Shop My Secondhand Look for 20% off at the Real Real with code GETAWAY

I recently posted about how I'm transitioning summer shift dresses for fall, and since my entire outfit was secondhand from local retailer Secondi, I put together a way that anyone can get the look, regardless of whether they happen to live near northwest DC. I give you, The RealReal.

The RealReal is a nifty little online consignment space I've recently discovered, and they just so happen to be having a Columbus Day 20% off promo with code GETAWAY, so now is a great time to check them out. But I literally mean now because the promotion ends this evening-- sorry!

You can shop the items above and below by clicking on them, btw. There are ankle boots and a dress from Rag and Bone and a leather moto jacket by JBrand that I think is the jam.

Find more of my ethical fall faves on Pinterest!

Spring 2014 Trend: Pastels {Eco-friendly and Made in the USA}

Pastels are here to stay, and there are a few eco-friendly options that I have my eye on for spring.  And now, you can click on each item for purchase details, or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas of how to incorporate this trend fairly and ethically.

Clockwise from top left: 
Pink trousers are made in the USA by Rag & Bone; Jeans are made in the USA by JBrandJeans; bag is handmade in NYC by Chiyome for Of a Kind; Ombre sweatshirt is made using ethical labor practices by Alternative Apparel; Blue dress is made in the USA by Rag & Bone; three-free made in the USA polish by butter; blue t-shirt is made using ethical labor practices by Alternative Apparel; boots are made using fair labor in Spain by Miista; the candle is made in the USA using coconut wax by Voluspa.

{Style Formula} Strappy Givenchy Heels, Jeans, Sweater

 Wearing: borrowed sweater, consigned JCrew coat, second-hand Givenchy heels, and Rag and Bone "The Plush Legging" jeans. <---Soooo soft and comfy.  See this post for more fair jeans options.

Although I love fancy heels, my favorite way to wear them isn't with party dresses, but jeans and a very basic shirt (button down, t-shirt, sweater) in a neutral hue. I like to put the focus on the shoes, but it's also just a really easy, simple way to dress. Looking back, I can see that it's a formula I go back to again and again:  HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, for example.



I got these Givenchy heels used (second-hand) for a song and I have to be honest-- I had no specific plan for them, I just loved them. I'm not usually a gold heels type of person, but the rose gold is little softer, and I like the architectural, modern detail of the half-moon thingie on the heel. I even thought I would re-sell them this spring on Ebay, but now that I've tried em out, I'm not so sure. Sorry folks.



I realize they are a bit impractical for the cold weather...or, like, walking, but it warmed up very slightly this past weekend, and they do work for an evening spent in taxis and standing/sitting at a bar.



When Victoria and I zipped out to the Memorial Bridge to check out the sunset, I discovered that I can even walk (very short) distances in them with no problem. Boom. ;)



And just to clear the ethical air: to my knowledge, there is nothing fair or sustainable about Givenchy's manufacturing processes or their shoes, with the exception of the possibility that they are very well-made and thus made to last. I will look more into that and update this post if I learn something to the contrary.

With that said, my purchase does exemplify a type of shopping that I do think is ethical, and that is second-hand or consignment purchases. Although the majority of my second-hand purchases are made in the USA, organic, or fair trade pieces, I have a weakness for a few favorite edgy, high-end designers, and this is how I get my fix. I'll be honest and say that it's not ideal to broadcast these brands by wearing them, but this is the middle ground I'm comfortable occupying. For now.

Last but not least, all of this secondhand shoe love got me thinking that I haven't done an Ebay round-up for you all in a while. Tune in tomorrow to see my favorite second-hand deals and steals (in various sizes) from Ebay, and perhaps from a few other consignment sites.

Photography (technically Iphone-ography) by Victoria Corkhill. 

Follow me on Pinterest for more ethical style shopping finds.

The Perfect Pair of Black Skinny Jeans {New Year's Resolution Shopping}

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to focus not only on the ethics of my purchases, but on the size and wearability of my wardrobe. 2014 will be the Year of the Great Purge at Chez Fair Vanity, and my closet is no exception. It's much easier (and less stressful) to get dressed every day when we have less choices to make, not more, so I'm aiming for lean and mean in 2014. You can use that. 

One way that I'm keeping myself on the straight and narrow is to keep a list of the items I need, which is vastly different than the items I want. I keep the list updated on my iPhone so that at any time of shopping temptation, such as amazing sales, souvenir shopping, etc., I can refer back to my list and stay focused on finding something that I need, and really have fun investing in the best version of it that I can find, both morally and aesthetically. Essentially, I want to fill my closet with items that I absolutely love and that I want to wear all the time.  I am taking a vow not to purchase anything that I feel the least bit unsure about. Not. One. Thing.

My current list includes neutral sweaters, black jeans, dark wash jeans, button-down shirts in neutrals like white, navy, and taupe (in silk or cotton), black chelsea boots, and black leather sandals (not needed till summer, but I'm on the hunt). Clearly my wardrobe is missing some key basics. And I like black.

I'm thinking that this strategy will allow me to stick closer to a monthly shopping budget as well, since sometimes, I simply will not be able to match anything at a sale or at my favorite consignment store with my needs list, and that's ok. That just means I will have more money to spend during the next month when I find that perfect pair of shoes or the perfect jeans. Which brings me, finally, to the subject of today's post: the hunt for the perfect pair of black jeans. 

Since I invariably find a few more fun items to choose from when I'm browsing, you'll find a bit more than jeans in my round up of finds from the latest ShopBop sale, but here are the items that caught my eye (nothing wrong with window shopping!). All of these pieces are made in the USA, and each one is between 30% and 50% off. Enjoy!

***If you'd like to shop more of my favorite, fair picks, check 'em out HERE!

Nordstrom Half-Year Sale Round-up: coated denim, smoking slippers and more

Nordstrom is having their half-year sale, and I see a lot of investment pieecs,  staples and a few trendier items that should be on your radar. The coat is expensive (and beautiful--admit it!), but there are some steals in this round-up as well, such as dressy track pants by WAYF for $29 and a graphic houndstooth sweatshirt by Bobeau for $32.

Scroll on through, and shop with a clear conscience-- each selection is made in the USA :)


Psst....have you entered my bag giveaway yet? It's pretty sweet and you can submit extra entries once a day.

Black and White and Vintage

Right now I'm loving the look of a vintage tee, white jeans and ankle boots for spring. You can keep the look clean with a tailored jacket or keep it tough with a leather jacket, it's up to you, but by all means, keep it fair.

T-shirts are are vintage from Etsy:  

Commes des Garcons / Mickey Mouse / Rolling Stones

White Jeans are all made in the USA by

Rag and Bone / A.N.D. clothing / J Brand / Current/Elliott 

Ankle boots are all pre-owned from Ebay:

Ralph Lauren size 8.5 / Born size 7 / Marc Jacobs size 9 / Doc Martens size 8

Jeffrey Campbell size  6 / Clarks size 6

P.S. Apologies for the radio silence, guys! Between the show and the flu, things have been crazed. I miss you!

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Pattern Play

I've developed a pretty serious obsession with patterned pants-- jeans, slacks, leggings, it doesn't matter to me, I love them! And one thing I love about wearing nice jeans is how surprisingly versatile they can be. In each of these looks, for example, the only thing I changed was my shoes, and the whole look changes from day to night, doncha think?

If you haven't yet taken the plunge into pattern play, I strongly recommend it. The ones I'm wearing are by JBrand Jeans and I got them for a song during the Spicy Candy DC event at South Moon Under (scroll down to find me). Below, I've assembled a few fair options for you to experiment with, most of which are on sale right now for 50% off, so check 'em out! Each pair is made in the USA.






From left to right:

• Current/Elliott $268
• Paige Denim, on sale for $94.50
• Nanette Lepore, on sale for $196
• Rag & Bone, on sale for $93.50

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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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