Hi, I'm Dale.
The methods and brands I use to live a simpler, more sustainable, self-care oriented life.
capsule wardrobe.
clean beauty.
clear mind.
The methods and brands I use to live a simpler, more sustainable, self-care oriented life.
capsule wardrobe.
clean beauty.
clear mind.
So. I love this outfit, both just in my Girlfriend Paloma Bra (in stock here) and with my old H&M army T-shirt dress (that shrunk) tucked in. The Cargos are old from Urban Outfitters. The one other thing on here that you can buy are my black rubber Birkenstock, which I bought as a utility summer sandal but now wear religiously and lovingly call my “birken-crocs” since they are made out of, what I believe to be, the same material.
I was only able to recreate this look in reverse - with the bottoms army green and the top in khaki.
The Arlo Trouser in Seaweed from LACAUSA has the same patch pockets on the front and back, but no cargo pocket. You could easily cut off the hem to make it raw like mine, which are cropped to about mid-calf. If you’re looking for the full look this Hazel T Shirt dress from Everlane would be the best inverse for the top.
This was a super old sweatsuit from ASOS that shrunk in the wash (of course) and the color started out more mauve-y which completely clashed with me skin-tone. Due to quarantine boredom I was inspired to bleach-tie this sweatsuit to make it something I'd wear in the summer now that it was a cropped set.
The closest alternative brand solutions I’ve been able to find are these Mate the Label Sets: Their Classic Jogger in Latte, and their Vintage Pullover in Latte. I thought that pale yellow, bone, pale pink, and rose could come out with a similar vibe. You could go true white and add color too! Most of the colors are sold out, so I also found this sweat short set in pale yellow from Pact - and it’s a about half the price: The Essential Drawstring Short and the Essential Zip Hoodie or if you prefer a crew neck there is the Essential Sweatshirt in pale yellow.
These two are both LuLu’s and I’ve found a super good KOTN alternative for the white blouse, but I haven’t found a great alternative to the army green skirt-alls. I did find a plain denim version from Levi’s who is known for their sustainability. If you’re looking for a pop of color they do have pink available on Free People in majority of sizes. These Short-alls from Patagonia could be good if you’re looking for a romper style anyway! Here’s a good basic black tank too.
One thing that I’ve realized is that you can make unsustainable fashion slow fashion by only buying pieces that you’ll wear over and over again. If they are a high quality brand you won’t need replacements and you can get plenty of use to decrease the carbon foot print. You can also make eco-fashion fast fashion. Simply buying from a store because you like their mission isn’t enough, if the garments don’t align with your style or you buy too frequently, you won’t wear those garments, and the carbon footprint of those pieces will never decrease.
There might be an ultimate way to live sustainably, but there isn’t anyone out there doing it perfectly. Do your part where you can, I’ve found the best way for me is focusing on my style, buying things I’m pumped to wear many, many times and only filling the gaps in my closet after saving up.
Both of these are old but they aren’t that hard to add you your close t from sustainable brands :) Here are some semi-similar black dresses, The closest I found was from the Nika Shirt Dress from Neek Collection, if you like a cinch at the waist, these are some good options: Aritzia’s Alfred mini dress.
A TON of options for an oatmeal long sleeve! I’m going to link a flat cotton option and some waffled/ribbed options! Mat the Label has two good thermal options: the Spencer and the Remi Though due to COVID-19 it seems they are low on sizes. This plain KOTN long sleeve is tightly fitted but the most similar in color! This Flat Everlane Air Long-Sleeve is a little darker but the most similar in cut.
OK so this top is originally from nasty gal which started in very sustainable roots, but has since shifted away from that, so no feature for you. I’ve worn this top maybe 5 times and it’s already falling apart, however, I LOVE THIS STYLE, so I found some better options out there for y’all. Here are two: This silky number from Reformation or this Clean silk option from Everlane.
Next, the skirt.. So this one was originally from topshop (MOTO denim) and I have to say it’s actually very high quality, but probably made in a very unsustainable/ethical fashion. SO, this is the closest alternative I could find: the a-line mini skirt w/ a patch pocket from Madewell. Jury is out on the ethicality of Madewell’s clothing, however there have been major developments for them in their proprietary fabric for sustainability which I will cover during my may30x30 capsule challenge! If you want a sustainably safer bet without the patch pocket/buttons: People Tree has a regular hem medium wash that could fill this void pretty easily! I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s pretty much impossible to find a denim skirt WITHOUT a raw hem. like damn.
This sweater is from Poshmark from “dazedhoney”- I was so nervous the first time I purchased second hand online but honestly, after you do it once it’s a little addicting!
You can find tons of great things on ThreadUP, Poshmark, and so many other resellers! I’ve also been able to connect with a few sites that are launching resale sites for strictly sustainably made clothing!
For now, I’ve found a cute shop called All The Wild Roses, that sells sustainably made clothing and vintage and they have amazing looking Cable Knits that are perfect for winter>spring>summer transitions!
These boots are old, I purchased them in a sale and truly I do love them. This was before my dive into the sustainability world, but I have already loved Frye’s mission with Feeding America and that they are US made. These exact boots are discontinued, but I found very similar ones on their site: the Sacha Moto Shortie.
While I l love these Frye booties, if you’re looking for sustainably made alternative: Nisolo Shoes has their Heeled Chelsea Boot that isn’t quite as western, but it’s similar and they are an amazing brand!
I’ll take one in every color, please
To say obsessed might be too light, The Farrah Wide Leg Jean is unreal. They have the perfect high-waist, cropped wide leg, that have hidden buttons all the way up the fly. I have this jean in “Black Eyeliner” (pictured) and “L Amour” (their medium wash) and I’m tempted to purchase in “A Little White Lie” as well because the fit is so flattering and I don’t have any light colored pants. I’m a 28, wearing a 28, they are more rigid, but are comfortable to move and sit down in.
ARITZIA on the whole is one of my favorite big brands, founded in originality they started with only manufacturing their own styles and have slowly added in brands that they trust. Denim Forum is their own line that they launched in 2018, all styles are made with organic cotton, environmentally friendly TENCEL™, and a bio-based softener that’s GreenScreen® certified. So good and they have plans to get even better!
Head to my brand education page if you want to learn more about ARITZIA’s other sustainability efforts.
sustainability is sexy
Vitamin A makes so many styles out of their EcoRib™ and EcoLux™ fabrics that you can pick the top and bottoms styles that suit you the most. These were the two fits that caught my eye.
These Classic Cut Barcelona Bottoms are unreal. I have never really purchased high-waisted swim before because it always digs in the wrong places, but these actually fit over my long hips and I’m so so happy. I’m wearing a Medium - I’m 5’9” and a 28” waist - I think they fit super well.
The Lou Top is so versatile, the tie isn’t sewn but stays put after you make the knot. I bet I’m not the only one who’s cup size is constantly changing… having this tie makes me more confident that I’ll get to wear this suit over and over again. I’m a 34 C at the moment, wearing a medium, and I could have tried a small, but I’m not confident my boobs aren’t just gonna go ham for summer.
Vitamin A is CRUSHING sustainability and transparency goals, you can read more about their efforts on my brand education page.
all white everything
These white jean shorts by Lee are my favorite! Jean shorts are nearly impossible for me to find a good fit in but these really were amazing with the high rise and mid-length. They are off white, have a utility loop and a subtle herringbone pattern. I purchased them through free people here. I’m normally a 28 and I purchased a 28.
The Lulus button-down is bittersweet. It is exactly what I was looking for in a spring/summer/fall white button down with the tortoise buttons, chest pockets, boxy fit and deep v. Unfortunately, they have 0 sustainability information on their site so here are some sustainable look-alikes: very similar, and only slightly more expensive button down from kotn, and a splurge from reformation button down with no pockets and simpler buttons that could be worn in any season for any occasion! Wearing a Medium.
I also added Lee to my brand education page if you want to learn more about their sustainability efforts!
the basics
I purchased the Flavie jeans in tularoosa through a crazy sale on Aritzia - they run a little pricey, but they are a dream. I throw them on instead of sweatpants sometimes! Here’s a reformation alternative that are a little cheaper and similar, though not as wide-legged. And the mega slouchy Ziggy from Boyish jeans.
The H&M tank is super cheap. There are a lot of unanswered questions about H&Ms sustainable and ethical practices, but since I’ve already purchased it I’m going to wear the hell out of it! Thirty-wears, baby. Here is a similar kotn tank and a similar cotton:on tank for a more ethical and sustainable alternative.
If you want to learn more about either brand’s sustainability initiatives for a better fashion industry check out my brand education page.