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Spring Dresses

May 13, 2014 by Julia 5 Comments

On Saturday, I stepped out to Global Gifts with a friend to check out their World Fair Trade Day event. Global Gifts doesn’t typically carry clothing, but imagine my joy when I discovered they were having a special trunk sale with items from Mata Traders and Global Mamas! They had some tops and skirts, but I homed right in on the dresses. I am a sucker for dresses, especially in the spring and summer.

Fair Trade Spring Dresses

1: Flights of Floral Dress – Mata Traders
2: Keyhole Cutout Dress – Mata Traders
3: Retro Shirt Dress – Global Mamas

I’ve written previously about the Mata Traders dress I purchased last year, which I really like but required a lot of alterations to fit well. I was excited to try on some of their other styles to see what the fit was like.

The Flights of Floral dress fit me very well. The yellow and gray print that they had in the store was cute, but I wasn’t feeling it for myself personally—I felt kind of washed out in it. The red and purple version available online might make me feel more vibrant.

I was really excited about the print and style of the Keyhole Cutout dress. Unfortunately, it had the same fit issues that I had with the dress I already own. I think it would possibly fit someone longer-waisted or larger-chested, but for me the proportions were just too far off the mark. They do offer a peplum skirt in the same print, though, which would be just as fun to wear and easier to alter if the fit wasn’t perfect.

I also tried on a retro-style dress from Global Mamas. This photo is a little misleading; in person the blue and green were much closer in shade and the whole print had less contrast overall. It was cute and seemed to be proportional; however I was thwarted by their smallest size still being too big. My only World Fair Trade Day purchases ended up being a birthday card for my boss from Sanctuary Spring and a jar of Swazi Fire Sauce from Eswatini Kitchen.

So why am I telling you a story about dresses that didn’t fit? I think it’s important to be honest about the challenges of ethical shopping. Finding a dress that fits your shape and style and budget can be tough, and then to add your values into the mix? It’s tricky.

But is it worth it? Absolutely. We may not be able to be perfect all the time, but when I think about the experience of a woman sewing dresses for a fair trade company like Mata Traders versus the experience of a woman stitching in an unsafe and underpaying sweatshop, it is 100% worth the extra time to make the best effort I can to support companies who treat people well.

Everybody’s shape is different, so if you’re in the market for a spring dress, definitely check out the links above and see if they work for you. Have you found any great ethical dresses this spring? Share your successes (and failures) in the comments!

A Few of My Favorite Things

May 9, 2014 by Julia 2 Comments

Not to sound like a broken record, but you may have heard that I attended the Fair Trade Federation conference last month. In celebration of World Fair Trade Day coming up tomorrow, May 10, today I thought I’d share some of my favorite items from the conference expo. Consider them inspiration for purchasing a fair trade gift for yourself or a loved one to support World Fair Trade Day!

Necklace from Handmade Expressions

I walked by the Handmade Expressions table a number of times, probably bordering on stalking it. I loved their entire spread, but my eyes kept being drawn to the gold sequin necklace at the front. I’m envisioning it with a royal blue scoop-neck silk blouse… which I don’t actually have, but it would look good with shirts I do actually own as well.

Bags from Fibres of Life

The concept of these bags from Fibres of Life really intrigued me. The bags themselves are unadorned, and then you can purchase the embellishment you want, whether it’s an illustrated panel or felted flowers and leaves. The palette is consistent across the items so you can mix-and-match.

Wool animal baby booties from Silk Road Bazaar

Zooties from Silk Road Bazaar

These are wool baby booties that look like animals! I don’t know what else needs to be said! Other than, “Where can I get these for my pregnant coworkers immediately?!” Felted and stuffed animals were definitely a popular product at the expo, but these Zooties from Silk Road Bazaar topped the cuteness chart. (Edit: Found out that these are available for retail purchase from Greenheart Shop and Uncommon Goods!)

Cuff bracelets from World Finds

I spent another stalkery few minutes hovering around the World Finds table, which was overrun with cute jewelry. These cuffs would be a great way to add some flair to a simple summer tank top or dress.

Bag from Manos Zapotecas

If I had a million dollars, I would buy all of the bags from Manos Zapotecas. They are definitely high-end, with handwoven textiles and leather accents, and many of their products are made-to-order as true works of art. For now, I will just gaze and think about the breezy weekend getaways I could pack for using such a gorgeous bag.

Purchasing an ethically-made item is a great way to support World Fair Trade Day and improve the livelihoods of artisans around the world. Hopefully this post served as good inspiration! Since most of the organizations listed above are wholesalers, it might be tricky to track down these specific products near you, but these items are great examples of the unique designs you can find at fair trade retailers. And if you don’t have any shopping needs this weekend, don’t fret—the Fair Trade Federation has suggestions for other ways to support World Fair Trade Day.

What’s your favorite item in the list above? Can you even handle how cute the Zooties are?

Why Fair Trade? Paying Fairly

April 11, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

I can’t get enough of this little guy I saw at the conference!

In our series Why Fair Trade?, I aim to illustrate some of the main reasons why supporting fair trade is important to me. Today we’re going to explore the fair trade principle of paying fairly.

At first, the term “paying fairly” by itself sounds great. Who wouldn’t agree that everyone should be paid fairly for their work? But if you think about it a little longer, the question arises: what does “paying fairly” actually mean?

Here is a summary of the Fair Trade Federation’s guidelines for paying promptly and fairly:

Empower producers to set prices based on the true costs of labor, time, materials, and sustainable growth
Comply with or exceed international, national, local, and, where applicable, Fair Trade Minimum standards
Equal pay for equal work by women and men
Ensure prompt payment to all partners
Offer producers access to interest-free advance payment or pre-financing with favorable terms

Fair traders also work to ensure that producers are paid a living wage that enables them to meet their basic needs.

I got a taste of the complexity of determining fair prices and wages in a session at the Fair Trade Federation conference last week. As described by Karen Gibbs from By Hand Consulting, the process of determining the artisan’s selling price of a fair trade handicraft goes something like this:

Determine the fair hourly wage for the artisan(s) by considering their monthly expenses and how many hours they work. Other cultures do not always follow the American model of 8-hour workdays five days a week, so it takes research to find out what it would actually take for the artisans to earn a living wage.
Determine the total cost to produce the item by tracking and adding the costs of materials, labor (using the fair hourly wage) and overhead. Artisans may not have accounting skills or tools, so some training is often part of this process.
Consider the target customer, competition, quality, and desired profit margin, then set the selling price. This is the price that the artisan will receive from the first buyer, often a wholesaler.

As the item passes through the distribution channel from artisan to exporter to importer to wholesaler to retailer, the price of the item increases at each stage. These increases are due to shipping costs and the overhead and profit margins taken by each “middleman.” Many fair traders attempt to cut out as many steps as possible to reduce costs, but it’s still not unusual for the retail price of an item to be seven times more than what the artisan was originally paid. (I had no idea importing goods was so expensive. Mind = blown!)

As you can see, determining fair prices and wages is a complicated process. This makes me a little more understanding of why more companies, especially smaller companies, don’t do it (even though it’s the right thing to do), and it also makes me incredibly appreciative of the fair traders who put in the effort and commitment to ensure producers are paid fairly.

Fair payment is one of the many reasons I choose to support fair trade. Why do you choose fair trade? Do you have any questions about fair trade? Let me know in the comments!

News Roundup: March 2014

March 25, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

Springtiiiiime! Let’s ignore the fact that it’s snowing in parts of the country. Spring is technically here, and it’s giving my mood a major boost, merely by the fact that it can’t be winter forever. I’ve even had a few days when I got outside to run and enjoy the sunshine. Of course, when I wasn’t doing that, I was reading ethical lifestyle articles like a boss. Check out my picks from this month below!

(I found several of the articles below in Modavanti’s new newsletter “The Weekly What.” I couldn’t find a subscribe link on their website, but I think if you just register for their site in general you’ll receive it.)

The Opiate of the Masses – Leah shares her thoughts on why ethical consumerism shouldn’t be the only way we express our values and concern for people and the planet. Very thought-provoking! (Style Wise)

Style Is the Way You Live Your Life – Gala Darling is one of my favorite blogs to read for a healthy dose of encouragement and girl power. This post emphasizes how your purchases don’t define your style—it’s more about being creative with what you have than about buying the latest designer item. (Gala Darling)

AllSaints, Urban Outfitters Fail to Address Forced Labor in Cotton Sourcing – This article summarizes a report from the Responsible Sourcing Network which surveyed companies on their policies and practices related to sourcing cotton from Uzbekistan, where forced labor in cotton production has been extensively documented. (Ecouterre)

25 Shocking Fashion Industry Statistics – This list includes statistics on global apparel spending, pollution from the textile industry, and garment industry wages. (TreeHugger)

Why I Invest in Ethical Fashion – This article provides a concise rationale for the ethical shopping movement, comparing it to the dramatic emergence of the organic food movement. (PandoDaily)

Retailers want answers from Cambodian PM over factory shootings – I’m not sure how I missed this… did you know that in January, Cambodian security forces shot at and killed workers who were protesting low wages? (The Guardian)

The Post-Landfill Action Network – This is a great program started by college students to solve the huge problem of waste caused by the year-end move-out purge. Students rescue usable items in the spring and re-sell them to students in the fall when they move back in. I love how this program connects unwanted items with people who want them! It’s such a key part of the sustainable sharing economy.

Organic Equal Exchange Chocolate Easter Eggs – Temperatures are rising (in some places… sort of…) which means the window for ordering fair trade chocolate online is closing. Equal Exchange is offering milk and dark chocolate easter eggs, plus their usual minis. Stock up before temperatures get above 75!

New ethical lifestyle blogs found this month:

New shopping sites found this month:

ThredUp – Online consignment store allowing users to recycle clothing from their own closets and purchase high quality used items (found via Style Wise).

What are you reading lately? Is it getting to be spring-ish where you live?

Great Intentions: Get Fit and Lose Weight

January 22, 2014 by Laura Leave a Comment

Title image with woman doing yoga It’s been almost two weeks since I introduced my new blog series in my post A Year of Great Intentions. Today, I am officially starting the first category of this series, with the topic Get Fit and Lose Weight. When I was writing that last blog, I had just begun taking yoga classes and I was loving it. Later this week I will be checking out a new studio with friends to continue with my practice.

As a reminder, this year is about having great intentions and following through with them so that you will be satisfied with the time you have in this life. Getting fit might mean you will have to purchase some new apparel and gear. Intending to do great things for ourselves has the potential to lead to doing good for others, such as shopping ethically. Below are ethical products I found for three common workouts.

Yoga & Pilates
Studios usually have blocks, straps, and other props available for students to use. Many also rent mats so you do not have to purchase one, especially for your first time. If you are going to practice yoga or Pilates at home, check out thrift shops in order to purchase and then reuse mats and other gear. Or, shop online. YogaAccessories.com has a strict fair trade policy, and sells everything you will need for yoga and Pilates, including kits with the essentials.

Running/Walking
New Balance is an American company that sells American-made or -assembled running and walking shoes. On their website, there is the option to shop for “Made in the USA” shoes, socks, t-shirts, and other apparel. These are produced using at least 70% domestic material.

If you have been a runner for a long time, you might have your favorite brand or style and are now wondering how New Balance might match up. Do not fret. Runner’s World had six pairs – both men’s and women’s styles – of New Balance shoes in their Winter 2013 Shoe Guide.

Hiking
First of all, I haven’t been able to find a store that sells ethically-made hiking boots for serious hikers, but Oliberté is a shoe company that sells somewhat rugged boots for men and women. Made in African countries, the shoes are made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, and the company is open about their ethical practices.

Secondly, you cannot go on a hike without some form of hydration and comfortable clothing. This filtering water bottle is Made in the USA and these cold-beverage bottles are made by EarthLust, a Certified B Corporation.

Finally, WOMbat sells men’s and women’s outerwear and has a strong ethical policy, and PrAna sells a few basic Fair Trade Certified t-shirts for men. Later this year, keep an eye out for Patagonia’s new Fair Trade Certified fall line!

I wish you all the best in your fitness pursuits this year. Moreover, I hope that you think about any purchases you need for those pursuits primarily from an ethical standpoint. What fitness activities do you enjoy and are going for this year? Swimming? Dance? Rock climbing? Please contact us if you have any leads on ethically-made products for your fitness routine!

Fair Trade Sales & Deals

January 15, 2014 by Julia 1 Comment

When I began fair trade shopping several years ago, I experienced a little sticker shock. I was a college student who wasn’t used to paying full price for anything, let alone the “true” full price charged by many fair trade retailers.

It’s not a big secret that fair trade items are sometimes more expensive than their conventional counterparts. It makes sense: when workers are paid a living wage, that cost gets added to the final price of the product. What is a secret is that fair trade items can often be just as affordable (or more affordable) than conventional items.

One way that I eased into buying fair trade—and a practice I still follow today—was to take advantage of sales and deals. Just like any other stores, fair trade shops have periodic sales to clear out old merchandise or promotions to attract more customers. In 2014, I want to share more of these sales with you to help you find ethical goods that are just as affordable as conventional ones.

Fair Indigo, one of my favorite ethical retailers, has frequent sales and happens to be having their big winter sale right now. They sell a mix of fair trade, made in USA, and organic items.

There’s plenty of cold weather left, so perhaps you could use a cozy recycled fiber cardigan or knit blazer. Or if you’re preparing for spring, check out their adorable organic cotton dresses. (I have professed my love for these before and I will do it again and again, occasionally in song.) Some of the sale prices are even lower than what you would find in a regular store.

Items shown above with sale prices:

Fair Indigo Organic Pima Cotton Circle Neck Dress – $29.99 (50% off)
Green 3 Apparel Reclaimed Tan Collage Skirt – $29.99 (40% off)
World Finds Fair Trade Gold Cuff Bracelet – $16.99 (10% off)
Ethos Paris Organic Cropped Knit Fair Trade Jacket – $39.99 (60% off)
Imagine Hardware Necklace – $9.99 (70% off)

Now that I see them all together, they make a nice little mix-and-match set, don’t they? And don’t worry: when you buy a fair trade item on sale, the maker of that item has already been paid a fair price. It’s the retailer who takes any losses.

What are you shopping for right now? Are you getting ready for spring or still layering on sweaters? (After the Polar Vortex every 30-degree day feels like picnic weather to me.)

Year in Review: 2013

January 1, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

2013 Year in Review party image

Wowza! How did it get to be 2014 already? (I’m pretty sure it was 1998 two weeks ago…)

The Fair for All Guide has grown and changed a lot this year, and I want to thank all of you for being a part of it! The sustainable and ethical fashion movement gained a lot of traction in 2013, and we’re excited to see how it will grow in 2014. And of course, we look forward to sharing the latest with you.

It was kind of unbelievable to look back and see how much we’ve written in 2013—posting once a week really adds up! (We’re definitely at the lower end of post frequency… to every other blogger who posts more than that: you are incredible.)

In case you missed them, here are some of our favorite posts from the last year:

Thanks again for being with us, and may 2014 be your best year yet!

Ethical Style Blogs

December 10, 2013 by Julia 6 Comments

Ethical Style Blogs mosaic

When we shifted the focus of the Fair for All guide to the blog about a year ago, it was because I was having a hard time finding any blogs that covered shopping and style from an ethical, human-rights-based perspective. There were many blogs covering environmentally-friendly style, but few that addressed the human aspects of fair trade, working conditions and labor rights.

Thankfully, over the last year I have found that I wasn’t the only person thinking this way! I have discovered several excellent blogs focused on style that’s good for the people producing it as well as the earth. Each blogger has a different style and approach, covering the gamut from made-in-USA goods to thrift and vintage shopping to eco-friendly items to fair trade. I’ve found all of them to be helpful and inspiring resources.

Here is my ethical shopping blogroll:

Made-to-Travel — Jamillah serves up boundless positivity, collections of ethical and stylish products, and other inspiring stories.
Stylewise — Leah shares ethical outfits from her wardrobe and explores the spiritual effects of how we consume.
Let’s Be Fair — Dominique showcases fabulous ethical product collections, giveaways, and a new “Manthropologie” series that I can only assume addresses ethical style for men.
My Fair Vanity — Rachel presents a fashion-forward, high-end perspective on ethical style. If you’re a high-powered CEO and need ethical shopping tips, start here.
The Dollar — This blog has a cool post structure where they show “The What,” or the product, and “The Who,” or the person or group who made that product. Great way to show the direct connection between artisans and their creations!
In Tandem Fair Trade Weddings — Tegan focuses specifically on ideas for planning a fair trade and ethical wedding, from the dress to jewelry to gifts and more.
October Rebel — Anna shares gorgeous, ethereal photography and her experiments with ethical style.
Lifestyle: Justice — Hannah and Andrew post about fair trade style and social justice issues like human trafficking.

I recommend checking out any of the above blogs to get more insight and advice on how to shop (and live) ethically and intentionally. I’ve added them to our Resources page for quick reference.

What are your favorite ethical style blogs? I’d love to add some more to my list!

Our Fair Trade Holiday Wish List

November 20, 2013 by Julia 2 Comments

Laura and I are joining forces this week to share our top three ethical wish list items for this holiday season!

Julia’s Wish List

1. Cerulean leather purse from SERRV

Spoiler alert: My mom already bought this and showed it to me to make sure I liked the color. The blue isn’t quite as vibrant as it looks in photos—it’s got more gray in it—but I still like it so I gave her the stamp of approval. It’s the perfect size, has several pockets, and has both padded shoulder straps and a cross-body strap. It’s made fairly by an artisan group in India. I can’t wait to open it on Christmas!

2. Adie Cut-Out Oxfords by Bhava from Modavanti

Work-appropriate, stylish, ethically-made shoes are one of the toughest things to find. These Oxfords are both classy and fun and are not ridiculously expensive, particularly for such a versatile style. The label, Bhava, focuses primarily on environmental concerns, using organic cotton and reclaimed wood in their designs. However, they do meet the sustainability threshold of Modavanti, an ethical shopping storefront that has baseline standards for ethical labor and environmental preservation. Plus, orders from Modavanti have free shipping both ways, which I consider key for buying shoes online.

3. Scoop Top – 3/4 Sleeve from Maggie’s Organics

Sometimes the gifts I appreciate the most are the simple, practical ones. There’s nothing flashy about this black scoop-neck shirt, and that’s what makes it great. It would be perfect with a pencil skirt for work or with jeans at on the weekend. It’s a 95% organic cotton/5% Spandex blend and is grown and sewn in Peru under fair conditions. One of my favorite things about Maggie’s Organics is their openness and transparency about their process for verifying their good labor practices.

Laura’s Wish List

It was a challenge to find fair trade, ethically sourced gifts that I would very much care to have. I have a particular taste and style which some may describe as picky. So I tried to recall items I have seen or thought about wanting for a while. Once the three below came to mind, I began the hunt and am pleased with what I came across.

1. Reversible headband from Mata Traders

For several months, I have been growing my hair out from a very short style. I have had to cut it a couple times since, just to shape it, which basically means I have started the process over again… and again. I keep it up most of the time because I can’t do anything with it, but I really don’t think that is healthy. So, I have been dreaming about owning a headband that will make my hair tidy and cute with very little work. I discovered that Mata Traders has three Reversible Headbands ($16.00) to choose from. I prefer the Black/White one, though I would be happy with any of the colors. Mata Traders is on our Fairly Friendly list, and according to the website, the company works only with producer groups in India and Nepal “that practice fair trade principals.”

2. Highlands Carafe from Ten Thousand Villages

If you come to visit me, one of the first things I will say to you is, “would you like something to drink?” And by saying that, I mean it. You can have anything I have in my home – beer, wine, juice, milk, or of course, purified (or tap) water. In most cases I will pour that directly for you from the container, but at times I wonder about having a nicer presentation. Now, I like carafes more than pitchers. Thanks to Ten Thousand Villages, I found one that is both charming and classy. This is the functional and decorative bubbled-glass Highlands Carafe ($29.00), handmade in Bolivia through Crisil Srl. The glass is recycled. The artisans are poor residents who live near the town named Cochabamba. Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization and is on our Fairly Friendly list.

3. Warm Welcome Batik Tray from Ten Thousand Villages

Last year, I lived with my sister Kate, who is an artist and a decorator. She has “the touch” when it comes to turning a bedroom into a retreat, a house into home. It is from her that I learned that every item you own can be part of your overall design. This includes one thing I have been seeking for years – the perfect tray. I was stunned to find one at, again, Ten Thousand Villages. The Warm Welcome Batik Tray ($39.00) is just that, and more! It is beautiful. Every inch of it has a purposeful design element. It is exactly what I have been hoping to track down. This tray is designed by artisans in Indonesia who are members of APIKRI, an NGO that “helps organize artisans and provides export marketing services, technical assistance, training and other supports.”

What’s on your holiday wish list this year? Let us know in the comments!

Don’t forget to check out #FairTuesday for even more fair trade, ethical, and eco-friendly holiday gifts!

News Roundup: October 2013

October 29, 2013 by Julia Leave a Comment

Fair Trade Month is almost over—give it one last hurrah by munching on fair trade chocolate on Halloween night and reading the ethical shopping articles and links below!

Excerpt from the History of Authentic Fair Trade by Equal Exchange

Excerpt from A History of Authentic Fair Trade by Equal Exchange

A History of Authentic Fair Trade – Learn how the fair trade movement began and became what it is today through this comic book that focuses on the plight of small farmers. (Equal Exchange)

Hey, Big Fair-Trade Spender – A thought-provoking article comparing the value of smartphone ethical shopping apps to a broader educational approach. (Slate)

Walmart & Gap: Join the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh – Sign this petition from the International Labor Rights Forum to ask Walmart and Gap to join nearly 70 other countries in committing to factory worker safety.

Copper Candle from The Little Market

The Little Market – Lauren Conrad gets into fair trade with this marketplace for products created by small-scale artisans.

What were your favorite finds this month? Did anyone else put out fair trade chocolate at work? At my office the chocolate was gone in a flash (no surprise there), and several people took one of the information cards with an Equal Exchange coupon on the back. You never know what little piece of information will help someone start thinking differently about their purchases, so I’m happy that even a few were taken.