School Uniforms: Conscious, Small Business

 Another school year is right around the corner (or recently begun for some of our US friends) and that means back-to-school preparations. For many people, ourselves included that means uniform shopping. And whether you go straight to the uniform provider or big box stores making the same styles, they all share a similarity that's hard to avoid. Not the most comfortable materials, little to no conscious considerations, and most definitely not ethically made.

I would be lying if I said we were able to entirely avoid those options, but it's just not as easy as it sounds. Yet. As more parents look for alternative options to incorporate into the standard uniform, an increasing amount of businesses big and small are looking to cater to that need.

Here, I am sharing a few brands that offer uniform collections or uniform-friendly pieces all while checking the boxes of ethical and/or sustainable manufacturing practices and materials, as well as being small businesses.

Brands We Love: Simple Littles

In effort to shop in a way that favours my communities this year, I've been keeping my eye out for new brands to add to my go-to list, especially some replacements for brands I'd normally turn to but have since chosen to no longer support.

Enter, newly launched Canadian label, Simple Littles.

One Piece Staple, With Franc

All Black Basics, With Franc

Everyone needs some good, quality basics in their wardrobe. I’ve featured FRANC before and shared snippets of their pieces many times throughout my social feed because they do just that — and so perfectly might I add.

Not only do they provide elevated basics for real everyday life, but they’re manufactured locally with both ethical and sustainable standards at top of mind. Read a little bit more about that here.

This will be the first of a few pieces I share, but I’ve decided to split them up given I’ve already done an overview post and the items are truly some of my favourite (deserving a little more one on one share time).

A Few Favourites + My Tiny People

Sēm Label x The OM Edit: Kids Capsules

Winter Beach Outings, with Alice + Whittles

Disclaimer: I’m not an “outdoorsy” person by any means, so when you read this post, it’s coming from a place of understanding for anyone who’d rather be somewhere warm — including inside.

But since becoming parents, we’ve (self proclaiming) embraced a lot of things that aren’t exactly my jam. And for most, not all, of the time — I’m so happy about what the open mindedness has done for both my child’s growth and even more so, our own!

Responsible Brand: Brass Clothing

When it comes to brands and businesses these days, nothing excites me like innovative ideas and even more so — the little details. Which is why I just wanted to do up something quick about what Brass Clothing is doing that’s different than a lot of women’s wear brands and so up my alley, so maybe it’ll be your jam too.

Natural Trench Coat

So, colour isn’t my tool of choice. But I’ve come to realize that texture is! Over the summer I rekindled my personal love for both textures and textiles – with linens and natural fibres being my most favourite, especially for the warmer weather.

Responsible Brand: SKYE Footwear

My wardrobe isn’t entirely ethical, sustainable, or eco-friendly. It would be great if it was, but it’s still hard to get hands on many wardrobe or day-to-day items that are!

When we arrived in Vancouver, it didn’t take me long to rejoice in the extent of options both in apparel, beauty, and grocery that were greener. As someone who is plant-based, this is major for me throughout our many moves. Sure! You can order just about anything these days, but it’s a total win when you have local accessibility to better/greener/more responsible items of any kind — and the west coast has proven no shortage of that.

Skye Footwear is one of those brands. And one I needed to find, because if I had to pick one wardrobe item that was less likely to be conscious, it would be shoes (sneakers especially).

Responsible Brand: Outland Denim

By now you’ve probably seen me, more or less living, in these distressed black skinnies. I can’t help it. They’re basically a staple piece — classic in colour and cut, but trendy enough to funk up my very essential based wardrobe. And I feel good as gold in them because they’re part of a movement towards #ZeroExploitation, something Outland Denim has committed entirely to ensuring with their brand of men and women’s jeans.

Responsible Brand: Vetta Capsule

For all you minimalist or striving minimal babes, today’s brand is an absolute treat. Not only is it a responsible brand, but it comes out in mini capsule collections of pieces that can and do mix-and-match entirely with one another. Read on for my overview of Vetta Capsule and how I styled 2-pieces, different ways.

Responsible Brand: MIAKODA

I’ve featured Miakoda New York here before, because I genuinely am a fan and customer but I wanted to do a better overview of the brand — who they are, where they’re from, what they’re about — because it’s important to “know” the people or heart behind the business whenever possible, so you can have a little more transparency with what you’re choosing and where you’re putting your dollar. 

This super dreamy, breezy ensemble is in fact two pieces from the brand; The Tee and Slim Fit Joggers, both in white (which is more of an off white or cream and perfect if you like white but your lifestyle doesn’t) but chances are if you’ve ever seen me in person or popped by any given time on a weekend, you would find me in a pair of their infamous slouchies, like harem pants but super chic.