As the leaves begin to change (at least over here on the east coast), and in-person indoor gatherings become the norm again, it’s only right that we clean out our closets and take stock of our cutest, most flame emoji worthy outfits. I’m a fall girl. A November baby. So I am not great at styling myself in the summer months. Tldr; this is a very exciting time for me from a fashion perspective.
I reached into my closet this fall and I found that some of my favorite pieces were out of date, reminded me of my pre-pandemic 20’s, or just felt out-of-style. I decided to donate some of the items to one of my favorite organizations, Housing Works, and others were taken to the dry-cleaners for much needed adjustments. And honestly, some items needed to be recycled for scraps.
Shopping sustainably doesn’t always have to cost a lot of money. Thrift stores are your best friend when you’re on a budget. And if you have a little money to spend, buying ethically sourced clothing is a better bet than fast fashion. Your clothes will last much longer because they’re made with care and better materials. They will also fit your body better. Don’t be afraid to get items adjusted at the tailor or take them to the dry cleaners every now and then to preserve their quality.
Start here! With thanks to the Womanly team, we’ve pulled together a list of sustainable designers and brands to shop for new looks.
Barkal
One word, comfort. Barkal’s shoes were created to celebrate Sudanese history. Their everyday shoe is derived from traditional Sudanese men's shoes, named Markoub. Made with soft, natural-grain Nappa leather, the core collection reintroduces artisan styling and detailing. Each shoe is hand stitched and constructed in a long-established, family-owned factory using only the highest quality Italian leathers and materials.
Gravel & Gold
Gravel & Gold is an independent, woman-owned design collective based in San Francisco’s Mission District. Established in 2008, G&G is co-owned by longtime friends Tomra Palmer and Holly Samuelsen. Their fall collection features bold stripes and warm and comfy cotton sets. Perfect for your fall to winter wardrobe.
Handyma’am
Goods
One of our favs here at Womanly, Handyma’am is closing the gap between workwear and womenswear. Their jumpsuits provide you with maximum mobility while still offering a sleek and flattering shape. They kind of make me want to do some manual labor. Anyone else?
Groovy Gal
It’s all in the name. Founded by Colette Olumide, Groovy Gal is all about providing handmade to order clothes that are unique, individual, and unapologetically creative. Shop here if you’re looking to turn heads at the next event you attend or if you just want to look out of this world on a weekday.
The Consistency
Project
The Consistency Project is “an experiment in new American workwear.” This NYC based shop has Hawaiian roots and offers secondhand and reworked designs for everyday wear. Founded by Natasha Halesworth, the small business began as a passion project that turned into a design studio dedicated to bringing new life to reclaimed and pre-existing materials.
Khiry
Khiry is an afro-futurist luxury jewelry brand founded by Jameel Mohammed in 2016. Their classic pieces have been worn by some of the most legendary artists across film and music and still somehow make luxurious affordable. Their earrings and necklaces make great gifts for significant others, moms, and caretakers.
Shekudo
Shekudo is a footwear and accessories brand founded in Sydney, Australia. From their clogs, boots, and chocolate colored shoulder bags you can find something funky, fashionable, and totally wearable. All items from Shekudo are responsibly made with traceable origins.
cantiq
Getting cozy in the fall can also mean looking sexy. cantiq is a LA based lingerie brand who are all about making lingerie gender and size inclusive. They pride themselves on a commitment to ethical, handmade production to ensure everybody can feel good and look sexy at the same time.
