Vine.com Launches, But Fashion-lovers Shouldn't Get Too Excited (Yet)

Vine.com is a new eco-commerce site owned by Amazon and catering to us fair-minded folk. In fact, their qualifications for product inclusion are similar to those here at Fair Vanity.  Like Amazon, they carry much more than just apparel, offering everything from beauty products to pet food to sports equipment.

You can read the full details of what types of products they carry and why on Vine.com, but essentially, products must be:

An Ode to the Classic White Tee

There are infinite ways to wear a white t-shirt, but I've limited this post to three different looks that I'd like to try this fall. The first look incorporates the abstract graphic prints we've seen coming down the runways for the last few seasons with a stunning African print pencil skirt. An edgey cuff and earrings complete the look.
 

• White t-shirt (used throughout) is made using fair labor standards
• Earrings are fair trade and made sustainably from discarded camel bone.
• Pencil skirt is fair trade
• Cuff is fair trade and made from recycled brass
• Booties are vegan

This next look is my version of polished (with an edge).  The necklace and shoes guarantee you'll look prim and proper in spite of the lipstick red jeans, especially if you button up the blazer. Add a statement ring and you're good to go.

• Necklace is vintage from Etsy and only seven bucks!
• Ring is handmade of sustainable materials using fair labor from East Africa.
• Jeans are made in the USA
• Blazer is made in the USA

No prepster (prep + hipster?) should ever be without their trusty white t-shirt, right? This last look is inspired by the floral embroidered pieces I keep seeing from Balmain, Dolce + Gabbanna, and many others this season. In keeping with my promise, I can't link to examples because none of them incorporate the fair elements of style, but those awesome shoes are 100% vegan and much more affordable, anyway.

• Wolf ring is made of recycled gold in the USA
• Blazer is vintage from Etsy
• Necklace is fair trade and made of recycled brass
• Trousers are made in the USA
• Hat is fair trade by Pachacuti
• Shoes are vegan 

What's your favorite way to wear a white t-shirt? 

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American Woman

Is there anything more American than a white t-shirt and blue jeans?

DMV Fall Festivals 2012: My Fair Recommendations

There are several fairs and festivals coming up in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, so I've put together a collection of local happenings about which I am particularly jazzed. I'd also love to hear what's going on in your town, so feel free to leave details about all of the cool festivals in your city in the comments, my fair friends.

7 Reasons You Should Never Miss a Local Festival, or, Happy Belated Adams Morgan Day!

Reason #1 
It's nice to walk around outside.

Reason #2 
You can buy a painting of your pretty city made by a member of your pretty city.



Reason #3
Some local artisans do not have web sites. You have to go to their physical stores or their booths to look at, try on and buy their cool stuff. For example, I got a ring made out of a key, but I can't give you a link showing how to buy it.



Reason #4
Kettle corn, cotton candy, and drink containers made of large, tropical fruits.



Reason #5
An enterprising young man could write you a poem on his typewriter if you give him a few dollars. In your city, someone may juggle, or eat fire, or sing you a song. Just like that!



Reason #6
You might see a beautiful painting that inspires you to take up needlepoint.  Ms. Jaime Langhoff's artwork blew my mind and lucky for you, dear reader, she is on Etsy...and she upcycles!






Reason #7
You are a lovely person and many people would like to meet you. Go forth, shop local and be Fair.

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Tuesday Trend: Baroque and Brocade

• Clutch is 1960s vintage from Bellissima Vintages on Etsy (only $21.50!)
• Jeans are made in the USA by J Brand.
• Shoes and heels are vintage Life Stride and there is actually more than one version of this same combo in various vintage Etsy shops-- a search for "vintage brocade pumps" is worth it, I promise.
• Ring is handcrafted from recycled 14k gold with black onyx and pearl details. Available from Fernando Jewelry on Etsy.

I'm loving the Baroque look that has been in all of the fall fashion spreads, and lucky for us, it's easy to achieve while remaining fair and kind. The brocade velvet jeans by J Brand are by far my favorite way to wear the trend-- they have officially been added to my list of fall must-haves (and must-save-fors). I tried on a pair during Fashion's Night Out in Georgetown last week, and was amazed to discover that up close, they really are jeans with velvet magically lasered on, and they are super stretchy and comfortable.







Lastly, if you're not into crazy pants and looking for subtler ways to wear this trend, Etsy has an endless supply of options worth exploring.

• Antique/vintage Baroque drop earrings, possibly 19th century, available from Artifact Vintage on Etsy. 
• Vintage Weiss pearl and rhinestone drop earrings from All You Want is Here Today on Etsy. 
• Pumps are vintage 80s available from Etsy.
• Fabric Wrapped Jewelry Box With Wood Trim, vintage 1970's, Made In Italy and available from Turner Vintage on Etsy.

 

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Fashion's Night Out in Georgetown

Two patterned pretties: Mona Lavinia and Waverly of Pich & Roor

Last Thursday I checked out Fashion's Night Out in Georgetown and it was pretty darn cool. I ran into a few new friends, ate several mini cupcakes (thank you DC Scout and CUSP!), drank free bubbly, and sweated my way through the Brightest Young Things takeover of Dean and Deluca, but the most exciting moment of the evening (for me) was discovering a new label to add to my made in the USA collection:

Fair Vanity Style Index

This is a screenshot of the little project I've been working on. I have always really liked Jessica Quirk's gallery on What I Wore because it makes it so easy to find a post or an outfit I'm looking for-- I never remember the name of a post, only what I saw, which is why her index is so genius.

My gallery is accessible via the toolbar at the top of every page, so you can always flip back to something you're looking for. I'm thinking about making a similar gallery for the non-outfit posts (collections, trends, sale round-ups) as well. Please let me know in the comments if that would be useful for you.

In the meantime, head on over to the new gallery and check it out!

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One Shirt, 3 Ways

This shirt has been the star of my summer, and well worth the $30 I paid for it. I thought I was buying something kind of silly (crochet? see-through?) until I realized that its length and its built-in air conditioning made it a key staple for the humid city, breezy beaches, and even for layering over dresses when I was visiting friends farther north.

This post is also a preview for a little project I have in the works for this weekend, so stay tuned...

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Wednesday Wants: If I Weren't Baroque...

Love, love, love these brocade pumps by Jason Wu. They are the perfect fall/winter staple, and as we learned on Labor Day, Jason Wu designs and produces his lines in the USA.

I would wear these babies with everything from jeans to LBDs to pencil skirts-- they look busy, but I know I could pair them with almost anything...except my budget. If you can afford them, get thee to Net-A-Porter and snap them up!

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A {Fair}well to Summer

Happy Labor Day from Fair Vanity

Happy Labor Day, friends!

The best way to celebrate Labor Day-- or any American holiday--is to buy goods that were Made in the USA. I'm taking my own advice by sporting one of my favorite made in the USA  tunics from Staring at Stars (purchased used from Secondi)...you'll see more of it very soon, so stay tuned.

If you're not sure where to start on your Quest for Made in the USA, may I recommend:

• This group pinterest collection (you can contribute!) and my own collection "USA! USA! USA!"
• My previous 4th of July posts (HERE and HERE) on made in America goodness
• This list of eight designers who choose to design and produce their luxe lines in the USA (via Ecouterre): 
• J Brand
• Nanette Lepore
• Nicole Miller
• Rag & Bone
• Oscar de la Renta 
• Lela Rose
• The Row
• Jason Wu

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Fall Essentials: Part 1