FOUND: The Perfect Jumpsuit

Another installment featuring my love for slow-fashion makers! Starting with this gem of a jumpsuit (and something I totally wish I’d designed for The Tiny Closet!!) from Jungmaven.

I came across Jungmaven through indie-biz supporter Charlie & Lee boutique in Vancouver. Boutiques that carry small/slow/sustainable clothing designers/crafter are actually an excellent way to connect and learn about new brands and their work. And the more I can grown my awareness of the other businesses out there that want to make clothing and retail as carefully and mindfully as possible, the less interest I have in mega-retailers.

Anyway, this Jungmaven jumpsuit ranks #2(!) in my closet. 2nd only to my collection of vintage and Madewell denim. Outside of denim though, I’m not a huge fan of cotton or buying cotton apparel - for various reasons concerning water waste, soil toxicity, and overall performance of the fabric. Jungmaven however, has been making and advocating for hemp-based clothing (one of the most sustainable fibers for clothing manufacturing) since the 90s. And their signature jumpsuit is 55% hemp.

Thrown over, as always is my unbuttoned shirt dress from Monki. I bought this mega-retailer piece from a thrift shop in Atlanta. Thrift and vintage purchases are pretty much all equal in my eyes (except for polyester clothing - plastic clothing is toxic), so while I very much abstain from supporting large retailers like Zara and H&M (which Monki is part of the H&M group), any clothing second-hand, to me, is worth purchasing to give a second life. Come to think of it though, we don’t really know how many lives an article of clothing has actually had - maybe several! Like how many closets has your thrift or vintage favorite been in?? That’s a pretty cool thought. And motivating to keep those reincarnations going.

I fell so in love with Monki’s geometric designing, that I had to look them up. Of course I was very disappointed to see they’re honestly waaaay to big to be sustainable in any way. Come on guys, cranking out literally thousands of units, monthly is just hands down not sustainable, and at this point with climate emergency, clothing manufacturing of that size is unethical. But it should be noted that Monki has a lengthy page of ethics, and code of conduct they maintain in operations with their suppliers and factories. So it seems from what I found they do adhere to a level of transparency and sense of responsibility.

The roomy, open-floor-plan type of tops and dresses that Monki has though make me feel at home. Which is totally the goal in finding peace in my clothing. So great job, designers of Monki! The Tiny Closet approaches women’s clothing similarly when it comes to fit and look so I intend to design, and eventually sell a similar style shirt dress for the shop. For you!

For accessories I’m wearing, get this - a blanket scarf from H&M…. I know, I know - I’m supposed to be featuring small, sustainable indie businesses!! But I got this amazing scarf 13 YEARS AGO. If I ever lose this thing I’ll be crushed. It’s a blanket, it’s a scarf, it’s a wrap, it’s a shawl, it’s my security on turbulent flights. It’s truly been a positive additions to my closet and my life. Which is what anything of value and use is supposed to be when you buy it and take it home. Mega-retailers bank on you not keeping anything you buy, and/or never being satisfied, so it’s quite a feat that a thing from H&M has managed to stay out of a dumpster, a fire or a landfill it’s entire lifespan. That’s a rarity.

Maybe you have a similar story of a fast-fashion item in your own closet?

My olive-y shoulder bag is by AOD New York, a handbag company that produces in small batches by a family-owned factory in Seoul, Korea. And I love to read that Sydney Suh-Lee, the owner, still works directly with her suppliers in Seoul, where she’s from. Anyway, this particular half-moon cross-body bag was upgraded over a year ago - what you see here is no longer made - but the upgrade is gorgeous. I’ve had this bag for a few years now and our bond is still going strong.

I typically purchase 8-12 new pieces for my closet per year. In the past, it’s been far less but due to an increase in leisure travel, I’ve had to get more seasonal pieces. For bags, I currently have 4 (and one backpack by order of my chiropractor). Between my husband’s huge pockets and 5 bags, I won’t be buying a new bag any time soon.

This outfit of the day didn’t come with any Tiny pieces this time. I’ve paired it in the past however, with The Principal Top! But I mainly wear it with no top underneath, as the coverage is perfect already. Either way though, I plan to adore this closet staple for years to come - as can you! Because it looks like this design is a staple with Jungmaven, too. In tons of colors (and a genderless design) this is a great item that I definitely encourage others to try.