my move into conscious clothing has been difficult the last year. my clothes have always come from thrift shops, but thrifting in LA isn’t like the PNW (you have to really commit to going far outside the city to snag deals without the markups), and after taking a pause from selling on Etsy, i’ve been less inspired by vintage, just because i don’t see it everyday and it’s quite difficult to find the most wearable pieces. as i move toward slow fashion, i still want to be creative with my style. i think being conscious and sustainable must always be balanced with creative expression and my biggest thing right now is that it IS possible, and hey, maybe even on a budget too.
so i really do need new clothes, and i’ve been looking up and down for indie + etsy shops that have quality pieces that all of us normal people can actually afford! as much as i love a good brick and mortar shop day, doing so in Los Angeles means basically what these photos represent… buying a nice outfit online and then perusing trendy ‘hoods like the DTLA arts district to explore or window shop or buy an expensive coffee, not to actual make real purchases.
so imagine my excitement when i came across canadian designer Mary Young, who at the time was having a sale in her Etsy shop. this shop is all about fun basics, but on my everlasting search for handmade clothing that has a little something extra, i had to go for this dotted dress. it’s very simple but also perfectly fitted and of quality fabric.
of course a bit of balance comes in for someone on a journey. the shrug is yearsandyearsandyears old from nordstrom rack + the shoes are surprisingly stylish for payless, where i impulsively popped in in desperate need of flip flops (close enough, right?). shoes are difficult for any shopper, but being someone who walks a couple miles a day just getting around, i really wear the hell out of my shoes. so i’m extra picky!
necklace is a flea market find i’m sure i’ve blogged before.
the dress really ended up being perfect to kick off building a more conscious wardrobe. i have a few ideas up my sleeve for the topic of conscious living in the future, so bear with me while i navigate juggling the 10000000 projects i’ve set up for myself this spring. but here’s the thing that bloggers won’t tell you and i will because i blog quite enough during my “day job” (loose term) about such things: a conscious closet wasn’t built in a day. and that’s kinda the point! you’re really intentional about your pieces, your consumption, and what makes you feel good. more on that later. shop Mary Young here!
such a babe!!