Finally! Friday & Fair Fashion ~ West Nashville {Guest Series}

When I was a new mom, my idea of shopping generally involved the Old Navy website and a good sale. I needed comfortable, cheap clothes that I could obtain without dragging my two young boys into stores.

Now that my boys are growing older and I have the time and energy to shop a bit more thoughtfully, I’m paying attention to how my clothes are made. Does our wardrobe contribute to the well-being of another family, or is it made by underpaid (and underage) laborers in poor working conditions?

Shopping ethically can feel overwhelming when our days are filled with school pickups, laundry, and endless errands. A few local stores are making the task a bit easier by bringing fairly made clothing close to home. On the last Friday of the next few months, I’ll be profiling some terrific sources for fairly-made fashion in Nashville.

Let’s start west and south of town with a few of my favorite picks:

Philanthropy
This downtown Franklin store donates at least 10% of its sales to charity. I love their selection of ethical accessories, which include fashionABLE scarves handmade in Ethiopia and Sseko ribbon sandals from Uganda. Be sure to check out necklaces from The Giving Keys, which provides employment for people transitioning out of homelessness.
Best For: Thoughtful accessories that provide meaningful, sustainable employment.

The Well Coffeehouse
A coffee shop, you say? This friendly little shop in Brentwood is a fantastic source for fair trade purses and bags. Walls are adorned with the well-crafted briefcases and totes of Mission Lazarus, which are created in vocational schools in Honduras, as well as the beautiful textile purses and bags from JOYN India.
Best For: Grabbing coffee with a friend while browsing beautiful bags that give back.

Blue Bohemian
This relative newcomer to the Nashville fashion scene is tucked away in a Belle Meade shopping center. The boutique features trendy, well-made clothing from fair trade designer Liz Alig as well as made-in-the-USA tees and camis from Judith March and NikiBiki. Many items in the store donate portions of their proceeds to charity, and the staff is welcoming and helpful.
Best For: Casual, fashion-forward clothes made ethically.

Fabu
When I stopped into Fabu and asked about the fair fashion they source, the owner led me around her store, explaining the origins and stories behind many of the items—from recycled sari dresses by Indie Ella to the made-in-the-USA workout wear from LVR. I loved the special room filled with kids’ clothing and toys and was excited to find a large sale section filled with clearance deals.
Best For: Ethically made loungewear and activewear, made-in-the-USA baby and toddler style, handmade jewelry.

Many of these stores and other local favorites feature a mix of fashion from a variety of sources. When building an ethical wardrobe, take a minute to read a garment’s label and learn more about how it was made.

Christy Nicholson is a recovering perfectionist seeking to live one day at a time as a stay-at-home mom and wife. Living in Nashville, Tennessee, she spends her days herding two little boys, a cat, a dog, and some fish. You can find more of her writing at her personal blog Beyond the Fried.