Posts in Fashion
The Classic Tee We’ve All Been Waiting For | Comfy, Lasting, & Easy on the Planet
 
theclassict-shirt1.jpg

This post is sponsored by The Classic T-Shirt Company, We only partner with brands we truly love!

Organic Cotton T-Shirts Made in the USA

After 30 years, I’ve gone through my fair share of t-shirts. Most were not made to last and are probably sitting in a landfill somewhere. It makes me feel awful just thinking about it, but for most of my life, I would buy tees based on price and accessibility. I purchased it on a whim without any knowledge of the product itself. What I was left with was a cheap, inevitable trash of a garment.

Besides the usual wear and tear, my biggest complaint over the years has been shrinkage. Another mishap I couldn’t stand with several of my tees was the seam cutting into the front. That’s a sign of poor quality and lack of attention to detail. It’s lovely to have brands today that care about the consumer and the planet while creating a lasting product. The Classic T-Shirt Company is one of those brands I think you would love to learn more about!

Reasons to Love The Classic T-Shirt Company

Comfortable, Organic Cotton: I prefer my t-shirts to be made from organic cotton as it feels better on the skin and is more sustainable for the planet. This type of cotton is grown using 70% less water than conventional cotton, making it environmentally friendly. Additionally, it provides a lightweight and comfortable fit, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to feel good while also being conscious of their impact on the environment and the farmers who grow the cotton.

Made in the USA: This is an extremely important issue for me. The apparel industry produces a lot of clothing outside of the country, which results in a larger carbon footprint. Additionally, maintaining a high standard of ethics and ensuring transparency is much easier when the facilities are located nearby and can be visited for quality control purposes.

Great Fit: I love the fit and style of these boyfriend shirts. They pair perfectly with jeans, overalls, or wide-leg pants, making them a versatile closet staple.

Quality: These tees are made with organic cotton and dyed using premium dyes that are free of harsh chemicals. The cotton is also pre-shrunk, so you don't have to worry about the shape changing after each wash. Additionally, the tees won't fade or develop yellow underarm stains like many other shirts do.

Impact: Not only does The Classic T-Shirt Company make sure their manufacturing process is fair and sustainable, they also give back with each purchase. 1% of profits are donated to a cause they care deeply for, and YOU get to choose which one at checkout. You can either donate to Clean Water, Ocean Clean Up or you can Plant a Tree. Plus, they use recycled packaging when shipping!

Tees for Men & Women: A big question I receive a lot from viewers is where to buy sustainably made clothing for their husbands. Five years ago, I would have had a lot of trouble answering that question. Today, we are lucky to have so many great brands catering to everyone in our family.

Transparency: It’s rare you see a brand break down their pricing as transparent as The Classic T-Shirt Company.Below, you can see a chart they have put together of their price anatomy, which is made up of the product cost, promotion and shipping, and gross profit. It’s so nice to be able to see this written out so we can know exactly why this tee costs almost $50.

TCTC_eCom-Product-Detail-Graphics_50_Gray.jpg

What I’m Wearing

theclassict-shirt2.jpg

Womens Long Sleeve V Neck in White: As winter is approaching, I decided to try out one of their long-sleeved tees. After some experimentation, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer my short-sleeved tees to be crew neck and my long-sleeved tees to be v-neck. These styles seem to suit me best. It has been a while since I last owned a long-sleeved white tee - probably back in high school - so this essential item was long overdue. When paired with a pair of jeans, this boyfriend-fit tee feels effortless. I love the cut, and the neck is just right. This style is also available in three other colors: light pink, black, and navy blue. The organic cotton used in this tee is incredibly soft and comfortable - I may consider getting it in more colors in the future ;)

You can shop the entire collection from The Classic T-Shirt Company - here - and make sure to give them a follow on Instagram!


 
FashionNatalie Costello
Celebrate the New Season with Aid Through Trade’s Fall Collection
 
fayirtradejewelry

This post is sponsored by Aid Through Trade. We only partner with brands we truly love!

I absolutely adore this time of year, the transition from hot summer days to cooler fall days. Although in Florida, it takes quite some time for the heat to leave us, I tend to change my home decor and closet ahead of time. I switch to deep oranges, purples, and reds, as well as more black and gold, and surprisingly, my new Aid Through Trade jewelry perfectly blends in with that color scheme!

Just a little recap on why Aid Through Trade is such a wonderful brand: 

Aid Through Trade is a company that produces handmade jewelry in Nepal. They have a team of artisan women who are paid fairly and provided with benefits in a safe and healthy work environment. One of their popular products is The Original Roll-On® Bracelets, which I personally love because they are perfect for everyday wear and don't easily fall off my wrist. They offer a wide range of colors and even have styles for children. I wear Aid Through Trade's jewelry almost every day, and I have taken photos of myself wearing their new collection. Their pieces are easy to mix and match with different outfits, and they add a special touch to neutral-colored clothing. My new favorite color is the Saffron ones!

Luxe Globe in Saffron

Luxe Globe in Saffron

The Cali Trio in Saffron

The Cali Trio in Saffron

Dreamer Globe in Black

Dreamer Globe in Black

The Cali Trio in Black

The Cali Trio in Black

 

Shop the entire Aid Through Trade collection - here - and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay up-to-date with new styles and colors!


 
FashionNatalie Costello
Sustainable Outfit of the Day | The Belt Bag & Travels to Nashville
 
sustainablehandbag

This post was sponsored in part by Hozen. We only partner with brands we truly love!

I'm usually not one for trends, but the belt bag has caught my eye this year!! It's like the new and improved fanny pack, and I love it!

sustainablehandbag

Shop the Look

Belt Bag in Ecru, HOZEN $240 

Even though this feels like buttery leather, it is made from entirely vegan materials! HOZEN's Belt Bag is ethically made in a fair-wage factory in Los Angeles with an Italian biopolyoil "leather" body, recycled plastic / organic cotton lining, recycled plastic thread, recycled plastic zippers, natural rubber rope, recycled cotton label, and a vegan adhesive. I put two outfits in this post to see its versatility as a belt and a crossbody. It's big enough for your phone, wallet, lip gloss - all those daily essentials! Plus, 10% of the profits are donated to Mercy for Animals, an international nonprofit animal protection organization. While I'm partial to this beautiful color, the Belt Bag can be found in yellowredbluepink & black, too! Who else is digging this trend? I love it because I feel hands-free, and it's a nice change from having to wear something on the shoulder. I even put Elliott's snacks in there when we are out and about.

Leo Zodiac Charm & Birthstone Necklaces, Stilnest from $59

Black Onyx Eros PendantPuck Wanderlust $122

NYTT Jones Scoop Keyhole BodysuitAlternative Apparel $44 (sold out, but available in black)

Serena Sandal in Nutmeg, Nisolo $108

The Clarissa High RiseABLE $148

By the way, we had a wonderful time on our southern road trip! We went to Gulfport, New Orleans, Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville and Asheville. About 30 hours in the car with a 15-month-old was better than I thought it would be. Elliott was a trooper! One of my favorite towns we visited was Nashville, and we had a great breakfast at Thistle Farms. This restaurant (along with a gift shop where they sell their natural body products) is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to supporting women who have survived trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. The teacups hanging on the ceiling all represent a woman and her story. You can check out their online shop - here -


 
FashionNatalie Costello
Fair-Trade Totes & Pouches with Inspiring Prints Empowering Survivors of human Trafficking
 
ethicalbrandsthatgiveback

This post is sponsored by The Tote Project. We only partner with we brands we truly love.

the tote project

You may remember seeing The Tote Project in my 25 Ethical Brands that Give Back post on the blog. It’s a pretty popular list, and I can’t think of a brand more deserving to be on the cover!

reasons to love the tote project

Giving Back: This is why Fay Grant & Michelle Chavez founded the project! Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and there are currently over 20 million victims worldwide (a number too hard to fathom). The Tote Project donates 10% of gross profits to Two Wings to support survivors of human trafficking in the US. Plus, they partner with factories that support women survivors.

Ethically-Made: Every tote is handmade by Oasis Bags in a sustainable factory in India from fair-trade certified cotton. These factories are dedicated to empowering women in the city of Kolkata. The pouches are made by Freeset, a fair trade freedom business offering employment to women escaping West Bengal’s sex trade.

Inspiring Illustrations: It’s always tricky to pick a favorite from their collections. They have so many beautiful prints, and they seem to get sweeter with each collection. Each comes complete with an inspirational tagline, such as ‘free to love’.

what i’m using

Free to Grow Veggies Tote: This is my new grocery bag, and it makes for a great on-the-go shopping list ;) I love the size of their new totes. You can fit a few days' worth of groceries in here. The weather hasn't been great for our last few farmer's markets, but I'll take this sweet thing with me next time!

Free to Dream Palm Trees Pouch: It's hard to pass any image up with palm trees. Elliott and I have been going to the beach for at least 30 minutes daily to get outdoors and dig our toes into the sand. This pouch keeps all our little beach essentials sand-free for us :D

where to purchase

You can find the entire collection from The Tote Project - here - and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay up-to-date with all new products & prints!

 
The Most Versatile Romper for Your Capsule Wardrobe is Taking you From Day to Night, Monday through Friday
 
sustainable romper

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

Encircled’s Virtual Romper

I’m sure you have seen Encircled sprinkled throughout my blog over the years. I love how they create designs to fit into your wardrobe seamlessly. Each piece has a point to be worn in multiple ways, which helps keep our closets small yet versatile. Today, I’ll show you their newest set, the Virtual Romper.

Made from TENCEL™ Lyocell, this three-piece set is comfortable, breathable, and oh-so chic. It can be dressed down or up and paired easily with the rest of your wardrobe.

The virtual romper is comprised of the following…

The Remix Two-Way Top: This tank blouse has two different necklines and a body-skimming fit that flatters. I like to pair it tucked into flared shorts and out with crop pants for a dressier look.

The Remix Flared Short: I’ve been wearing these shorts over the past two weeks. They look great with plain tees and, of course, with the Two-Way Top!

The Remix Crop Pant: I love how these pants flare out with the wide hemline. Like the shorts, they have pockets and a wide elastic-backed waistband for extra comfort.

P.S.. both the crop pants and flared shorts come in Navy, too!

see how you can style it for the week with other items in your closet:

Where to Purchase

You can find the Virtual Romper online - here - and use code VIRTUALROMPER to save $60 on the entire set.

Working on building your capsule wardrobe? Make sure to follow Encircled on Instagram for product updates and new releases!

sustainablefashion