Lessen Your Fashion Footprint

Fashion continually changes, creating new ideas and mixing in the old. As eco fashion is still being defined, this generation is able to have a voice and create the future of fashion through eco-friendly practices.

If you didn't know, I am the Conscious Fashion Editor of Modern Hippie Mag. It's been a dream come true to write for a magazine where I not only can contribute my fashion background but I am helping change the way fashion is.

Eco-fashion is changing the way people buy, wash and wear clothes. Swaping is becoming a new way to buy, convertible clothing is a new way to wear, and environmental hang-tags are being invented for future clothing pieces. It's a great time to be in the fashion world and see what truley is going on and the way fashion is heading.

Jerah Coviello is an eco-activist who is on a mission to change the way people see eco fashion. She was my editor of MHM and passed the torch down to me as she had so many exciting things going on in her eco world of fashion. Not only has she started local clothing swaps, Jerah and her mom, Russett, have created their own convertible clothing line, Ecovogue365.

Started in 2010, as an experimental sustainable fashion project, the mother daughter duo took their love for fashion and turned it into something new for the eco fashion world. "We took an industry we both love for its ingenuity and expression but abore for its waste: fashion. We wanted to know what it takes to start an eco-friendly fashion line. What does “eco” even mean in fashion?" After creating one eco "vogue" garment per day (ecovogue365) and three collections later, some convertible and some not, they found that there really was no industry standard for "eco" fashion. "We came up with a list of 20 definitions including organic cotton, fair trade, slow sew, etc. We re-launched our brand in 2012 to encompass convertible fashion after discovering that the largest energy use in a garments life cycle is during the wash and wear phase accounting for over 60% of it’s energy."

 They wanted to become retail educators, hoping to enlighten consumers. "We felt that we could make a change in the most pivotal point of a garments lifecycle by becoming not only retailers but retail educators giving women solutions to lessen their fashion footprint, providing women with ingenious ways to wear their fashion, and even better, many outfits all fit in one carry-on. It really is fashion convenience."

 Jerah has been living in convertible clothing for over 2 years now and she says getting dressed is a no brainer. "I like fashion, and I want variety, so instead of owning a closet full of pieces that seem to overwhelm me on how to put items together, or lost items shoved in the background, I get to take a slim and trim closet of less items that give me more options. It puts me in the designer seat. It’s me becoming intimate with my body and a mirror, switching up a design in different ways to settle on which one I feel inspired by for the day."

Heres a few tips Jerah suggests for women who want to understand the concept better:

Tips:

1. You can travel with an entire wardrobe in one carry-on.

2. You save a LOT of money owning less items that actually give you more options.

3. As a mom you can look stylish without bartering your time with your family over shopping for new outfits.

4. Keep your fashion footprint low during your wash and wear phase by not washing or wearing so much.

5. For the professional on the go take yourself from Beach to Boardroom with one design during your busy day.

6. Convertible fashion is function meets vogue vision. The ideas are endless, let your mind take you there.

7. Bonus: if the design is made of eco-fabrics, like ours, you truly have a new eco-fashion garment.

Trick: Don’t make it tricky. With any convertible design, make sure you print out, watch the videos, or check into the documentation on “how to wear” the design. Before you give up at the outset, take 10 minutes with the design and enjoy it.

Jerah's role in Ecovogue365 is the marketing and managing side, but with her writing background and knowledge in eco fashion and the design process she has helped reach their goal of informing consumers about the benefits of going eco. Her mom is the designer and has been teaching Jerah all along. "I design as a hobby, still learning from my mom. She is the designer who has been sewing and designing for 40 years. I grew up around sewing machines, cutting boards, measuring tapes and fabric stores as my malls." The two work together to co-create pieces for the line and ideas for spreading the eco fashion word. "What really inspires me is researching what is on the forefront of convertible design. There are designers doing it more and more. Ecovogue365 is really here to showcase that talent, and bring women more options for convenient fashion options that lessen her fashion footprint."

One way they are spreading the convertible clothing and eco fashion word is through clothing swaps, a concept where you can bring items you no longer want or wear and trade them in with other people's items. Both sides walk away with new to you pieces. "It’s like that girlfriend next door who you can trade out a dress that no longer fits with something new from her closet. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. Swapping also serves as a beautiful way to connect community, bringing strangers out to meet one another over an item that has a story behind it."

Jerah's involvement in the eco fashion scene has created more eco options for fashionistas. As new concepts arise, her and her mother are able to cater to the ever growing eco world. Convertible clothing is a concept that has been around for a while but with more awareness about the multifunctional clothing, people are able to have more options and space in their closets.

For more information about swaps or convertible clothing, check out Ecovogue365. 

Sequins, Sparkle & Shine

Around the Holidays, I always say you need to have the 3 S's in your life: sequins, sparkle and shine. The holidays are filled with all three, whether it's your Christmas tree filled with lights and ornaments, or that beautifully wrapped present, the three S's are everywhere and you always need to add a little, or a lot, to your wardrobe for those holiday get togethers! 

I had emailed Kristina a while back about maybe doing a BDIB with sequins. The fashionista that she is, she said she loved my idea but she was working on it for an upcoming BDIB! Great minds think a like ;) 

So Voila! Here you have, Bloggers do SEQUINS better!

Details, details, details:

Shoes: Aldo

Jeans: Kohls

Sequin Tank: Express

Cardigan: F21

And here are a few fun photos of me and my boo! He is my wonderful photographer, who bought me this FABULOUS new camera.  Thanks baby! xo

                             

Animal Instincts: Meow

So I kind of have a secret obsession with leopard print. When I found out the new Bloggers Do It Better challenge was titled "Animal Instincts"I literally eeeeeee'ed with excitement. 

With the animal prints being so popular this fall, I have made a few purchases that make me oh so happy. A few months ago, while writing my trend post, The Cat's Meow, I found the "leopard on me" top from ModCloth, and I HAD to have it. After patiently waiting for it to become available again, I snatched it up at the end of September. September 27th, the day that little package arrived on my doorstep, was one happy day for me! The next morning I woke up to a new BDIB email announcing the new assignment and I was SO excited to participate! It was meant to be :) 

So without further adieu, meet the animal in me. 

Two days after the new BDIB I found this precious little skirt with leopard bows and wallah! I had my outfit. While it's a little crazy for me, there is just something about this outfit that makes me feel good! It's bringing out my inner feistiness that I normally don't show!

Needless to say, I really do love leopard print. I have a few pieces that just spice up an outfit. 

And I just had to include my little precious bug, Tika because like mother like daughter, she loves leopard too ♥

Fashion Feature: Hook&Stylit

Today's fashion feature is on a dear friend whom I met in college. Maggie always looked so chic while in class, wearing maxis, bermuda shorts, whatever it was she looked cute and classy. Now, she has her own personal style blog, Hook & Stylit: the style of my life. 

Meet Maggie.

This full time fashionista always looks great. Whether it's going to work or going to the beach, Maggie knows how to dress herself and others.  She has a quote on her blog from Drew Berrymore that I think a lot of girls can relate to: "My whole life I wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin, it's like the most liberating thing in the world." Maggie's down to earth personality matches her style perfectly, showing she IS comfortable in her own skin. 

Here are a few sneak peaks of outfits from Hook & Stylit. 

"I LOVE wearing black and brown (and now cream) together! This outfit definitely fits my personality, my lifestyle and the office environment that I work in everyday!"- Maggie

"My absolute favorite thing in the world to wear is a MAXI dress! I'm obsessed! I wear maxis basically anytime I am not in work clothes. I'm convinced that they are the greatest alternative to pajamas that has ever been invented!"-Maggie

I 100% agree, gotta love those maxis! They're so comfortable yet oh so stylish. 

I've always loved Maggie's style, and these photos are prime examples of just how stylish she is! Remember to check out Hook & Stylit for more fabulous fashion posts from this fashionista! Enjoy xx 

Remember,  fashion is fun. It is uniquely you. ♥

Fashion Feature: Miami Vice

I took a little hiatus over the weekend, but now I am back to featuring my fabulous fashionable friends. 

This next feature is probably the one to make me most proud. Two years ago Miranda and I rekindled our friendship and it has been nothing short of amazing ever since. She had just moved back after graduating college and was a little lost, not knowing too many people or having much to do. We began hanging out a lot and I taught her the tricks of the trade on how to dress. Being a Fashion Expert at the time for Express, I had learned a lot on how to style people. I knew who she was so I was quickly able to bring her personality out more and show her how to dress her body. 

Over the last couple of years she has become my little protégé and I am so proud to say she has become a style star. Her style has evolved so much, and she presents herself so well through it. So without further adieu....

Meet Miranda.

Going to school in Miami, Miranda found her style, she just needed to let it shine. Leaning toward the whole Miami vibe, she loves colors, blazers and heels. Sophisticated, chic is the way I would describe her style.

❝My inspiration for this outfit was to be Miami Chic. Something I could wear day or night while wandering around SoBe. Miami is all about bright and fresh colors, so the dress I thought was perfect with the striking pink and the ruffles for a feminine touch. I am all about sporting blazers, it's probably my signature wardrobe item. I love that by wearing it, I can dress anything up or down. The white blazer felt very clean and fresh to pair with my fedora. I wanted to be true to the Latin Caribbean culture Miami exudes and I think I was able to find that happy balance with this outfit.❞

LOVIN' this look! I am so proud of you and your style. Hope you all enjoy. 

Remember, fashion is fun. It is uniquely you. ♥

Fashion Feature: Polka dot with me

As I continue my week long feature of my wonderfully fashionable friends I come to Carrie. She was my teacher my last semester of college but she was more than that. The young, vibrant fashionista always had a chic style walking into the classroom. We would swap style stories and comment on bad fashion. We ultimately became friends through it all and now, even though I graduated, we keep in touch, especially when it comes to fashion. 

Meet Carrie. 

As one of the editors in charge of the school newspaper, Carrie helped out a lot. Though I never met her until my last semester, she was one of the people that gave me the go ahead to start the fashion column for Flagler.  Once I was in her class, she gave me great positive feedback, letting me know that the way I wrote worked, and I would (hopefully) go far with my writing.   

After graduating, we would trade emails here and there about fashion and before I knew had started her blog, Under $50 Fashion. This is such a great resource on how to look cute at a low cost. A definite must visit blog. 

This outfit was a recent post on her blog where the total cost was only $45.95! And even better, the skirt was a DIY project. 

I will let Carrie tell you a little more about her low cost look...

❝Today’s outfit is definitely not one of my least expensive outfits, but if I had chosen different shoes, it might have been. Still, I’m pretty impressed with my ability to throw together something out of almost nothing. 

• Shirt - Lifted from my stepdad’s closet 15 years ago 

• Belt - Dollar General $3  

• Skirt - DIY from $17.96 worth of fabric 

• Necklace - Thrifted and Lifted - My mom upcycled this necklace from some costume jewelry and I “borrowed” it indefinitely 

• Shoes - Target $24.99❞ 


Total = $45.95

Awesome outfit for this frugal fashionista! Thanks Carrie, hope you guys enjoy and check out her blog, Under $50 Fashion.

Remember, fashion is fun. It is uniquely you. ♥

Fashion Feature: Wrap me up

***I have so many wonderful friends who are into fashion, so I thought, "Why not feature them!" I am excited to introduce some of the fabulous fashionistas I call friends.***

Meet Preeti, she's the one with the afro!

This adorable, yet groovy, fashionista is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Preeti and I have known each other for almost twenty years. We have seen each other go through fashion highs and lows, but I can safely say she has the cutest style. Her style matches her laid back, outgoing personality.

Preeti's outfit choice is so cute. She chose one focal point, the scarf, and toned down the rest of her outfit so the scarf could scream fabulous.  

Preeti's take on her outfit:

❝Okay so my outfit is very "me" (according to my boyfriend). I am wearing Jeggings from Old Navy (the most comfortable things invented) and a piece that is a staple in my wardrobe. I am also wearing a basic black t-shirt because this outfit is all about my scarf. I love the tapestry look of it, and didn't want to distract with anything else that I am wearing. I love scarves and how you can add them to a basic outfit (jeans and a black t-shirt) and it can turn it into something unique.❞

LOVIN' your look Preetz! You are always so effortlessly stylish. 

Remember, fashion is fun. It is uniquely you ♥

Fashion Features: Fedora Flair

I have so many wonderful friends who are into fashion, so I thought, "Why not feature them!" I am excited to introduce some of the fabulous fashionistas I call friends.

Meet Erica. 

This outgoing shoe lover has a unique style that revolves around her enormous, not to mention fabulous,  shoe collection. With more than sixty pairs of shoes, she usually puts an outfit together by choosing from her wide assortment of styles and colors.

However, this time, it wasn't all about the shoes for this fashionista.  Erica was inspired by another stylish accessory, the fedora. 

❝I was really inspired when I saw the fedora. To me, it has a vintage mood about it. I knew I wanted a menswear influenced look so I paired it with a black vest and my beloved BCBG pinstripped pumps. I cuffed my jeans to flow with the vintage ambience of the fedora. Plus I just love the look of cuffed jeans. I threw on a delightful new modcloth.com purchase called The Tools of the Trade necklace, which I feel adds to the tomboy vibe. I love this look because of the eclectic nature of it, I feel uniquely me in it. I've never really loved patterns so I stuck with solid colors to stay true to my style. That's also why I went with a dark wash skinny jeans. 9 out of 10 times thats what I'm wearing! Additionally I love the versitality of this outfit. You could pair it with a million different shoes and color combos to create a completely transformed look!❞ - Erica C.

Love your look Erica, from head to toe! Thanks for sharing and hope you all enjoy xx

Remember, fashion is fun. It is uniquely you ♥

The Academy

My first Blogger's do it better assignment, White Stripes, went off without a hitch! I LOVED the "white out" theme. I was so eager to see what Kristina, the creator of Pretty Shiny Sparkly, would come up with next. 

This assisngment was WAY harder for me to create a look for. My style is more boho chic than anything so when I read the challenge, Prep School, I thought uh-oh! After recruiting my friend Miranda to participate, and borrowing a tie from one of my favorite fashionisto's, Dave, the outfit and look was complete. 

So without further adieu, welcome to.... 

I knew I wanted plaid in my outfit. It's a staple in any prepster's wardrobe so my friend and co-manager Dave brought in a few for me to pick from. I chose this pink, yellow, white,  green and navy blue plaid tie and from that single piece, my outfit was created. He also lent me a belt, matching pretty closely to the  plaid in the tie. 

 

Miranda was intrigued by the challenge. We met up on Tuesday to discuss options and she sent me picture texts for opinions of "preppy." Low and behold, two days later,  she conquered the look fabulously. She had forgot a tie so she cleverly took her pearl necklace and made it into one.  

To create The Academy look we researched different trends and styles that fit into the "American Prep" category. Our outfits ended up becoming a mixture of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger with just a little bit of edge.

While this assignment was more challenging, it was still really fun to participate. I had a wonderful time planning my outfit as well as helping Miranda put hers altogether. In the end, being a prep really isn't all that bad ;)

 The Blogger's do it better movement has been an exciting new thing to look forward to. I can't wait until the next assignment! 

P.S. It really is fun to take a chance with your style!  Remember, fashion is fun, it is uniquely you♥

Enjoy xx

**A special thanks to my wonderful boyfriend who was our photographer.