Keep reading to learn how to save 30% for two-days only!
Remember the post I wrote about being in my forties and the clothes (and fashion style) I’m leaning into and loving? A lot of my purchases for the past many years have been, when possible, from Encircled. They are a Toronto-Based Canadian made company.
Their clothing have become foundational pieces for me. I may joke that I hate button pants but it’s only partly a joke – I really don’t like the feeling of a button pushing into me. My mid-life plan is to be comfortable in my clothing.
I brag about two pants in particular: The Dressy Sweatpant is a staple for me. The material is light enough for all seasons, washes and hang-dries fairly quickly (which I’ve done in hotels before when we travel!), feels great with my changing body temperature (hi, perimenopause) and can be dressed up or down.
I purchased them in 2018 and I wear them weekly and they still look brand new (that’s how well they wash)
My newer purchase has been my wide leg pants. Although the wideleg now comes in the same material as the dressy sweat pant (which means lighter and more summer-wearable), the heavier material of my wide legs drape like a dream and are great in the cooler seasons. Plus, I love the way they look!
Recently, as an affiliate, Encicled gifted me the Airy Gauze cotton button up. It’s going to be perfect when I am trying to stay a bit covered up from the sun, but still cool. I can already envision wearing it in PEI this summer!
The Massive Semi-Annual Sale is for only 48 hours. From June 30 at 10 am until July 2 at 10 am
You can save 30% on everything, including sale items! Now is the time to start building or continuing to build a foundational wardrobe (or capsule if you will) that you love and feels comfortable.
The versatility is important for me!
TIP: Review the measurements for each piece and order accordingly! Don’t assume the sizing, go by the guide and the actual measurements.
Encircled also shared this in their newsletter which I love:
This year, 1% of our Semi-Annual Sales will be donated to Indspire. Indspire is a national Indigenous charity investing in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
The donation will support Indspire’s Travel Fund, allowing students and educators the opportunity to attend Indspire’s Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering and National Gathering for Indigenous Education events.
*this post contains affiliate links. I earn a percentage if you decide to shop and purchase! Thank you as always
There are a few different reasons why my clothing habits have changed over the years.
The first began some time ago when I started to become more aware of where the clothes I was shopping came from (and who was making them, and their safety/working conditions). I leaned more into reducing the amount of clothing I was buying, and researching ethically, consciously made items.
This doesn’t mean I completely cut out fast fashion (something I am still working towards) but as years have passed, I certainly have turned to shopping my own closet, thrifting, and sustainably made items.
Not only because of the labour implications, but also the environmental ones.
Another shift started to happen which impacted how I shopped for clothes. It was quite the combination to have the Pandemic hit the same year I turned 40. As I’ve aged, my body has softened and changed. This isn’t a bad thing, but it means that what I would have once tolerated for fashion, I’ve started to leave behind (things that look cute but don’t feel good for example).
Taking into account all of those factors, there’s still one driver when it comes to how I shop: I like to look and feel good. My sense of style is certainly not everyone’s, but for me, I like to look and FEEL good in my clothing. So I’ve ditched things that fit funny or uncomfortably. I’ve let go of buttons that dig and heels that hurt. I’ve become much pickier about the fabric I wear, in part for longevity, and because I know I’ll sweat. I want pieces that pack well for travel too.
^ Franc top. Encircled wide leg pants.
Finding clothing I love that looks great and fits great
So when you put all of that together, how do I find great pieces I love? There are many sustainable, eco-friendly options out there. Including stores that curate a variety of brands to help you have a variety all in one place.
Before I share some of my favourites, let’s chat about cost. Typically, sustainable, ethically made clothing is more expensive. That’s no secret. But we know why that is – because of the fair pay for labour, because of the cost of manufacturing etc. These pieces end up being more of an investment however, when you factor in that often they are the ones I turn to all the time, the cost-per-wear reduces.
My Encircled Dressy sweat pants were purchased in 2018. They look brand new. No fading. And I wear them constantly because they feel and look great.
^ encircled pants
It also means I buy less. I don’t always need MORE in my closet, I clearly have favourites that I keep going back to. I want a capsule wardrobe that works for me.
Sometimes, when I want something to supplement what I have, I thrift. I look for cotton and linen usually, and buy second hand!
Clothing has to be accessible, and it’s unrealistic to assume everyone can purchase pants that cover over $100 every time. I don’t write this as a piece to make others feel bad – shop where you can to get the items you need. But if people are buying hundreds and thousands of dollars in fast fashion to have ‘more’ or to be on trend, I don’t think that’s sustainable, and that’s not about affordability – it’s about consumption.
This is just a piece to encourage more consideration in shopping, if you can.
My thoughts on Fast Fashion
Honestly? I think we all buy too much stuff, myself included. Reducing how much I buy, and increasing the amount I spend on local and/or ethical brands is one change I’ve been making over many years.
This doesn’t mean I don’t shop at other stores and find fast fashion buys for my family, I would be lying if I said otherwise. But I am much more aware and conscious of how I spend and shop and it has me second guessing before buying that ‘quick, cheap’ clothing piece. Do I need it? How well will it hold up?
Most of the fast fashion pieces I’ve purchased in the past many years have not washed well, fitted well, or been a material that feels comfortable (or breaths well, shout out to my fellow people who sweat a lot). So it feels like a waste.
With the rise of fashion influencers online, there’s a more disturbing movement – trend purchasing. There’s always a deal, always a sale in the fast fashion world, and always a trend to follow. This leads to so much over consumption.
What I would love to see is how influencers are styling a few pieces in multiple ways. Shopping their own closet and helping people do the same.
I tend to buy t-shirts more often because of wear and use. So if I buy those new, how can I pair them with existing items?
I’m not saying there isn’t a place for fashion influencers – I LOVE seeing how people style stuff. But the ‘buy this’ constantly? Is this what we want? Just some of my thoughts.
^ Franc sweater
Eco-friendly, ethical shops in Canada
I have purchased from Encircled and Franc often (and love them), and follow the other sites eyeing their designs. I’ve also purchased from Pokoloko – they have a shop right in Ottawa too!
These shops are based in Canada – some of them have material made in Canada too.
I love their pants. Full stop. I finally got a pair of wide leg pants (after living in my Dressy Sweatpants for years) and I’m thrilled. Encircled focuses on travel wear and comfort. I love being able to dress it up or down.
What’s I’m looking at next: everything, always. But mostly their airy tops for the warmer weather. Maybe the wide leg capris.
I’ve been a big fan of their tshirts and funnel neck sweaters. I have three of the sweaters! So comfy.
What I’m looking at next: They have a henley that is ribbed and looks amazing. I have an older henley of theirs and love it but this material is exactly what I want.
I love the options that are professional and elegant, as well as comfort and casual options and that seems to be what’s offered with this collection. Sizing goes to 6x too.
What I’m looking at: The Promedade Skirt is gorgeous. But the jackets are stunning (the drape on the Maude wrap jacket is gorgeous).
Not only do they offer clothes for everyday wear and comfort, but Free Label creats and their clothing is nursing friendly/can be used as maternity wear too. They have denim too!
What I’m looking at: Love the look of their Pacific Penny top.
At the end of the month, Andy and I are going to a wedding. It will be the first time we leave the kids. We are leaving them with Grandma and the aunts and cousin and in very capable hands but still. It’s a huge deal. But that is for another post.
At Christmas, when we went to Windsor, I went shopping. Turns out my go-to outlet mall right near my mother-in-law’s house now has a Factory Banana Republic. I think Andy felt me almost fall over as we were holding hands walking around. “Omg Andy. Andy. Do you see that? Andy. It’s an outlet. Everything is 50% off! Everything!!”.
The store is amazing, but coming off a very busy month (hello kitchen reno and holiday shopping) I held back. But with deals so great, it only made sense to shop for something to wear to the wedding. (side note: I’m heading back to Windsor soon. And my birthday is soon. DO THE MATH 😉
I tried on a few wonderful dresses, some didn’t fit (I’m still figuring out my new post-baby/nursling size it seems) but this one stood out.
(please pardon the air-dried hair and smug ‘I hate selfies!’ look on my face 😉
I took pictures of the other dresses and showed Andy afterwards and he instantly picked this one too.
The original price of the dress was $109. But I pulled this off of the clearance rack. BUT everything, even clearance, was 50% off. My total price? $19.75. I WIN
So, I already have black heels (many pairs – peep toe, pointed toe, black and white) but now I’m thinking jewellery.
I am leaning into the greens (it is the colour of the year after all) which I think for a winter event would be lovely. Greens and golds. But I am also thinking that a blue or coral could be kind of fun. I already have a gold necklace, and a gold/white bracelet that I could build from. Here are some ideas:
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