[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There’s nothing novel about pastel clothes, especially for spring. But to me, they’re like a dark chocolate bar that costs more than dinner at Whole Foods. They pack punch and interest, with no guilt after [Okay, I’m not talking about days when I devour the whole bar or opt for a head-to-toe egg blue look. …
How to Know If Your Clothes Are Cruelty-Free
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Emily Folk[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you’ve been working with a clothing personal style guide to update your style and wardrobe, this means making the rounds at your usual stores or browsing online to see what fits your style, budget, and, if you’re here, probably your ethics. If you’re concerned about the latter, shopping can get complicated, fast. …
Fashion Manufacturing for a Better Tomorrow: A SxSW Guide
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This Saturday, I’ll be at SxSW talking to brands, manufactures, curious consumers, and pretty much anyone with ears and a curious soul about sustainable manufacturing in the fashion industry. This industry varies so much from high fashion on the runway to even a gothic clothing store outlet; that’s part of its charm. But we need …
East Austin Edge: The Coolest White Shirt & Vintage in Town
Me: Well, I’d say that’s fitting for this shoot.
When I discovered GRAMMAR, I went a little mad for its irreverent take on the classic white shirt. And as a self- proclaimed word nerd, the witty branding made me grin wider than Julia Roberts in her rom-com heyday. Plus, organic cotton, quality USA construction, and a passionate female founder. What’s not to love?
The five-piece collection is to-the-point (or, period if we’re going with the grammar theme here) yet still broad in range so there’s something for every gal or every day. Each style is cheekily designed with a part of speech in mind. My pick, GRAMMAR’s Conjunction, begged to be styled with some funky vintage. I styled my look with picks from three women-owned shops in Austin and it came out equal parts Hepburn and Harry [Debbie, that is]. Eat your heart out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”3150,3137,3144,3141″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]
Put a blazer on it. This style is from Pieceology Vintage’s Italian 70s-era archive.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The GRAMMAR Mission
Althea Simons, the brand’s founder, created her collection after her Philly apartment burned down along with her most loved possessions. Turning a tragedy into a point of positivity, she used the destruction of her clothing as an opportunity to rethink her wardrobe choices and commit to ethically-made, quality garments. Struggling to find staples, like classic white shirts, she set GRAMMAR into motion and successfully funded the line through a Kickstarter campaign. Today, she’s evolved GRAMMAR into a blossoming hustle in the heart of Brooklyn. It is the embodiment of a “neo” Made in USA brand.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”3157,3148,3158,3147″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]There is an overabundance of options for retail, but what I want – a trusted source for high-quality, stylish, essential clothes I know I will love – does not exist. So I have to create it.
Going with the Italian theme. Gucci tee, suede skirt, Passport Vintage. Ferragamo shoes, Sister Petra.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ethical Perks
- No dry cleaning required. [Repeat that three times. Most of cotton’s environmental impact comes after you take it home, not in production.]
- 100% organic cotton.
- Adherence to sustainable practices.
- Fair labor, oversight, Made in USA production.
- Quality construction, produced in small batches.
- Expert tailoring and fit.
Also, styling yours with vintage and secondhand is extra credit. It’s a great way to have fun with fashion and reduce your footprint at the same time! Hey, it worked for the hippies in the 70s, let’s try it again. #offthegrid.
A here’s a short review, for good measure. Each shift comes in a good range of sizes (I’m a 0 for reference) and you can trust the measurement chart. When it comes to thickness and opacity, that’s not an issue here as often with cheaply-made shirts. Imagine the thickness of a Uniqlo shirt and quadruple it. You can forgo your undershirt, at least with The Conjunction style [I can’t speak to the others]. The thickness also makes it crisp, sharp and bold. Yet it’s loose in all the right places – like armpits – because if you have a pulse, white shirts can be death by sweat marks and public shaming. But hallelujah, I’m happy to report mine didn’t incite a sweat fest on this photoshoot. Thumbs way, way up.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”3133,3130″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]
The Conjunction is a cinch-worthy style.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Style Notes
Blazer: Piecology Vintage
Shoes: Sister Petra
Gucci Tee: Passport Vintage
Earrings: New Bohemia
Live in Austin or visiting for SXSW? Check out this interactive guide map for more ethical, secondhand and vintage shops!
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Photos: Chelsea Francis
Location: Old Thousand[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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