Finally! Friday & Fair Fashion ~ Downtown/East Side {Guest Series}

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This month, we’re finishing up our series on local stores that carry thoughtful, sweatshop-free clothing and accessories by profiling shops closer to downtown and East Nashville—including one long-time fair fashion mainstay and a couple of newcomers.

Scarlett Begonia

The owners of Scarlett Begonia work directly with South American artisans who create natural tagua nut jewelry.
The owners of Scarlett Begonia work directly with South American artisans who create natural tagua nut jewelry.

The owners at Scarlett Begonia have provided fair fashion to Nashville for over 30 years by traveling to Central and South America and sourcing products directly from artisans, forming relationships, and ensuring fair wages. The store carries a large selection of colorful jewelry handcrafted from tagua nut, an inexpensive, renewable material, as well as fairly made clothing from Synergy Organic Clothing, Abrazo Style, and many other brands.

These colorful, embroidered dresses from Rising International are part of Scarlett Begonia’s selection of children’s clothing.
These colorful, embroidered dresses from Rising International are part of Scarlett Begonia’s selection of children’s clothing.

Best for: Easy, flowy knit dresses and cotton pants, colorful kids’ clothing

Nisolo
If you need something special for the gentleman in your life, head to Nisolo for their artisan-crafted wares. Their classic oxford shoes and sleek leather accessories are made fairly in Peru. While you’re exploring the company’s showroom in a renovated Germantown warehouse, be sure to check out their lovely leather totes and wedge sandals. (Full disclosure: my husband does consulting work with Nisolo from time to time. They are great people!)
Best for: High quality, ethically made leather accessories

Thrive
The proprietor of this East Nashville boutique frequently offers my family samples of his handmade candles and soap and is always willing to talk shop when it comes to ethical consumerism. The neighborly atmosphere of the shop is enhanced by the affordable selection of fair trade jewelry—with beautiful cuffs, rings, and earrings from Handmade Expressions and SERRV International.

Cocktail rings, straw hats, and leather cuffs are among Thrive’s offerings of fair trade jewelry and accessories.
Cocktail rings, straw hats, and leather cuffs are among Thrive’s offerings of fair trade jewelry and accessories.

Best for: Sending your spouse and kids to buy presents for you

I’m thankful to live in a city with so many options for ethical finds. I love being able to support local stores while shopping sustainably, and I look forward to adding to my closet one Nashville business at a time.

How do you build a thoughtful wardrobe for your family?


Christy_bio_NashMomsBlogChristy 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.

 

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