Posts in Fashion
Comfortable, Sustainable Fashion for Home, Work & Play
 
sustainablefashion

Yala

I have a nice little collection from Yala these days! You may remember seeing them on the blog last March - that Cybill Fleece Wrap is exceptionally comfortable, and the organic cotton pieces have been convenient in my new role as Mama.

Reasons to Love Yala

Everyday basics: Yala will most likely have any type of basic you need—from leggings to staple dresses. Plus, most designs come in several colors, and they even throw in a few prints here and there. 

Comfortable for busy women: I know most of you reading this have busy, hectic schedules. You probably don’t have enough time to focus on your wardrobe. Most of us want to be comfy while looking put together. I think Yala does a fantastic job merging the two! 

Great fabrics: I have loved how my Yala pieces have held up wear after wear, wash after wash. Most of my pieces are of organic cotton or recycled poly, and I’ve been very impressed with how well they sustain and how comfortable they continue to be.

What I’m Wearing

Havana Dress: I got this dress after Elliott was born last spring, but I haven’t gotten a good photo yet. We went to Big Talbot Island this past week, and it was the perfect backdrop for this beauty. The Havana is made from 100% organic cotton and comes in several colors {black - pictured here, navy, coral, and blush}. Like all Yala pieces, it is made in the USA! 

Where to Purchase

You can find their entire collection online - here - and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay up-to-date with all new products!

 
Supporting Filipino Craftsmanship through Vibrant, Ethical Handbags & Jewelry
 
sustainable handbag

This post is sponsored by Soli & Sun. We only partner with brands we love!

Soli & Sun

As a Florida gal, I was naturally drawn to Soli & Sun’s aesthetic. From the palm trees to the bold colors, this line is begging to be taken out under the sun. I feel like ethical fashion is known to have a few minimalistic color schemes, and everything is sort of subdued and neutral. I think this is great for building your everyday wardrobe, but adding a piece from Soli & Sun can make your outfit shine!

Reasons to Love Soli & Sun

Sustainable Craftsmanship: Designer Clare Hynes has partnered with artisans in The Philippines to bring you their debut collection. After traveling all over the world and working with GKonomics in Palanog, Tacloban, Clare was able to connect with female artisans to help produce her line. 

Vibrant Designs: There is just something really fun & positive behind this collection that quickly brings us in. As I mentioned before, color is something you don’t see much in an ethical fashion. There are many more neutral color palettes, but it’s so much fun to have something pop when you work with accessories! 

Handwoven Fabric: As you probably know, I love textiles, and handwoven ones are the most special. Soli & Sun uses an indigenous fabric called T’nalak, which the T’boli people make of lake Sebu, Mindanao, and Inabel on large antique wooden looms via a process called ‘Abel’. The women creating the T’nalak fabric have been passing this tradition down from generation to generation, and it continues to be a sustainable source of income for them. I’ve included a photo below to see part of the process. It is amazing!

What I’m Wearing

The Meghan Clutch Bag: This might be the most unique & versatile handbag I own! The Meghan Clutch can be worn two ways - one with a long cross-body, gold-braided strap handcrafted in Mindanao by a husband and wife team - and another with a small handle made with wooden beads from Cebu, Philippines. The handbag is made from T’nalak fabric and a large brass cube clasp {which I think is such a fresh, new look - how many of your purses clasp like this?!}.

Where to Purchase

You can find the entire Soli & Sun collection online - here - and don’t forget to stay up-to-date with new products on Instagram

sustainable handbag
 
FashionNatalie Costello
Celebrate Artisan Craft & Culture with this Beautifully Curated Online Marketplace
 
sustainableartisanfashion

Ocelot Market

If you don’t know, one of my earliest passions within sustainable fashion was artisan goods. I noticed so many cultures were being stolen from, and crafts were copied repeatedly. As a creator, I know how frustrating it is to be copied, so I can only imagine how artisans who have had crafts and traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation would feel. Seeing fast fashion brands copy patterns is unfair and wrong. To truly appreciate the work, we must support those who created it. That’s why it’s essential to have places like Ocelot Market where we can celebrate and enjoy the crafts while giving back to those who deserve it most. 

Reasons to Love Ocelot Market

Brings Unique Artisan Products to New Markets: Ocelot Market works with many artisans worldwide from Argentina to Turkey. It's a platform that celebrates the culture of the talented makers and designers. They travel the world to find high-quality craftsmanship that will make your closet more colorful! Plus, Ocelot Market can avoid traditional industry markups by selling directly to you online. 

For Women AND Men: I love it when a curated marketplace includes men and women. So many of you have husbands and partners to shop for, and you prefer to use your values when shopping for them, too. Finding ethical fashion for women is easy; it is a little more complicated for men. 

Shop by Country: Over the years, several people asked me if I could categorize my posts by country. That's a lot of work, and maybe I'll eventually get there, but Ocelot Market has made your request! Going through each country on their website is pretty interesting - almost like you can taste their culture through the crafts, styles, and colors. 

What I’m Wearing

Turkish Kilim Rug Loafer: I’ve already been sharing these on Instagram because they are my new favorites!! Extraordinarily comfortable and one-of-a-kind, these beauties are - you guessed it - made from a rug. They can make 5-10 pairs of shoes from one rug, and each pair will vary in color and pattern. I’ve worn these shoes almost daily over the last few weeks, and the craftsmanship is truly unique!! p.s. they make the Turkish loafers for men, too :D

Jiwe Pendant Necklace: Handcrafted with recycled brass by artisans in Kenya, SOKO jewelry creates sustainable jobs with heritage practices. What’s even more remarkable about this line is how they empower the artisans through technology to access an entire world of consumers! 

Where to Purchase

You can shop all the amazing artisan goods online - here - and make sure to stay up-to-date on new products on the ‘gram

 
FashionNatalie Costello
Simple, Comfy & Always Chic, LA Relaxed is Practical, Sustainable Fashion
 
sustainablefashion

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

LA Relaxed

Not to sound like a broken record, but LA Relaxed is one of my favorites. Being a new mama, I’ve had to adjust to a new schedule completely. The first thing off the list is taking time in the morning to get ready :P I love how I can feel incredibly comfortable yet look put together {like I spent more than 5 minutes getting ready}. Also, since I am still breastfeeding - around the clock, it feels  - the front zippers on the jumpsuits and the loose sweaters have been a godsend!

What I’m Wearing

Piped Dress in Azure: The sister to the Jumpsuit {part of Oprah’s Favorite Things}, the Piped Dress is made from Tencel and organic cotton. Isn’t the Azure a beautiful color?!

Luxx Sweashirt & Jogger in Marengo: Oh my goodness, Lenzing Modal is seriously the softest fabric! It’s been a bit chilly in our home lately - it’s old, and the heat doesn’t work great, so when Florida drops below 50, we must dress much warmer inside. This set has been perfect for this time of year! 

Sandy Blanket: This has been our go-to park blanket for the last couple of months. Made from 70% Tencel and 30% Organic Cotton, this blanket is lovely to sit on {or roll, which is what Elliott does}. Plus, the cotton fringe adds a sweet little touch! 

Piped Zip Jacket & Jogger: As a young teen, I would have been rocking this with my Adidas sandals in a heartbeat! Those sandals aren’t on my radar anymore, but this set will forever be a classic look. Sporty, yet chic <3

Want to know the other reasons I’m in love with this brand? Check out my post from last month. 

Shop their entire collection - here - and don’t forget to stay up-to-date with all new products on Instagram.

 
FashionNatalie Costello
Be Festive & Give Back this Valentine’s Day with a Sweet and Affordable Jewelry Collection from Charmed by a Cause
 
ethical jewelry

This post is sponsored by Charmed by a Cause. We only partner with brands we truly love!

Charmed by a Cause

Minus all the boxed chocolates and balloons, I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day. I vote for any holiday you can get away with decorating hallways with hearts and making yummy treats. It was more about dressing up and sharing something sweet with my friends and family. One thing I would always wear was heart jewelry. I had a few heart necklaces that I would wear throughout my childhood, and they have since been lost. I’m so happy to replace them with these thoughtful new pieces from Charmed by a Cause!

Reasons to Love Charmed by a Cause

Wonderful Causes: Their name suits them perfectly. Charmed by a Cause donates 20% of the purchase price to a cause YOU want to support. They are so transparent in the dollar amount that you see exactly how much goes to your cause of choice. The three cause partners they currently support are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Covenant House, and Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Read more about these important organizations here

Conscious Materials & Production: All pieces are ethically made in NYC from 100% recycled 14kt gold, sterling silver, ethically sourced natural stones & reclaimed or lab-grown diamonds. They also sell direct-to-consumer to avoid markup fees. We {ehm, our pocketbooks..} thank them!! 

Custom Work: This is just too wonderful, not to mention. If you want to raise funds for a non-profit, Charmed by a Cause will work with you to make that happen. Click here for more information. 

What I’m Wearing

Their Valentine’s Day Collection is too sweet for words. These minimalistic pieces are also minimalistic enough to be worn all year rather than just for V-Day! Both are beautifully crafted and made from recycled sterling silver.

Where to Purchase

You can find the entire Valentine’s Day Collection - here - and don’t forget to follow Charmed by a Cause on Instagram to stay up-to-date with new designs!

 
FashionNatalie Costello