What I Wore-Totally Neutral and All Ethical

Hi friends, when I first started Made-To-Travel about three years ago (yikes, woah!) my outfits often had items from the old me, the me who didn’t really pay attention to labels or where my clothing came from.

But looking thru my outfit posts from the past year or so it’s harder and harder to find that old me…And I am thrilled.

wpid-Photo-20140422205243.jpgI’ve been a little obsessed with gawking at totally neutral outfits for a couple of months but while I have flower pants I actually didn’t have the cream colored pants I envisioned. So like I’ve gotten into the habit of doing, I wrote these dream pants on my wanted list and waited to find it ethically.

So when Marketplace Handwork of India contacted me to try something from their latest collection I was delighted to see these pants among their offerings for the upcoming fall line.

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(sweater-thrifted via goodwill // bag-hearts available here // pants-c/o marketplace handwork of india available here // shoes thrifted goodwill // rings-gifted and nissa)

Remember when I told you that it only takes 1 item at a time and slowly but surely your wardrobe will turn over, well after about 6 years of shopping more consciously I can see that my ethical wardrobe has now taken over and it makes me so happy.

I saw the video below on Ecotuerre and it made me think of my journey of becoming a more conscious shopper and all the reasons I choose to shop consciously.

 

The truth is every single product you buy has a story and every dollar you spend on a product helps continue that story.

I’m so happy that so many of the things I own now have uplifting and positive stories…stories that change people’s lives for the better, like these pants from Marketplace Handwork of India.

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I’m getting a little pensive in this outfit post because today marks the one year anniversary of the devastating tragedy of the Rana Plaza building collapse, where over 1,000 garment workers died.

I know that getting started to shop consciously seems really daunting, but ask yourself what story do you want to tell with your clothing? Do you want to continue telling the story of Rana Plaza?

And of course if you need help on your journey email me: made-to-travel(at)outllook.com! Tweet me!  I want to help you find what you’re looking for! And here’s some reading that may be helpful: Ethical Shopping 101 // Bangladesh: How? Why? What Now? 

This post contains gifted items, but all views are my own. please see review policy here.

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11 Comments

  1. Nicole April 24, 2014 / 5:34 pm

    Taking it one ethical piece at a time is such fantastic advice! Your six-year (!) journey toward an ethical closet is so inspiring, thanks for sharing!

    • Jamillah April 26, 2014 / 9:31 am

      Aw, thank you, means so much to me.

  2. THE-LOUDMOUTH April 24, 2014 / 7:10 pm

    I seriously admire you so much! I think I am just too lazy to go 100% ethical, but I usually thrift everything anyway because I’m so cheap! 🙂 This outfit looks super cute and cozy. I’m loving the totally neutral look!
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    • Jamillah April 26, 2014 / 9:34 am

      Aw thanks Steph! I know it take a little more time and patience to shop ethically, but I believe in you! Thrifting is a GREAT way to save money and be ethical…so that’s definitely in the right direction!

  3. FASHION TALES April 24, 2014 / 7:37 pm

    Funny, I was thinking about you today, when I saw this particular fabric that reminded me of those scarves from I believe a year ago on here. Anyway, I am currently sewing something for a friend’s birthday so I bought some fabric this week. Gorgeous handbag J, and LOVE those trousers. Miss ya.
    /Mads xx
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  4. iamloved April 27, 2014 / 12:41 pm

    This outfit looks so cool, relaxed and stylish – I’m inspired! I love bold colours usually, but these colours have given me ‘outfit’ food for thought, it looks effortlessly put together.

    Telling the story of your mood or personality with your clothes is one thing, but thinking about the story of those who’ve made the items hadn’t occurred to me before. Powerful. Thank you.

    • Jamillah April 28, 2014 / 1:34 pm

      This comment really warmed my heart, thank you times a million. It makes me so happy that you found this post to be so meaningful. Have a wonderful week and thank you for reading.

      Xoxoox,
      Jamillah

  5. Casee Marie April 30, 2014 / 7:40 pm

    You look just darling! Everything about this outfit is so good. And I really love all of your reflections here on shopping consciously and the lifestyle change you made. I’m always so inspired by your journey. In my experience it’s pretty easy to be swayed into believing an ethical wardrobe is just too far out of reach (financially more than anything) so following along with your adventures is all the more important to me, because you’re proving how possible and fun it is. I just bought my first big ethical piece (that dress from Mata Traders I wrote about a little while back) and I couldn’t be more excited. (:

    P.S. That video is so powerful, wow!

    • Jamillah May 4, 2014 / 9:37 am

      Yay! So happy you bought that dress, can’t wait to see you wear it!

      I know it can seem really daunting to shop ethically and I’m really happy that you’ve been inspired to try…that is really the first step.

      And yes I was really moved by the video as well…so simple true and poignant. There is a story behind every single thing we buy and it just illustrates that so beautifully.

  6. ChristineA May 6, 2014 / 10:21 am

    I’m a little late to the party, lol. But I found your blog post from a link via Marketplace. You are an inspiration! So far I’ve been successful at avoiding buying clothing items made in China, but I’d also try to shop more ethically as well. Any suggestions for jeans?? Thank you so much. 😀

    • Jamillah May 7, 2014 / 5:12 pm

      Hi Christine!

      Never too late! Thanks for visiting Made-To-Travel and thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you’re inspired :).

      The last 2 pairs of jeans I’ve bought were from reuse denim and one from current elliot both companies make their jeans in the US and have sustainable practices in their manufacturing. I don’t buy jeans very often (more of a skirt/dress/leggings situation for me), but I think this is a great topic to do for a post here on Made-To-Travel…so you have inspired me too! Thank you so much for your question.

      My next roundup will be for swimwear, but I’m going to do a denim roundup for you in the next 2 weeks. It’s definitely a necessity for any wardrobe so I’m really happy you got in touch with your request.

      Will email you the post when it’s all done and if there’s anything else you’re looking for please don’t be shy :).

      Xoxox,
      Jamillah

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