As a mom, teacher, and Thai American, I wanted to improve lives through education. This desire to have a direct impact on Thai communities and for the same weavers who craft our bags gave birth to the Areeya Scholarship Fund with Sea & Grass. For every bag sold, a portion of our profits go to the Areeya Scholarship Fund. The fund benefits Thai weaver communities by providing financial means for young women and children to attend school.

Read more

For hundreds of years, traditional Thai society traded handmade goods and products back and forth as the foundation for a healthy economy. This tradition continues with skilled artisans who craft each Sea & Grass tote with learned perfection passed on from one generation to the next. 

The story behind who are the Sea & Grass bag weavers is one of Thai culture, nature, and love. All of which, we hope, becomes infused into every bag our weavers create. 

Read more

Do you have a mini-me? If so, you’re going to obsess over these matching mommy and me sets paired with Sea and Grass bags. We’ve gathered a list of the best mommy and me outfits and fun outdoor summer activities for kids during COVID-19. This way, everyone looks adorable, no matter what you do.

 

Read more

Juicy watermelon. Barbecue ribs. Flowy sundresses. These are just some of the words associated with the lazy days of summer. Yet what does one wear while soaking up the warm rays? Better yet, what slow fashion trends help sustain the earth and look fabulous on a porch swing? 

Slow fashion, unlike fast fashion, is meant for longevity. Fast fashion is cyclical, and what's in-style today won't be vogue next season, but with sustainable brands, the emphasis is on sustainability and quality. As we glide into summer, these eco-friendly fashion considerations make the long days and nights even sweeter. And dare we say it —for years to come! 

Select fresh fabric innovation

Clothing choice is more than choosing a cut that looks good; it's about selecting a piece that feels decadent, too. Slow fashion is all about fabric innovation, taking a material like plastic or seagrass, and transforming the fibers into poolside loungewear or beach bags. 

Summer Salt specializes in swimwear made from premium recycled plastics and nylon waste, such as fishing nets. Yet the fabric is soft and luxurious on your skin. The classic summer bathing suits hold up to wear without the designer price tag.  

Pair the gingham jet setter one-piece with the handwoven Sara Wooden Handle Tote.  You can carry all your picnic essentials in the tote, no matter if it’s a day at the beach or working on your tan in the comfort of your backyard. 

Seagrass is found naturally in Thailand, collected by weavers, and woven into ethically-made totes and handbags. Slow fashion trends means fresh fabric innovation. Look for styles that incorporate sustainable materials. 

Choose mom and pop shops

Most prominent fashion names churn out shorts and flip flops faster than it takes to apply sunscreen. This is why small to mid-sized brands are a better slow fashion trend to follow. Smaller niche brands usually pledge a vision of fair wages, sustainable fibers, and commitment to giving back. 

Mate, a woman-owned small company, specializes in everyday wear, made from GOTS certified organic cotton. Slip into the terracotta Midi Dress light enough for the hottest summer day. The Mini-Tote Tan by Sea and Grass matches the simple elegance of the t-shirt dress. Both are lightweight and perfect for taking a stroll along the beach or breakfast out with the girls. Sea and Grass is also a woman-owned small business that pays fair wages, and hand weaves all its bags and accessories. 

Rent sustainable fashion

One slow fashion trend worth considering is renting the latest styles for summer barbecues. As the temperature heats up, so will your wardrobe. Rent the Runway, Le Tote, and Nuuly are popular options for those who desire to flaunt the latest fashion without destroying the planet. 

Some argue that the cost of delivery, returns, and dry cleaning makes fashion-rental a not so eco-friendly approach for sustainably-minded fashionistas. The carbon footprint for delivery plus returns and cardboard packaging defeat the eco-friendly factor of clothing rental. 

According to Vox News, transportation (cars, trucks, and airplanes) now encompasses the most significant source of Co2 emissions. The Amazon Prime shipping service, while fast and convenient, only adds to climate change. Still, the cost of buying new clothes and accessories each month outpaces the little-considered downsides of fashion rental. 

Another option is to look for newly used or second sale handbags or clothing that possess minor imperfections. For example, the seagrass weave may be slightly discolored or misshapen, but the tote comes at a discounted price and helps save the environment. 

Commit to giving back 

Slow fashion is more than just the fabric and how it's made; it's also a commitment to creating beautiful goods that support communities. The support may come from fair wages, a donation of the profits, or a fund aimed at promoting a cause. Sustainable and ethically-minded slow fashion businesses usually make it a  mission to give back. Now is the time to choose how you spend your hard-earned money. 

Conscious Step makes summer socks seem bigger than cozy goodness by pledging funds to numerous causes, such as fighting hunger and building homes in impoverished areas. Sea & Grass created the Areeya Scholarship Fund to educate children in the same Thai regions where their bags come to life. 

Wash clothing less 

Unless you sweat profusely or eat as if it's a pie contest, it's more than okay to wear the same jeans a few times. Is anyone really going to know? Are they filthy? In the Life Cycle of a Jean report by Levi Straus & Co., we can save up to 80% of water usage, climate change impact, and energy use by only washing your clothes after wearing them ten times. 

When you do throw them in the washer, wash in cold water, and forgo the double rinsing. If you can afford the investment, swap out an older washing machine for an eco-friendly one that uses less water per load. 

Unbound Merino makes travel and every day  t-shirts that you can wear for weeks without washing. The other promise is the shirts are odor resistant, dry fast, and won’t wrinkle. Pangaia offers seaweed fiber tank tops perfect for summer that dry fast and feel silky on the skin. The summer tanks pair well with the Fringe Beach Tote. 

Let it all hang out to dry

While hanging your clothes out to dry may seem like something from a bygone era, taking the time to let clothes flap in the wind is an environmentally-minded choice. Air-drying your clothes on a backyard clothesline saves dryer energy and money. Not to mention the smell of the wind-whipped freshness baked into your clothing when you air dry. 

If you don't have space outside to let your garments flap in the wind, a chair in a sunny spot or indoors clothing rack serves the same purpose. While your clothes are drying, hang out in the Quinn Wide Brim Hat on the patio or grass. 

When it comes to summer, you'll love these sun-kissed slow fashion trends. While a trend implies gone tomorrow, not true for sustainable fashion. Sure, seasons change, and so does your wardrobe, but when you choose slow fashion, you're always taking actionable steps for positive change for yourself and mother earth.

Join our mailing list today to receive 10% off your first order. 

 

Amber Roshay is a freelance marketing writer who specializes in health, education, and beauty. She's been featured on Business Insider, Motherly, The Write Life, and more. When she's not writing content, she's enjoying the beach with her family in San Diego

"Sustainable fashion movement" has become a hot topic in the last few years. With dwindling resources and the global warming debate becoming center stage, many people are starting to look for brands that deliver high-quality goods that work with the Earth, rather than sap resources. In this article, we'll dive headfirst into why we need sustainable brands.

Read more

It can be challenging to talk about race. As a mom of biracial children, I struggle with knowing how to begin. I want them to grow up in a fair and just world. Yet Black families bear the burden of educating their children about racism. Every. Day. There is no choice.

I decided that I needed to learn how to begin the dialogue.

 

How could I teach my children about racism and injustice while making them an advocate for change? How could I plant the transformative seeds of equality and fairness for all colors, so that we can stop the systemic cycle of racism?

 

My belief that it begins with education, whether that’s one book at a time, or one conversation at a time, helped create this list of resources. My goal is to raise children free of racism and bias and full of love. In my small way, I want to take the burden off of Black families to be the only ones to talk about and fight racism. I want to champion solutions— one resource at a time.

Taking the time to read

For kids

Mixed by Aree Chung (picture book that shows all colors are good).

Sulwe by Academy by Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o (a picture book that explores colorism, self-esteem, and learning).   

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander-Ramsey (teaches children about the challenges African Americans had traveling during the Jim Crow-era).

Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Jessica Curry (a story of a girl who sees hope and change when she encounters a portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama).

Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood (a heartfelt picture book teaching children and reminding adults on how to be kind)

Little Legends and Little Dreamers Series  by Vachita Harrison (books celebrating Black men and women leaders in history)

Antiracist Baby by National Book Award author Ibram X. Kendi (helps parents begin the difficult conversations about race at a young age).

Blended by Sharon M. Draper (helps children learn about growing up in a blended family).

A Kid’s Book About Racism by Jelani Memory (a simple book to start the conversation about race).

Skin Like Mine and Hair Like Mine by LaTashia M. Perry.

Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy.

Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America - An anthology of YA authors discussing growing up female in American and how this intersects with class and race. 

For adults

60 Carefully Curated Booklists of Multicultural and Social Justice Books for children, adults, and educators by Social Justice.

 

White Families’ Guide to Talking About Racism by Education with an Apron (provides tips, videos, and books for white parents to talk about race).  The White Fragility by Robin Diangelo and Michael Eric Dyson (explores why it’s hard for white people to talk about race and how this silence perpetuates racism).

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (a classic novel that asks questions about beauty, race, and gender).

White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America (Critical Perspectives on Youth) by Margaret A. Hagerman.

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America and How to Be an Antiracist  by National Book Award author Ibram X. Kendi

Becoming by First Lady Michelle Obama

Making Time for Podcasts

How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race by the NPR podcast Life Kit (helps you start the conversation about race).

5 Podcasts To Listen To If You Really Want To Know About Race In America by Cristian Burno.

8 Podcasts You Should Listen to About Race and Racial Injustice in the US recommended by the Today Show.

Finding Time for Movies & Series

For kids

Nella the Princess Knight on Nick Jr- A cartoon about a biracial princess who decides to become a knight.

Motown Magic on Netflix - The show has a diverse cast of characters with an African American boy as the lead who uses his paintbrush to bring street art to life.

 

Moana by Disney - Showcases the pacific islander princess Moana looking for herself, rather than Prince Charming.

Akeelah & the Bee from HBO - A 11-year-old African American girl competes in the National Spelling Bee.   Dora the Explorer on Nick Jr. - Bilingual Dora goes on adventures while exploring language and culture.

Doc McStuffins on Disney Jr. - Follow the girl African American doctor to pets on all her healing escapades. 

For Adults

Becoming - the official documentary about First Lady Michelle Obama

13th - Ava DuVernay documentary looking at the criminalization of African Americans in the United States

Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap by Fox - Looks at centuries of racial discrimination have created economic disparities.

When They See Us - Series based on the actual case of five teenagers accused of rape in Central Park in 1989 by Ava DuVernay. The website provides educational materials, too. 

12 Years a Slave - Academy Award Winning Film based on the true story of Solomon Northup's memoirs.

 

Free Meek - a documentary about the Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill's arrest at 17 for a crime he didn't commit, and the years he spent incarcerated and on probation.   

So you want to learn about racism in America? Stream these 20 compelling movies and TV shows

Black Businesses You’ll Love

 

7 POC-owned beauty brands that I already love, or am falling in love with right now

 

Aliyah Wanek Clothing - ethical clothing for women

 

The Honey Pot - natural feminine care.

 

Brave + Kind Books - an online bookstore that focuses on offering books exploring racial inequality.

 

Where to Support Black-Owned Businesses in Minneapolis - a list of multiple black-owned businesses from retail to restaurants.

 

125 Black-Owned Businesses to Support Right Now - an extensive list of Black-owned companies needing your support. 

Causes to support

Colors of Change - a non-profit that advances solutions for racial and social justice with over 1.7 million online members.  

Black Lives Matter Global Network - an organization working towards a life where Black people are no longer marginalized and eradicate white supremacy.

National Bail Out - helps "bailout" Black people incarcerated and provides community services for healing from being behind bars. 

Know Your Rights Camp - started by Colin Kaepernick to help people understand to access legal resources from a team of lawyers and advocates.

 

Black Voters Matter Fund - reaches out to Black voters to teach why voting matters and empowering people to make change.

BYP100 - committed to fighting gender violence in Black communities.

The National Police Accountability Project - dedicated to holding police officers accountable for their actions.

Campaign Zero - dedicated to ending police violence in America.

 

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund - the number one organization in the United States fighting social injustice.

Sign the petition to demand justice for George Floyd

Justice for Breonna Taylor

Learn how to talk about racism

Links to articles that discuss how to begin the conversation with your kids about racism.

How to talk to your children about protests and racism

Common Sense Media for Resources on Race and Racism

How to talk to kids about racism, protests, and injustice

Why White Parents Need to Do More Than Talk to Their Kids About Racism

Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism

Resources for Talking About Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids

When it comes to sustainable fashion, sometimes people don't know what that means or even have the wrong idea. The concept, while understandable, is more complicated than you think. Also, when a company claims to be sustainable, you'll find questionable trading practices or even false claims.

As a sustainable fashion brand, we wanted to highlight other slow fashion brands with the same commitment to quality and ethics. First, let's look at what sustainable fashion is, and then we'll introduce you to brands we love and think you will too.

Read more

Seagrass is found in shallow, dark waters in many parts of the world. Most people assume it's seaweed or grass because of its surface similarities, but in fact, is quite different. Fashion conscious people buy woven seagrass totes, designer handbags, or rattan bags in Thailand and love the quality and naturalness but might not understand where the seagrass is found in nature. 

Read more