Crafting an Ethical Wardrobe: the Button-Up Shirt
When I first started making a serious effort to shop more ethically (about
three years ago now), I had a hard time finding affordable options for work. I was usually limited to shopping secondhand, and at the mercy of whatever Crossroads happened to have in rotation whenever I happened to have an extra fifty bucks. But a lot has changed since then. I've discovered a ton of ethical clothing lines I never knew existed, several new brands have hit the market, and it's now a heck of a lot easier to shop secondhand online.
So as I round out my own professional wardrobe (still a work in progress), I want to share out some of my favorite brands, along with what I consider to be professional staples. I'll show you where to find these pieces in a range of prices, or — if you're one of those crafty types — how to make it yourself. So let's start at the top, with the button-up blouse.
It's pretty hard not to look sharp in a button-up. And depending on how trendy you go with it, this piece could potentially be in your wardrobe for decades. I prefer silk or a poly-blend to cotton, mostly because I hate ironing, but any variation on the button-up can look super polished tucked into a pencil skirt or with a pair of skinny slacks.
Buy it:
I love Everlane's button-ups, along with Alternative Apparel's more casual options. Hart of Haute's Greta top has a cute vintage vibe, and People Tree's Miranda Pocket blouse and Peggy Lace blouse both put a spin on the traditional cotton fare.
If you've got some bread to spare and want a true investment piece, try Steven Allen's cotton button-ups (made in USA), Trina Turk's Eilane top (made in California), Angel Chang's button-down (check out her commitment to growing rural economies in China), and Stella McCartney's Washed Cotton Poplin (read up on Stella's commitment to sustainability here).
And if the prices above gave you a mild heart attack, check out the blouse collections on Threadflip and Twice, all secondhand and many of them work-appropriate.
Make it:
Grainline studio's Archer button-up shirt is a true classic, suitable for a variety of fabrics weights including silk chiffon, silk crepe de chine, cotton shirting, and chambray. I love the angled cuffs and pleated back — so pretty!
Burda also carries a number of button-up styles, including this one with pleated pockets, and the Epaulette blouse, and Simplicity's "Amazing fit" shirt looks like it's highly-customizable at the bust (hooray!). Also, check out this great button-up tutorial on Etsy's blog.
A few words on fit:
I have a larger bust and broad shoulders, so it can be hard to find an off-the-rack button-up that fits. Although I haven't actually done this yet, I'd like to try Stacy and Clinton's advice and buy a size up, then have it custom-tailored. I'm also intrigued by designer Rochelle Behrens' " no gape technology" (if its promise holds true, is it worth $198? At least it's made in NYC?). In the meantime, I keep that gap closed with the magic of hem tape.
How do you style your favorite button-up? Any ethical options I missed?
So as I round out my own professional wardrobe (still a work in progress), I want to share out some of my favorite brands, along with what I consider to be professional staples. I'll show you where to find these pieces in a range of prices, or — if you're one of those crafty types — how to make it yourself. So let's start at the top, with the button-up blouse.
Everlane's Silk Point Collar styled two different ways by Kileen of Cute & Little. Original posts here and here.
It's pretty hard not to look sharp in a button-up. And depending on how trendy you go with it, this piece could potentially be in your wardrobe for decades. I prefer silk or a poly-blend to cotton, mostly because I hate ironing, but any variation on the button-up can look super polished tucked into a pencil skirt or with a pair of skinny slacks.
Buy it:
I love Everlane's button-ups, along with Alternative Apparel's more casual options. Hart of Haute's Greta top has a cute vintage vibe, and People Tree's Miranda Pocket blouse and Peggy Lace blouse both put a spin on the traditional cotton fare.
If you've got some bread to spare and want a true investment piece, try Steven Allen's cotton button-ups (made in USA), Trina Turk's Eilane top (made in California), Angel Chang's button-down (check out her commitment to growing rural economies in China), and Stella McCartney's Washed Cotton Poplin (read up on Stella's commitment to sustainability here).
And if the prices above gave you a mild heart attack, check out the blouse collections on Threadflip and Twice, all secondhand and many of them work-appropriate.
Make it:
Grainline studio's Archer button-up shirt is a true classic, suitable for a variety of fabrics weights including silk chiffon, silk crepe de chine, cotton shirting, and chambray. I love the angled cuffs and pleated back — so pretty!
Burda also carries a number of button-up styles, including this one with pleated pockets, and the Epaulette blouse, and Simplicity's "Amazing fit" shirt looks like it's highly-customizable at the bust (hooray!). Also, check out this great button-up tutorial on Etsy's blog.
A few words on fit:
I have a larger bust and broad shoulders, so it can be hard to find an off-the-rack button-up that fits. Although I haven't actually done this yet, I'd like to try Stacy and Clinton's advice and buy a size up, then have it custom-tailored. I'm also intrigued by designer Rochelle Behrens' " no gape technology" (if its promise holds true, is it worth $198? At least it's made in NYC?). In the meantime, I keep that gap closed with the magic of hem tape.
How do you style your favorite button-up? Any ethical options I missed?