Feminine Fashion is Back & Here Are The Cutest Natural Fiber Finds
Bring on the ruffles, frills, florals, bloomers, and color! Is this the girly-girl era?
Am I the only one craving a shift from the ultra-masculine styles that has populated women’s fashion the past several years? All those oversized, boxy cuts and drab tones have been everywhere, and while I’ve got my fair share of them (comfort is king, especially with my preggo style), no shade, they’re just not my main vibe. My personal style leans more feminine, so seeing trends swing back this way makes me happy. I’m all about balance—cozy, loose looks for some days, mixed with uber-feminine, vibrant pieces for others. What are your thoughts on this?
For those who don’t know, my story started in fashion. For my entire childhood I was hyper-fixated on creating “looks” and attempting to pave the way with fashion amongst my peers (jury is out if I was successful or not). Getting ready in a cute outfit every day was a non-negotiable. I even remember a phase when every day after school I would ask my mom if we could go to the mall (the answer, no, 90% of the time). When going shopping 24/7 wasn’t an option, I focused on what I had in my closet already and mixing up pieces to create fashionable looks. I averaged three outfits per day (sorry mom!).
In college, I decided to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Textile and Fashion Design (with a minor in business/entrepreneurship). It was here where I learned the ins and outs of how clothing is constructed. These classes in pattern making were so hard, think math and engineering but for clothes. I instead thrived in classes like Fashion Illustration, Print & Dye, and Color Theory. I particularly enjoyed one of my intro classes where we learned about every single type of fabric from cotton and wool to acrylic and nylon, and everything in between. Little did I know that that class would foreshadow my passion for fabrics, natural fabrics to be specific.
Nowadays, my interest in fashion looks a little bit different. It isn’t a huge aspect of my life but it is still something I love and appreciate. It’s merged into this passion for seeking quality, timeless, and feminine pieces that make me feel good when wearing them. A hobby of mine is putting together style boards for myself, friends and family for special occasions or vacations. Another concept I strongly stand by is mixing high and low. For example, wearing the Ralph Lauren dress with some Amazon Fashion sandals or a cute outfit from TJ Maxx paired with a chic bag (check out Loeffler Randall, Clare V., Staud, and Polène) and fine jewelry. The biggest key is to always read the materials and composition label. Look for the following…
Natural Fibers/Fabrics:
Cotton
Linen
Silk
Hemp
Wool
Jute
Cashmere
Leather
Suede
Down
Bamboo (though the process to make it can be very toxic)
Now, onto the uber-feminine trend taking over runways and retailers.
Bloomers
Delicate Palettes: Think Pink & Butter Yellow
Eyelet
So much style inspo here!
While I applauded your interest in using natural fibers, if your goals is to protect your health and the health of the environment starting with the health of the microbiome of soil, then I suggest you do a little more research, A quick search just on cotton,
toxic chemicals in cotton vs organic cotton
Organic cotton is a type of cotton grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds, according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This differs significantly from conventional cotton, which relies heavily on these chemical inputs during farming and processing.
Toxic Chemicals in Conventional Cotton:
Pesticides and Herbicides: Conventional cotton farming uses a variety of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides to maximize crop yield and control pests. This extensive use of chemicals can leave behind residues in the fabric, potentially causing health issues. The World Health Organization has linked exposure to pesticide residues to skin irritation and long-term health problems.
Examples of harmful chemicals used in conventional cotton production:
Aldicarb: Insecticide that can leave residues in fibers, linked to nausea, excessive sweating, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Parathion: Extremely toxic insecticide/pesticide, with side effects including vomiting, depression, nausea, blurry vision, convulsions, respiratory problems, and skin rashes.
Malathion: Can cause skin and scalp irritation, eye irritation (pinkeye), and chemical burns.
Pendimethalin: Can irritate eyes, throat, nose, and skin, and is handled as a possible carcinogen, linked to vomiting, dizziness, skin allergies, and headaches.
Heavy metals, ammonia, formaldehyde, petroleum, chlorine, phthalates: Harsh additives used in conventional cotton processing.
Processing Chemicals: The textile manufacturing process for conventional cotton involves numerous washings with detergents and softeners, some of which may leave behind chemical residues. Examples include:
Benzidine: Used in processing and dyeing, linked to bladder cancer, respiratory problems, and skin irritation.
Ammonium Sulfate: Can release toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures.
Hydrochloric Acid: Can damage mucous membranes, skin, and eyes, and short-term exposure can cause respiratory tract irritation and inflammation.
Organic Cotton as an Alternative:
No Synthetic Chemicals: Organic cotton cultivation avoids synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically modified seeds.
Natural Methods: Organic farmers employ natural pest control, crop rotation, and soil enrichment techniques to maintain healthy crops.
Benefits:
Safer for Sensitive Skin: Reduced risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions due to the absence of harmful chemicals.
Hypoallergenic: Organic cotton is free from harmful toxins that can trigger allergic reactions.
Environmental Benefits: Organic farming reduces the use of harmful chemicals, promotes biodiversity, and conserves water resources.
Reduced Chemical Exposure: Safer for farmers, workers, and consumers due to minimal chemical exposure.
Certifications:
Look for certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and USDA organic certification to ensure cotton products are truly organic.
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 can also be used to oversee the textiles in a particular product, even for conventional cotton that may be ethically sourced and free of harmful chemicals.
Note: While organic cotton offers significant benefits, it's important to be aware of greenwashing, where brands may make misleading claims about their products' eco-friendliness. Look for trustworthy certifications to ensure the authenticity of organic cotton products.
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benefits of regenerative farming
Regenerative farming practices offer a wide range of benefits for both the environment and the people involved in the food system.
Ecological Benefits:
Improved Soil Health: Regenerative practices, such as cover cropping, no-till farming, and the use of organic amendments like compost, enhance soil health by increasing organic matter and promoting microbial diversity. This leads to better soil structure, increased water retention, reduced erosion, and improved nutrient cycling. Healthy soil is also more resilient to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical inputs.
Enhanced Biodiversity: Regenerative agriculture practices like diverse crop rotations and the integration of livestock help create thriving ecosystems on farms, fostering a variety of plant and animal life. This increased biodiversity can aid in natural pest control and enhance the overall health and resilience of the farm ecosystem.
Water Management: Improved soil health leads to better water infiltration and retention, reducing the need for irrigation and increasing resilience to drought and floods. This also helps reduce water pollution by minimizing runoff of soil and chemical inputs.
Climate Change Mitigation: Regenerative agriculture practices, particularly those that build soil health, contribute to carbon sequestration by storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in the soil. This can help offset greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and contribute to climate resilience.
Ecosystem Services: Regenerative farming practices support a variety of essential ecosystem services, including pollination, pest control, and water purification. This helps create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.
Economic Benefits:
Increased Profitability: Regenerative farming practices can lead to increased profitability for farmers in the long run. This is achieved through reduced costs associated with chemical inputs, improved soil health leading to higher yields, and potential for premium pricing for regeneratively produced goods. Studies have shown increased profitability and a potential return on investment for farmers adopting these practices.
Reduced Input Costs: By improving soil health and relying on natural pest control, regenerative farmers can reduce their reliance on expensive synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, leading to significant cost savings.
Increased Resilience: Regenerative agriculture practices, such as no-till farming and improved water management, can make farms more resilient to extreme weather events like droughts and floods, protecting farmers' livelihoods.
Market Demand: Growing consumer interest in sustainable and ethically produced food creates a market for regeneratively grown products, potentially leading to increased sales and premium pricing for farmers.
Rural Economic Development: Regenerative agriculture can help stimulate economic activity and create jobs in rural communities, supporting farmers and their families.
Social Benefits:
Improved Human Health: By reducing the use of harmful chemicals, regenerative agriculture can lead to healthier food for consumers and reduced exposure to toxic substances for farmworkers and surrounding communities.
Enhanced Community Well-being: Regenerative agriculture promotes a sense of community among farmers through knowledge sharing and networking. It also helps connect consumers with their food and the farmers who produce it.
Increased Farmer Well-being: Many farmers who transition to regenerative agriculture report experiencing greater joy and satisfaction from their work, along with reduced stress related to reliance on chemical inputs.
Food Security: By enhancing soil health and crop resilience, regenerative agriculture can contribute to increased food production and food security, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change impacts.
It's important to note that while the benefits are substantial, transitioning to regenerative agriculture may involve some initial challenges, such as upfront costs and potential yield fluctuations in the short term. However, with appropriate support and investment, regenerative agriculture offers a powerful path toward a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food future.
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