To be reassured by their versatility and timelessness, one needs only to look into the wardrobes of minimalists and capsule wardrobe enthusiasts, to see these pieces in their vital closet arsenal. Yet I believe that the true value comes when combining this lasting style with a superior fabric, and made by environmentally conscious brands.

Now your have longevity personified!

This is where Tencel comes in; derived from wood pulp, this non-synthetic, yet vegan-friendly fibre, offers a silky soft skin feel, drapes beautifully, is more absorbent than cotton, and will keep you cooler than linen. Learn more about Tencel here

Let me assure you, in some cases it’s not easy to find the umbrella sustainability picture of each’s company’s manufacturing and labour practises, but I recon I have you well-covered in terms of eco conscious and ethical brands listed below:

Edda Tunic Dress by Siizu
Composition: 100% Tencel | Colour: Black

LULE Tencel Shirt by Komodo
Composition: 70% Tencel / 30% Linen | Colours: Light Denim & Dark Denim

Museo Tunic by Exofficio (and found on Zappos)
Composition: 100% Tencel | Colours: White & Black

Fairtide Black Blouse by Kestan
Composition: 75% Tencel 21% Cotton 4% Spandex | Colour: Black

Long Sleeve Twisted Tunic by Nau
Composition: 58% Tencel 42% Organic Cotton | Colour: Bone, Caviar, Sable & Space

The Shirt Button Down by Siizu
Composition: 100% Tencel | Colours: White & Black & Blue

Kiley Long Sleeve Shirt by KUHL (and found on Zappos)
Composition: main body: 59% Tencel, 39% Organic Cotton, 2% Spandex| Colours: Charcoal, Ash & Denim Blue

Kiri Shirt Dress by Amour Vert (and found on Elborne Living)
Composition: 100% Tencel | Colour: Denim Blue

Rex Shirt by Fig Clothing
Composition: 100% Tencel | Colour: Denim Black & Denim Blue

L’Herbe Rouge Denim Hebrides Oversized Shirt by The-Acey
Composition: 100% Tencel | Colour: Denim Blue

Have I missed your fave? While Tencel is going to be, if not already, a dime a dozen in the fast-fashion retailers, it’s the sustainable brands we’re interested in.

Let me know, in the comments below, if you’ve lovin’ an ethically made Tencel shirt, tunic or shirtdress!

The post 10 chic Tencel shirts, sustainably-sourced and eco-friendly appeared first on Chic Vegan.

Yet, flip the coin and there’s another side to fashion, both engaging and self-empowering!

We’re onto something very exciting if, and when, we use fashion as a driving force to lead our teens into worthy self-esteem through acts of global healing.

Activating self-empowerment through fashion sounds oddly contradictory to what mainstream fashion asks of us though. In fact, fast fashion retailers ask nothing of us other than to buy, buy and buy even more.

Isn’t the term “slave to fashion” more suitable to today’s 52-week fashion shopping cycle?

What if we were to hone our kids’ shopping habits by exposing them to the human and environmental cost of the fashion industry?

For instance, by not buying regularly from fast fashion retailers, our teens can each reduce 82 pounds (37 kg) of textile waste per year!  (Easily the weight of a tween!)

It’s not just youngsters who are given an invitation to consider the possibility that we’re far more than just consumers! Each of us votes with our hard-earned currency, and we can choose to be part of something bigger.

As parents though we can recognise that fashion is a powerfully persuasive and apt tool to redirect our teens’ energies to greater purpose.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Watch a movie together: The True Cost, a groundbreaking documentary, is a story about clothing. It’s about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. It gives us a compelling glimpse into how we can transition from fashion bystander to positive participant.  Thread and Cotton Road are other conscious-fashion related documentaries worth watching

2.  Buy a book: worthwhile reads include:

• Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline
• Stitched Up: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion by Tansy E. Hoskins
• To Die for: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World? by Lucy Seigle

3. Follow the leaders: Build a ‘following’ list on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook of fashion conscious leaders. These front-runners will keep you and your teens engaged, interacting and in-the-know about the positive change happening. People like Livia Firth of Eco-Age, Lucy Seigle, Safia Minney, Orsola de Castro, and Sass Brown

4.  Subscribe to blogs: Ecoterre, The Discerning Brute and Vegan Fashion Blog for starters

5.  Get involved: Fashion Revolution Week runs annually in April. Join in on their meaningful and interactive online conscious-consumer campaigns

6.  Stop the shop: Bring family or friends together to agree and support one another to stay away from fast-fashion retailers for a month. It’s a fun way to see just how much unconscious shopping we do. Retailers include the likes of H&M, Gap, Zara, Mango, Forever 21, Uniqlo, Primark, New Look and Topshop

7.  Support sustainable fashion retailers & designers:

• Men’s clothing: John Bartlett and Brave Gentleman, and Hiut Denim Co. (unisex)
• Women’s clothing: Vaute Couture, Zady, and People Tree
• Footwear: Mink Shoes, Cri De Coeur, Olsenhaus,  Nicora Shoes, Love is Mighty, Wills London, and Beyond Skin
• Bags: Jill Milan, Gunas New York, Matt & Nat, Lany, and Jentil
• Other high-end designer brands: Stella McCartney and Edun

Check out previous teen fashion articles: 7 steps to guide a teens’ closet clean and 7 tips to taming teens’ taste for fast fashion

The post 7 tips to navigate your teen to conscious fashion appeared first on Chic Vegan.

Not Your Grandma’s Lace

Lace is making a comeback in a big way, adding an air of pretty and decadence to blouses and tanks, and even your favorite jewels.

Designer Melanie Ferrara of Device has brought lace into her fall collection, adding shape and detail to beautifully fitted blouses and tanks. Can’t get enough of this dainty pattern? Add some jewelry with a lacey feel like this intertwined heart necklace by Spark.

Bundle Up

Dodge the leather trend with these stylish alternatives. Some of our favorite finds combine cotton, spandex, bamboo and even plastic bottles to make these stunning jackets… look gorgeous in the Joan Jacket by Device, the Retrack by Modrobes, or this Asymmetrical Jacket by Yes Lifestyles Organic.

Happy to Have The Blues

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t look amazing in blue – the in-shade of bright, rich cobalt is no exception.

Voilà has embraced this hue in these wearable dresses with gorgeous hand-painted detailing in both the Tessie and Celena Dresses. Not sure you want to go blue head to toe? Add a splash of the hue with this faux-silk necklace by Lionne or Cobalt Glass Earrings by Bottled Up Designs.

Clutches That Get Noticed

Acid color and structured clutches are adding a dash of fun to any outfit. The Raffia Clutch by Mar Y Sol is handwoven and brightens up any look. Some other great finds: the Guadelupe Flower Handbag in vibrant yellow, an absolutely unique structured clutch made from Woven Barcodes, or the Gwen Bag by FJ Blackwood made entirely from cork.

Statement Shoes

These shoes are not just made for walking… they’re sure to spice up any outfit!

These faux-leather peep-toe boots by Neuaura are gorgeous with skinny jeans or a skirt. You can also add a blast of color with Neuaura’s answer to color blocking with the Nashira Sandal or Colourful Grass’ Vandana Flats in rose.

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Brenna Donoghue is the eco-fashionista at Ethical Ocean, an online store that specializes in eco-friendly products, vegan apparel and cosmetics, and organic cosmetics and more. If you can’t find a vegan alternative to something, Brenna wants to know… so she and her team can search the market to find great products that align with your values. Email her at brenna@ethicalocean.com.

The post A Sneak Peak At The Latest Ethical Fall Fashions appeared first on Chic Vegan.

Zoe&Zac

In April 2009 Payless: Shoe Source with the help of model-activist Summer Rayne Oakes launched a green shoe brand called Zoe&Zac. The best part about this brand other then the fact that all the shoes are under $40(US) is that all the shoes also happen to be animal product free! Zoe&Zac uses eco friendly cotton, hemp, faux leather, faux suede, water based glue, tague nuts (vegan ivory) & recycled rubber to make their shoes. You can checkout this seasons line here. They’ve also with in the last year added eco friendly socks/tights & handbags to the line.

Orchard Flats • Bouquet Gladiator Sandals

Image Source & Credit: Zoe&Zac

Pure Citizen

“Save $. Give $. Live Better”

Pure Citizen is a discount online shop with a twist. It only sells items from brands that want to make the world a better place. You will find products that are organic, fair trade, biodynamic, natural, sustainable, recycled, cruelty free and handmade.  Over the past month they’ve feature Cri de Coeur, Vaute Couture & Matt & Nat for a steal. Most of the brands they feature in their shop are up to 90% off. Each sale is on for 72 hrs and will also benefit a non-profit organization of the brands choosing. Pure Citizen is a great way to get your hands on those eco-conscious cruelty free items that  normally might be out of your budget range. I should warn you though that not all the brands featured are vegan. However I’m sure like me most of you know what high end vegan brands you’re dying to add to your eco-friendly wardrobe and you’ll have no problem wading through the non vegan companies. Make sure to add them on Facebook & Twitter so that you get a daily heads up on what’s in their shop.

Image Source & Credit: Pure Citizen

Upcycled Jewelry

Upcycled jewelry is a fabulous way to add a little sparkle & shine into your eco chic wardrobe. Etsy is a great place to find all sorts of stunning & unique upcycled jewelry pieces. You can find anything from old skateboards re-purposed into earrings to knitting needles re-purposed into bangles to soda cans re-purposed into one of a kind brooches. Most of the upcycled jewelry on etsy is very affordable.

Image Source & Credit: Upcycled vintage knitting needle bracelets – Set Of 4 – Violet Posy by Sew New Things • Recycled Skateboard Custom La Alana Bow Necklace by Seven Ply • Vintage Brass Necklaceby Noble Town Vintage

*You know the etsy drill always read an items materials & tags before you purchase to make sure the item is vegan.*

Sea Oats

Sea Oats’s etsy shop is full of beautifully handcrafted zipper and flap clutches. Each clutch is made from vibrant re-purpose materials and then hand silkscreened with bold graphic patterns. The inked used to silkscreen is water-based, pvc free and environmentally friendly. Last put not least most of Sea Oats clutches are under $30! You can find all her clutches labeled as vegan here.

reclaimed handprinted cattails clutch in rust linen • eco friendly handprinted jellyfish clutch in upcycled mustard • ecofriendly handprinted seaoats clutch in hot pink

Image Source & Credit: Sea Oats

Vintage Vera Scarves

With bold & bright being in this Spring/Summer 2011 beautiful vintage scarves from Vera Neumann would be a perfect & thrifty addition to any cruelty free eco conscious wardrobe. Vera Neumann designed beautiful bold textile prints for mostly scarves for over 40 years. All of her prints were hand drawn/painted and then hand silk screened. A lot of her scarves were originally made from excess parachute silk from WWII but over the years they were also made from acetate, polyester and other synthetic materials. You can find a plethora of these synthetically made scarves on etsy for a steal in a variety of bright & bold graphic/geometric prints. Just make sure to read the scarves materials to find out what it’s made from before purchasing. All the ones feature below are vegan.

Image Source & Credit: Vintage Vera Sash Scarf from Hungry Girl Vintage • Vintage Vera Primary Mod Color Block Scarf from The Lucky Fish • Vintage Vera Pacific Sunset Watercolor Scarf from The Lucky Fish

Vintage Vegan Shoes, Belts & Purses

Adding vintage vegan items is another fashionable and affordable way to help grow your cruelty free eco-friendly wardrobe. You can find these items either at you local thrift shop, vintage shop, ebay or etsy. All you need to do is pay attention to an items material content before making a purchase. Most items will list what they’re made from. One of the easiest place to find vintage vegan items is on etsy. Mostly because you can search vegan in their vintage search engine and because shops will list an items composition. Below are just a few vintage vegan items I’ve found on etsy.

Etsy Searches: Vintage Vegan Shoes • Vintage Vegan Purses • Vintage Vegan Belts

(Always read materials to make sure item is vegan)

White with Black POLKA DOTS Pumps 1980s Vintage from Rags & Feathers • Red Vinyl Purse from Dress Machine • Vintage Super Wide Golden Cinch Belt from Mother Midnight

Etsy

As you might have noticed above a lot of the suggestions I’ve given you already have come from etsy. So I figure I should mention that etsy overall is a great place to find affordable vegan eco-friendly items. You can find lots of handmade eco-friendly shoes, knits, clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, belts, purses and beauty products. The best part about etsy is new items are added daily.  Below are just a few cruelty free eco chic items I’ve found on etsy.

Image Source & Credit: Salmon Spirit – Goddess Gloves – Upcycled Yarn – Medium by Hamsa Healing • Organic Mineral Pressed Eyeshadow by orglamix • ECO FRIENDLY VEGAN COTTON FLAT SHOES WITH SIZE FROM US 5 TO 11.5 by ExtraSeed

*You know the etsy drill always read an items materials & tags before you purchase to make sure the item is vegan.*

Cosa Verde

And last put not least there’s Cosa Verde. Is a lot like etsy except for the fact that everything on the site is eco-friendly. What I love about Cosa Verde is how easy it is it access all the vegan items for sale on the site. All you need to do is click the Vegan Section and you’ll find tons of cruelty free items. Most of the items on the site are perfect for the budget conscious individual. Also all the items are handmade which in my book = longer lasting and that’s perfect for the eco friendly wardrobe. To have a look at all their items yourself just click here.

Image Source & Credit: Soft Scoop Neck Shirt with Coral Imprint by Beyond Her • Elegant Leaves – Organic Leaf Earrings by Designs By Erin • Bicycle Tire Belt – Knobby Mountain Bike Tread by Re Bicycle

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About Moi: Hi I’m Melanie I live in Toronto with my two adorable kitties Mosi & Beanie. I’ve been vegan 9 years and have also worked in fashion as a graphic/textile designer for 9 years. Almost two years ago I started a vegan fashion blog called The Streets I Know. I started this blog out of my love for vegan fashion and my need to share it. My blog and I were recently featured in the fabulous book The Vegan Girls Guide To Life. I’m super excited to now be sharing some of my vegan fashion musings with you here on Chic Vegan. You can also follow my fashion musings & tips on Twitter & Facebook.

The post (Thrifty)Eco Chic appeared first on Chic Vegan.