I love finding new jewelry and accessory brands, and Literally Nataly has a great roundup of 5 sustainable and ethical brands you have to check out!
I can’t watch horror movies, but for some reason love horror books. Bustle has rounded up 8 new books I can’t wait to read.
I keep hearing about how wonderful and life-changing meditation can be, but I’ve never been able to find a style that works for me. As it turns out, I may not have been practicing a style that works for me. The Chalkboard explains which type of meditation is best for different personalities.
Fall (or Autumn, if that’s what you prefer) has officially arrived! And for me, that means plaid, plaid and more plaid! For those of you unfamiliar with plaid, or Tartan, it is a cloth featuring a checkered pattern, and made famous by Scottish Highlanders. Traditionally, it was made of wool but has been frequently made of lighter materials in warmer climates.
In the United States, Plaid became popular in the 1800’s where it then took on a life of it’s own. Legend has it that the buffalo check pattern (red and black) got it’s name from the creator who was rumored to have his own herd of pet buffalo. This pattern became associated with woodsman and the outdoors after the fabled Paul Bunyan was depicted wearing this plaid. In the 1950’s the Beach Boys, formerly the Pendletons, were frequently pictured wearing plaid, and once again made this pattern a staple in American households where it has had a treasured place ever since.
The following dresses are a far cry from the original woodsman aesthetic. Both have decidedly girly touches, embroidered flowers on one, and ruffle hem on the other. The grey and black tones are also much more muted than the famous buffalo plaid. While these patterns may once have been designed for the woods, they are now perfect for the office.
This Karen Kane dress is Made in the USA, and is covered in blue embroidered flowers. It is made of 70% cotton, and is dry clean only. It is currently available in XS-XL.
This Pendleton dress is also made in the USA. It is made of 100% wool, and lined in Polyester. It features a ruffle him, has a zipper closure, and is also dry clean only. It is available in sizes between 2-18.
This post contains affiliate links and Work Hard Shop Fair may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you so much for your support!
Matt & Nat offer a plethora of ethical, work friendly bags. These bags are Vegan, and made in a SA8000 compliant factory, which ensures ethical working conditions for over 2 million employees. Matt & Nat use vegan leather, as well as recycled Nylon, cork and rubber to make their bags, but these beautiful bags are so well made no one will be able to tell their not leather!
The Simoni Handbag, comes in Allure (blue), Cement (featured), Fig, Black, and Clay (rose). This satchel bag features a magnetic flap and comes with a removable strap (not shown).
The Gloria is offered in both Small and Large sizes. Both sizes are offered in the 5 colors listed above (showing in the clay color). This satchel zips at the top, and also comes with a removable strap (not shown). Matt & Nat states the large bag can fit a 13″ laptop.
This doctor handbag also has a zip closure, and comes with a removable strap (not shown).
The Mumbai backpack is also available in Small and Large, and available in the same 5 colors from above. The back straps are adjustable. It features a drawstring closure, and flap.
The Oxton briefcase is available in three classic colors, Oxton (featured), Black, and Olive. It also comes with a removable strap (not shown), and has a magnetic closure for the main compartment. It features a padded, 15″ laptop sleeve.
Finally, the Cara. Available in both Small and Large. Both sizes come in Black, Emerald, Charcoal, Chili (brown), and Rio (burgundy). This tote bag also comes with an adjustable strap (not shown), and has a metal zipper.
This post contains affiliate links and Work Hard Shop Fair may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you so much for your support!
I’ve been following the Mississippi Vegan on Instagram for a long time! I doubt my cooking will ever look as nice as his, but I can’t wait to grab his cookbook!
Corporette had a great conversation this week about what we keep private at work and why.
The girls at the Financial Diet offer some great tips on how to maximize the wardrobe you currently have.
The Peahen has a fantastic article on Colonialism, fashion, and what we can do about both.
Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing colors, the food, and the fashion. Unfortunately I live in a very hot climate, and will realistically be wearing shorts well into December. While I still yearn to be wearing sweaters wile picking apples with the family, I’ve learned to satiate my desire with realistic alternatives.
Both of these dresses are sleeveless, but the colors give them a fall flare. Throw on some knee-high boots and the look is complete!
This Olive Green dress is made of 100% organic Pima cotton. It features a soft A-line shape and hits right above the knee. It comes in 4 other colors (vintage red, cobalt blue, tile blue, and polka dot). It is offered in sizes S-XL.
This dress is made of Cotton, polyester, and spandex. It has less of a flare than the first, and hits a couple of inches above the knee. Currently, it only comes in black. It is offered in sizes XS-XL.
This post contains affiliate links and Work Hard Shop Fair may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you so much for your support!
Black, grey and khaki. It’s easy to get into a fashion rut wearing only these workplace staples. Traditional offices can be a bit…stodgy. One way I bring a little whimsy to the office is with cheerful, but professional trousers.
These Karen Kane trousers, in the color Iris and mini dot, are a delight. Made in the USA, the thick material is comprised of cotton, viscose, and spandex. Perfect for the colder seasons. They feature a skinny leg that ends at the ankle, which look good with heels or flats. They also come in black and midnight (dark navy). Both colors are currently available in S-XL.
This post contains affiliate links and Work Hard Shop Fair may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you so much for your support!
The classic black suit. While in many offices it is no longer the norm to wear a suit everyday, it is still a staple piece in many business woman’s closet. This wool suit is made by Pendleton in their US mill. Pendleton has been manufacturing textiles for over 100 years, and are known for their wool products. The jacket is fully lined, and has darts in the front and the back which ensure a fitted look.
The pants are 98 % wool, 2 % lycra, and unlined. While Pendleton makes slacks from this material in a number of styles, these “Cigarette Pants” bring a more youthful look to a classic outfit.
This post contains affiliate links and Work Hard Shop Fair may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thank you so much for your support!
Six years ago I ran across an article online about children who had been discovered chained to a wall, making Christmas ornaments. I was horrified, but I was also ashamed. For years I had been focused on finding the “best deals” without considering the harm my obsession caused. This eye-opening article was the beginning for me.
I quickly began learning more about the conditions of workers across the world. It is no secret that the individuals who create our clothes, electronics, furniture, etc., work in abysmal conditions. But the fashion industry is notoriously deadly.
The fashion industry’s maladies start at the very beginning. Workers who grow the textiles our clothes are made from are paid so little that families cannot afford to house, clothe, and feed themselves. This leaves little choice, but for any children to also work in the fields. The Environmental Labor Organization estimates that there are over 73 million children, as young as 5 years old, working in hazardous conditions. (1) According to the World Health Organization 70% of these children work in agriculture. Children who work in agriculture work in some of the deadliest conditions due to exposure to chemicals, dangerous work equipment, animal attacks, etc. (2)
Next comes the dying or bleaching of our fabrics. The desired result is often attained with little regard to worker safety. OSHA has found that some of the chemicals used in the making and dying of fabrics are carcinogenic, and the women that work in these industries have an increased risk of nasal and bladder cancer. Since the making of clothes has been a primarily female occupation, more women than men are suffering from these preventable hazards. (3)
Once the fabric is the right color, it heads to the factories to be cut and sewed into the clothes we wear. In 2013 a factory in Bangladesh collapsed killing more than 1,000 workers. This was the deadliest accident in garment industry history. It was caused by substandard materials, a disregard for building codes, and a willingness by the government and fashion to turn a blind eye. As a result, many companies, such as Disney, drawn to Bangladesh by the lowest wages in the world have since left the country.
Some brands such as Zara and H&M have signed an Accord on Fire and Building Safety, which has resulted in thousands of hazards being addressed. However, there have still been dozens of deaths, mainly due to fires, in Bangladesh alone. And while wages have risen, they are still half the living wage for the region. (4)
After learning of these facts, my next question was what could I do to help? I began searching for products and clothes that wouldn’t harm others. My search led me to some of my favorite brands, but once I entered the professional work-space I ran into trouble again. I needed suits, and formal work wear. The brands that I had come to love were filled with jeans, t-shirts, and day dresses.
There are not nearly as many brands offering office attire that are registered as fair trade, or are made in countries with a higher standard of worker protections. This is why I am starting this blog. So that other women like me can look professional and polished at our day jobs, while not sacrifice our ideals. This is our beginning.
Work Hard. Shop Fair. 