SNOBSWAP is a an online space where customers can shop or swap. Anytime you shop at your favorite online consignment site, you're making an eco-friendly choice to reuse and recycle, but in this round-up I'm highlighting a few of my SNOBSWAP favorites for fall that are not only second-hand, but "fair," so purchasing any of these items is basically like earning double eco-points. ;)
The boots, coat, bag and heels pictured are vegan and made by Stella McCartney, a company that makes extensive efforts to be eco-friendly and sustainable. Stella McCartney herself is a strict vegetarian that never uses leather or fur in her designs, but she also takes a more holistic approach, stating that "sustainability isn’t just one thing, it isn’t just organic cotton – it’s organic cotton, plus wind energy, plus not using PVC, plus thousands of other little steps that eventually make a more sustainable company." Her philosophy is reflected in the fact that all Stella McCartney stores, offices and studios in the UK are powered by wind energy that is provided by Ecotricity, a company that invests the money its customers spend on electricity into clean forms of power like wind. Outside the UK, the brand uses renewable energy to power their stores and offices whenever possible.
I'm also pleased to share that the bodycon black dress is made by Proenza Schouler, the black lace dress is by Shoshanna, the gold sequin number is by Nanette Lepore, all of which manufacture most of their dresses in the good ole' USA. While it's certainly patriotic to buy goods that are made in America (you are supporting American jobs!), it also guarantees that your item isn't traveling overseas to get to you, and that the people who made it are being paid at least a minimum wage in a space that is regulated by U.S. safety codes. There are fewer and fewer designers who choose to keep their manufacturing processes stateside, and even those labels mix in some "imported" tags with the ones that say made in the USA, so I try to support the designers who are making an effort, like the ones above.
One of the best things you can do whenever you're shopping in a physical store is to politely ask the manager to direct you to any brands or items that are made in the USA, fair trade, or that incorporate sustainable materials. Even if they don't know, you've planted a seed by asking the question, and they might think twice about how they decide to stock the next season of inventory. I call it "activist shopping," and I encourage you to try it out.
Happy shopping!
Don't forget: you can shop all of my favorite, fair items
