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. 

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{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. 

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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!

Sustainable Sale Alert: Ace and Jig at Of a Kind

It didn't even take me a full day to cave when I heard that every item in the Ace and Jig collection for Of a Kind was on sale for 40% off. My dear sister-in-law informed me this afternoon and it was all over. But in the words of Edith Piaf, je ne le regret rien!

In fact, the only thing I do regret is how small my post-Christmas shopping budget is, or I would have snatched up all three of these instead of just one. Instead, I focused on my wardrobe needs (not wants) and invested in the classic shirt on the right.

Collared button-downs are on my "needs" list, and this chambray-esque one can be paired with black cardigans and sweaters in the winter, jeans in spring, and pretty much anything in the summer. I mean, you know how I prefer not to wear pants in balmy weather, if at all possible, and this shirt certainly fits my swimsuit cover up needs.

The shirt is on sale for $114, which might seem steep, but I know that it's made to last, so I'm thinking my cost per wear will be down to $5 by the first few weeks of pool season and neglible by the end of the year. 

You last saw me sport Ace and Jig in this post, in which I shared that their custom-woven, super soft fabrics are made in India under fair labor conditions in a very small factory. Learn more about the factory owner, his rainwater recycling system, and just how fair the labor conditions are HERE.

If you're tantalized by the proposition of scads of soft, comfortable, kind clothing at 40% off, check out the rest at Of a Kind.

Pictured L to R:

• Box Pleat Mini in Macinac (It's assymetric and plaid!)
• Bazaar pant in Nile (Perfect for lounging, but snappy enough for brunch)
• Button Up in Indigo Twist (Mine!)

Update 1/8/14!
You can grab even more of Ace and Jig's stuff over at Ethica for 40% off by using code NEWYEAR.

Shop more of my ethical fashion faves HERE :)