An Americana Look with Imported Goods...

Boy shirt in stripe linen, J. Crew. White blazer, Tommy Hilfiger. Secondhand denim shorts (similar here). Red leather flats, Gap (similar here). Vintage scarf.

     Nothing says summer to me more than denim cut off shorts. I've never been one to sport butt-cheek-bearing styles that were popular during my early high school years. Rather than falling under the category of shorts whose pockets are longer than the inseam, these cut-offs are the perfect slouchy fit. I actually scored these a few years ago in a clothing exchange and they have become a summer favorite.

    Instead of styling them in traditional beach-bum fashion, I wanted to clean them up a bit and show just how versatile a similar pair can be. Whether you're going to make your own high-waisted pair from thrifted mom jeans or look online for the perfect pair, you can definitely incorporate some jorts into your wardrobe without sacrificing personal style. After all, denim cut-offs are the perfect layer if you just aren't wanting to bear all. 

    I've chosen to pair mine with some classic, American staples. While the brands I'm wearing in this post are pretty well-known for recreating that Americana feel for the masses, none of them actually manufacture their own goods in the United States. In fact, Gap has recently been in quite a bit of hot water over not signing a safety agreement to improve conditions in Bangladesh. While Tommy Hilfiger is an iconic, seemingly patriotic brand, even this brand can't escape from the consequences of outsourcing labor to save a few bucks. Fortunately for me, my personal favorite of the brands I'm wearing here, J. Crew, seems to have its stuff a bit more together. J. Crew does have partnerships with various "Made in the USA" brands; but, as with many other big retailers that I've seen, they seem to be focusing on the male demographic.

     I chose to bring these issues to light with outfit photos to show that I'm not infallible when it comes to my shopping habits. I've set some quantifiable guidelines for myself in my shopping manifesto. In general, I'm doing well and purchasing mainly American-made or secondhand goods; but I still have items from these brands in my closet. I still like a lot of what they sell, even if I have put a moratorium on buying imported goods. However, I know that simply turning away from these brands and ignoring the reality of the situation isn't enough. 

     But, as Fashionista reports in one of the best articles I've read covering the factory collapses in Bangladesh earlier this year, boycotting the brands who use those factories simply isn't enough. This creates a cyclical effect: the companies will make less and will therefore want to pay workers even less. Instead, it's our job as the consumer to take a stand with our words instead of just our dollars. These jobs are the livelihood of our fellow humans. Instead of boycotting brands that you might happen to still love, write letters to urge them to change their practices. 

     We are absolutely on the cusp of a manufacturing revolution. This year's tragedies have caused a stir within the fashion community. Instead of shimmying into our new, unethically made goods, we actually have the power to go back to ethical practices. After all, taking a stand makes you look better than any outfit ever could.

The Right Fit

Emerald green vintage dress, Planet Xchange. Green Large Resin Bib necklace, c/o t+j Designs. Vintage Margaret Smith bag. Manor Maryjane in Beige, Marais USA.  

     Shifting your personal aesthetic is a pretty inevitable fact of getting older. Obviously, or I'd still be wearing logo tees from the mall paired with coordinating plaid bermuda shorts. Whether or not people get bitten with the fashion bug, what they put on says something about them. Sweatpants on girls at my school say to me that the wearer is athletic outside of fashion but extraordinarily lazy when it comes to their own appearance. I don't judge books by their covers (ok, I do a little bit; I'm a sucker for good design), but I might judge people based on whether or not fleece is a part of their "personal style". This fact makes me respect them no less as individuals and personal choice is a beautiful thing...and yet it still makes me what to go into makeover mode.

     What does all of this have to do with the outfit I'm wearing in these pictures? The simple fact is this: I can dip my pen into other styles as many times as I want, but when it comes down to it, I know what my stand by personal style is. Ladylike, vintage, modest, classic. Those four words encapsulate the style that I find myself drawn to again and again. I like to switch it up every now and then, adding a few current elements or showing my sassy side with some grungier, edgier pieces. But I'd be kidding myself if all of the sudden I was decked out in Jeffrey Campbell Litas and leather shorts. 

     This simple, yet stunning, vintage (handmade- there were no tags inside) dress was the perfect canvas for some of my favorite accessories. My prized Margaret Smith bag that I got for quite the bargain a few years ago pairs perfectly with these bestselling Marais USA flats. I thought that I'd try to avoid the saccharine shoes in the coming months, but I just can't help myself- they really are darling (if somewhat impractical- they are entirely made of satin). While my new necklace from t+j designs  was quite a bit larger than I had anticipated, I thought it brought the outfit to a whole new level of glamour. That word is one I usually stray from when trying to define my own style, but the necklace features the perfect color palette for the things I've been wearing lately.

    I'd love to hear: what are some of the most significant changes you've gone through with your style? What do you always come back to?

A Southern Thing

Tennessee flag tee shirt, Nothing Too Fancy. Navy blazer, thrifted from the little boys' department. Skinny jeans, Bullhead super skinny from Pac Sun (similar). Red leather flats, Gap. Blue statement necklace, Simply Vera (similar). Vintage purse, thrifted.  

     The South has impacted my life in more ways than I can count. I would rather spend my day hiking the mountains around me than walking city streets. I get a similar energy from both; however, I am constantly in awe of my natural surroundings. My musical tastes are highly impacted by my location and if a song so much as mentions Tennessee, my opinion of it instantly goes up. We definitely have our own culture down here, but we will make sure anyone can understand it (Southern women are nothing if not hospitable). 

     There's a certain proud vibe around Knoxville these days. I am constantly amazed by the amount of support our local community gives to up and comers. Sometimes it feels like Knoxville is a city that is really searching for an identity (aside from just shouting "GO VOLS!" whenever we can), but lately I'm thinking that new stores and artists are really hitting on what living here is all about. We love where we are from, we love connecting with others, and our Southern roots impact everything we do. 

     I've spent a large portion of my adolescence itching to get away. I'd love to live in a big city (hey, Nashville counts), but I don't think I'll ever feel truly at home above the Mason-Dixon line.