Fair Trade Dressing

I’ve been in search of a few dresses for summer, and since I shared my thoughts on fair trade clothing yesterday, I thought it would be fun to show you three new summer looks I’m hoping to wear often.  All three items are by reputable fair trade stores and are also 100% cotton, so they will work quite nicely through the summer heat that arrived last weekend.

(Mata Traders’ “Frida Loves Diego” Dress. I love that name!)

My first outfit is the “Frida Loves Diego” Dress by Mata Traders, and I think this is my favorite piece among the three.  The dress was slightly large on me, so I cinched it with a gold, beaded belt and added my old staples from last summer, red espadrilles and my recycled necklace of painted beads, which I paired with each of the three looks.  This outfit is incredibly feminine and extremely cool, and I’m planning to wear it to parties this summer.

(Feeling feminine in this dress.)

(James and Rhys, my assistants on the shoot.)

Ryan snapped these photos of me while the boys played in their pool, and though the temperature was climbing into the upper 90s, I was kept cool, largely thanks to the mist drifting from their hose!

(“Jin Ju Red Ruffle Dress” by Mata Traders.)

The “Jin Ju Red Ruffle Dress” is incredibly lightweight and vintage-inspired, and it reminds me of something straight from the set of “Bomb Girls.”  This piece is a faux-wrap style with a lovely ruffled peplum, and I added the belt again for a bit of definition at my waist.  I especially love the red pattern, which is screen printed on the fabric.  The dress also comes in another pattern, and I had a hard time choosing between them!

(Fair Indigo’s Pima Organic Faux Wrap Skirt.)

My final look features a skirt by Fair Indigo, that is incredibly soft and comfortable.  I’ve been on the hunt for a navy skirt, and I love that this piece is classic and can be paired with a casual tee or a more formal blouse.  Though I no longer have an office job, I couldn’t help thinking that this skirt would be a perfect staple for a work wardrobe.

I’ve incorporated some fair trade garments into my closet, pairing them with pieces I already wear regularly, and I’m really thrilled with the quality and construction of my new dresses and skirt.