Ethical Brand Spotlight: Encircled

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Perhaps you've recently discovered that the current mainstream fashion and retail industry doesn't quite float your boat. The idea that you are one pawn (amongst millions) in the chess game of fashion doesn't sit well, and it shouldn't. 

Most of us have a set of values that we live by; these are different for each person and will depend on many factors. In general, we as consumers don't want to be taken advantage of, we don't want to spend money on items that don't last. We want to buy high quality clothing for a reasonable price, right? Unfortunately, what we're getting when we shop the "high street" (affordable, big-box clothing retailers) is usually trend-based, season-specific clothing which is not made to last longer than a few years at best. The reality is; we usually get tired of the item long before it falls apart. 

What is the answer? Well one solution to this problem is to research brands before buying, making sure that their brand values match our own. Over the next few months I will be posting about brands I have come across in order to highlight them for their forward-thinking, innovative, and sustainable tendencies. (These posts are not sponsored, they are my own opinions and all photos and information have been used with the permission of each brand.)

Encircled 

They call you Wanderluster, a world-traveller, a free-spirit. Encircled is a brand with a vision for its customer. To be able to travel the world with only a carry-on in tow; nothing to hold you back or delay you from your next inevitable adventure. They're on a mission to help you pack lighter and do more with less. (source: encircled.ca)

This company offers "full-circle" fashion; which they describe as fashion that is better for our planet, that benefits the people who make it, and that gives its customer a better life. This is a company based in Toronto, Canada (Yaaas Canada!) and all its clothing is ethically made in small batches; slow-fashion if you will.

Here is a rundown of their sustainable MO:

• Produce in small batches, they produce only what they will need
• Production takes place 100% on Canadian soil, thereby reducing the impact of emissions and carbon footprint from shipping products from overseas
• Source eco-fabrics such as: Modal (from Beech trees), Tencel (from Eucalyptus trees) and Bamboo
• Textile process is sustainable using low-impact dyes
• Closed-loop process, no "waste water" in textile manufacturing
• Leftover cuttings are used to make products such as headbands
• Use suppliers with matching principles and values
• The list goes on click here to see the full list of sustainable initiatives 

My favorites from their collection: 

The Transform Leg Warmers - $58

Photo credit: Encircled.ca

The Wanderer Sleeveless T, black model - $58

Photo Credit - Encircled.ca

The Evolve Top, Mineral Grey - $98

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Same top, different look!

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Same top, different look!

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Same top, different look!

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Chrysalis Cardi Bamboo, Feather Beige $138

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Chrysalis Cardi, same cardi - can be worn 8 ways!

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Dressy Sweatpant, DK Heathered Grey Modal - $148

Photo Credit: Encircled.ca

Let me know what you think of clothing brands with an ethical & sustainable identity in the comments below! Want to be notified when new posts go up on Fashionmamaaquarius.com? Don't forget to sign up by email :)

Erin

5 Items To Hygge Your Wardrobe

The year 2017, it seems,  is the year of Hygge. A Danish word (pronounced "Hue-gah") which cannot be literally translated but which is described as being warm, cozy, comforting, and enjoying the moment. It is can be applied to your home, your car, your office and of course; your wardrobe. I find it hard to believe with the extreme cold temperatures we experience in Canada and the US, it could take us so long to catch onto this Danish way of life. Think about sitting by the fireplace, wearing your Fair Isle sweater, wool socks, candles lit with a big mug of cider: heaven right?

In many parts of the Northern hemisphere, spring is within reach but since it's still bitter cold and snowy here in Ottawa I need this kind of post to get me through the next couple of months until spring arrives. It is possible to transfer this theory of coziness to your closet, you may want to just hygge your at-home clothing if you work in a very corporate environment but if you can get away with it I would Hygge the whole darn thing!

Here are five cozy items which can make your wardrobe hygge-ier until spring/summer:

1. Flannel Shirts 

They're not just for lumberjacks and hipsters. They don't even have to be plaid, although I quite like some of the plaid out there. It's a cozy material, they come in flattering tapered shapes for women so it can be worn to the office or for a night out if you want to take your hygge "on the road". If you're not into flannel for everyday wear you could try some flannel pajamas instead. If possible go for flannel made with organic cotton, a soft and earth-friendly option. 

2. Cashmere Shawl

In the winter, in Ottawa, it get COLD. Like, really, really COLD. So first thing in the morning it can be difficult to get out of my nice warm bed into the cold-ish house. My solution for this dilemma is a shawl. It doesn't have to be a cashmere shawl (the shawl I have isn't) but cashmere is oh so soft and a great luxury item to ask for as a gift or to invest in for the long term (unless you plan to go somewhere warm for your winters for the rest of your life!) If going for cashmere (which comes mainly from the "undercoat" of the cashmere goat when they are combed after the winter season. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jan/16/does-cashmere-get-your-goat)

3. Shearling Slippers

Another way to keep yourself in cozy-mode for the remainder of winter is by wearing some nice soft, shearling slippers. Not only is it a nice way to keep you feeling cozy after you extricaste yourself from your nice warm bed in the am, it's also a great way to keep you warm after a nice hot soak in the tub in the pm. There's nothing I love more than padding around my house in nice warm slippers on a cold winter day. Try to choose slipper that have sturdy rubber soles; better traction and protects your feel from the cold that can come through hard wood, concrete and tile flooring.

4. Buttery Soft Leggings

Leggings may be a no-no at work but for home-life they are a stretchy, soft, body-hugging piece of heaven. Choose leggings made with pre-shrunk Organic Cotton; super soft and better for the environment than Polyester (I still love my Sweetlegs but discovered they are Polyester and that takes a long time to break down in a landfill) mixed with low amounts of Lycra or Spandex (this material is a petroleum products using raw materials, toxic chemicals and lots of energy, also it doesn't have a long lifespan) (Source: http://wearnothingnew.typepad.com/wear-nothing-new/2011/01/environmental-impacts-of-fabric-spandex.html)

5. Cotton T-shirts

A versatile, cozy piece to have in your closet is a high quality organic cotton t-shirt. It can be layered underneath your warm weather clothing and then applied to your spring/summer wardrobe. You may wish to stick to basic colors; black, white, grey, beige for simplicity's sake but I prefer cream, blush and navy at the moment. A striped shirt is a classic piece (nautical has stood the test of time) which I would consider to be a staple in any wardrobe.

How do you get yourself "hygge" in the colder months? What are your go to pieces as you transition from winter into spring or fall into winter for our southern hemisphere readers :) Let me know your tips and tricks in the comments below!

Erin

Project 333: Week 2 OOTD

I'm now into the third week of my Project 333 Challenge and I am still loving it! I have noticed that I am starting to get close to the need to repeat some outfits, which is totally fine with me. The only problem with repeating outfits is it won't be as interesting for people following along with me on this journey. One caveat I can think of is it will show people that it's not the end of the world if you wear an outfit more than once on social media!

A downside to wearing the same clothing in a more frequent rotation is the amount of wear and tear they endure compared to a larger closet rotation. I try not to wash my jeans unless they are stained but because I work with kids I usually end up with something on them by days end, and because I am down at their level or crawling after them my jeans all wear out in the knees very quickly.

You may notice that I wear Toms in many of my outfit pictures and this is because I find socks to be slippery and get dirty from the floors (running a daycare means lot's of messes). I do like wearing socks with slippers first thing in the morning but I find my feet get too hot so Toms with no socks is my best option. It is also helping me to break them in before summer as I was gifted two pairs from my MIL to replace my two pairs that are falling apart!

A t-shirt or tank with a cardigan is my go-to look because my house starts out cool in the morning and then heats up like crazy as the sun comes in through our massive back window. I need to be able to take it off quickly while I'm working and put it back on when I need to leave for the school pickup.

On the weekends I tend to go for easy, comfy and lazy. I do run on the weekends and of course I clean the house so leggings with a tank is the best option for me. I do have three pairs of leggings in my 33 item capsule wardrobe because they are such a staple for me during my downtime.

I hope you liked this weeks outfits. If you have any suggestions for how I can make my looks more unique or interesting without adding any additional items please feel free to leave me a comment in the comments section below this post!  Follow me on Instagram to see my OOTD in my daily feed along with other fun pics.

Happy week everyone!

Erin

Project 333: Week 1 OOTD

It has been just about two weeks since cleared my closet, created my capsule wardrobe and started my Project 333 Challenge. So far I am really enjoying it, my weekly laundry has been drastically reduced, mostly because I am re-wearing things like sweaters and jeans (assuming they are not stained or smelly). Another aspect I like is the ease with which I can plan my looks. All my items work well together and since most items are in the same color-family, I have an infinite number of outfit possibilities.

Every night before I go to bed, I choose my clothing for the following day. This makes my morning easier because there is less thinking required before I've had my coffee and therefore less stress for me. I keep my outfits simple; top, sweater, pants, socks and accessories, I know it's pretty basic but I focus more on the colors, patterns and shape of the clothing. It is also important, working with children everyday, that I am comfortable and wearing clothing that washes easily. 

This capsule wardrobe was created using pieces that I already owned. I didn't purchase anything new, but I did receive the gold Coffee and Couture choker for my  birthday from my best friend and got a new gold bangle from my husband. I have been loving gold jewellery lately so I wear the same pieces everyday. 

In the past I was always longing to buy new items. It felt as if I was always planning my life around my next shopping trip. Since discovering and undertaking this project, I haven't purchased any new clothes and I haven barely thought about clothing shopping. In fact, I went to the mall recently to buy some skincare items from Sephora and I only ventured into one clothing store; Zara, which I didn't end up buying anything at all.

I will be posting weekly updates for the duration of this challenge, there will obviously be some outfit repeats since I am working with a closet of 33 items but I will try my best to keep things interesting and unique! Follow me on Instagram to see my daily outfit updates as well as my Instagram-worthy meals.

Did you decide to try the Project 333 Challenge? Let me know in the comments below this post!
Erin