Garments that are not quite right often get discarded and replaced. However, with a little know-how and a willingness to try, you can transform these pieces into something you love! Learn three easy ways to mend your clothes, fall back in love with them, and reduce your contribution to landfills.

1. Take Up Hems

Unless you have your clothing made specially to order, it’s likely you have something that doesn’t quite fit — a golden opportunity for learning to take up the hem.

To shorten a garment (usually pants), you’ll need:

• A piece of chalk or soap
• A measuring tape
• Thread the same color as the fabric
• A needle or sewing machine
• Scissors
• Iron and/or sewing pins

Step 1: Put the garment on and mark the desired length with the piece of chalk or soap.

Step 2: Measure the length of the hem to be taken up to ensure an even hem on both sides.

Step 3: Iron the crease to create a sharp line and secure the fold with sewing pins.

Step 4: Hand- or machine-sew a double row of stitches around 1 inch from the bottom to secure the folded length firmly in place.

If the garment is far too long to begin with, you might need to cut it two inches from the desired length before folding the hem twice and sewing the hem by hand or machine.

2. Mend Holes and Gaps in Seams

Another common issue you might find with your clothes is a gap that appears in a seam — either because the thread was accidentally broken (when pulling on tight leggings, for example) or because their was a minor defect at the seam in production. (Even high-quality clothes are sewn by humans operating a sewing a machine, and anyone can have an occasional bad day.) This technique cannot be used for worn seams, such as a crotch, as you’ll need to use a patch instead.

To mend a seam, you will need:

• Thread the same color as the seam
• A needle or sewing machine
• Scissors

Step 1: Turn the garment inside out.

Step 2: Sew over the broken section twice to reinforce the seam.

Step 3: Tie the ends of the new thread to the old thread to stop any further “undoing” and close the hole.

3. Patches: Iron-on and appliqué

Small holes in clothing can rarely be fixed by sewing one side of the hole to the other. The pulling will stretch the garment out of shape and can break the delicate threads around the hole. Instead, you can cover the hole with “visible” mending in the form of an iron-on patch or appliqué. 

Iron-On Mending Fabric

Applying iron-on mending fabric is the simplest way to mend a tear or hole because it doesn’t involve any sewing at all. You’ll need:

• Iron-on mending fabric in the same color as the garment – or a funky complementing color or pattern if you want to make it stand-out. This is fun on pants or as patches on sleeves.
• Fabric scissors
• An iron
• Aluminum foil

Step 1: Cut a section of iron-on mending fabric a little larger than the hole or tear. Round the edges for an easier transfer.

Step 2: Put the mending fabric glue side up underneath a tear or over a hole.

Step 3: Preheat the iron on the “cotton” setting for five minutes.

Step 4: Cover the area of fabric with aluminum foil to prevent sticking and press the iron over the patch for 30 seconds or until the section of fabric is firmly attached.

Appliqué

Appliqué is similar to an iron-on patch except that it is attached with thread rather than glue.

For needle turn appliqué, you will need:

• An appliqué patch in the same fabric as the garment
• Appliqué pins
• 100wt thread that matches the garment
• #10 sharps needle
• Chalk or soap for marking

Step 1: Use the chalk or soap to draw a line where the patch will be stitched.

Step 2: Pin the design over the hole.

Step 3: Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread.

Step 4: Enter from the back of the patch to hide the knot and sew the patch to the garment, tucking the patch under the line and making alternating tiny stitches in the patch and the garment.

Step 5: Once the patch is sewn on, take the thread through to the back and tie it off on the inside of the garment.

The Most Sustainable Wardrobe

It has been said that the most sustainable wardrobe you can get is the one that you already own, and when you add mending to the picture, your current wardrobe can suddenly become much more exciting! 

If you’re exploring ways to become more conscious with your clothing and accessories, we invite you to check out the full range of sustainable, ethically-made fashion and jewelry at Faerie’s Dance. Our curated collections of clothing are made with years of wear in mind and many of our necklaces and earrings are recycled!

For more tips on living sustainably in style, read the rest of the posts on our blog.

Are you struggling to find the perfect summer outfits to don this year? Well you’ve landed on the right webpage. In this article, I’m going to give you some oh-so-stylish summer looks that you can wear comfortably and flaunt proudly, because everything here consists of natural fabric and organic clothing options. So without further ado, let’s get into the list of the 10 best summer outfits for 2021! 

1. Work Hard, Play Hard 

How many of you are late to work because you can’t decide what to wear? Is your head screaming “I have nothing to wear”, while your wardrobe is literally choking on clothes? Don’t stress, because Faerie’s Dance has the perfect workwear for you! Pair this chic jacket with these comfy pants and white bamboo cami, and accessorize with this cute matching recycled glass neckpiece and earrings. Voila! You’re ready to be the eco-chic boss lady.           

2. Working From Home 

If you’re still working from home, or maybe have always worked from home, the perfect summer outfit is business on the top and comfort on the bottom. Mix and match formal tops or polo shirts with comfortable, classy shorts and get productive.

3. Thank God It’s Friday!

What can be better than knowing that the weekend is FINALLY HERE? Knowing what you’re gonna wear to that weekend night out. Well stress no more, ‘cause this halter dress will make you look the hottest in the room. Keep your makeup and going-out essentials in this VHS bag and there you go! Not your style? Browse through our summer maxi dresses to find your personal favorite.

4. Sunday Brunch Time! 

A perfect Sunday consists of two main things – waking up late and having a Sunday brunch with your family. And to make the most of it, you need to wear the comfiest summer outfits. Since you couldn’t decide what you’re gonna wear (that’s why you’re scrolling through this article, right?), I suggest you wear this basic white tee with this flowy skirt and wrap your wrist with this cute li’l organic cotton bracelet.   

5. BRB… Outfitting for the Grocery Run

Who says you don’t need to look cute while going out to pick up groceries? What if some producer/photographer discovers you and wants to sign you for their next movie/shoot or you bump into your next great love at the coffee bar? Either way, why take the risk? Always go out looking and feeling good about yourself — try any of our beautiful dresses with an elegant, grounding necklace, and thank me later! 

6. Finding Zen at yoga class (or the gym)! 

Need to find some calm and grounding at yoga class or work off steam at the gym? Don’t sweat about your outfit. Pair this organic clothing duo (skinny pants + workout bra) with virtually any top in your closet and you can go directly from… well, anywhere… to the studio or fitness center. 

7. I Got Asked Out!

Swiping right on your crush is fun, but when they swipe back at you – it’s a DATE! Date dressing can be so nerve-racking. It’s important to look your best while also feeling comfortable! Going out with your crush can already be a nervous affair, you don’t need your clothes to cause you any more discomfort. EcoSkin (a Faerie’s Dance exclusive brand) makes eco-fashion dresses that look like a million bucks, while feeling like you’re wearing pajamas! Pair it with a simple recycled artisan bracelet, and go with a natural makeup look.

8. Meet Me At The Beach

Right one or left one? Pick your favorite one or pick both! Both of these bikinis are made from recycling plastics and ocean waste into comfortable, ocean-conscious swimwear. Have fun in the sun, swim like a fish, dance with the waves, and when you’re finally done with water splashing just relax at the beach wearing this beautiful coverup. 

9. Time to Walk the Pup

Complement your pup by looking as cute as him/her! Wear these stylish organic cotton leggings with a comfy two-tone top and play fetch with your little buddy. Don’t forget to take some sweet pictures of your pup and then post them on social media.  

10. It’s A Lazy Day

There are days when we want to overachieve and then, there are days when we want to do nothing. For the latter, you would just want to curl up on your couch; binging on your favorite snacks while watching your favorite TV shows. Guess what? You should do it often. It’s not about being lazy, it’s actually about taking a break from your busy life, which is really good for your mental health. And for the outfit part, pair this bamboo tee with these matching bamboo shorts and just chill!

Okay now you don’t have to thank me for helping you out in picking the best summer outfits because I’m more than happy to help! Just don’t forget to share this article with your girl squad to help them too. And check out Faerie’s Dance for more organic clothing for every season.  

If you are planning a wedding, there are lots of great ways to make your day as eco-friendly as possible without sacrificing on glamor and magic. Sustainable wedding dresses are just one of the greener trends that are turning the wedding industry upside-down, and these beautiful pieces can easily be styled for any type of wedding. Read on to learn about sustainable and ethical wedding dresses and how you can do good while looking stunning!

Why the Conventional Dress Just Doesn’t Cut It Anymore

Wedding dresses — by definition — are not sustainable. An intricate work of art that takes upwards of 20 feet of fabric and at least two weeks to make, a typical wedding dress will only be worn once before sitting at the back of a closet and ultimately heading to the landfill. Add to this the fact that most wedding dresses are made of pesticide-heavy silk and/or synthetic fabrics like polyester that don’t break down easily, and you have an environmental conundrum on your hands!

In recent years, values-based wedding planning is leading more and more couples to avoid fast fashion and choose eco-friendly options for their weddings — from recycled card invitations and plastic-free table settings to intentionally mismatched bridal parties and sustainable wedding dresses.

Ready to discover your perfect, eco-dress? Here are our top suggestions:

Embrace the Charm of Vintage Styles

Styles come and go, but fortunately, time can transform passé into vintage! Your mother’s or grandmother’s highly-prized bridal gown could soon become the perfect ethical wedding dress style when it makes a grand re-entrance on your special day. If the original owner is happy for you to make some changes, you can easily transform the dress with a few small adjustments to make it your own.

If dear granny’s dress isn’t your style, hit the thrift stores and e-stores to browse sustainable wedding dresses in an endless array of silhouettes. For something a little more modern, you could also buy a second-hand dress from a friend or online. Don’t shy away from low-back styles while you’re shopping, either. You can always add a bra directly to your dress so you don’t have to worry about straps showing.

Set the Pace with a Trendy Rental Gown

Another easy and budget-friendly approach to sustainable wedding dresses is to rent a gown and tux for the day itself. The ultimate closed-loop approach, rental gowns reduce your footprint to a fraction of the (environmental) cost and eliminate the question of what to do with the dress after you’re wed.

Make Your Dress from Recycled Fabrics

For the more crafty among us, making your own wedding dress gives you free rein on the design and can save you a lot of money in the process. If you have the time and are so inclined, consider making your dress sustainable by sourcing recycled fabrics that don’t cost the earth. Some excellent fabric sources for ethical wedding dresses include:

• Factory offcuts
• Used wedding dresses that are beyond repair
• White cotton bedsheets and lace curtains from friends or a thrift store
• Excess fabric offered through Freecycle or Craigslist

Depending on what you find, you can create an eye-catching piece that is either all one color (bedsheets!) or multi-tonal. Either way, some basic patterns for sustainable wedding dresses and a few days at the sewing machine could result in a one-of-a-kind dress that you’ll be proud to wear down the aisle.

Go for a Versatile Two-Piece

Another option for sustainable wedding dresses that won’t go to the landfill is a two-piece top and skirt combo that you can wear in the future. Buy a pre-matched set or shop around until you find a combination that works and top it off with a cream-colored shrug or fitted jacket (hello, future job interview outfit!)

Apart from saving on precious resources, investing in a set that you can wear again-and-again lets you keep this special part of your life forever and relive those precious memories time-and-time again.

Invest in a Dress that Does No Harm

A final alternative which we personally love is to shop for sustainable wedding dresses that are made to do good. The perfect solution for a traditional wedding gown that does good for your style and the earth, ethical wedding dresses minimize pollution and are sewn by workers who are paid fairly for their work.

These flowing dress styles available in bamboo and Tencel™ are the ideal replacement for conventional silk and feel wonderfully soft on your skin. Dresses made from organic cotton and linen are the best choice if you want a little more shape and stiffness to your outfit and can be woven to include stunning embellishments such as embroidered details and beading.

Brands Matter

When shopping for sustainable wedding dresses, be sure to do your homework and find the brand that best suits your values. The best brand will be one that has a transparent supply chain, economizes on energy, and uses materials that are pesticide-free and fully biodegradable. You can even keep the good vibes going by donating your dress to a charity you cherish.

Shopping for the Honeymoon and Beyond

Once you’ve thought about how to shop sustainable wedding dresses, don’t forget to prepare for the honeymoon! Eco-chic, ethical lingerie, and comfortable organic sleepwear are essentials for enjoying your first moments as a married couple, and remember a few flattering organic dresses and jackets, too, for strolling around your destination!

Choosing to shop ethical wedding dresses and clothing for your wedding and beyond will not only inspire your guests but will get your family off to a great start with values you can live out in your home. Explore our collection of eco-friendly formal dresses to find your perfect fit, and say “yes” to the dress today!

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2020 is finally over, and here’s hoping that 2021 will be a better year overall! At Faerie’s Dance, we love to start the year with a clean, fresh home so we feel relaxed and refreshed after a hard day’s work selling organic clothing. Of course, since we’re focused on green living, the harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances of commercial cleaners definitely aren’t our thing.

Natural Citric Acid to the Rescue

It’s not just the composition of commercial cleaners that poses a health or environmental problem. According to current recycling data, we’ve dumped more and more plastic waste into the environment over the years. This is quite a dire situation considering that plastic waste materials are non-biodegradable, dangerous to wildlife, cause waterways to clog, and are just an eyesore. Plastics can come from anywhere, and that includes containers for our household cleaners.

But what if we told you there’s actually a way to reduce or even eliminate using commercially sold household cleaners? That means there are fewer containers that will go to the waste disposal facility, at least from your household. But then, imagine if all homes follow suit. Now that’s doing the environment a favor! Not to mention the money that you’ll be saving.

Making your own safe, eco-friendly, and affordable household cleaner is easy. You only need to use citric acid. Now, before running to the drugstore or some laboratory supply store, you might check your cupboard, fruit basket, or refrigerator first. That’s because you can find citric acid in fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes. It’s what gives these fruits their tart, sour taste.

How to Create and Use Your Very Own Homemade Cleaner

Get rid of your commercially bought cleaner—which contains harsh chemicals—and create your own citrus-scented all-purpose cleaner. Here’s how:

1. In a 1-quart measuring jar, mix a quart of leftover peels from citrus fruits. Rinds from lemons, oranges, grapefruit, or lime are perfect. Fill the jar with white vinegar.
2. Close tightly and place in a sunny place. Leave the jar for around two weeks to complete the infusion process.
3. Strain the liquid into a clean, sealed jar. Don’t throw the peels; you can use them as compost.
4. To use, pour half a cup of this infused vinegar to a spray bottle. Add 2 cups of clean tepid water, 20 drops of lemon essential oil, and a generous squeeze of citrus fruit. Close and shake well.

Here’s another recipe in making an all-purpose homemade citric acid cleaner

1. Combine vinegar, baking soda, and hot water in a bucket.
2. Add the juice of half a lemon, orange, or any citrus fruit. You can also drip the rinds in.
3. Stir well until everything is well mixed and the baking soda is dissolved. Allow to cool.
4. Transfer your homemade cleaner to a spray bottle or squeeze bottle.

Use your effective, nice-smelling, eco-friendly cleaner the way you use your commercial cleaner. Spray onto the surface to be cleaned and wipe with a clean damp cloth. The citric acid eats away stubborn dirt and stains while leaving a citrusy scent.

Your homemade cleaner may also smell like vinegar, especially if the brand of vinegar you used is quite strong. Don’t worry though because the vinegar scent rapidly dissipates. What remains is a fresh citrus scent.

WARNING: avoid using this citric acid cleaner on tiles, countertops, and other surfaces made of natural stone. The citric acid can dissolve the calcium carbonate in the substrate. Frequently using this cleaner on natural stone surfaces may cause pitting and holes.

Other Home Uses of Natural Citric Acid

Your homemade citric acid all-purpose cleaner is just one of the hundreds of ways you can use citrus fruits for household purposes. Here are a few more ideas:

• Cutting boards are havens for parasites found in meat, fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuff. Fortunately, you can easily sanitize and deodorize smelly cutting boards the eco-friendly way. Cut a lemon in half and rub it all over the cutting board, squeezing as you go. The juice cleans and disinfects the board naturally, and you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals contaminating your board.

• Cutting boards are havens for parasites found in meat, fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuff. Fortunately, you can easily sanitize and deodorize smelly cutting boards the eco-friendly way. Cut a lemon in half and rub it all over the cutting board, squeezing as you go. The juice cleans and disinfects the board naturally, and you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals contaminating your board.

• Cutting boards are havens for parasites found in meat, fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuff. Fortunately, you can easily sanitize and deodorize smelly cutting boards the eco-friendly way. Cut a lemon in half and rub it all over the cutting board, squeezing as you go. The juice cleans and disinfects the board naturally, and you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals contaminating your board.

• Cutting boards are havens for parasites found in meat, fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuff. Fortunately, you can easily sanitize and deodorize smelly cutting boards the eco-friendly way. Cut a lemon in half and rub it all over the cutting board, squeezing as you go. The juice cleans and disinfects the board naturally, and you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals contaminating your board.

• Slice a couple of lemons, limes, and oranges. Put them in a small bowl filled with water. Add in a teaspoon or two of white vinegar. Put the bowl in your microwave and cook for five minutes. Open the microwave, let it sit for a minute, and wipe any spills. Now your microwave smells fresh and clean!

• Removing stains and soap scum from your bathroom is easy. Simply sprinkle some salt on the area. Rub the salt using half a lemon, squeezing as you scrub the salt. For tougher stains, use a bathroom scrub after squeezing lemon juice on the stain. Let dry and wash away with plain water.

• The tarnish from your heirloom copper pots, cups, and ornaments can easily be removed. Squeeze the juice of a single lemon into a bowl. Add a teaspoon of lemon and stir until the salt is dissolved. Dip a piece of cloth and rub the tarnish off the copper. Use gentle pressure to avoid scratching the copper.

Conclusion

Using natural citric acid is an awesome way to recycle or repurpose your extra citrus fruits. They are all-natural and biodegradable. Clean, sanitize, disinfect, and freshen up your home the safe and eco-friendly way.

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Faerie’s Dance published this article with assistance from Lillian Connors, Senior Content Developer at ACT-ENVIRO. Here’s a little about her.

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2020 has been a real punch in the nose for many people and small businesses. Since Faerie’s Dance already had an online presence, we were lucky compared to many other companies. Still, planning has a been a nightmare with our lowest sales month in more than 10 years occurring within three months of our highest. Supply chains have been affected and in some cases, we simply can’t get products in to back fill orders. Our fun Mismatched Socks are nearly sold out – even at the manufacturer, and we won’t be able to restock all the missing sizes of our best-selling Treasure bra until February. That said, we still consider ourselves very fortunate compared to restaurants, spas, gyms and brick-and-mortar retailers.

If you’ve maintained employment throughout the pandemic, and find yourself in a secure position, you may be wondering how you can best support small businesses and hard-hit charities this holiday season. Here are a few tips that might help.

Support Small Business

Shop small

Supporting small business is more than just that initial purchase. Of course, shopping small is where it all starts. Shop for holiday gifts at small online stores or don your organic cotton face mask and head over to one of the unique boutique-style shops in your community. Sometimes you may end up paying a few cents more to support a small business, but local businesses often add to the character of your community, and online businesses almost always offer a selection of items that can’t be found anywhere else.

At Faerie’s Dance, we’re proud to be the only shop in the USA carrying European bras from Swegmark, Comazo and Peau-Ethique. But if you don’t need a bra, or don’t want to give one as a gift, buying any of our everyday items helps support us and allows us to continue bringing you that selection of exclusives you’ve come to love.

Exchange Rather than Return

One of the biggest helps to small businesses is to exchange items that don’t fit, don’t meet your needs or weren’t perfect for your recipient. In addition to losing the sale, credit card fees are not refundable for small businesses. So refunds always constitute a loss. Doing an exchange instead can be a little lifeline for businesses that are struggling.

Give Gift Certificates

If you want to support a small business, or a restaurant that may currently be operating take-out only, get a gift certificate. Not only do they make great gifts – both for your recipients and for yourself – but it puts much needed capital in the hands of the business now while restrictions are still in place.

Read the About Us Pages

While not revenue-related, small companies put a lot of time and effort into telling their customers who they are and what they stand for. Does the small business you are buying from support charity? Are they minority or woman-owned? Are they focused on sustainability? Do they give back to the community? Spending a few minutes learning about a small business can be so beneficial. And the more people care about those extra steps companies are taking to do good, the more businesses will eventually follow suit.

Avoid Amazon (and other Big Box stores)

Amazon is convenient. Nobody can argue that. And most of the time, Amazon is cheap, too. But Jeff Bezos and Amazon stock holders don’t need your money. Early on in the pandemic while small businesses were closed, Amazon and big box stores that sold groceries were still open and raking in profits. They really don’t need any more.

If you do find something on Amazon, check the “shipped from” notice. Many times small business (including ours) sell a portion of their offerings on Amazon to increase revenue. We charge a little more on Amazon to offset all the fees. So you pay more, we get less and Amazon earns the extra. Instead, search for the “shipped from” company online. If you find their website, you can support them directly!

If you can’t find a small business that has what you need and Amazon is looking like your only option, be sure to order from smile.Amazon.com to have a portion of your purchase donated to charity.

Shop After Christmas

While everyone is focused on the holidays, January and February can be rough for small businesses. Be sure to save a little to shop early in the year. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of after-Christmas sales. While margins may be lower, most companies are looking to lower inventory or gain revenue to stock new items. So bargain hunting can be a win-win for everyone.

Buy Gifts that Give Back to Charity

In addition to small businesses, many charities are struggling with diminishing donations. Many charities get a good portion of their operating budget from live events and large gatherings which are currently curbed. Symbolically adopting an animal has been a mainstay of holiday charitable giving for years. While we love this idea, here are a few more unique ones you may not have heard about.

Plan an Adventure

One of our sponsored charities, EarthWatch, is having a particularly rough year since most of their donations come from volunteer expeditions. While their expeditions are currently on hold, you can start an Expedition Fund for anyone for as little as $25. The Expedition Fund allows you to crowd fund your future EarthWatch adventure, or simply save up for it over time. If you start a fund for someone else this holiday, your recipient would have until the end of 2024 to to apply those funds to an EarthWatch Expedition.

Soften Your Skin While Giving Back

Heading to the local mall? Pick up Lush’s Charity Pot Body Lotion. 100% of the price of this luscious, ethical, vegan lotion is donated to small groups working in the areas of human rights, animal protection and environmental justice.

Buy Wine, Help Animals

Africa Quest imagines “an Africa where wildlife habitats are protected and endangered species coexist and thrive with their human counterparts.” They’ve partnered with a high-end wine maker to offer Africa Quest Wines with $40 from every bottle purchased going directly to charity.

Personalize a Brick

Whether you’re into space exploration, historical preservation or helping build new hospitals, you can leave a lasting memento for yourself or a loved one by purchasing a personalized paving brick.

Support Small Businesses that Support Charity

Do double duty by supporting small businesses who also support charity. (You’ll know who they are if you’ve read their About Us pages!) Faerie’s Dance gives 1% of all gross sales to charity. That’s gross sales, so even if profits are down, our charities are still being supported. I’m happy to report, we’re not alone in this. Many, many small businesses support charities. Most smaller companies go into business with high ideals of not just earning a living, but being a productive part of our larger communities. Find businesses and charities that align with your values and everyone will be elevated.

Don’t Forget Your Postal Carrier!

Many small businesses rely on the post office to ship lightweight items economically and ecologically to nearly every address in the country. In addition, so many home-bound Americans rely on the post office, particularly this year, for their medications, mail and even voting ballots. Postal workers were a bedrock of consistency for us all year. Faerie’s Dance could not have operated without them! Our Self Care Gift Set makes a great gift for your postal carrier. Of course, gift certificates, restaurant gift cards, locally made craft beer, and cash are always appreciated too. Give them a small “thank you” this year for all they do!

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It’s our biggest giveaway ever! We’ve teamed up with FindKeep.Love and 5 other companies with conscience to offer an amazing $2500 gift package that will get you into a “Zen State of Mind.”

FREE TO BE

Enter to win gift cards and prizes for sustainable, eco-friendly clothing, inspiring jewelry, gardening supplies, functional bags, skincare solutions, and toasty warm socks.

As a bonus, every single person who enters the sweepstakes will get a special offer directly from us! Shhh… the special offer is a secret, but enter the contest and you might get a little something extra for your organic lingerie drawer.

Click the button to get started and good luck!

No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. Eligibility and Sweepstakes subject to Official Rules and Consumer Disclosure.

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Many people considering the relationship between fashion and sustainability for the first time will be immediately discouraged by the higher price tag of an organic tee or eco-friendly winter coat. But what is behind the cost of the clothes you wear and is there really such a thing as cheap sustainable clothing?

Read on to discover the factors behind garment pricing and discover the best way to shop for eco-friendly and ethical women’s and men’s clothing you can feel good about!

The Value of A Garment: Can Sustainable Clothing Be Cheap?

You walk into a boutique retail store at the mall and see the skinny jeans, leggings, and blouses hanging in neatly arranged rows, each with a brand-name tag and detailed wash instructions. Prices range from $50 to $100 with a few items on sale for $25. A few stores down, the discount fashion store also has racks of colorful clothes, but the garments are offered for dirt-cheap prices starting from a mere $5.

If you’re looking for cheap sustainable clothing, you might be wondering if it’s better to choose the first store just because the prices are higher. However, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality or that the garments are more sustainable. Here are just some of the factors that influence garment pricing in fashion and sustainability.

Fiber Production

Every garment begins with the soil. Whether it’s wool that comes from a grass-loving sheep, cotton that comes from the thirsty Gossypium shrub, linen that comes from the flax plant, or fabrics from bamboo and wood pulp cellulose, they all begin with the ground.

If you’re looking for sustainable clothing, it’s important to keep in mind that organic cotton will cost more to produce because of the costs of organic certification and the higher price of organic fertilizers and non-toxic pesticides. Likewise, organic wool from a free-range sheep that feed on fresh grass and high-quality hay will cost more than conventional wool that may be a product of cruel and unhealthy factory farming.

Spinning and Dyeing

The spinning process for all fabrics is pretty similar. However, the dyeing process has a big effect on the price of the final piece. The cheapest dyes used in fast fashion clothing are made from petrochemicals and can poison local waterways as well as irritate your skin. Sustainable clothing that isn’t as cheap typically uses non-toxic setting treatments and vegetable dyes that cost more to produce but are gentler on your skin and the environment.

Cutting and Sewing

The next stage in the garment manufacture process is cutting and sewing — which is the point at which we find the “sweatshops” so often mentioned in articles about fast fashion. Workers in these garment factories (often located in China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh) may be paid less than minimum wage, and the lack of appropriate safety standards means that the lives of the garment workers can be put at risk — even when manufacturing cheap “sustainable” clothing from organic materials. So pairing ethical production or Fair Trade standards with your sustainable materials is imperative.

Retail Salaries

Once garments reach their destination country, their price will be affected by the salaries of retail workers as well as the profit margin of the fashion label. An organic cotton T-shirt may cost $10 to buy wholesale but may be sold for anything from $20 to $50 depending on the profit margin of the company. Where does this profit go? Some of it goes towards the brand’s marketing budget, but the rest is often pocketed by the CEO.

So, when you find a piece of cheap “sustainable” clothing for sale online, the company may have found ways to keep their costs low through sticking to online sales and a low-profit margin. Then again, the brand might be making a profit while keeping those benefits from being passed downstream to the garment workers and cotton farmers who produced the clothes. Prioritizing your budget on smaller fashion brands that focus on sustainability in addition to profit usually results in the best overall value.

Making Fashion and Sustainability More Budget-Friendly

Even though many of us would like to choose eco-fashion for everything from bamboo socks to sustainable jackets, the cost of fairness (and quality) can still be a little out of reach. Here are a few tips to save money on fashion while avoiding the pitfalls of cheap “sustainable” clothing brands that aren’t giving you the full story.

Shop Pieces That You Can Mix and Match

An organic tee by itself is great, but a tee and a pair of organic women’s pants that go with all of your T-shirts are even better. Shopping sustainable clothing on a budget means being smart about style and going for classic cuts in basic colors that you can build into a minimalist capsule wardrobe  and mix-and-match to your heart’s content.

Calculate the Cost by Cost-Per-Wear Rather than the Up-Front Cost

A $10 tee or $2 cami looks great on the rack, but how many wears will it likely last? Even if it has been made under fair conditions, cheap “sustainable” clothing of low quality will end up costing you more if it only lasts for a few months before you have to replace it. In contrast, a $50 garment might look more expensive at the outset but could end up costing you only a few cents per wear if its strength and quality last for years.

Help Your Clothes Last Longer with Proper Garment Care

Our next tip for combining fashion and sustainability is one that we’ve learned the hard way: Follow the care and wash instructions! Fast fashion has got us used to throwing everything in the washing machine and hoping it comes out ok.

After spending a larger amount of cash upfront on authentic (not cheap) sustainable clothing, you’ll want to make sure that you keep your eco-friendly clothes in the best condition for as long as possible. This means respecting directions to wash-by-hand, to wash in cold water only, and to drip dry or dry flat rather than throwing everything into the dryer. Things like woolen coats that are quite expensive at the beginning can last a lot longer if you wash them by hand only when truly necessary.

Shop Genuine Sustainable Clothing for Less at Faerie’s Dance

Our final tip for enjoying cheap sustainable clothing? Shop the most responsible eco-fashion brands when their garments go on sale (like in our great clearance section!) If you know someone who would love some organic and sustainable clothing but might struggle to afford it, you might also consider giving them a Faerie’s Dance gift card that covers everything on our entire site.

Want to know more? Browse the rest of the articles on the Eco-Fashion Philosopher blog and shop our curated fashion and sustainability brands.

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After two decades of throw-away “fast fashion” and wardrobes stuffed with pieces that are never worn, the concept of the “minimalist wardrobe” is coming back into vogue. This means fewer clothes, higher quality, and an increased focus on endless combinations. Here at Faerie’s Dance, we have tips to develop a minimalist capsule wardrobe that is great for the planet and looks fantastic!

So What Do You Need For a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe? 

Basics Can Be Beautiful

The first step to going minimalist with your wardrobe is choosing pieces in classic cuts that always look good and never go out of fashion. Here are our top picks for basics that you can wear through every season!

Leggings

Soft, stretchy, and comfortable, leggings are a mainstay of any minimalist wardrobe. Wear them under an organic tunic for work, with a sustainable dress and boots in winter, or switch it up with capri-length leggings for added confidence under a summer dress or short-length organic cotton skirt.

Black is the most popular shade for leggings due to its unparalleled versatility, but you can also fill your minimalist capsule wardrobe with leggings in basic tones like blue, burgundy, navy, or coffee-brown.

Camis

Next up we have the classic camisole. A trendy take on the singlets our mothers made us wear as children under basic tees, these minimalist wardrobe staples transition easily through the seasons — providing an added layer of warmth in winter, modesty under V-neck tops in spring and fall, and functioning as a standalone piece for hot summer days.

Day-to-Night Wear

Now that you’ve got the underlayer covered, it’s time to add the “defining pieces” to your minimalist capsule wardrobe. These are the garments that make your outfit and set the tone for your entire look. If you’ve gone for neutral tones with your leggings and camis, your “defining piece” can be the colorful or bold patterned piece that matches all the other items in your wardrobe and transitions easily from day-to-night.

A dozen tunics, shirts, blouses, and short- and long-sleeve tops in different weights should see you through the seasons in style. For daytime wear, combine your top with some subtle jewelry and a pair of work-ready flats; dress things up for an evening out with boots in winter, stilettos in summer, and an extra-shiny layer of stylish eco-friendly jewelry!

The Warmth Factor

No minimalist wardrobe would be complete without a select few jackets and coats to keep you warm. Organic cotton cardigans and wraps are fantastic for day-to-night wear. Drape over a blouse or organic cotton tank for long days in the office, or pull over a little black sustainable dress for date night.

Ethical winter coats are essential for the cooler seasons and can be styled in several ways. For jackets, we recommend classic styles that fit well into a minimalist capsule wardrobe and won’t go out of fashion with the season.

Accessories

This is where you can bring in the greatest diversity to spice up a minimalist capsule wardrobe. Even if you recombine the same few tops, pants/skirts, and jackets, a change of accessories can make it feel like a whole new outfit!

We suggest three complete sets of contrasting jewelry, inspired by the following categories:

• Small and dainty
• Colorful and pretty
• Large and statement
• Whimsical and fancy-free

The exact jewelry you choose will be influenced by the color scheme of your clothes and should ideally cover two or three different tones. That way, you have something for every mood while still keeping your wardrobe minimalist!

Seasonal Variations

Some modern eco-conscious women prefer to put together a minimalist capsule wardrobe for every season, while others cycle through the same clothes all year long. Whichever approach you prefer, you can easily add some seasonal variation with a couple of feature pieces for the four main seasons.

Spring

Bright colors, florals, polka dots, and stripes all give a spring feel to your minimalist wardrobe. For a spring-time look in three easy pieces, try a colorful organic skirt with a basic organic tee and complete the look with sandals and some colorful jewelry.

Summer

The warmer months give us the perfect excuse to feel pretty and feminine in a flowing, fair-trade summer dress. You can create a one-and-done minimalist capsule wardrobe with a different dress for each day of the week or dress up your spring skirts with a colored cami and contrasting summer poncho for variety!

Fall

Your minimalist wardrobe for fall is all about the color. Browns, yellows, oranges, and reds are our go-to’s for fall that transition easily into winter with dark boots and a jacket. You can also carry over a few of your summer dresses for fall weather with the addition of boots, some cozy leggings, and those cardigans we mentioned above!

Winter

A minimalist capsule wardrobe for winter can actually be easier to put together than a minimalist wardrobe for summer. Why? Because people rarely catch a glimpse of the inner layers! A few warm long-sleeve tops and leggings or a dark-wash pair of pants can form the core of your winter closet, with easy variations added with sweaters, jewelry, and an elegant knee-length jacket for good measure.

Holidays

Feeling festive? We’ve got you covered! Holiday organic socks, hand warmers and knitted hemp sweaters in green and red keep you holiday-ready with a few easy garments you can pull out at multiple events.

Complete Your Minimalist Wardrobe Today

At Faerie’s Dance, you can find almost everything you need for your minimalist capsule wardrobe. The best thing? It’s all made ethically from environmentally-friendly fabrics and low-impact dyes. Browse our eco-friendly women’s clothing today and enjoy the long-term savings of a minimalist wardrobe that you can combine and recombine to your heart’s content!

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Summer is finally here — with sunny days, homemade lemonade, and lazy days in the sun. Along with the change in weather comes the chance to wear some beautiful organic, fair-trade dresses! Check out our top picks here at Faerie’s Dance for ethical dress brands that will have you enjoying summer, even if you’re staycationing this year.

The Black Fair-Trade Shoreline Dress

Effortless and elegant, this Shoreline Dress from Indigenous Designs is perfect for everything from lounging around the house to stunning at weddings. This sensual pick from among our fair-trade dresses is made from 100% organic cotton and has been expertly crafted at an artist cooperative in Peru.

Enjoy a casual look for picnics and walks along the beach by pairing this magnificent dress with a pair of sandals and a broad-brimmed hat — and don’t forget a pair of fair-trade earrings!

Lemon Love Sundress

For working at the office or enjoying summer picnics in the countryside, we’re crushing hard on this Lemon Love Sundress. Colorful and fruity, what could be better than lemons to make you smile all day long? Like many of our fair-trade dresses, this flowing number is an original from the ethical dress brand, Mata Traders — a Chicago-based brand that sells handmade clothing made by artisans in India and Nepal.

This bright and happy design features hidden pockets (who doesn’t love that?) and the perfect combination of fit-and-flare for a flattering silhouette that is delightfully twirly. It is made from organic cotton jersey with a touch of spandex for comfort and a fit that won’t lose its shape. Style in seconds with a long fair-trade necklace and sandals or transition this dress to evenings with a lightweight organic cotton cardigan.

Melissa Tie Dress

Pretty as a poem, the Melissa Tie Dress proves that every woman can look fabulous this summer, regardless of body type. This hot little number is perfect for plus sized women who want to look good, feel fabulous and support ethical trade. The tie on the side flatters the curves. This was is made by Synergy Organic another staple on our list of ethical dress brands.

The ideal addition to your collection of fair-trade dresses, we are loving this summer dress with some long, bold jewelry pieces and a nice pair of ballet flats. It’s a morning-to-night anywhere dress that will see you through the summer and beyond!

First Impressions Dress

For that job interview or all-important client meeting, put your best foot forward with this fitted First Impressions Dress. Bright and cheery with 95% organic cotton jersey and 5% spandex, this GOTS-certified, fair-trade dress is shaped and folded exactly where you need it for a sophisticated look that’s just right for summer.

No matter where you take this dress, you can’t go wrong with a pair of heels and a bold statement necklace. Evening a little chilly? Top off this dress with an office-ready fitted (and sustainable!) jacket — the perfect finish to a polished summer look.

Sunny Day Dress

On a beautiful sunny summer day, this Sunny Day Dress is everything you want — lightweight, breathable, and oh-so-soft. Featured in a bright blue the color of the summer sky, our fifth pick for the top fair-trade dresses is 100% organic cotton jersey and is made in Peru using Peruvian-grown organic cotton.

Perfect with flats, sandals, and your flashiest stilettos, we love this design from our ethical dress brand, Indigenous Designs, for everyday comfort throughout the warm season that you can easily transition into fall with organic cotton leggings and a pair of boots.

Reversible Tank Dress

One of our customer’s favorites, this Reversible Tank Dress takes the cake. Given a 5-star rating by our happy buyers, this is an ideal style from our list of fair-trade dresses for parties or stunning on the job. Wear with a luxury jacket on cooler evenings and finish the look with your best pair of heels. Summer sophistication is made easy with this flawless fair-trade reversible dress!

An original concept from Indigenous Designs, the reversible tank two-way dress can be worn with either the black side or the wine side on the outside and features small gathers at the hips for a flattering silhouette. As with all of this dress brand’s ethical pieces, this reversible tank dress has been made by artisans in Peru — providing dignified livelihoods and strengthening impoverished communities.

Bandeau Dress

For the final pick on our list of fair-trade dresses, we have this elegantly whimsical Bandeau Dress with a versatile handkerchief tie neck and raw asymmetrical hem. Perfect for parties, this flowy dress from the ethical dress brand, Jonäno, is the dancing companion that every girl dreams about — simply slip it on, tie the fabric bands behind your neck, and spin around to your heart’s content!

Jonäno specializes in creating cashmere-like garments from silky-soft bamboo and organic cotton that are friendly to animals and have a luxurious finish. The hint of spandex in this lightweight dress keeps the shape intact so you don’t have to worry about it stretching. For those who try to stick to a minimalist wardrobe, this dress provides a two-in-one solution: You can wear it as a skirt by simply tying the bands of fabric around your waist!

Indulge In a Little Eco-Love by Shopping Fair-trade Dresses This Summer

Whether you’re giving your wardrobe an eco-friendly makeover or trying out a new look, Faerie’s Dance is here for you. In addition to our featured styles, we have dozens of other fair-trade dresses and eco-friendly women’s clothing for sale from ethical dress brands that are doing amazing things in communities around the world!

Learn more about ethical fashion by reading our blog, and buy your new favorite summer dress today — yours with free U.S. ground shipping when you spend $99 or more.

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Mother’s Day only comes around once a year, and it’s a terrific chance to spoil your nature-loving mama with some eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts that she might not buy for herself. To get the ball rolling, we’ve put together a round-up of ideas for gifts that an environmentally conscious lady is sure to love. Ready to pamper your mama for all the hard work she puts in year-round? Let’s jump in!

Our Favorite Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas For Moms

Eco-Friendly Jewelry

Top on our list of gifts for environmentally conscious mamas is a beautiful, ethical necklace or pair of sustainable earrings. With these sparkly accessories, you can be confident that you’ll get the right size — and your eco-warrior princess mama won’t fret that you’ve spent money on something that’s not kind to the environment!

One of the best environmentally friendly gift ideas for women of all ages, eco-friendly jewelry always comes with a story behind it. Follow this personality-based guide to find the perfect piece for your unique mom:

The Nature Girl

While some stylish ladies are drawn like a magnet to the sparkle of gemstones and gold, there are some that love the bohemian style of earthy, rustic materials. For the best ever Mother’s Day, give your nature girl a thrill with a bracelet made from African Zulu grass or a colorful tagua nut necklace-and-earring set.

The Happy Recycler 

Gifts for environmentally conscious mamas really are best matched to the things they keep telling you every day when trying to make the home as sustainable as possible. For the mama who can’t stand to see a can thrown in the trash, consider a recycled aluminum dragonfly or dolphin from the handmade collection by The Artist Jay.

The Persistent Peacemaker

What about eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts for the long-suffering “peace, not war” mama who is constantly reminding the kids to get along? Among our gifts for environmentally conscious mamas, we just happen to have the perfect solution: The hand-beaten reclaimed peace-bronze pieces made by the anti-war brand, From War to Peace.

The Covert Wine Lover

Ok, so while we think every earth-loving mother is truly a saint, there’s always some time for a little fun! Give the wine-loving mom in your life a gift she’ll really appreciate with a bottle of bubbly and a recycled glass jewelry set from Smart Glass Jewelry. Match your gift with an incredible home-cooked meal and a shared bottle of wine for the perfect celebration!

 

An Eco-Friendly Purse or Bag

For environmentally friendly gift ideas that are a little more practical and just as likely to earn her compliments on style, consider giving the mama in your life an eco-friendly bag. Among our most creative gifts for environmentally conscious women, the purses and bags in our sustainable collection are made from versatile hemp and recycled VHS tapes! The retro-chic vibe of these off-beat pieces is a sure head-turner at parties. Plus a woman can never have too many bags!

 

A Luxurious Spa-at-Home Hamper

Let’s face it — mothers work hard. Mother’s Day should be their chance to enjoy a little pampering from Dad and the kids! Prepare the perfect home spa experience with a pack of gifts for environmentally conscious mamas, including:

• A palm wax pack of delicate tea lights
• A selection of sumptuous handmade essential oil soaps
• A bamboo soap dish to hold the soap of her choice
• A self-care gift set for something that extra bit special
• A hypoallergenic sleep mask for the perfect finish

 

Her Favorite Stay-at-Home Essentials

The best gifts for environmentally conscious mamas are often things that she’ll use on a daily basis. For environmentally friendly gift ideas, consider some stay-at-home essentials for the ultimate comfort when hanging out at home on the weekends and evenings. Most of these pieces are made from indulgently soft organic cotton, bamboo, and modal, so they are as gentle on the environment as they are on her skin.

For your eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts, give her a range of options with three or four colorful tunics and a pair of leggings or drawstring pants. If Mom is the type who shops for everyone else before herself, she would probably be thrilled to receive an organic pajama set (or two!) that actually match! Complete your gifts for your environmentally conscious lady with an organic cotton cardigan or wrap to keep her warm and cozy on cooler days.

Some Sizzling Lingerie

Alright, dads, here’s a gift for you. So these kinds of gifts for environmentally conscious mamas are probably best given when the kids are all tucked up in bed and would go particularly well with those drinks for two. For a special mama, a well-fitting organic cotton bra or pack of silky-soft panties could be just the thing to show her that you care about her comfort each and every day. Some of our top recommendations for Mother’s Day lingerie include:

• A wire-free bra for an easy, comfortable at home.
• Some colorful camisoles that go with every outfit.
• Some stylish, bikini-cut briefs in bamboo, soy, or white pine.

Buyers, please note: For reasons of hygiene, we cannot refund or exchange women’s panties or men’s or kids’ underwear, so if you’re not 100% sure of the size, consider purchasing a bra instead or opt for an e-store gift card.

Make Faerie’s Dance Your Go-To Store for Eco-Friendly Mother’s Day Gifts

Gifts for environmentally conscious mamas are easy to find when you know where to look and what she likes. If the gift isn’t right, we’ll happily refund or exchange the unaltered product (for everything besides panties) within 60 days of your original purchase.

A dedicated sustainable and fair trade superstore, Faerie’s Dance has been revolutionizing environmentally friendly gift ideas since 2005 — and we’re continuously expanding our range of products! Be sure to browse our sustainable clothing for men,women, and kids while you’re here, and we wish the environmentally-conscious mama in your life a wonderful, love-filled Mother’s Day!