Brava Fabrics - A Sustainable Fashion Brand To Know

When I was first introduced to Brava Fabrics, I was immediately drawn to their unique, fun prints - and prices! Often with sustainable fashion, you tend to see a lot of the same thing, like minimalistic color palettes and boxy dresses. It’s refreshing to find brands who create a little outside that niche box and take risks with their designs. Not to say Brava isn’t timeless and classic because I can wear seersucker and stripes forever, but they do have a special little character to their aesthetic. In this post, I’m going to dive into more detail on why I find this brand worth knowing - and wearing! 

Reasons I Love Brava Fabrics

Unique Designs that Don’t Follow Trends:

Trends aren’t completely bad, but they create an overwhelming sense of needing to produce more & more. You don’t have to keep up constantly with the fashion world; however, I understand the fun of it all. When it comes to sustainable fashion brands, following trends kind of defeats the purpose; if one of your designs happens to be trending, that could be a great selling point, but to design solely based on what’s popular doesn’t end up being sustainable for anyone. I like that Brava marches to the beat of their own drum, and their designs end up coming off quite timeless. I don’t think you could become easily bored or tired by their prints and patterns. 

Ethical Production in Spain & Portugal:

Not only are they creating slow fashion you can wear for many years, but Brava is also ethically producing everything close to home in Spain and Portugal. They believe in fairness and transparency throughout the entire supply chain, so they keep a close relationship with all of their tailors. It’s essential for them to offer fair working conditions, adequate working hours, safe working environments, and fair wages to every employee who touches their product. Especially in the current fashion climate, these offerings are imperative. 

Eco-friendly Fabrics:

The textile nerd in me is always excited to write about this part! I want to talk about their primary choice of fabric, ECOVERO™ Viscose. I've always had a love-hate relationship with viscose. It, unfortunately, has a bad rep because generic viscose isn't that sustainable. Viscose is a semi-synthetic made from wood pulp. It's known for being very soft and comfortable and is a very common fabric (bamboo is viscose, too!). However, most of the time, the pulp used for this type of fabric is not derived sustainably, and transparency lacks in the entire production model. Luckily, LENZING™ has come out with a new standard in eco-responsible viscose with their ECOVERO™ textile. The manufacturing of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers generates up to 50% lower emissions and water impact than generic viscose, and it's derived from certified renewable wood sources. So we can still enjoy all the benefits viscose has to offer but in a more sustainable form. You can read more about this textile here. They also use a classic favorite, Organic Cotton. 

Affordable:

A big issue we have within the sustainable fashion movement is the lack of accessibility. While sustainable clothing will cost far greater than its fast-fashion counterparts, there still needs to be a price level easier for people to obtain. I find Brava’s price points to be that happy medium more people can enjoy and feel a part of the sustainable fashion industry. 

What I’m Wearing From Brava Fabrics

Leo T-Shirt: I’m a Leo, so naturally, I fell for this shirt. This playful tee is made from ECOVERO™ (like all of the pieces I’m about to highlight), and it’s a great fit. It comes out to be just above $50 and looks purrfect with the Seersucker Shorts. 

Seersucker Ocean Shorts: I’ve always been a big fan of seersucker. It’s a great look for the warmer months, and these shorts are unbelievably comfy with their elastic waist and organic cotton fabric. Plus, they have pockets! 

Earthy Stripes Top & Pants: Wear them together or separate; the Earthy Stripes have added some much-needed summer color into my wardrobe. I honestly feel like I’m wearing pajamas because this outfit is so easy and breathable on a hot Florida day. The pants have been quite versatile in my wardrobe. I’ve been dressing them up with clogged heels for dinners out and wearing sandals for a more casual look. 

You can shop Brava Fabrics online - here - and make sure to follow them on Instagram for updates of new clothing launches! 

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This post is sponsored by Brava Fabrics.

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with Dr. Scholl’s Shoes

keep reading for a discount code

I have been very excited to share Dr. Scholl's Shoes #DoWhatYouLove campaign since we first started talking about it last spring. I'm very proud to be a part of this campaign because I love it when well-known brands begin to focus on sustainability genuinely. Not only does Dr. Scholl's Shoes make sure they are using more sustainable materials, but their team understands sustainability throughout the entire manufacturing process - from production to shipping. Plus, they are creating a more affordable shoe line for the whole family. 

Reasons to Love Dr. Scholl's Shoes

For the Entire Family: As a mother of an (almost) 3-year-old, being able to shop for shoes from one brand for my son, husband, and myself is very convenient. Dr. Scholl's Shoes has styles for men, women, toddlers, little kids, and big kids. They also create with different trends and styles in mind. Their aesthetic could work for many different people, and they design everything from sneakers to wedges.

More Affordable Prices: This is probably one of the most significant barriers for people being able to access sustainable fashion. Most sustainable shoes are well over $125, and that isn't an affordable price for many people. Sustainability is about accessibility, and if most people can't participate, it's not going to become a norm. While Dr. Scholl's Shoes aren't fast-fashion prices, they are priced fairly and I think many of our budgets would appreciate it. Most of their shoes will be under $100, and I even have a code for you at the end of the post so you can save 30% off your entire purchase.

Conscious Materials: Dr. Scholl's Shoe has been working to implement sustainable materials into every collection they have. They have saved 20.2 million plastic bottles from entering the landfill by using recycled polyester in many of their shoes. They also use organic cotton for soft linings and topcloths, and 2.1 million gallons of water have been saved due to waterless dyeing processes. Plus, they have 3.7 million scuba tanks of air cleaned using plant-based materials to replace fossil fuels. This plant-based material is in partnership with BLOOM who takes algae, which can be harmful to the environment, out of the water, and incorporates it into EVA (used in some of their outsoles and midsoles). Even their boxes are conscious and made completely recyclable with soy-based ink. If someone orders a single pair of shoes, they have designed the boxes to be sent without being placed into another box.

Sustainable Comfort: Most people think of comfortability with Dr. Scholl's, and this thought reigns true in their shoe line, too. I feel as if we never really consider the comfort of a shoe or garment when it comes to sustainability. We say 'oh, it's eco-friendly materials' or 'it's ethically made' but rarely do we look at the fact you can wear it all day and feel good as a sustainable component. Quality and comfort are always high on my list. If I can't go a whole day wearing a pair of shoes, it's hard for me to say they are sustainable for my lifestyle.
Giving Back: I feel as if this is a must for brands, and one of my favorite ways for brands to give back is by planting trees. Dr. Scholl's Shoes has partnered with Trees for the Future to offset carbon emissions and help communities around the world plant trees. For every pair of Original Collection shoes you purchase, a tree will be planted. They have planted over 135,000 trees to date!

My Favorites

The Hunter: These are by far my favorite shoes from Dr. Scholl's Shoes. They are just absolutely comfortable, and I can wear them all week. I love the fact I can just slip my foot into this sneaker without having to tie any laces. The Sage Green color is easy to pair with my wardrobe, and the soft linings and topcloth are made from organic cotton. They also have a soft & cushy plan-abased foam midsole & outsole, which is made from EVA algae mentioned earlier.
The Everyday: A platform sneaker taking me back to my middle school days! I never thought I would be a snake print person until I owned these. I now feel snake print is a neutral that can be worn every day. These shoes have soft linings made from recycled bottles and eco-conscious fabric in the toe box, and the leather is chrome-free and responsibly sourced through Leather Working Group- approved factories. I also love that they have DEFENDER Repellant Systems®, which protects your shoes from all types of water, oil, and other stains. Living in Florida with wet weather, that is great to have!

The Retreat: These will be my go-to for the warmer weather. I feel like a broken record when talking about Dr. Scholl's Shoes because I'm continually saying 'they are so comfortable,' but it's so true! The Retreat Sport Sandal has Insole Technology with anatomical cushioning, comfort & support, and a heel strap, and they are created from an engineered knit made from recycled bottles. The soft linings and upper are also made from recycled bottles, and the outsole is made from the EVA Plant-based algae.

Where to Shop

You can shop the entire Dr. Scholl's Shoes collection at www.drschollsshoes.com and make sure to use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC30FS for 30% off and free shipping on your entire purchase! Also, stay up-to-date on Instagram and check out my post here.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Scholl’s Shoes. As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make the fashion industry a cleaner, better place!

This post was sponsored by Allégorie. As always, all views are genuine & products are truly loved!

Vegan Handbags Made From Food Waste

Can you believe that apples, mangos and cacti can be used to create backpacks, totes and wallets? I have always been very fascinated with textiles, and this type of leather alternative is truly amazing. I love the idea of taking waste and creating something new, especially when it comes to food waste. Approximately one-third of the world's food is uneaten, so why not work towards turning this issue into something more practical, like a bag?! Brands like Allégorie are ahead of the game and the future of this industry.

psst… keep reading for a discount code

Reasons to Love Allégorie

Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Leather: The leather industry is known for producing a lot of waste and using harmful chemicals. If you're a vegan, you might want to buy products that are free from animal materials. Unfortunately, many of the alternatives on the market are made from plastic or other non-sustainable materials. However, there is good news. A company called Allégorie uses waste from apples and mangos, as well as sustainably harvested cacti leaves, to make handbags that have the look and feel of leather. By using materials that would otherwise go to waste, Allégorie is helping to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Ethically Manufactured: Allégorie exclusively collaborates with manufacturers who prioritize sustainability in their operations. These manufacturers adhere to rigorous eco-friendly standards, which entail eliminating the release of hazardous chemicals, relying on renewable energy, and achieving a net-zero water footprint. Moreover, they ensure that their skilled workers are well-compensated and provided with benefits such as health insurance.

Classic, Quality Pieces: They design all of their products to be both simple and functional. Their handbags are crafted to accompany you throughout the different activities of your day-to-day life. I can already tell that my new backpack is going to be by my side for a very long time!

The Fabrics

Mango: Did you know more than 30% of mangos are wasted during harvesting and transportation, and another 7% can be wasted in supermarkets? Through partnerships, Allégorie has collected discarded mangos from supermarkets. They then shred them down into a “smoothie” and turn them into sheets through an eco-friendly process. A water-based PU is used as a binding agent, which transforms the fruit into a leather-like material.

Apple: This is one leather alternative I’ve known for a few years, and it’s a favorite of mine. It’s not actually made from the inside of the apple, but rather the peel. 1.4 Million tons of apple peel waste is generated by the juice industry each year. They take the discarded peels and combine them with other bio-contents and water-based PU, creating a leather-like material. The feel is great, too!!

Cactus: Another interesting way to make a leather alternative is with cacti. It’s a wonderful sustainable alternative because it absorbs CO2 on lands where no other plants could live without irrigation. Instead of using the entire cactus, this textile uses the cactus leaves, all from sustainably operated farms. Therefore, the cactus is able to keep growing!

What I’m Using

Rose Gala Backpack in Cedar: This is such a beauty! Whenever I travel, I always take a backpack for work. I put this into good use over the holidays and loved it. I’ve decided to slim down my closet and sell my other backpacks because this one is perfect for me. This apple-leather backpack features multiple interior pockets and four functional exterior pockets. It even has a designated laptop sleeve with extra padding to protect the computer and cushion your back. They really thought of it all! This backpack also comes in black.

receive 10% off your entire purchase by using this code: 2021SC

Shop the entire collection - here - and stay up-to-date on Instagram

This post is sponsored by Chilote. We only partner with brands we truly love!

Chilote Shoes

I have owned a pair of these slippers for a few years now, and they have been well-used. I am a big fan of these slippers, and have recommended them to others in the past. When I first got them around four years ago, the brand was relatively new, and I was excited about their mission to promote sustainable fashion. Since then, the brand has released a new pair of House Shoes, which I am excited to add to my collection!

Reasons to Love Chilote Shoes

Made with Love by Women: Chilote's Wool Slippers and House Shoes are handmade by independent artisan women in Patagonia through a co-op ethical production system. Each pair is made with a lot of love, and women earn 40% higher incomes doing what they know and enjoy—knitting. It's important to support women artisans worldwide, and Patagonia is known for its beautiful craftsmanship.

Sustainable & Zero-Waste Materials: All materials used for Chilote products are locally sourced. This helps keep their carbon footprint low and supports more people within their area. They use only natural sheep wool, up-cycled salmon leather, and vegetable-tanned saddle leather.

B-Corp Certified & Climate Positive: Two great certifications to add to this fantastic brand! Their B-Corp status means they meet the highest verified social and environmental performance standards, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. With their climate-positive status, they offset their minimal carbon footprint in collaboration with EcoSphere, supporting the Cordillera Azul National Park project in Peru's high forest between the Andes and the Amazon basin.

What I’m Wearing

Salmon Leather Slippers: My go-to slippers! The only slippers I own because I’ve never had to buy another pair since getting these in 2016. They are Chilote’s most popular slippers and have been recognized with multiple international design awards. I love how they use up-cycled salmon leather from the fish industry. I’m all for zero-waste within fashion! With use, the slippers will conform to the shape of the wearer’s foot, which I can attest to.

House Shoes: These house shoes are lovely! I am so glad they came out with this style because I have to run outside occasionally, and I feel much better about doing that with a more solid sole. Their most rugged and durable slippers are hand-crafted from locally sourced raw sheep wool and organically veggie-tanned saddle leather and are available in matte black and pale brown.

What’s so cool - each pair includes a QR code that transparently tracks the product to a specific artisan groups info and geolocation in Patagonia!

Other Products You May Like

Raw Wool Feet Slippers $50

Toddler Slippers (Ages 1-3) $58

This post is sponsored by Laura Elizabeth. We only partner with brands we genuinely like!

Laura Elizabeth Jewelry

Finding more woman-owned, USA-made brands makes me so happy and excited for the future of sustainable fashion. Laura Elizabeth jewelry is perfect for everyday life, and their kid-friendly designs are so fun to layer and easy to style with your wardrobe. From sweet little pineapples to statement cuffs, this Texas-based ethical jewelry brand is one we women should know about! 

Reasons to Love Laura Elizabeth Jewelry

USA-Made & Women-Owned: Not only is Laura Elizabeth owned by a woman entrepreneur, but the manufacturer they have worked with for over 15 years in Los Angeles is also woman-owned! I love seeing woman-owned businesses team up together to create ethical & sustainable fashion for us to enjoy. 

Timeless Designs Made for Real Life: Now that I am a mom, I am much more aware of my clothes and jewelry. I can’t wear anything that will get dirty or break easily. If you are in a similar position, you will love to know Laura Elizabeth jewelry is made for you to wear all day, every day. You can shower, sweat, and even swim wearing their jewelry, and it’s safe enough you don’t have to worry about your little ones getting a hold of it in their mouth :P 

Conscious Materials: Laura Elizabeth buys their metal from recycling plants in Los Angeles, and they do not use any acid or chemicals to wash, clean, or polish any of the pieces. They use a process called lost wax metal casting, where you fill a unique mold with metal to create the jewelry. A remarkable sustainable fact is that their oven has a hood that absorbs all the fumes that commonly cause pollution, so there is no pollution with this unique process. 

What I’m Wearing

Courtenay Cuff: This beauty is a cast of dusty miller leaves made from 100% recycled brass, which can be brass, gold, or silver plated. It is also movable to better mold your wrist, and I wish you could feel how strong this cuff is because it looks so delicate in photos. You know it was made to last! & I love how it was named - after Laura’s friend, Courtenay, who knows her inside-out :)

Lucy Butterfly Necklace: I had a little farm and a beautiful collection of (dead) butterflies when I was a little girl. I’ve always had a sweet spot for them, so when I saw this necklace, I thought it would be the perfect addition to my jewelry box. This necklace was made in Austin, Texas, and it was named after Laura’s niece, Lucy. The pendant was made in downtown LA & is cast in 100% recycled brass (no lead  & no nickel) and plated with 14-karat gold or sterling silver. 

Other Favorite Pieces

Hina Cuff, $295

Allison Ring, $90

Cari Earrings, $95

Beth Necklace, $95

Shop the entire Laura Elizabeth Jewelry collection - here - and don’t forget to stay up-to-date with them on Instagram!