Saturday 28 June 2014

Fair-trade Dress Worn Four Ways

Poor Kaila is having major house challenges so unfortunately she had to miss a post, but she'll be back as soon as possible!

A month ago I decided to be strategically optimistic about London weather and purchase one summer dress to add to my collection. I chose this black dress from People Tree, as a good base for my summer wardrobe. If you aren't familiar, People Tree is great source for sustainable-made and fair-trade clothing.

When I got the dress and put it on, my first thought was that it might be a little va-va-voom for everyday wear. But I always like to experiment a bit with a piece before I make a decision. And it turns out this piece is incredibly versatile depending how you mix and match it. In fact, its exactly what I wanted, a dress I can get a lot of mileage out. I wanted to share how I've made it works, so one of my friends has helped me photograph some of the looks I've come up with around this piece.

Here are four looks based around this black cotton dress.

Please keep in mind, I've never really done a photo-shoot before, so bear with me!

Ultimate Casual look
 Outfit: Dress + Jean Jacket + neon belt + Birkenstocks

A jean jacket makes so many things that much more casual and can help downplay almost any dress. Its definitely got that 90's vibe too. I took off the belt the dress came with and replaced it with this bright neon one. I've also worn it out with brown braided belt too. My Birkenstocks finish it off as a very beach, park, casual day out look.

I wear this look the most. It makes the dress perfect for just throwing on and hanging around my neighbourhood on hot and sunny days.















Sporty Casual Look

Outfit: Dress + Silver boat shoes + patterned bomber jacket

I like this as more of a downtown shopping. A bit more polished but still very casual. The bomber jacket is silky and light weight which is good for unpredictable english weather. Zipping up the jacket, you could mistake this for a skirt and top combo.

















Work Day Look
 Outfit: Dress + Grey Blazer + Off-White work Flats

I do spend 5 out of 7 days at an office. Throwing this long grey blazer over the dress very much transforms it into work appropriate gear. The ruffle disappears and I could be wearing a black straight dress.














Going-Out Look

Outfit: Dress + Ankle Boots + Black and Gold Belt

Curve hugging dress obviously deserves big hair and bold lips. Nice heels could make this more elegant but I like the edginess of the ankle boots. I'm waiting for proper warm summer evening to wear this out for cocktails or dancing.















I always want to feel like my wardrobe is a bit fresh, but I'm trying to not go overboard buying a whole bunch of things. After-all sustainable and ethical fashion is often more of an investment price-wise, which for me means making sure I get pieces that go a bit further. And, especially with english weather money on a fresh 'summer wardrobe' could easily be a waste.

So if you want to consider making only one or two strategic summer purchases, I would also recommend pulling open your closet and re-examining what you have and think about those one or two things that could boost your wardrobe for the season.


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