Organic cotton snap down shirt dress with graphic tulip detail and wrap belt, by MaQety (xs-5x)

Poet Dress in Meadow by Variety Hour (xs-2x)

Note: This dress and the style below has since sold out. Click here to shop all available Variety Hour dresses!

If a linen dress in a solid color could ever be considered maximalist, it would have to be this green ruched dress by Vakada store on Etsy. I personally love the green best, but there are 20 colors to choose from! (xs-xxl)

Hedi Swallow slip dress from Loud Bodies (xxs-10x)

Wren Maximalist Dress by Bel Kazan (xs-xl)

Not a dress but absolutely deserving of a shoutout, the Cora boatneck jumpsuit from Mixed (xs-3x)

The Clementine Dress in Renaissance Floral by Dynasty George (xs-2x)

Osei Duro’s Letsa Wrap Dress (xs-3xl) is also no longer available, but they have lots of other dreamy maximalist dresses to choose from, including:

Letsa Wrap Dress by Osei Duro (size xs-4x) is just so stunning with its abstract pattern and color.

It’s a splurge for sure, but I love the spring colors of the maximalist Eva Dress from abacaxi (xs-3x)

Think a mini dress can’t be maximalist? The mirrorwork and beaded detailing on this ribbed tank dress takes it to a whole new level. Also by abacaxi, xs-xl, part of their mirrorwork collection.

Lost in Reverie Dress by Khara Kapas from Ikkivi (xxs-5x + custom)

Sustainable Maxi Dress in Hot Pink by Khara Kapas from Ikkivi (xxs-5x + custom)

Penelope colorblock dress by Tamara Malas is a full button down with pleats. This dress also comes in a sherbet/rose combination that is just so dreamy too!

Little Things Studio offers this beautiful scalloped dress in an orange and peach colorblock. Custom sizing available!

Do you own any maximalist dresses? Find more susty favorites in this post!

The post Sustainable Dresses for the Conscious Maximalist appeared first on Eco Club.

conscious fashion gift ideas

Girlfriend leggings – I received a pair as a gift about five years ago and it’s still one of the best gifts I’ve been given! My current fave color is Glass, but if you’re not sure which the recipient will like, go with a gift card.

This fanny pack by Hindbag out of Paris is pretty much the best color combo ever – a trio of sweet pastels. They have tons of affordable options for bags in their shop and are known as a top Etsy shop for gifts! Btw, find more sustainable fanny packs here.

Love the linen shop Fargeland on Etsy. They have simple but beautiful linen fashion like this short and top set. In keeping with the colorful vibe, it’s also available in cherry or lilac.

Paradise Jumpsuit by Mixed by Nasrin

Lilac Long Lace Tunic by abacaxi

Striped flare pants by Known Supply. Such a good price!

The Art Class Cropped Shirt by one of my favorite colorful conscious fashion brands Drawn.

Denim jumpsuit by WRAY (see more jumpsuits here!)

Alex Pants by Soft Haus

Oversized silk organza scrunchie via wallflower

Cosmic Gingham Slip Dress by abacaxi

Beaded daisy bag by wallflower

Paige Wrap Romper in Botanical from by kvp

These Bow beaded earrings by Sewcialite have a grandmillennial vibe I just love!

Lux Crochet Duster by Equal Hands has such stunning detail, but I’m a crochet lover!

Hot pink and orange colorblock shoes by chokranmaroc, which is a shop full of colorful maximalist shoes. Also obsessed with this version!

Okay, I know it’s more likely that the products above would make better splurge-y treat yourself gifts than prezzies for friends (if only we all had the budget), but they’re all worth a spot on the blog, in my opinion. Happy browsing!

The post Gift Guide Season is Here. Our Favorite Conscious Fashion Finds To Gift Yourself or a Friend appeared first on Eco Club.

sustainably made summer hats for every style

In the mood for an oversized floppy sunhat? I think the Toni Hat by Selva Negra is the best option out there.

The Maya Fleur sunhat by Freya Hats South Africa

Crochet Raffia Summer Hat by mar y sol

Handmade Quilted Safflower & Turmeric Sun Bonnet by Margo New York

Been pining for the Blue Floral Bucket Hat by Blue Anemone Clothes for many moons now.

The Solana Oversized Straw Hat by Brunna.Co is beyond!

Acid Floral Bucket Hat from WRAY

Reversible Linen Bucket Hat by Maaristore and available in more colors here.

And suddenly, because of the The Straw Visor from Freya Hats South Africa, a visor is now on my shopping list.

Pastel Organic Linen Summer Hat by IsoleLinenStudio for a coordinating outfit

Such a cheerful print on the Packable Rowena Sun Hat by Baggu

Crochet raffia navy dotted wide brim summer hat by mar y sol

Love the dainty floral design on the Wide Brim Bucket Hat by Esendy… Might need the dress to go with it!

Maya Oversized Bucket Hat in green stripe by Freya Hats South Africa

Eco Club member Late To The Party‘s summery caps are made from vintage and upcycled textiles in bold prints and patterns.

Can’t decide? Get yourself an instant collection of RE/lax Remade‘s vintage towel bucket hats! Definitely some of the most unique designs you’ll find.

Looking for more ethical fashion? Pop over to our boutique for our favorite sustainable dresses, accessories, and shoes, plus more fun Etsy finds. 

The post Sustainably Made Summer Hats appeared first on Eco Club.

While I love to focus on specific products for our ethical fashion guides, such as sustainable fanny packs, jumpsuits, or swimsuits, I know that a lot of you are looking for a simple list of brands you can feel good about shopping in general. I’m thrilled that there are so, SO many slow fashion labels out there to create such a list. Yet, the big blogs are all still talking about the same companies rather than helping you discover new solutions for your commitment to supporting small, slow, and sustainable. Whhhyy?!

25 slow fashion labels you haven’t heard of

In this list, we feature 25 brands that we bet most of you haven’t heard of, and a little about why you should check them out. I’ve made a couple quick notes such as where they’re based (all ship to US), their styles, and sizing, but be sure to visit individual websites for more details. I hope this supports your sustainable style journey! Not sure exactly what slow fashion is? See the end of this post for our take, then scroll back up for our reccs. 

2. Tuesday offers a gorgeous selection of completely handmade and hand-dyed kimonos, dresses, scarves, and tops. They’re based in here in the Pacific Northwest and since items are one-of-a-kind, sizes vary by product.

3. Oge Ajibe is a Vancouver, BC based size-inclusive slow fashion designer (XS-6X) who makes wardrobe staples by hand using natural and deadstock fabrics in beautiful vibrant colors (and neutrals too). She recently released a one of a kind collection made from special one-off fabrics you won’t find anywhere else.

4. Based in the UK, Tipsy Flamingo Clothes makes one-off pieces from vintage household fabrics. Because they’re one of a kind, you have to check out the measurements of each and keep an eye on each drop to ensure you scoop up the best fit. You can find hats and scrunchies here too.

5. Pern and Innika Choo are behind brand Innika Choo, based in Bali and working with small factories to create their romantic and playful smocks and apparel. They’ve also created a platform where shoppers can sell their gently used Innika Choo clothing to those looking for archived designs and a good deal!

6. Vanhu Vamwe combines traditional craft + modern innovation to create their luxury macrame bags, sustainably woven in Africa by their artisan partners. 10% of total sales go directly to women for women initiatives. Materials like recycled para-cord (made from plastic bottles) create long lasting, luxury products. ⁠

7. Isabella Eve Apparel makes custom, colorful fashion for all bodies, in Grand Rapids, MI. Everything is handcrafted to order by owner Isabella using your custom measurements.

9. Half Asleep Co is the sustainable sleepwear brand behind these silky soft PJ and loungewear sets and sleep masks using 100% Tencel Modal Micro. They say, “From our plastic-free packaging to our synthetic-free products, we take our global footprint into account in every decision we make.”

10. Camas Lilly Co specializes in upcycled bridal and bridal party robes made with beautiful deadstock fabrics, helping you have a more sustainable weddings. Customize them to your wedding palette!

11. Rosa, the designer behind Cada Todo creates limited drops of the most darling wrap dresses made exclusively from (gorgeous) reclaimed textiles. Cada Todo sticks to a couple of signature style dresses to make finding your fit easier (with cute size names like ‘Foxy Lady’ which represent measurements rather than a traditional S/M/L label. Another fabulous perk of ordering from this small business is that they aren’t hemmed until you order, so you can secure the right length (short people rejoice!). Custom sizing and styles are available too!

12. Lovanie is a made-to-order slow fashion brand for petite women. Based in Seattle!

13. By KVP produces gorgeous loungewear and relaxed clothing like oversized robes and pant sets, wrap pants, and shorts from linen.

14. Gina Cusachs is a Barcelona-based sustainable fashion brand offering laidback, colorful womens clothing. They’re known for their bold, vibrant prints that adorn everything from easy dresses to bucket hats to silk scarves. I love that they offer reversible pieces, making two outfits in one!

16. Based in Portland, OR, slow fashion brand Ersa Fibers is a one-woman studio that custom makes every piece to order, upcycling scrap fabric into one-off products. (Sizes XS-5x)

17. Another ethical fashion brand out of Australia (that ships worldwide), RŪPAHAUS handcrafts womenswear, menswear, accessories, and even decor out of beautiful natural materials. They are meant to be investment pieces that become mainstays in your wardrobe. I love the soft colorways of their handwoven cotton pieces. Most pieces are currently available up to size XL.

18. Dynasty George‘s sustainable cottagecore dresses are created from natural deadstock fabrics and ethically made in India. Sizes XS-XXL and mommy and me children’s dresses offered.

19. In a world of sustainable basics, AGAATI features special occasion womenswear as well as bespoke custom tailoring.

20. Jacaranda is a Calgary-based slow fashion brand specializing in sustainable active and lounge wear using organic pima cotton.

21. Handmade both in Chicago and a GOTS certified facility in India, Valani‘s clothing is fun and flirty with the smallest footprint possible.

22. Women’s clothing store Soluna Collective offers a range of ethically made and handcrafted styles from cargo pants and utility jackets to bodysuits and lounge pants. Some sizes only go to XL while others are offered up to 3X.

23. Neems Jeans is an amazing slow fashion brand featuring custom denim made in LA for women and men. Build your own jeans by choosing the style, rise, wash, and stretch, and even where you want them to hit (ankle, below, or above ankle). Then, you’ll upload your measurements and they’ll start on your custom order! They’re $199 which is right in the range of most quality denim brands, except that these are ethically made and totally custom! (PS I haven’t tried them myself yet, I’m just really jazzed up about this concept and hope to soon!)

24. JOYTOAST is a playful, size inclusive brand (S-7X and beyond) made in Chicago by plus size creator Amy Lynn. They’re currently stocking mostly accessories, including adjustable bag straps that you can attach to any bag with removable straps, and wear in different ways.

what’s the difference between slow fashion, ethical fashion, and sustainable fashion?

Hope you like nuance. Slow fashion (or slow clothing), ethical fashion, and sustainable fashion can all be seen as alternatives to fast fashion, but they’re not all the same. It’s good to know their differences in order to avoid greenwashing while shopping. These terms aren’t regulated in any way, so it’s up to the brands themselves whether they want to label themselves any of these:

Slow fashion refers to clothing that is made in small batches. There’s no universal definition of how small these batches are made, but it’s understood that they are not mass produced. Usually these brands feature handmade clothing produced by either a small team or a single designer. It often includes custom and made-to-order fashion, which you’ll see a lot of below! Because of this, slow fashion is not always ready-to-ship and can take days or weeks for it to make it from the maker to the consumer.

Whether or not a slow fashion brand should also be considered sustainable is often up to the consumer. For example, most of the brands on this list upcycle vintage or deadstock textiles, use natural fibers, or opt for organic over conventional cotton. But does that mean if a designer uses virgin fabric or a synthetic material that they’re not sustainable? That’s up to you. Generally speaking it’s still more sustainable than a fast fashion brand, but it may not be totally up to your standards if you prefer to avoid certain materials.

Similarly ethical and sustainable fashion often includes slow made clothing, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. A sustainable and ethical fashion brand, such as Eileen Fisher, for example, may operate on a much larger scale and therefore not fall into the “slow” category.

What is sustainable fashion? Sustainable fashion is usually used to describe the materials or process, or environment. Questions to ask: What is this made of? Are the inks and dyes used harmful to people or the environment? Does the factory the clothing is made in adhere to environmental standards? What waste do they produce?

Ethical fashion defines the social aspect, most often referring to the people who made the clothing. Questions like who made this? What are their working conditions like? Are they paid fairly? are asked.

This is where I’ve seen some greenwashing come in. It’s easy to assume that because a company brands themselves as sustainable that their clothing is also ethically produced, and vice versa. Early on in my blogging journey I was often approached by ethical clothing companies that put pretty much zero consideration toward the environment in their practices. While no one is requiring that an ethical brand be transparent about their sustainability practices, I can see why consumers might assume if a company checks one box, it automatically checks both. So be sure to ask all the questions, if all of these factors are important to you!

On eco club we use sustainable and ethical fashion pretty much interchangeably — we rarely report on any brand that doesn’t check both boxes. That said, we also consider that small businesses often have to work up to certain sustainability standards (ie organic and fair trade certifications can be costly) so, it totally depends.

I hope this guide helped you! Please add any slow clothing brands you’d love to see added, in the comments! 

The post 25 Incredible Slow Fashion Brands You’ve Never Heard Of appeared first on Eco Club.

New for 2023 – Wolf & Badger dresses

Plaid maxi shirtdress by Marianna Deri, Holiday plaid mini dress by Tessa Fay, Moody maximalist floral dress by Volsew Paris, this floral linen dress by Moos Studio is titled spring, but it looks perfect for early fall to me!, Magenta maxi dress by Sofia Tsereteli, May Jaipur plaid shirt dress by Emily and Finn, Pine feather sleeve dress by Volsew Paris, Cupro wrap dress with bow by Femponiq, Libre dress by akin (has such a cute bow detail on the back!)

Our 2022 roundup (links removed because products are sold out, but you can Google each brand to see what’s new.)

Bertie Midi Dress by Molby the Label, Lavender dress with puff sleeve by Azzalia, Rae Mini Dress from Karmic Witch, Nutmeg Zoya Dress by Taeve Africa, Romana Dress by So English, Ochre Leaf dress by Haris Cotton, Fuchsia Flower by Haris Cotton , Liana Floral Dress by Aroop Shop, Olive Maxi Dress by Giyi

Fall is a time of transition and is truly one of the most vibrant times of year. So while I totally do love to lean into darker tones and neutrals later in the season, in the beginning I’m feeling so inspired by warm contrasting hues you’d see on the trees.

To get the most from Wolf & Badger, and many marketplaces like them, you want to take advantage of their filters. They sell thousands of items (literally 9k dresses), so you want to narrow it down a bit or you’ll get super overwhelmed. One of the filters is “sustainability status” which I highly recommend using. Even though I think any item worth investing in should check all the boxes, that’s just not the case for most. I make sure to at least check “Mother Earth” because it seems to filter out the items made with less sustainable fabrics like polyester. (Too many times I’ve found socially responsible brands remain environmentally wasteful!) So of course, check your filters, and read descriptions carefully to ensure a product aligns with your own values.

One last note for those keeping mother nature in mind. Wolf & Badger is not in the US and many (if not most) of their items will ship from overseas. Obviously, that’s not ideal for your carbon footprint. I still think it’s worth shopping occasionally because of the talented designers you can discover and support, but that’s for you to decide! You could probably cut down on your impact by purchasing things all at once instead of individually, and from the same brands.

Let me know if you liked this quick roundup from one marketplace we’re loving lately. This is not sponsored (I have no contacts at Wolf & Badger, but hope they like this little tribute!), but I have used my affiliate link throughout. 

The post Wolf & Badger Fall Dresses appeared first on Eco Club.

Eva Maxi Smock

Australian brand Opia uses textured raw materials to make effortless boho clothing.

Binita Maxi Dress in Apricot

Daughters of India offers block printed bohemian maxi dresses, not to mention the cutest flowy minis!

Love is a Butterfly Dress by Khara Kapas

Ikkivi curates conscious fashion brands from India featuring designers like Khara Kapas.

Alysa Maxi Dress by Pozruh

Omi Na-Na also brings together an edit of conscious fashion, including lots of feminine boho dresses from ethical clothing brands around the globe.

Sophia Dress

NYC based WRAY‘s selection of summer dresses are made in a Fair Trade facility in India.

The Dahlia Dress

The Paloma Dress

Can’t talk bohemian OR ethical production without mentioning Christy Dawn, right?

Isabella Dress (photo by @ninaclairephotographer)

bird + kite‘s floaty, free spirited boho dresses are made by artisans in Bali.

Gabrielle Dress (photo via @sheflourished_)

Loud Bodies, based in Romania and shipping worldwide, offers romantic, sustainable dresses in sizes XXS-10X.

Calistoga Dress (photo by @galaricote)

Upcycling design studio Loti creates limited collections hand screen printed in Peru.

Where do you buy ethically made boho dresses for summer? Happy July, friends!

PS Find more affordable ethical clothing brands here!

The post Where To Buy Ethically Made Boho Dresses for Summer appeared first on Eco Club.

Gossamer Vintage Rust Ruffle Blouse

Buy Secondhand

Shopping vintage and secondhand is one of the best ways to pull off a conscious maximalist wardrobe because you’re able to find designs that aren’t seen elsewhere, and therefore make every outfit look one of a kind. It allows you to mix and match unexpected colors and patterns in a fresh way. Those who love the concept of conscious maximalism are into the treasure hunt—they love the idea that fashion is expressive and meant to be experimented with!

Mi Golondrina Olivia Blouse

Meaningful Finds

With that in mind, you’ll want to keep a mend mentality—that the pieces in your wardrobe are special and worth repairing rather than trashing. That also means that while you’re on the vintage hunt, you don’t buy for the sake of a “thrift haul” but because you can see yourself wearing the hell out of a piece. Or perhaps it’s new but you absolutely love the brand/designer, and want to support them by adding a piece of their artwork to your rotation. It’s beyond cliché now, but it’s a helpful question to ask while shopping—does this spark JOY for me?! Or is it just trendy or a good deal?

Samantha Pleet Moon Banquet

Layer Up

Maximalist home décor is defined by layers of surprisingly (but well-coordinated) prints, textures, and colors. Same goes for maximalist style in fashion! I’m so inspired by anyone who can pull off bold mixed prints—they make it look easy but you have to have a good eye for design to make it work! Layering is key to this look, and not just with warm clothes in the winter. Sometimes it’s the littlest details like a good necklace and blouse collar combo that makes an outfit go from average to marvelously maximalist.

Tuesday of California Cadette Skirt

How would you describe your personal style? Conscious maximalism is admittedly more of an aspirational style to me, but it’s inspiring me to look in my closet and pull out those purchases that used to seem too loud or risky and finally wear them with confidence.

The post How To Dress Like A Conscious Maximalist appeared first on Eco Club.

Featured above (left to right, top to bottom): helmstedt quilted jacket (fabric swatch left of orange dress) / neon double fan handmade earrings / mara hoffman spring 2020 / wray nyc / eco club member bel kazan lucy dress / oge ajibe dress / high waist linen pants / mara hoffman spring 2020 / celia b sunny dress / leroli positano campaign / soli & sun orange clutch

Pretty ain’t it? I know for me personally, being a lover of handmade (Etsy obsessed since 2008!) and passionate about living sustainably, I didn’t always feel this inspired by sustainable fashion. Don’t get me wrong, everything that came before us was necessary for the industry’s growth, but I think a lot of people felt the same, considering this explosion of sustainable fashion designers enamored with the experimental.

But what does conscious maximalism really mean? Is it just an affinity for a rainbow of color choices? To me, it’s more than that…

What Is Conscious Maximalism?

Color and print. Yes, colors and prints are a big deal to the conscious maximalist. It’s empowering to people who are drawn to creative expression through fashion, to see themselves reflected in sustainable clothing in a way that they wouldn’t have if there were only minimalist brands working in the space.

Intention. The ‘conscious’ element of this trend is important, and it’s this that distinguishes it from every other trend coined ‘maximalist’ that currently exists. Just like any aspect of green living, this means something to everyone. It can mean only purchasing upcycled or natural materials. It can mean getting to know the artist behind your pieces. It can mean doing a deeper dive to make sure the brand is committed to ethical production. Everyone has a different perspective, budget, and set of values they shop with, so this won’t be the same across the board.

Abundance. Conscious maximalism is the abundance mindset of the design world. You know how much we love and support low-waste living here, so this isn’t to say minimalism doesn’t have its place. But I think in order for more people to fall in love with with sustainable living, they need to know they don’t have to feel a sense of lack within the space. Rather, that there is endless opportunity to support companies and designers they love and contribute in their own creative way. Also, let’s be real, fashion IS an art form to many of us; our closets house our collection, so not everyone is on board with a 5-garment wardrobe. An abundance mindset is a very empowering one to have when talking something as heavy as, you know, destroying the planet, and exploiting humans.

Inclusivity. I’ve noticed that many brands that fall into this category endeavor to be more inclusive with the sizing and accessibility of their garments. (Not everyone of course, and I do know plenty of basics brands that have this down!) There are also many price points within conscious maximalism, and it’s not just high end vs mass market. And where else in fashion do you see such killer mixing of secondhand and vintage with the new? And does it not make the perfect complement to your minimalist essentials? To me it just seems like a very welcoming, we’ve got something for everyone, kind of space.

Have you noticed conscious maximalism as a sustainable fashion trend? Is this more up your alley than minimalism?

The post This New Sustainable Fashion Trend is Way More Fun Than Minimalism appeared first on Eco Club.