Designer's Journal

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for showing your loved ones how much you care. Whether you’re looking for a great gift to show your sweetie how well you know them or you just want a festive way to get your kids and pets in the holiday spirit, clothing and accessories are excellent options. For those of you in our home base of New Orleans, there are a variety of places to shop locally for Valentine’s Day clothing gifts and even find Valentine’s Day clothing sales. Learn about a few of our favorites below!

New Orleans Valentine’s Day Clothing Gifts

The clothes we wear are an expression of ourselves. They can reveal our personalities, our tastes, and even our values and political beliefs. So what could be a more personal, touching gift than a carefully chosen piece of clothing or accessory?

Buying clothing for someone else isn’t as difficult as it may sound. Consider these tips when shopping for your Valentine’s Day clothing gifts:

1. Browse their closet for ideas. Take a peek in their closet to get an idea of what they like and what they already have. Does she prefer skirts or dresses? Pants or shorts? Does he have enough button-down shirts and ties that he actually likes to wear? Are there any colors, patterns, or styles they seem to like? Don’t be afraid to jot down a few notes or take another look if you have questions while shopping.
2. Pay attention to what they wear. Most of us own clothing we don’t actually wear. In fact, Fashion United reports that over 80% of the average American’s clothing was not worn in the past year. After you check their closet, take into account what they actually wear on a regular basis. Avoid styles they no longer want to wear, and if you see clothes they like that no longer fit, try looking for something similar in the right size.
3. Listen to their wants, needs, and complaints. Have you heard her complain she needs a new dress or pair of heels for date nights? Has he mentioned that he needs a new watch? See if you can remember anything they might have said, and make a note to yourself if they ever point out an item they like while out shopping together.
4. Use their clothing to find out their size. Look at the clothes they wear and check what size they are. Keep in mind that different brands may size their clothes differently, so it’s always best to take actual measurements with a tape measure.
5. Check the returns and exchanges policy. If you follow these tips, there’s a very good chance you won’t need to worry about returns or exchanges. But it’s always worth making sure you can easily return or exchange any clothes you buy as gifts just in case.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to start shopping! To get started, take a look at the jewelry at Porter Lyons, shoes at Feet First, accessories and pet wear at NOLA Couture, kids’ apparel at Fleurty Girl, sunglasses at Root, and, of course, men’s and women’s clothing at Passion Lilie. Browse a few gift-worthy items for Valentine’s Day from each of these New Orleans brands below.

Porter Lyons

Heart Stud from Porter Lyons, $150

Want to go for a grand gesture? Show her your heart this Valentine’s Day.

These gorgeous heart stud earrings from Porter Lyons are sure to make her swoon. They feature conflict-free diamonds and come in solid 14k yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold.

Order yours online or take a trip to Porter Lyons at 631 Toulouse Street in New Orleans. You’ll find a range of beautiful fine jewelry and truly unique collections inspired by different cultures.

Feet First

The Drisela from Sole Society, $85

Impress the woman in your life with a stunning pair of heels this Valentine’s Day. The Drisela, available at Feet First in a rich burgundy suede, puts a twist on the classic date night heel with metallic studs on the top strap.

Half Moon Necklace from Queens Metal, $70

Make your gift twice as nice with a stylish accessory. This Half Moon Necklace from Queens Metal, also available from Feet First, makes a big impression with small details.

Browse the latest shoes and accessories from Feet First on their Instagram, or visit the award-winning shoe store at 4122 Magazine Street in New Orleans.

NOLA Couture

Seersucker Bow Tie from NOLA Couture, $55

Nothing says he’s a stylish Southern gentleman more than seersucker and bow ties. Give your gift a Valentine’s Day twist with this Panama Pink Seersucker Bow Tie from NOLA Couture.

Seersucker Bow Tie Dog Collar from NOLA Couture, $45

You can even share the love this Valentine’s Day with your pet! This Seersucker Bow Tie Dog Collar in Panama Pink is available in small, medium, large, and extra-large. For even smaller pups, there’s an Extra Small Seersucker Dog Bow Collar in Panama Pink as well.

Find more styles inspired by New Orleans and the South at NOLA Couture, located at 3308 Magazine Street and 528 St. Peter Street in New Orleans.

Fleurty Girl

Louisiana Love Onesie from Fleurty Girl, $22

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your little one in style. This heart-themed onesie from Fleurty Girl shows your Louisiana pride while giving a nod to the holiday.

NOLA for Life T-Shirt from Fleurty Girl, $22

Whether your tween or teen still celebrates Valentine’s Day with you or not, show them they’ll always be in your heart with this heart-themed t-shirt from Fleurty Girl. The simple yet stylish graphic tee is a great addition to nearly any wardrobe.

Show your love for New Orleans this Valentine’s Day and all year long with Fleurty Girl, whose locally inspired apparel and accessories are available online or in stores throughout Louisiana.

Root

Bamboo Watch from Root, $80

A watch is an easy way for any man to show off and enjoy his style. This lightweight, water-resistant, handcrafted Bamboo Watch from Root is an ideal balance of fashion and function for the man in your life.

Crescent City Sunglasses from Root, $150

Break from tradition this Valentine’s Day and give a gift they’ll truly love. Any New Orleanian knows a good pair of shades makes all the difference, so surprise your sweetie with a pair of stylish, eco-friendly Crescent City Sunglasses in Havana Tortoise from Root.

Check out more sunglasses and watches from Root online, in the Root Store at 2855 Magazine Street in New Orleans, or at any of their other retail locations.

Passion Lilie

Fall Poppies Wrap Dress from Passion Lilie, $84

Sweet, stylish, and accentuating all the right places, the Fall Poppies Wrap Dress from Passion Lilie is sure to please. This little black dress is perfect for a romantic date night together.

Light Blue Ikat Men’s Button Down Shirt from Passion Lilie, $56

Help him find a button-down he’ll love to wear. With its short sleeves, fitted silhouette, and breathable cotton material, you know he’s going to feel as good as he looks in this Light Blue Button Down from Passion Lilie.

Shop more great looks from Passion Lilie today on our website. Designed in New Orleans and made in India, Passion Lilie is a fair trade fashion brand.

Valentine’s Day Clothing Sales and Promotions

If you’re shopping on a budget or just love a great deal, be sure to check out these Valentine’s Day clothing sales and promotions.

— Passion Lilie is having a Valentine’s Day promotion from February 1–February 14. Use the coupon code “Valentine” to get a free eco-friendly greeting card with any purchase. It’s a great opportunity to share a few words with your valentine about how much they mean to you.

— Root is having a Valentine’s Day sale from January 31–February 14. Shoppers will receive a 20% discount off any purchase for online and in-store purchases.

— Porter Lyons is pairing up with Jack Rose for a Valentine’s Day giveaway. Four lucky gal pal winners will be treated to a Galentine’s dinner at Jack Rose with bottomless champagne and get a birthstone semi-precious stud from Porter Lyons. Keep an eye out for this great giveaway, which will run from February 3–February 10.

The best Valentine’s Day clothing gifts are chosen with care, so keep our tips and recommendations in mind to find the perfect pieces that say “I love you” to your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day!

On the surface, the fashion industry seems a world apart from politics. Yet fashion and politics have long been intertwined, as both women and men have used their attire as a way of conveying their social and political views. Contemporary political fashion trends may look different than those of centuries gone by, but fashion remains an effective and accessible way of broadcasting your beliefs and standing up for your views.

Fashion Trends and Political Beliefs: A Historical Perspective

Take a look at nearly any society, and you can find instances where politics have impacted its fashion. In the 18th century, for instance, some Englishmen took to wearing short, colorful suits and adopting other eccentric styles as a political statement in opposition to the more traditional Whigs. Even the type of fabric worn, such as silk or wool, could be used to reflect the politics of international trade at various points in history.

As a historically marginalized group, women have forged a unique relationship with fashion, especially as a vehicle for political expression. Denied most other means of expression, many women turned to one of the few aspects of their lives they could control: their clothing.

Just as men were able to make a political statement with the fabrics included in their clothes, so too could women. According to the Yale Press Log, Britain promoted the silk designs of Anna Maria Garthwaite in the 18th century as a way of declaring their patriotism and asserting their superiority over the French in the silk industry.

But this political fashion trend took a different turn in what would become the United States. During the American Revolution, many colonial women boycotted British goods, including Garthwaite’s silks. Meanwhile, the Daughters of Liberty and other American women made their own clothing as a patriotic act.

Fast forward a couple of centuries, and women were still using fashion to provide a glimpse into what they felt passionate about. In the 1960s, women in America were in the midst of a sexual revolution. They wanted the men in power to know that they were no longer going to be controlled or suppressed—and, as such, fashion trends began to change swiftly.

According to Time magazine, miniskirts appeared in America during the ‘60s as a feminist push against the previous decade’s concepts of womanhood. More and more women began wearing pants, and bras were being burned in the streets. Women were using newfound freedoms to rid themselves of old gender norms and ideas, and political fashion trends were a critical part of the process.

Today's Most Iconic Political Fashion Trends

Fashion has been used to express politics for centuries, and the new millennium is no exception. As technology has allowed for instantaneous dissemination of information, a new political climate has formed—one that is both dizzying and polarizing. People of all walks of life have the ability to broadcast their political opinions on social networks that reach thousands upon millions of users, but that has not replaced fashion’s role in politics. In fact, certain political fashion trends have gained additional exposure on social media, allowing them to grow even more.

Some of the most iconic political fashion trends of today include:

— The Red Baseball Cap: When Donald Trump emerged as a political candidate in 2015, he brought along with him a baseball hat that would become a political symbol for years to come. The simple red hat, emblazoned with the phrase "Make America Great Again," would become the mascot for his campaign, while its slogan became a rallying cry for his supporters leading up to the 2016 election. The hat was a hit among the throngs of supporters, who continue to wear them to show their support for the 45th president.

— The Pantsuit: On the other side of the aisle in 2015 and 2016 was Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president, who was also the first woman to run for president with the support of a major political party. She came to every campaign event in a professional pantsuit, which would soon become her trademark. Her supporters began donning their own pantsuits, often sharing photos of the outfits online, to express their support for her campaign.

— The Pink Knit Hat: The pink knit hat is another iconic political fashion statement from the 2016 election. Bright pink and knit (or, in some cases, sewn) to give the appearance of two cat-like ears on top, these hats were popularized by protestors in the Women’s March of 2017, which occurred in Washington D.C. and across the country to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration. The hat became a symbol of feminism for the modern age and a political fashion trend among women of all ages.

How Can You Express Your Opinions and Beliefs Through Fashion?

People at every point on the political spectrum have the opportunity to express their political and social beliefs through fashion. Even those who do not consider themselves very fashionable can use the clothes and accessories they wear to make a statement. Consider these ideas to get started!

1. Wear the color of a cause that is important to you.

Perhaps you have had an aunt or close relative succumb to their battle with breast cancer. Or maybe you’re a survivor yourself. You can use the color pink—which is the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October—to show that this cause is near and dear to your heart while raising awareness.

Many illnesses, conditions, and causes have an official color that represents their organization, making this an easy, personal, and subtle way to showcase what means the most to you.

2. Purchase products from businesses that practice what they preach.

Whether you care about fair wages or vegan materials, you can find and support businesses that share your ideology and put it into action.

Here at Passion Lilie, we offer our customers unique clothing, accessories, and homeware that are both stylish and ethical. We are a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, and we provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignified employment to the artisans in India who work with us.

Passion Lilie is also eco-friendly. We use environmentally responsible materials, such as organic, pesticide-free, non-GMO cotton and azo-free dyes. In addition, we employ sustainable practices that use natural energy and reduce our water consumption and waste.

By purchasing from companies that share your beliefs, you can support your favorite causes financially while also sharing your priorities with the world around you.

3. Select clothing that expresses your views.

Expressing your views can be as simple as getting the right words, images, or hashtags printed on a piece of clothing. Political fashion does not have to be subtle, and many of today’s trends make it easy for you to shout loud and clear what you believe in.

T-shirts, bags, and hats are all common articles of clothing that can be used to express a political sentiment. These items allow you to be proud and confident in your own belief system, and they give you an opportunity to express yourself in a way that is blunt and unapologetic.

Regardless of what you believe, you have the ability to use the clothes you wear as a way of expressing yourself. Fashion is about more than just matching colors or flattering a figure. Fashion is a way to express who you are inside, sharing yourself and even your beliefs with the world.

What do you consider the most pressing problems in the world today? You might say the environment. As the demand for freshwater increases in the United States, we face potential price increases, water shortages for our wildlife, and many other consequences. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, one-third of American households struggled with their energy needs in 2015. We have also steadily generated more and more waste over the years, filling our landfills, not to mention a whole host of other environmental problems faced by the U.S. and the rest of the world.

While the Earth is suffering, so are many of its people. Health inequity and wealth inequality abound, both in the United States and throughout the globe. The World Health Organization reports that the average life expectancy is just 62 years in low-income countries, while it’s 81 years in high-income countries. Meanwhile, the richest 1% of the global population owns 45% of all the wealth in the world, while many others remain impoverished and struggle to improve conditions for themselves, their families, or their communities.

No matter what you think the world’s biggest issues are, you are unlikely to think of fashion as either a problem or a solution. Yet ethical, sustainable clothing can actually help address many of these issues in ways you may not expect. Even better, clothing is something that everyone needs and uses, making it an extremely accessible avenue for the average person to affect change.

In the United States, we spend over $350 billion shopping every day. That’s more money than our entire country gives to charity over the course of a year! Imagine all the ways we could change the world if we spent more of that money shopping for goods and services that give back. As an ethical, sustainable clothing company, we’re here to tell you how buying ethical clothing online or in stores can make a positive impact on the world around us.

What Does Ethical Fashion Mean?

Simply put, ethical fashion is fashion made ethically. This can encompass a whole host of business and production practices aimed at treating your workers fairly and minimizing your impact on the environment. In short, ethical fashion means your clothing is eco-friendly and people-friendly.

Ethical Fashion Is Fair Trade

So what does ethical fashion mean in terms of fair trade? Fair trade is a global movement to promote trade that is equal, just, and empowering. When you buy fair trade clothing, you know that your clothes were not made using unethical practices, such as sweatshop labor or child labor.

Fair trade focuses on creating dignified and empowering employment for workers in underserved areas. Typically this means working with people in developing countries, but it can also mean providing jobs for underserved communities right here in the United States.

These are just a few of the characteristics of jobs supported by the Fair Trade Movement:

— Workers receive long-term employment opportunities.

— Working relationships are built on transparency, trust, and respect.

— Workers receive fair wages, and men and women are paid equally.

— Workers are provided with safe and healthy working conditions.

— Workers have free speech and can voice their opinions.

— Workers are protected from prejudice, discrimination, and abuse, including sexism, racism, sexual harassment, and more.

— Workers have access to healthcare and time off.

— Workers can improve their skills through further education, job training, and other opportunities.

— Workers have access to financial assistance to help them gain independence and escape poverty.

— Workers’ opinions are valued, and workers can participate in workplace decisions.

— Workers are genuinely happy and comfortable at their jobs.

By buying fair trade, ethical clothing online or in stores, you can support positive, uplifting, and ethical working conditions around the world. Take a look at our top 7 reasons you should buy fair trade clothing for even more great benefits!

Want to share these reasons to buy fair trade clothing? Just copy and paste the code below to embed them on your website, or feel free to share on social media!

<img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0240/6641/files/passionlillie-infographic_1024x1024.jpg">
<p>Seven Reasons You Should Buy Fair-Trade Clothing - An infographic by <a href="https://passionlilie.com">Passion Lilie</a></p>

Ethical Fashion Is Sustainable

In addition to treating workers fairly, ethical fashion is based on sustainability. This means prioritizing environmentally friendly practices throughout production and making a product that has a lower impact on the environment.

What does ethical fashion mean for sustainability?

— Clothing is made from eco-friendly materials, such as organic, pesticide-free, non-GMO cotton.

— Clothing is safe for people and the environment, avoiding any materials that contain carcinogens, toxins, or other harmful chemicals.

— Clothing is made through sustainable practices that reduce water consumption and waste production.

— Clothing is made using natural energy and avoiding pollution.

While ethical fashion may not solve all of our problems with unsafe chemicals, water shortages, energy consumption, or overflowing landfills, it allows you to reduce your impact on the environment and invest in safer, more sustainable practices.

The Importance of Ethical, Sustainable Clothing

At Passion Lilie, we believe ethical, sustainable clothing can make a difference. By using fair trade and sustainable practices, we can improve the lives of our artisans and help the environment while delivering a better product to our customers.

The Impact of Fair Trade

The tenets of fair trade are all fine and well, but at the end of the day, they’re just ideas—until they’re put into action. So how has our fair trade company made a real difference?

To start, the teams we work with receive an above average salary, free job training, 24 days of sick leave, 11 government paid holidays, help obtaining health insurance, and financial advising. Our founder, Katie Schmidt, visits them in India to form better relationships with our artisans and ensure they are happy with their jobs. She has seen firsthand how they work together and bond with one another in a positive, dignified workplace, and many say that this is the best part of the job.

One of our artisans, Lydia, rose to the rank of production manager after receiving free job training. She has also used this opportunity to return to school and finish her secondary education, a diploma in Fashion Designing & Merchandising, and a diploma in Business Entrepreneurship.

Padmini, who runs her own block printing workshop and has partnered with Passion Lilie for the past several years, has also partnered with the State Government Women’s Welfare Board to offer free job training to underprivileged women in India, allowing her to help many others.

Banu, their expert color mixer, was hired through this program almost 24 years ago. She had no education and was a homemaker. Today she mentors others on the team and handles production coordination.

These types of success stories abound among our team and show how our fair trade company can make an actual difference in the lives of others and create a ripple effect that improves entire communities.

The Impact of Sustainability

At Passion Lilie, we have established a sustainable business from the very start, allowing us to minimize our environmental footprint. But we never stop learning, and to this day we are still on the lookout for even more ways to improve our processes and make a more eco-friendly product.

We source local materials, using 100% Indian cotton, and more recently made the switch to only using organic cotton. We also make sure our dyes are azo-free and free from any carcinogens, toxins, or other harmful chemicals.

In addition, we use natural energy while reducing our water consumption and waste production. Our artisans wash our fabrics by hand in local waterways and dry them in the sun to reduce energy usage. We also use leftover fabric to make accessories and other handicrafts, minimizing the amount of waste we produce.

As more and more of us work to reduce our environmental footprint, the greater our collective impact will be! Take the first step by investing in sustainability when you can, starting with shopping at ethical, sustainable clothing stores like Passion Lilie.

Shop Ethical Clothing Online Today

Ready to make a global impact while still looking fashionable? Shop ethical clothing online today from Passion Lilie.

 

Ice & Dots Organic Knit Dress

Now that it’s November, the holiday shopping season is officially in full swing! There are tons of great deals to be had all over the web, and at Passion Lilie, we’re bringing you savings this November from the 23rd through the 27th in time for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Fair Tuesday.

Ready to save on sustainable styles for the holidays? Read about Passion Lilie’s amazing holiday deals to make your holiday shopping season a little brighter.

Passion Lilie Holiday Deals: November 23–27

Black Friday (November 23)

Dotted Blue Fleece Sweater

As the most well-known day for shopping of the entire year, Black Friday is full of deals and steals for all kinds of products online and in store. This year, skip the lines and shop from the comfort of your own home with Passion Lilie. We’re offering 20% off any purchase made during Black Friday as well as a FREE sustainable tote bag with your purchase! Deals like that are enough to make anyone an ethical fashion fan.

Small Business Saturday (November 24)

Next is Small Business Saturday. What started in 2010 as an organic, homegrown holiday to promote small businesses after the traditionally corporate Black Friday has become a major shopping day of its own. Today, small businesses around the country celebrate the holiday, making it a major sales day and a way for people to show their support for small businesses. At Passion Lilie, we’re making it easier than ever to shop with us by continuing to offer 20% off all purchases and a free tote bag with ANY purchase!

Shop for Good Sunday (November 25)

This little-known holiday is gaining momentum as a day to shop from brands with a mission to help others. Passion Lilie is proud to work exclusively with fair trade artisans from India, offering them fair wages, long-term employment, and safe, healthy working conditions. When you shop with Passion Lilie on this day, not only can you feel good about supporting our mission with your purchase, but you can also take advantage of our holiday weekend discount: 20% off your purchase PLUS a free tote bag! For more information about Shop for Good Sunday, read our blog post.

Cyber Monday (November 26)

Above all else, Thanksgiving is a time for family, so don’t worry if you didn’t get the chance to do your shopping yet. The following week begins with Cyber Monday, a day of discounts for online retailers and e-commerce sites all across the Internet. All Passion Lilie products are available through our website, and when you shop with us this Cyber Monday, you’ll get the same great deal we offered all weekend long: 20% off ANY purchase—no minimum amount required—and a free tote bag!

Fair Tuesday (November 27)

Peacock Tote

Finishing off the month and our sweet streak of holiday deals is Fair Tuesday. Fair Tuesday is a celebration of fair trade businesses throughout America and the work they do to uplift the impoverished and traditionally disenfranchised with fair, dignified working opportunities. Show your support for the fair trade movement by shopping at Passion Lilie and taking advantage of our last day offering 20% off AND a free fair trade tote bag, which is both trendy and environmentally friendly.

With deals like these, it’s like Christmas come early at your favorite ethical clothing company!

Sustainable Holiday Gift Suggestions

Not sure what to buy? Take a look at a few of our favorite items for gifting (or keeping!) this holiday season.

Stocking Stuffers

Grey with Black Timeless Ikat Scarf

– Passion Lilie carries a variety of fun scarves for anyone in your life. Take this traditional stocking stuffer to the next level with our fashionable patterns and soft, comfortable material.

– Our Chevron Headband is a trendy accessory women of all ages will love. Not only that, but these headbands help fulfill our mission of reduced textile waste.

– Looking for something a little different? Stock up on our sustainable cloth napkin sets for a gift that keeps on giving well after the holidays are over by making dining a little greener meal after meal.

For Her

The Clio Jersey Cardigan

– Want something warm to get through the winter? Our comfy and chic cardigans and sweaters make the perfect “warm and fuzzy” gift for the eco-enthusiast in your life.

– There’s nothing more intimate than buying the perfect dress for the woman in your life. Check out our variety of elegant, fashionable, ethically made dresses today.

For Him

Classic Tulip Men’s Button Down Shirt

We have a variety of fair trade button-down shirts for the special guy in your life. Help him discover a style he’ll love!

We Are Your Source for Sustainable Shopping Steals!

Passion Lilie is your source for sustainable shopping steals this November! No matter which November shopping holiday you’re observing, you’ll find a great discount from Passion Lilie. Start shopping now to find unique, chic gifts for anyone in your life this holiday season.

Fall is such a wonderful time of year. The weather is great, trees are in full bloom, and you have the perfect chance to change up your wardrobe after an entire summer in shorts, capris, and summer dresses. At Passion Lilie, we have an exciting Fall/Winter 2018 collection that makes dressing for fall easy, fun, and fashionable. Even better, we use organic cotton, sustainable practices, and fair trade artisans to make these products, so you can shop guilt-free! Check out our latest fall outfit ideas today.

Jackets

The Harmonia Fleece Cardigan

When the weather cools down, keep The Harmonia Fleece Cardigan handy to keep you warm while dressing your best. With its cool blue color, white speckled pattern, and mid-thigh length, this sophisticated fleece cardigan works indoors as well as outdoors whenever you need a winter jacket. Keep it classic by pairing with neutral colors, add a pop of color with the top you wear underneath, or go all out with colorful jeans.

Tops

Labyrinthine Organic Jersey Wrap Top

Our Labyrinthine Top is a wonderful choice for a sophisticated, elegant look that is still soft and breezy. With its subtle gray pattern, this white wrap top works with almost anything in your closet, making it easy to layer with a jacket or other outerwear. It’s fair trade, hand block printed with eco dyes, and 100% organic cotton.

Snuggle in Organic Fleece Chevron Sweater

When it’s cold outside, pull on our Snuggle in Chevron Sweater. You get all the warmth and comfort of a sweater without sacrificing style! This chic sweater features a black-and-white hand block stamped chevron print, dolman sleeves, and super soft 100% organic fleece. Wear it with jeans, leggings, or even slacks or a skirt for a more professional look.

Bottoms

Midnight Dusk Crop Pants

Our Midnight Dusk Crop Pants are perfect for the season. They’re lightweight and breathable, they slip-on for quick and easy wearing, and they even have pockets! These are the kind of capri pants you can wear almost anywhere, from running your daily errands to going out with the girls on a Friday night. Go casual in a basic white tee, step it up with a trendy blouse, or keep warm in a fitted sweater.

Dresses

Athena Organic Jersey Dress

This Athena Organic Jersey Dress is the perfect go-to dress to get you through the fall season in style. Just slip it on, grab your shoes, and you’re good to go! Its long sleeves, rich black color, and unique white pattern make it sophisticated and trendy all on its own. It also looks great with a variety of accessories and black leggings on chilly days. Made from stretchy organic jersey cotton, you can wear this dress all day and night in comfort.

Mulberry Chevron Dress

For a dress that stands up to cool fall weather, check out our Mulberry Chevron Dress. It’s made of comfy handwoven cotton, and it still looks great with dark leggings or skinny jeans on colder days. With its rich blue color, violet and white chevron print, and optional fabric belt, you’ll look distinctly amazing wherever you go in this t-shirt dress.

Accessories

Light Blue and Olive Banded Stripes Scarf

Complete any of your fall outfit ideas with one of our Light Blue and Olive Banded Stripes Scarves. With its light blue color, olive ikat pattern, and white tassels, this beautiful hand-loomed scarf is sure to turn heads. It’s ethically made in India by fair trade artisans and designed in New Orleans. 

Look Chic and Unique All Fall with Passion Lilie

Are you ready to look chic and unique all season long? Browse our autumn apparel today by visiting our products page. Order now to avoid missing out once the holiday shopping rush hits!

Boysenberry Wrap Dress

Handwoven fabrics are a great way to practice sustainability in style. At Passion Lilie, we offer a range of clothing and accessories made from handwoven fabrics to suit anyone’s tastes. Want to learn more about the benefits of handwoven fabrics? Check out our comprehensive guide below!

Sustainability and Handwoven Fabrics

You might be wondering, how do handwoven fabrics fit in with sustainability? Handwoven fabrics are made by hand using a handloom, which does not require electricity or produce any pollution. In addition, the lack of automation presents weavers with many more opportunities to reduce waste and engage in sustainable practices.

At Passion Lilie, we take this a few steps further to make our handwoven fabrics even more environmentally friendly. Our process is dedicated to preserving the environment through the use of natural energy, waste reduction, and water reduction. Our artisans wash fabrics by hand in local waterways, dry them in the sun, and use any leftover pieces for other handicrafts or accessories.

As a fair trade company, Passion Lilie also creates a sustainable environment for our workers. All of our clothing is made by fair trade artisans, which means we pay them fair wages, offer them stable employment with time off and other benefits, and ensure they are working in safe, healthy, empowering conditions. These opportunities permeate our artisans’ communities as they spend their profits in their local economies, start their own businesses, and share their skills. This leads to sustainable societies and a better world for all of us, even the most disadvantaged. Learn more about our artisans or how you can support the fair trade movement today.

Ikat and Handwoven Fabrics

Our sustainability isn’t the only thing that sets Passion Lilie’s handwoven fabrics apart. Many of our handwoven fabrics are also colored through an ancient ikat dyeing process. “Ikat” originates from the Indonesian word “mengikat,” meaning to tie, bind, or wrap around. It uses reactive dyes—the same dyes used for modern tie-dye—and bindings that resist dye penetration to create beautiful and original patterns before weaving. These dyes are especially resistant to bleeding, which keeps them bold and vibrant. Watch the video below or read more to learn about Passion Lilie’s handwoven ikat fabrics.

Handwoven Fabric FAQs

Navy Stars Midi Skirt

Due to their intricacy and lack of use by mainstream, fast fashion retailers, many people have questions about handwoven fabrics. And we have the answers!

Do handwoven fabrics shrink?

Compared to knitted fabrics, woven fabrics are much more stable when it comes to shrinking and do not react as severely to stresses. A small amount of shrinking is still possible, so if you’re concerned about shrinking, we recommend using cold water and laying flat to dry.

Are handwoven fabrics stretchy?

Unlike synthetic-based knit fabrics, which are made from one continuous thread and stretch all over, woven fabrics only stretch diagonally—or as we say in the sewing world, on the bias—giving them enough flexibility to be comfortable while still feeling sturdy and looking fitted.

Are handwoven fabrics comfortable?

Of course, comfort is subjective and largely depends on the materials being used and the wearer’s preferences. That being said, many of our customers have commented on how soft and comfortable our handwoven cotton fabrics feel.

Do handwoven fabrics itch?

This depends on your sensitivity and on the materials being used, but handwoven fabrics are no itchier than any other fabrics. At Passion Lilie, our handwoven cotton fabrics do not itch. Handwoven fabrics also tend to breathe much better than polyester and other synthetic fabrics, making them more comfortable.

Shop Passion Lilie for Handwoven Clothing

Blue Striped Scarf

Now that you have a better understanding of everything handwoven fabrics have to offer, take the next step and purchase beautiful, sustainable, handwoven clothing and accessories from Passion Lilie. Our handwoven fabrics are available in a variety of skirts, dresses, pants, tops, jackets, scarves, cloth napkins, and more. If you have any more questions about our handwoven clothing, please contact us today.