Kit by: Madeline Dolgin
Student Studying Ethical Fashion Design, NYU

Fall is fast approaching. More specifically, Fall in the year 2016 is approaching. What do I mean by this? One, you should probably get your warmer clothes ready, and, two, it’s 2016, which means you should really look into getting clothes made by sustainable and socially responsible fashion brands! I mean, truly, you should always have this mindful perspective, but pointing out that we’re in the year 2016 helps to put things in perspective for these so-called ‘progressive’ shifts.

But, I digress. This kit features my very own Winter outfit. I swear by this outfit and would pretty much call each of these clothing items a winter essential.

I picked a low-impact jacket by Patagonia, a Fair Trade scarf, and a pair of organic cotton socks — plus, a few other things to complete the outfit. Hopefully, you were looking for and need one of these items, or perhaps you can replace what you currently have in your closet for one these pieces of clothing. I should say, in addition to picking things by responsible brands (since I’m a college student), I also picked clothing that, in my opinion, is priced fairly and can fit into the average budget. Enjoy!

Fall / Winter Outfit – Clothes Made by Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Brands

ALTERNATIVE CLOTHING ESSENTIALS FOR THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER

Recycled Nylon, Women’s Torrentshell Winter Jacket
By: Patagonia

Available on Amazon

A Conscious Alternative

Patagonia is always a winner for Winter design and durability. Not only is this jacket sustainable (as its shell is made from recycled Nylon), but it has a cute, sleek shape and zippers in unique places. It also looks a bit space-agy, which I think is neat. Additionally, to give some background, Patagonia has a comprehensive CSR (corporate social responsibility) program in place, which entails that fair and honorable employment values are being considered and implemented.

Fair Trade Cotton Blend Scarf
By: NOVICA

Available on Amazon

A Conscious Alternative

Vegan scarf. Matches everything. Made sustainably by artisans in Guatemala. What’s not to love??!

Women’s Lace-up Boot
By: Timberland

Available on Amazon

A Conscious Alternative

One way I live more sustainably is by wearing a good, solid pair of shoes that last a long time and can withstand a variety of environments. (As a side-note, I say ‘sustainable’ because in investing in a great pair of shoes that I know will last a long time, I don’t end up throwing out multiple pairs of cheaper shoes, which just produces more waste.) For me, this means I need a pair of shoes that’s durable for the city streets and can hold up against rain, snow and heat. As I’m sure you’re aware, Timberland is the maker of those classic working boots that are really trendy. I purposely try to avoid trends because I like to be unique. I came across these ones on their site, though, and I was quite pleased. They remind me of old Victorian lace boots with a modern twist — and they’re definitely durable enough for the winter weather!

Handmade, Wool Slouch Hat
By: Nirvanna Designs

Available on Amazon

A Conscious Alternative

Full disclosure, I wear this hat practically every day. I first discovered Nirvanna Designs in a pop-up shop along Broadway. Beanies never quite fit me because of my thick hair and pointy ears — but the cold weather was getting brutal and my ears kept turning red. The pop-up shop seemed to call my name. I tried on several hats in the store with various forms of slouch, crochet patterns, and colors. I eventually settled on this one because of its medium amount of slouch and fleece-lined rim.

Not to mention, when I read the tag and learned that each accessory was sewn by women in Nigeria, I knew that it would be worth the price! I felt okay splurging on a necessary item that I knew I’d love and feel good about purchasing.

Organic Cotton Socks – Tri-Pack
By: Maggie’s Organics

Available on Amazon

A Conscious Alternative

For me personally, how comfortable I feel in the weather often depends on how cozy my feet are. I’m a believer that you can never have too many pairs of warm socks — besides, there is nothing better than a comfortable pair of organic cotton socks. I picked these because I really love the pastel colors in this set. They’re dark enough to be winter-y, but light enough to give just a pop of color cheer!

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by Madeline Dolgin

Hi there, I’m Madeline. I study ethical fashion production and design in The Gallatin School at New York University. I’m particularly interested in what we can do with clothing waste! On a personal note, I design my own clothes from recycled materials and have had my collection featured at University eco-fashion shows. Since becoming a fashion major and passionate “upcycler,” I no longer have to hide my scraps for fear of losing my privilege to clothing purchases!

I believe clothing can be a source of empowerment. I advocate for better working conditions, more sustainable materials, and conscious consumption. I volunteer with the non-profit Care for the Homeless in the planning, fundraising, and promotion of their annual fashion show Health Empowered Beauty which benefits a homeless shelter in the Bronx. It showcases a local designer and women from the shelter as models. If you are passionate about a more sustainable future in the fashion industry, let’s see what we can do together!

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