Feel Good Summer Style

I loved the easy, breezy boho vibe of a recent J. Crew ad and immediately knew I could recreate it with ethical/fair trade and secondhand items. Tassels, raffia, pom poms, stripes and light wash denim are summer style staples that have been "trending" for years.

There's always someone telling you how to "get the look for less", but I want to help you "get the look for more" - more sustainability, more ethical production, more dignified wages, more utilization of existing clothes, and more good feels for you!

The Original Ad

Outfit 1 - embroidered tassel dress + tassel bracelets + pom pom sandals

Outfit 2 - raffia earrings + striped linen popover + raffia bag + light wash kick crop denim + striped flats

The Fair Trade/Secondhand Versions

My got-to source for ethical and fair trade jewelry, accessories, and garments (not to mention home accessories and gifts) is Mango + Main in Annapolis. The owner, Shannon, curates such an amazing collection that supports the dignified work of individual artisans around the globe, as well as, brands that are focused on transparent, ethical practices. All of the pieces from Mango + Main are linked directly to the item.

The secondhand items features in these looks were sourced from Poshmark. Poshmark is a great resource for tracking down specific items or styles. Those items are not direct links due to the high likelihood that the specific item would be unavailable, but I have shared the search terms I used to find them.

Outfit 1

I was excited to share two different options from Mango + Main to recreate this boho dress look from J. Crew. One option is a lighter palette and sleeveless (good for the hottest days) and the other is a darker base (good for pairing with messy kids) with 3/4 sleeves.

• Cape May Dress

• Raglan Tunic Dress Indigo

• Ignata Bangles (two color options)

• T-strap sandals (search "pom pom sandals")

Outfit 2

Lightweight raffia earrings and a collared linen top practically beg to be paired with a top knot! A rattan crossbody bag and lighter wash denim are ideal summer updates to your standard mom style pieces.

• Ruffled Raffia Hoops (there's a black version too that would look great against lighter complexions and hair)

• Striped linen shirt (search "J. Crew striped linen popover")

• Rattan Original Round Bali Bag (2 color options)

• Light wash crop denim (search "mid [or high] rise crop flare [or bootcut] jeans")

• Striped flats (search "striped ballet flats")

I hope you can see that it's possible to create current, on-trend looks inspired by your favorite retailers without always buying new. Connecting with a local, fair trade shop like Mango + Main makes it easy to access the most current jewelry, accessories, and garments. Luckily, for those outside the DMV, Mango + Main has an easy-to-shop website. You can find any remaining pieces to complete your looks secondhand. In my experience, Poshmark is the easiest site for sourcing specific items or styles.

Comment on this post or send an email with a current look you'd love to see created with fair trade and secondhand items. Shopping to support the planet and women around the globe will mean you feel as good as you look!