Summer is upon us, and while this might not be my absolute favourite season to dress for (if you’ve been here a while you’ll know that title goes to fall), there is still so much beauty to experience this time of year. I love it when the seasons change and everything feels vibrant and new again. It always triggers a sense of nostalgia for me; I see, hear, and smell things that instantly transport my mind back to when I’ve experienced them in the past. I like to notice and pay deep attention to these things as a way of celebrating them and welcoming them back into my life again for the season to come.
Here are just a few of the things I’ve noticed that really evoke that feeling and nostalgia of summer for me:
- Sights: The vibrant green of the landscape against a clear and bright blue sky; breathtaking sunsets; the way the room softly darkens as a cloud passes; motes of dust swirling in golden hour light.
- Smells: Freshly cut grass; morning dew; sun-kissed skin.
- Sounds: Melodious birdsong; a soft wind rustling in the leaves; gentle rain.
- Tastes: Sweet berries and juicy watermelon; earthy tea; crunchy vegetables.
- Touch: The warmth of the sun; crisp cotton sheets; a light, refreshing breeze in the warm night air.
Whenever I notice the beauty of the changing seasons, I’m reminded of how important it is to properly care for our planet. I know that if I want to continue enjoying all of the wonderful things that summer has to offer, it’s not enough to just celebrate them – I have a responsibility to do my part to keep them around not only for my lifespan, but for future generations as well. I want to leave the world better than how we found it, and part of that is being mindful of how we consume, especially when it comes to fashion.
The clothes we wear are not just a decision of the day, but a decision about our values. They offer us a chance to express not only our personalities and creativity, but also what’s important to us, such as taking care of our planet and the people who live here, now and in the future. We can do this by eschewing fast fashion, which undervalues clothes and treats them as disposable, and instead practicing slow fashion.
La Saison Sportive is an emerging sustainable brand that’s doing just that. They make high-quality, all-natural, and machine-washable knitwear for effortless, carefree, and sustainable living. The core values of their brand are all aligned with the foundational principles of slow fashion. To start, their pieces are all made to order in Brooklyn, NY, which means there’s no excess inventory, and their 3D knitting technique eliminates almost all waste in the production cycle.
I spoke with the brand’s founder Vikram to get a better understanding of what inspired them to start their company: “I wanted to create knitwear that serves women (and men) who want to put something on that is comfortable, natural, sustainably made, and versatile. In a world that seems divided between fast fashion, nice knitwear that requires dry cleaning, and out of control luxury, I wanted to offer something that was beautiful and eminently wearable.”
Perhaps the biggest benefit of their knitwear is not how it’s made, but the materials it’s made from. Their collection uses low-impact, mulesing-free merino wool sourced from Italian mills. It’s extremely soft and comfortable to wear, somehow managing to strike the perfect balance between feeling light and airy while offering true coziness. These pieces can be worn throughout the year and are wonderful for traveling. Here I am wearing the Nell Oversize Sweater in Pearl and the Amelie Knit Short in Tan, both size medium.
“Merino wool is an incredibly luxurious, all-natural, high-performance, sustainably made material,” Vikram says. “We work with a superfine merino that is as comfortable as cashmere (if not more so) and can be worn in a greater range of temperatures and climates. We’re able to get traceable, ethically produced merino from select Australian farms, which is spun at a wonderful factory in Italy that uses renewable energy to produce our yarns. It’s a really good feeling to offer something where you feel really good about how it’s made.”
It’s clear that Vikram is not only passionate about sustainability from a business standpoint, but from a personal standpoint as well, which I think is true of most slow fashion small business owners. When asked what are some things that we can all do to lessen our impact on the planet, their response was: “We focus a lot on buying less but buying well, and trying to repair what we own to extend its lifespan. I have a closet full of ‘much-loved’ items that are truly loved for how long they’ve lasted me, and for the memories that I associate with them. Most of these don’t look brand new, and that’s okay!”
This resonates with me deeply. I really try to reduce my consumption and focus on sustainably-made, high-quality clothing that will stand the test of time in my closet, whether I’m making it myself or purchasing something ready-to-wear. And over my years of practicing seasonal capsule wardrobes, I’ve worked to hone in on my personal style and select or make pieces that I know I’ll get a lot of wear out of. It helps that La Saison Sportive’s knits are both made to last as well as easy to care for: “We focus on creating pieces that are timeless, beautiful, and machine washable, so you never have to worry that what you’re wearing might hold you back from the next great adventure in your life, whatever that may be.”
The beautiful style of La Saison Sportive’s debut collection feels like an added bonus, though it’s certainly not an afterthought. The collection is full of wardrobe ‘basics’ that are elevated by the quality of the materials, offered in a range of rich, nature-inspired hues. They are beautiful yet unassuming pieces that feel at once both effortless and carefully considered. And, they can easily mix and match with one another or mesh seamlessly with what’s already in your wardrobe.
Finally, I asked what Vikram is most excited to tell people about their brand: “Check out the collection we just launched for spring and summer! It’s made of a luxurious Italian cotton-silk yarn and features gorgeous, sculptural, and unique styles in a range of beautiful colors. As with our merino collection, we’re really proud of the incredible quality, versatility, and style of these new pieces.”
If you’re interested, you can save 15% on your first purchase from La Saison Sportive with my code, EMILYLIGHTLY15.
Thanks for reading,
Note: This is a sponsored post which contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I’m always happy to support new small businesses that share my values of slow and sustainable fashion. You can read more about how I work with brands in my disclaimer.