Black Jeans, Red Flats, Baby Bump {Easy Maternity Style}

This little leather jacket of mine is going to propel me right through fall, I can tell. It just makes everything work, and when you have a ginormous 8 months pregnant belly to deal with, that's pretty impressive.

Here I'm wearing secondhand everything except for the jeans, which are my faves, the Verdugo Ultra Skinny by Paige Denim in Black Dahlia.  They're made in the USA and super comfy. You can find a bunch of different washes at Piperlime and Bloomingdale's, and I love these dark green ones!

The shoes are from Reddz Trading, the sweater is from Ebay, and the jacket is from Secondi.



Full disclosure: these jeans are totally not buttoned, and I was wearing them while on my way to purchase (finally) some black maternity jeans that I could button. I held out for far too long on the maternity jeans thing, and now that I have a few pairs, I feel like I have been torturing myself out of sheer laziness, and it was not worth it.



I'm also wearing a 100% cotton, hand-loomed scarf that I acquired during my trip to Turkey-- I found a fair option for you in the "shop the look" below, but nothing could really match this beautiful, warm and oversize specimen of a scarf/sarong. It's actually the size of a beach towel and perfect for both sand and sun, winter wear, and long flights. It's my new security blanket, basically.





Shop the look (fairly):

Find more of my ethical fall faves on Pinterest!

Secondhand Score: Cut25 Leather Jacket (made in the USA)

WEARING: Secondhand leather jacket, Cut25 by Yigal Azroel (made in the USA); JBrand Jeans (made in the USA); AGL patent oxfords (made in Italy). PHOTOGRAPHY: Victoria Corkhill











I found this beautiful Cut25 leather jacket second-hand, and was delighted to see that it was also made in the USA. The colors are perfect for spring, along with the fact that it doesn't zip or button. This is another piece I've been waiting and waiting to wear, and I was so happy to have nice weather the other weekend so I could finally sport it!

My favorite part is for sure the cut-out material sections in the back and under the arms, which look very sci-fi to me. Tune in later this week for a collection of fairly made spring jackets for your thoughtful consideration.


But for now:

The Merits of Monochromatic Dressing {Winter Style Formula}

WEARING: Paige Verdugo Ultra Skinny Jeans (made in USA); Second-hand sweater and heels from Secondi (similar vegan, handmade heels HERE and HERE); Scarf stolen borrowed from huzzband. PHOTOGRAPHY: Victoria Corkhill













Last weekend, I threw on a second-hand sweater and heels with my new jeans from Paige Denim, which, by the way, I LOVE. They're made in the USA, super stretchy, on sale, and super comfy with a perfect fit. Huge win.

One of the easiest ways to build a sustainable, timeless wardrobe is to be comfortable with monochromatic dressing. Wearing one color is also the easiest way to look "pulled-together" with very little thought or effort when you're in a rush. Whether you choose black, grey, camel, etc., you will look neat and polished with very little accessorizing, and you can throw in a contrasting shoe for more visual interest.

Special tip: stand around near a contrasting monochromatic building, such as NW DC's Masonic Temple, for added effect. ;)

Shop organic, made in the USA and otherwise eco-friendly ways to get this look:

Follow along with me on Pinterest 

for ongoing updates on my favorite eco-friendly finds.

Winter Style Formula: Distressed Denim Skinny Jeans, Big Fuzzy Sweater, Oxfords

WEARING vintage fisherman sweater by Shopklad on Etsy (several similar HERE); JBrand Jeans (similar HERE);  Shoes by AGL (similar HERE in metallic) PHOTOGRAPHY by Victoria Corkhill. 

Given the arctic conditions we endure here in DC, I have been living in my new (but old) vintage fisherman sweater. You might see 10 more ways to wear a giant warm sweater over the next month here on My Fair Vanity, and I apologize to any readers living in warmer climates, but it is really, really cold here. Like, really cold. And, 10,000 ways to wear one item is pretty green, amiright? So far I've only done three ways to wear an item in one post (three ways to wear plaid!), but the sky is the limit now, folks.

The shoes are my AGL patent oxfords that I found this summer. Email exchanges with the company told me that they are a third-generation family-owned business, and that they still use the same factory in Italy to make their shoes that they did when the brand launched. I can tell from wearing them that these shoes are comfy, well-made, and will last for years, which is very important to me bc I'm doing my best to build a wardrobe that is not only ethical but also free of disposable 'fast fashion.' I'm always on the lookout for another pair of AGLs and these metallic ones are verrrry tempting...

I found my J Brand Jeans used on Ebay after scouring the interwebs for some skinny, distressed denim that was made in the USA. So below, I've put together the results of my search for you to shop. Note: many of these jeans are deeply discounted and/or last pairs, so click fast if it's your size.

Ebay Outfit Round-up: Skinny Jeans, Ankle Boots, Fisherman Sweater

Yesterday, I promised you a little Ebay round-up, and I'm happy to report I've got some sweet finds for you in a variety of sizes.  From pre-owned Lanvin and Marni ankle boots to an assortment of Rag and Bone jeans, there are shoes and skinny jeans for all at way below retail and even sale prices in some cases. You can click on the photo above or HERE to be taken to the full Ebay collection.

And what would jeggings and ankle boots be without a giant fisherman sweater? Hmm? They would be nothing. I've been obsessing a little bit about fisherman sweaters (which totally count in my New Year's Shopping Needs as a neutral sweater!), so I wanted to share some of my faves with you. Each one of these sweaters are either vintage or pre-owned, and most are made in Scotland or England of 100% wool. You can see the collection HERE or by clicking the photo, as above. 

Follow me on Pinterest for more ethical style finds. 

Summer Sales {Shop by Color}

Bags are fair trade from Ethica; White shirtdress is made in the USA by Thakoon; Shirt is made by hand in the USA using eco-friendly dyes and fabrics by Upstate

Shoes are handmade in Marrakech using a direct trade relationship, exclusive to Anthom; Shorts are fair trade from One Mango Tree; Color-block sheath dress in made in the USA by Lela Rose

Oxfords are fair trade by Ten & Co. from Anthom; American Apparel red bikini is $6 per piece!; Miista sandals are fair trade; Necklace is handmade using salvaged glass, stones and metals and fair labor standards

Each item above is from one of my favorite labels that are kind to the earth and the people on it, and each and every item is on major summer sale! Enjoy.  

xo

 

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glass, stones and metals

Workin 9 to 5

One of the greenest things you can do is stock up on basics and neutrals: nude, grey, black. When you buy something in any of these colors, from blouses to skirts to bracelets, you can rest assured they will work throughout all four seasons and never go out of style.

Bonus: wearing neutrals gives you an excuse to wear red lipstick. Not that you ever need an excuse.

The mauve shoes, Alternative Apparel shirt, both black cuffs, and the vintage pearl clutch were all purchased second-hand from Secondi. The lipstick is by Radiant Cosmetics, a very kind company that donates a portion of its profits to fight human trafficking.


P.S. I was so pleased to see IFB's project this week: What Does Sustainable Style Mean to You? While that's a topic I explore with each and every post here on My Fair Vanity, I encourage you to submit your own ideas to IFB! :)

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Some winter faves as we spring ahead

In the Navy

Pattern Play

Winter Tweed

Back to Black {and White}

As we (finally) spring ahead to warmer weather, I thought we could take a look back at some of my favorite winter looks.

Two questions for you, my fair friends:

1. Do you have any favorites I missed? 
2. What would you like to see more of on My Fair Vanity?

Back to Black {and White}

J Crew Coat, vegan Stella McCartney boots, clutch, and enamel bangle are second-hand from Secondi; nude-colored cotton shirt is from Alternative Apparel. Photography is by Victoria Corkhill.


There was a lot of black, white and nude coming down the Spring 2013 runways from Jason Wu, Stella McCartney and The Row, and it inspired me to get back to the basics.

Black and white is so easy, and my spring resolution is to stock up on crisp white shirts and warm camel or nude pullovers. These are staples that will never go out of style and can adapt easily to the seasons as they change, while also creating a neutral palette for the bright lips and neon accessories that seems to be holding strong as trends.

I am more than ready for spring, so I had bust out the white jeans. What do you think about white jeans for winter?





Spring 2013 RTW from The Row, Jason Wu, and Stella McCartney, all via Style.com. 
*Jason Wu and The Row manufacture in the U.S., and Stella McCartney is vegan and eco-conscious in her sourcing.

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Update: I've submitted this post to IFB's Project #109 on Black and White :)

Red Letter Day

For whatever reason, I have been on a huge neutrals kick, which is why I am so glad to have my Flamenco red lipstick from Radiant Cosmetics. I love to pair bright lipsticks with boyish or androgynous looks (please pardon the mug, I was having my morning tea, and we just went with it).

With it, I'm wearing a sweater that was gifted to me by a friend (similar cashmere version HERE), a vintage clutch from Secondi (exact same one HERE), a silk-collared shirt (similar HERE), jeans and neutral heels (similar but even more awesome cork ones HERE).

I've also been really into black nails lately. They feel so clean and classic, as opposed to gothic. What do you think? Would you rock black nails at work? On weekends? Ever? 

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