My Favorite Sustainable Brands
Just in time for Earth Day.
With Earth Day just around the corner (tomorrow to be exact), I thought it was the perfect time to talk about my favorite sustainable brands. I've been making a conscious effort to pare down my wardrobe and makeup bag to the essentials, choosing quality over trendy details and a low price tag. In part, I've been gravitating towards designers that use sustainable materials and organic, natural ingredients. Whether it's the fabric they use, factory practices, or low-waste packaging, I'm doing the best I can to not contribute to the problem.
The good news is that the options these days abound. Here I rounded up some of my favorite sustainable brands and my top picks:
Reformation
Everlane
Mara Hoffman
Stella McCartney
Levi's
Earth Tu Face
Rahua
Tata Harper
Another tip? Buying vintage or pre-owned is also a great way to cut down on your consumption. I often find really cool, one-of-a-kind accessories and home decor at local thrift and consignment stores.
What are your favorite sustainable and ethical brands?
Best Bet: Straw Hats
Straw hats for every budget.
If there's one thing that can elevate a Spring outfit, it's a straw hat.
Over the years I've accumulated quite the collection. Janessa Leone is one of my favorite designers—and that's because she just gets it. She has a carefully curated selection of classic toppers with chic, of-the-moment details. The moment you put one on, you feel instantly cooler. I'm dying to check out her Los Angeles showroom, The Edit, but until then, I shop her selection online. I find them to be true-to-size, but measure the circumference of your head for the best fit.
Other brands I love include Rag and Bone, Indego Africa and Hat Attack. But my best tip? I often hit up the Goodwill or vintage stores to find lived-in, one-of-a-kind pieces that I use in our home decor. Most beach towns will have some good ones to choose from.
Sweater Weather
I have a thing for hunting down knits that make a statement, so I thought I would share a handful that I’ve added to my list. There’s nothing quite like being wrapped up in something cozy, is there?
I hope you're all having a wonderful week! I am so tired from all of the fun, but I'm excited for the weekend. We had a lot going on this week, so I'm excited to kick back and relax with my feet up and enjoy this wonderful Southern weather.
It might seem strange that I'm posting about sweaters after a week of 90 degree weather, but hey! It’s almost fall, so why not start stocking up on the good stuff? Sweaters are a staple in my closet, they’re the key to the cool months and for braving chilly office temps.
I have a thing for hunting down knits that make a statement, so I thought I would share a handful that I’ve added to my list. There’s nothing quite like being wrapped up in something cozy, is there?
I picked up a couple recently to kick off my collection this year, that I can see myself mixing and matching with multiple outfits. I like to invest in 3-5 sweaters every season that are classic and I know will stand the test of time. I don’t bother with anything cheap, because I feel like the quality really shows in sweaters. Pilling is never a good look. My favorite places to look for quality, investment pieces are Net-a-Porter, Everlane, Jenni Kayne, Need Supply, Cuyana and, surprisingly, Zara. You can also find some amazing wool pieces at your local thrift store!
Shop my favorite classic sweater styles (plus a few on-trend) below:
How to Transition Your Straw Accessories Well into Fall
My favorite rattan and straw accessories for endless Summer vibes.
And like that, Summer is over—for most of us anyway. Down in Charleston, we're still enjoying a few late sunsets and endless beach days.
I will say, however, it did feel like this season went by in the blink of an eye. Admittedly, I’m excited to get out my fall favorites—ankle boots, denim jackets and start stocking up on cozy blankets and textiles for the home. But I’m still trying to get some last-minute wear out of my new Summer pieces while I still can.
I recently got a pair of gorgeous rattan slides from Carrie Forbes and I haven’t been able to stop wearing them since. They're the perfect accent to my end-of-summer outfits and looks good with anything, even more structured pieces. It's spurred somewhat of a straw and rattan addiction. I keep spotting woven pieces on Pinterest and while I'm out shopping. I just can’t help myself—I even want to start introducing some rattan into the home!
From hats for you to baskets for your home, I’ve rounded up some of my favorites here.
The List: 5 Trends I’m Most Excited About For Fall
The five trends I'm most excited for this season.
Fall clothes are something I look forward to each year. Even though I'm no longer in school, the season always feels like a time to experiment and reinvent my style. I love chunky knits, perfectly worn-in denim and a solid pair of leather boots. This year, I’m more excited for the shift than ever before. Living in Charleston, our Fall season pretty much extends until Spring. I'm excited to wear my layers without having to hide underneath bulky coats and gloves.
I'm usually one to lean towards neutrals, but for some reason I'm all about color and pattern this fall. I love a pop of cherry red against tan or white. It gives your outfit a punch and personality.
Here are some of the trends I'm most excited to wear this season:
1. Mules—A good slide can make even the most basic outfit feel fresh and fashion-forward. I'm loving a good menswear inspired mule. So chic when paired with a feminine and flirty mini skirt.
2. Updated Basics—Blazers, plaid, a cashmere tee... I'm all about elevating the everyday basics this season.
3. Florals—I love a good floral for Fall. I'm especially into rich, deep colors and shades that pair equally well with worn in denim.
4. Silk—There's something about silk that feels so elevated and luxe. To me, it screams Fall. I can't wear to layer silk tops with chunky knit sweaters. Something about the juxtaposition of the materials is so cool and effortless.
5. Rounded Details—Give me all the rounded handle bags and buckles. I'm seriously crushing on all things round this season, bonus points when paired with this season's other trend, polka dots, for maximum impact.
What are you most excited to wear this fall? Browse all my favorites in the shop!
On My List
Right now, I'm gravitating towards jewel-toned pieces mixed in with neutral tones and materials.
With Summer coming to a close, I've been feeling a bit bored with my wardrobe. The Charleston heat isn't for the faint of heart and I've been living in cut offs and tees to stay cool. What I'm looking forward to most is the Indian Summer that seems to last well into Winter. That means I can get much more wear out of my favorite pieces, from statement blouses to open-toed shoes.
Right now, I'm gravitating towards jewel-toned pieces mixed in with neutral tones and materials. Pieces that stand out, but are still classic if you know what I mean.
Shop the Post
01. Blouse―Ulla Johnson / 02. Sandals―Ganni / 03. Scarf―Janessa Leone / 04. Perfume―Byredo / 05. Jeans―M.I.H. / 06. Anklet―Ariel Gordon / 07. Mules―Robert Clergerie
Freshly Picked: Shopbop Seasonal Sale
The Shopbop sale is here! We've rounded up our favorite pieces so you can get your wardrobe ready for the season.
It's the most wonderful time of the year—the Shopbop seasonal sale! Get 20% off your entire order or save 25% when you spend $500+. The sale runs today until Friday and is the perfect opportunity to fill in the gaps in your Spring wardrobe.
We've rounded up my favorite pieces from the sale, which you can shop below. If you can't tell, we're really feeling the vacation vibes as we have a long weekend in Charleston planned!
[Image via Janessa Leone]