The Perfect Red Cross-body Bag {Giveaway}

I'm in love, love, love with my new red messenger bag by Angela + Roi (c/o Modavanti). It's that perfect color of poppy red that can work in every season, but it really shines against dark winter and fall coats. Bonus: it's 100% vegan.



I gave it a test drive for a day of shopping last weekend and I really liked how the boxy shape allowed enough room for my camera, make-up, keys and wallet, with plenty of space to spare.



I'm deeply grateful to each and every one of you for joining me in my efforts to build a kinder, more sustainable wardrobe, so I'm pleased to be partnering with sustainable retailer Modavanti to give away one of these beautiful, bright, cheery bags to one lucky winner. It's my own small way of saying "thank you."



Of course, if you have to have the bag right now, you can order one from Modavanti, and be sure to take 15% off of your total purchase with code MYFAIRVANITY. 

You can also feel good about your purchase: for each bag they sell, Angela + Roi donates $5 to a worthy cause. In the case of their red bags, for example, $5 from the purchase of each one will support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wearing a consigned coat and cashmere sweater dress with AGL brogues and an Angela + Roi vegan cross-body bag. 

Photography by Victoria Corkhill.

Sustainable Splurge Alert: Trina Turk & Suno Sale

Suno is a line that grew from founder Max Osterweis' and designer Erin Beatty's idea that great fashion could sustain positive growth in developing countries. I found an interview in New York Magazine with their head of production, Nadiyah Bradshaw-Spencer, and I liked what she had to say about what "ethical" production means to her, and to Suno:

You said it's ethical. That's something we hear about often now.
All the time. Meaning how [the workers] are sitting. How it's not a sweatshop. There are fans in the room. There are ACs in the room. They're not sitting on top of one another. There's not water dripping on the walls, and slime, and people with their heads down. For Suno, "ethical" means I can sit, as head of production, at a sewing table and sew a garment and feel like I am comfortable. That's what it means for us.

It's refreshing to hear this kind of thinking, and I wish more fashion company employees could practice the simple act of treating others as they would like to be treated. Ethical fashion doesn't have to be complicated, and it begins with awareness and intent. Suno takes other steps as well, such as regular factory visits that build strong relationships, and hiring staff in-country whose job it is to ensure the quality of the work and the working conditions.

I'm kind of hypnotized by the highly structured, short-sleeved, high-low shirt above. I want to tuck it into high-waisted black skinny jeans and studded ankle boots, then hop on the motorcycle I would never ever own and drive into the sunset.

Up next are some affordable basics from Ms. Trina Turk.

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Trina Turk is having a HUGE 60% off sale right now, and I rounded up the the basic blacks that we all need to build into our wardrobe. We have a little black dress, a jumpsuit, a statement skirt, and conservative dress for work, and pajama-style track pants, and each piece is made in sunny California.

Below, I've put together a few more of the sale highlights for you to shop, and just FYI that easy jumpsuit is $91.

Chunky Knit Sweaters for Fall {eco-friendly, vintage, and organic}

There's nothing like pulling on an oversize knit sweater on a cool fall day. I especially love when ithe temperature is low enough to wear my biggest, fuzziest sweater, but not quite cold enough that I need a jacket.

While they are definitely having a trendy moment, I'm confident that big, soft, well-made sweaters will never go out of style. I'm still on a menswear kick, so right now I've been pairing mine with rolled up boyfriend jeans and patent oxfords. The bangles I'm wearing are by Mango Tree Bangles. They're hand-carved and hand-painted, and the mango trees are only cut down when they can no longer bear fruit.

In my humble opinion, the key to pulling off a big sweater is big hair, especially if there is a turtleneck, or you risk looking like you have a teeny tiny head. In order to avoid tiny head syndrome, I usually pile my hair up in a giant, messy bun. 



If you don't have a giant knit sweater but are currently in the market, Etsy is a great resource. They have plenty of handmade, vintage, and even made-to-order styles.



The red ($40), grey ($260) and navy ($425) sweaters are all handmade from Etsy, but the fair isle patterned sweater ($175) is made under fair labor conditions by Komodo, a sustainable apparel brand based out of the U.K.  Komodo uses merino wool is from non-mulesed live stock. Their wool garments are often hand-knitted and always hand-finished.

You can stay on-trend, eco-friendly and on budget with the two vintage options below, both of which are under $40. In creamy white mohair and a navy/black mix, they provide the perfect neutral palette to pull off this easy, comfy trend. 




Shop more eco-friendly ways to get the look from todays post:

***Linked up to IFB's Sweater Girls Project #118