Today is Earth Day! A way we’re celebrating Earth Day 2022 is reflecting on how we can incorporate sustainable style into our daily lives. BAGGU, a reusable shopping bag company with a sustainability mission dating back to 2007, focuses on recycled materials and biodegradable packaging for inspiring, color-filled accessories and household items! We love these pieces for their practicality, durability and serotonin-inducing patterns. Baggu’s famous bags are easy to wash, compact, come in multiple sizes and don’t rip!!!! Check out our favorite pieces below.

SHOP BAGGU BEST SELLING FAVORITES

Want to build a Sustainable Spring wardrobe?
Personal Stylist Meg Gallagher can help you build your 2022 style!
Check out her services here.

Check Out More On Sustainability:

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There’s no doubt about it… In 2021, we STILL want comfort clothes!
Spandex, Nylon, Polyester – all the synthetic fibers that make clothing stretch are in full force on the runway and in all our favorite #wfh pieces. Synthetics take an integral role in the production of at-home favorites like leggings and stretch jeans! But where exactly do they come from?
Vogue said it best. “Fracked Fashion” is the term Emily Farra coined in her haunting article, which details the movement of synthetic fiber from it’s conception: “For the uninitiated, they start with fracking, followed by a series of chemical reactions to transform crude oil into a fiber. The fibers don’t biodegrade, which means a polyester legging may sit in a landfill for hundreds of years before eventually breaking into smaller and smaller microplastics. Those later contaminate the soil, harm wildlife, and enter our food and water. Washing polyester and other plastic-based synthetics in the laundry releases microplastics too (including recycled polyester).”
And while these sobering truths about synthetic fibers can (and should) make us think twice before we purchase, this doesn’t mean such pieces should always be avoided. Advantages are worth taking note of, too: Compared to natural fibers, many synthetic fibers are more resistant to water and stains. Synthetic fibers are all-around more durable than natural ones, and will readily pick up vibrant dyes. And when it comes to cloth-damaging insects like carpet beetles and moths, synthetics aren’t a tempting food source to target.

There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to the person who understands their wardrobe, where it comes from and how to build upon it accordingly. Now more than ever, we have the capability to research and reflect on what goes into the production of the clothes we buy; allowing us to personally access what is best for our style and our future. In celebration of striving for a more conscious wardrobe, we’ve gathered some of our favorite brands and resources that display their own unique methods on what it means to have a responsible approach to fashion.

AnotherTomorrow – Avoids using Polyester, Viscose and other like-materials in a thoughtful pursuit of human, animal, and environmental welfare.

MATE the Label – A Commitment to using Organic Cotton, 100% recycled materials for shipping mailers and boxes, recycling used products into new product, and a reduced carbon footprint by keeping all production in Los Angeles.

AMOUR VERT – For every tee bought, they plant a tree. Their pieces are made in limited quantities to ensure the highest production standards and to eliminate any excess waste. Reduced Carbon footprint with 97% of production in California. They partner directly with mills to develop fabrics that are sustainable, soft, and long-lasting. Compostable protective bags to store and ship garments to your door!

Back Beat Co. – All fabrics are recycled or sustainably farmed. All shipping materials are recycled or compostable!

Groceries Apparel – Shop by ingredient! Vertically-integrated, local, and traceable production maximizes quality, efficiency, and employee pay, and minimizes redundancy, waste and their carbon footprint.

Pact – Organic and fair trade at extremely affordable prices.

Ceres – They local fabric mills and factories & avoid synthetic fibers. Packaging is minimal using all recycled materials.

Stella McCartney – Recycled synthetic fibers and conscious sourcing of materials.

Reformation – Created a 5-tier standard for their materials and how they are used. Utilizes vintage recycled materials. Involved with the non-profit group Canopy to limit their environmental impact in utilizing viscose.

Marine Serre – All about up-cycling and creative re-use of vintage materials.

Remake – A fashion resource team who checks up on brand claims regarding sustainability, making it easy for the community to call out greenwashing and support better brands.

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Sustainable fashion is more accessible than ever with big names like Net-a-Porte (See: NET SUSTAIN), Nordstrom (See: Nordstrom Sustainable) and H&M (See: H&M Conscious) paving the way with their promotion of recycled materials and sustainable sourcing. While we are excited about these ever growing environmentally friendly options – there are many other ways to create a more conscious closet, and we’ve compiled some of our favorites! Here are five tried and true ways to create a sustainable wardrobe. 

1. Hosting or Attending a Clothing Swap Meet

We asked LA Clothing Swap Meet host and attendee Annie Girard (instagram: @AnnieGirardYAY) to explain swap meets to us and divulge what elements create the most successful event! Annie explained that organizing the pieces people bring by type or size before the swap begins and using predetermined rules (such as a game, or drawing numbers from a hat) keeps a swap meet light and fun while allowing people to get things they may actually want. People can bring anything from clothing items they no longer wear to accessories and unused makeup samples. For hosting an event, have hangers, clothing racks and food and drinks to share! Any clothing not taken by the end of the night can be donated.
Hosting a smaller event as a girls’ night between friends can be especially successful if people share a similar sense of style, or ideal for giving away any sentimental pieces you no longer wear but feel guilty donating. For larger events, Annie says swap meets instill a warm sense of community between women.

2. Shopping Resale

Find pre-owned pieces for a chunk of the original price! Here’s a list of some of our favorite resale sites and shops.

TheRealReal.com is a valuable source for authenticated luxury consignment – great for both purchasing and selling!

Rebag.com is a Manhattan-based luxury bag consignment website and store with the option to buy, sell or exchange bags – Go from one handbag to the next with no regrets! In-store locations: LA, NYC and Florida.

Vestiairecollective.com is a French company dedicated to a sustainable approach to luxury fashion, taking a unique approach to consignment with it’s careful curation of desirable and expertly authenticated pieces. We love it’s strong international community that spans over 50+ countries!

With new arrivals every day, Tradesy.com is a reliable and popular authenticated luxe style consignment site that creates easy opportunity for you to sell and buy fabulous pieces! Free returns makes Tradesy a great stop for first-timers in luxury consignment.

With shops in Studio City, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and San Fransisco, Wasteland is a well stocked source for current pieces – great for men and women!

3. Shopping Vintage

Like shopping resale, shopping vintage is an easy way to snag covetable already-existing piece! Whereas you may see many seemingly unique, historically rich items in any given shop – you’ll want to find pieces that have withstood the test of time (See Article: How to Buy Vintage Clothes for Beginners). Risky pieces to buy vintage include belts and shoes especially – both of which have likely endured tension and wear-and-tear that leave pieces to fall apart soon after purchase. Despite any risks, there is high reward to finding a great vintage piece that no other person will be wearing out on the streets. Here are some thoughtfully curated sites and stores that specialize in selling reputable vintage we love!

Poshmark.com sells both resale and vintage! We especially love buying vintage on this site because the format includes in-depth descriptions, allows for plenty of product photos and has a comments section to allow for further questions about the product before purchasing. You can negotiate pricing and for further protection, Poshmark has an involved protection systems for refunds on misrepresented items, including pieces with undisclosed damage.

Resee.com is a resale and vintage site that has pieces from as far back as the 1920’s. We love this site for it’s beautiful product photos and easy site searchability.

Both online and on La Brea Avenue, this Los Angeles based vintage store is filled with unforgettable pieces fit for the stars!

4. Shop Your Closet

Now more than ever is a great time to shop your closet! There’s limited newness in store time of year, so dig up that vintage piece hidden in the back of your closet, or visit pinterest for new ways to wear last season’s top. See our post on reworking pieces you already have in your closet for cold weather outfit inspiration.

5. Rewear Your Cocktail and Black Tie

Find a new way to wear the pieces you’ve only worn for that one party or event. Pull out your LBD and re-work it with different jewelry! Add a different coat, leather jacket or blazer. Swap heels for boots!

This post is dedicated to Australia in lieu of the fires that have recently ravaged it’s southeast coast, in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. We believe that being mindful of our environment in everyday choices provide positive steps toward a brighter, greener future. If you feel inclined, we invite you to take a look at two verified Australian relief organizations whom are currently accepting donations that provide assistance to those affected in the tragedy.  

VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL
“The Victorian Government has partnered with Bendigo Bank and The Salvation Army to establish the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. 100% of donated funds will go directly to communities in need. “
(description via www.vic.gov.au)

AUSTRAILIA ZOO WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
“Bindi Irwin, the daughter of famed wildlife conservationist and “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, has been taking in many displaced animals at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which is owned by her mother, Terri. “
(description via USAtoday.com)

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Here are six outfits you should be wearing this fall, and how you can shop your closet to mix-&-match the old with the new for on-trend sustainable style!

Update your wardrobe for fall! Contact Meg or check out her styling services here.

Modernize the Skinny

The world of fashion may have pushed skinnies to the side in favor of looser cuts (see our post on the jeans we’re seeing everywhere), but this alternative skinny styling brings the once-loved cut back to relevance. Knee highs, an oversized blazer and simple shirt such as the classic white tee are a winning combination. Simple, effective and updated.

The Accessory Boot, The Neutral Palette

Pull together your browns, creams, whites and blacks (bonus if you mix in any leather)! Neutral coats and dusters create the perfect frame for an accessory boot.

Fall Plaids, High Waisted Trousers & the Plunge Neck Top

High waisted trousers are still going strong through the end of the year. Mix with fall-friendly plaid and you’re right for the season! Jenny Walton shows us how it’s done by pairing her trousers with a ribbed wool cut-out top. Don’t have a top like Jenny’s? Show just the right amount of skin with an untied pussybow blouse.

The Wrap Blazer, Pairing Monochrome

Wrap-style blazers bring a delicately luxe, effortless alternative to the monochrome power suit. We love the ease of this ensemble when paired with a silk cami! Don’t have a wrap blazer? Try cinching your blazer with a belt that hangs down for that coveted “wrap effect”, like so:

Pleats on Repeat

We can riff off of pleated skirts all day, but the combination to pay attention to this fall is right here: Pleats and knee high boots. On-trend pairings include an accessory chain belt and intentional textural layers like a ruffled white high-neck.

Chic Layers

Tuck a midweight sweater into trousers and throw on an oversized wool coat! Keep your pieces neutral and pair with sleek ankle boots.

For more Fall Style, check out our pinterest board!

The post The Six Outfits You Should Wear This Fall appeared first on Madison to Melrose.

Want more expert advice from a stylist? Contact Meg or check out her styling services here.

How to Clean Wool
Wash wool less frequently – It’s a natural, self-regulating fiber! Clean stains with a gentle detergent by carefully blotting instead of rubbing. When using a washing machine, turn your piece inside out and soak in cold water beforehand to minimize shrinkage. Once in the machine, use a cold water & gentle setting. Proceed to let it air dry.

How to Clean Silk
Check the label! “DRY CLEAN ONLY” indicates that the safest method of cleaning your silk is to dry clean it. However, when a tag merely labels “DRY CLEAN” without the “ONLY”, this indicates dry cleaning as a recommended method rather than a must-obey. Soak your garment in cold water with a detergent for delicates. (For a spot treatment, treat the stain with cold water and a diluted solution of detergent, then soak.) Air dry silk while keeping it out of direct sunlight. To iron silk, wait until the garment is dry. Put a cloth between the iron and garment, and only iron on low heat or a silk setting. Then hang silk in a cool, dry place.

How to Clean Rayon
Viscose Rayon isn’t generally washable, unless otherwise labeled. Treat rayon as a delicate fabric. Pretreat and spot clean any stains with a stain solution. Add a squirt of delicate wash to a sink filled with cold water. Place the garment in the sink and waft the water with your hands to evenly distribute soap, then soak for up to 30 minutes. Rinse well by running cool water through the item. Do not wring! Instead, press the water out of the item, then lay it flat in it’s natural shape on a drying rack to air dry. After the piece has dried, remove any pills with a sweater comb.

How to Clean Cotton
Cotton is a durable fabric that is okay to machine wash. To prevent shrinkage, set the machine to a cold or warm wash setting. Tumble on a low setting until dry, then immediately remove the garment to prevent wrinkles. To remove existing wrinkles, add a spray starch and let rest for a minute. Proceed to use a steam iron on a cotton or high setting to gently press the garment into shape.

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We’ve compiled a list of six influential designers making groundbreaking impact on their industry with their commitment to sustainability. Explore and shop innovative and eco-friendly pieces below!

MARINE SERRE

“Marine Serre’s critically acclaimed collections have garnered a cult following. Seasons have seamlessly progressed to continuously hybrid sustainability, couture, and athletic aesthetic…”

RICHARD QUINN

“Richard Quinn is the inaugural winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, and his Fall ‘18 show was the first that Her Majesty has personally attended, sitting front row next to Anna Wintour. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, the London-based ready-to-wear designer founded his eponymous label in 2016 while simultaneously opening a studio for print development – he uses state-of-the-art sustainable technology to create the brand’s exuberant, acid-hued patterns there.”

MAGGIE MARILYN

“The sustainability movement has grown exponentially in the last two years. In this time the Maggie Marilyn business has launched and grown across the globe. 24 year old New Zealander Maggie Hewitt, with her young brand Maggie Marilyn, has become a champion of an ever-growing community that upholds a value system not previously seen or recognized on a global scale” 

MARA HOFFMAN

“Mara Hoffman founded her label in 2000 after graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Fifteen years later, the brand committed itself to implementing more sustainable and responsible practices. The company continues to focus on sustainable materials, processes, and production in order to improve and extend each garment’s life.”

KSENIASCHNAIDER

“The designer family duo, Ksenia and Anton Schnaider, began their brand story in 2011. The masterminds behind the brand are constantly working hand in hand- creating fashion pieces combining reworked materials, perfect cut, Eastern European cultural quotes and spicing it up with some innovative digital concepts.”

TRIARCHY

“In our search for the greenest manufacturing options we uprooted production to Mexico City, where the factory we now work with uses 85% recycled water. This is revolutionary, and it is achieved through a system in which natural bacteria consumes the indigo dye before re-introducing it to the wash process again and again.”

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