion industry became more corporate and consolidated, in order to increase their profits, they slowly erased the detail and craftsmanship of clothes and made the materials shoddier as well. They were erasing our collective knowledge of what clothing could be. Now it’s just a label, a price point, and a trend. To our credit, it took consumers several decades to be convinced that they no longer wanted to own beautifully made clothing and to make them forget that $20 does not in any way buy a well-crafted garment.

Do you think thrift shopping is on the rise because people are looking for cheap or are more people understanding the need to reuse?

I think it’s more so because people crave uniqueness in their wardrobes. We live in a world where it’s quite common to see someone else in the exact same top or print that we’re wearing. It is human to feel repulsed by that. I think vintage better satisfies our need for self-expression and to not feel like our individuality is for sale.

You talk about vintage becoming a “rich person’s sport.” Talk about that.

Sure. Basically, the quality of new, store bought mass market clothing is going down. The materials being used are getting thinner and lower grade, the trim like buttons and zippers are lower quality, the sewing is less refined, there are fewer details. All of the things that we love about vintage clothing are basically missing from store-bought clothes today. Because we’re not making a lot of “good” clothing right now, and the good clothing that does exist is insanely overpriced, the vintage market is becoming more overheated and over-picked, which pushes the price of vintage up.

H&M is kicking off a new chain in Europe but at a slightly higher price point. How do you think this will effect the fast fashion shopper?

I’m more concerned with how it’s going to affect independent designers, who are already struggling to produce clothes ethically and in smaller batches and to sell them at a price consumers are willing to pay. H&M distorts consumers price expectations. They’re able to sell clothes priced below their competitors because they’re a huge corporation with thousands of stores. They order their clothes in high, unsustainable volumes, etc. So, I think that whatever price point H&M sells their higher-priced clothes at is in danger of becoming the price consumers think designer/higher-end clothes should be sold for. It becomes the “fair price” in consumer’s minds, which is quite frightening.

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