Hot Tariff Summer: Buy Local Fashion
Local Designs to Amp Your Summer Style
It’s hard out here for a fashionista these days.
On one hand, rising prices and unethical business practices make shopping less fun that ever. On the other grubby palm, summer is coming and ohmahgaw did you see the latest Farm Rio sundress drop?
Even as tariffs, tyrants and trade agreements reveal the corrupt guts of the global economy, rife consumerism is a hard habit to break. Americans spend more time and money shopping than any other country, much of it on cheap clothes manufactured overseas by exploited humans in polluting factories then marked up a thousand percent by multinational brands manipulating the culture with phony relevance devised by advertising execs drinking skinny lattes in a grey conference room. (I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you don’t need anything else from Hollister.)
I admit to being quite a fashion whore myself; never met a mid-knee floral frock I didn’t need to take home. I keep my sartorial sluttiness in line by doing my best to purchase from less-bad businesses, repair rather than replace, and the imposed austerity of sharing a small closet with my spouse.
Also, I’m not interested in anything unless it’s 40 percent off, wisdom I inherited from my matrilineal line. We don’t pay retail, my mother would sniff as we make our way back to the Saks Fifth Avenue sale rack to hunt discounted Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dresses from last season.
High quality at low prices is one of my favorite hobbies. You will pry my TJMaxx card from my cold, dead hands clutching the Italian leather purse I scored for $24.99.
But my conscience speaks louder lately to my splurges as we learn the widespread effect of every dollar we do—and do not—spend.
I know I’m not the only one struggling with this; I see y’all out here with your impressive lewks as you march against the billionaire takeover of democracy—extra points for matching your sign with the stripe on your Dolce Vita kicks.
Those of us who would usually assuage such insuperable conundrums with a little retail therapy, how to partake without the guilt?
There may indeed be no ethical consumption under capitalism, but at least we can mitigate our impact by focusing on locally-sourced, fairly-made fashion choices—and by leaving the house to shop instead of clicking into tiny shopping carts on our phones.
Here are my favorite Savannah shopping experiences lately: (Yes, it’s a list! Y’all love lists!)
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Rachel Vogel Designs. I first heard about this upcycling queen from Tybee artivist Charissa Murray, who had me at “dead golf shirts.” Tucked under the oaks in one of the brightly-hued shacks across from Huc-a-Poo’s, the Minnesota native sells original t-shirts and jewelry as well as one-of-a-kind skirts made from deconstructed men’s polos that her mom thrifts for a quarter back home (the Goodwill scene around here has gotten out of hand—$7 for a Wal-Mart button down? Please.)
Priced at a very reasonable $48, the skirts feature half-moon layers and come in two sizes, “smallish” and “largish.”
“They started out as a pencil shape, but the A-line is much more forgiving,” Rachel told me as I pulled up the comfy, thick waistband over my bicycle shorts, because shorts under dresses always. “They look good on almost everybody.”
Breathable and stretchy, they’re the perfect addition to your sustainable summer wardrobe. I styled mine with loafers and my middle finger for a look I call “Anti-Mar-A-Lago.”
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Blank Canvas. The most killer couture in town can be found on Bull Street next to Nom Nom Poke Shop across from SCAD’s Arnold Hall. After snapping up first prize on Bravo’s reality TV contest The Fashion Show in 2008, founder Anna McCraney proved far too smart and cool for the mainstream fashion industry and its myriad shitty practices. Instead she launched Blank Canvas in New York, a product development incubator for start-up designers as well as a showroom for small runs of exquisite pieces, including her own.
In 2018, Anna returned to her native Georgia, choosing our coastal paradise over the urban snarlage of hometown Atlanta. She and her friendly Australian shepherd Fred now anchor the block with her sunny boutique and sewing workshop, training SCAD students in pattern-making and helping launch their own runs.
“Everything I could do in New York, I can do here,” says the entrepreneur, pointing to her access to world-class fabrics and finishing services.
“Being in Savannah has brought me so much more freedom creatively, and just to life itself. It’s wonderful to be part of a growing community.”
If you’re thinking this all sounds budget-breaking, please note that most pieces cost between $48-$78, bringing locally-made, unique designs well within reach. Anna’s own originals—including the gorgeous Savannah toile textiles featuring city landmarks—are affordable, flying off the racks to be seen about town and on influential socials.
I’ve accrued at least a dozen garments over the seasons that receive compliments on the regular, including my crazy cute new shark tooth crop top, perfect to wear to the office.
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Emily McCarthy. I love a champion origin story: Not only did this self-described small-town girl from LaGrange, GA transform her small stationery brand into a fashion and lifestyle empire, she’s turned a used car dealership on Victory Drive into an opulent shopping experience worthy of the department stores of yore.
While not everyone can’t or won’t rock cheetah print blouses and fuschia tap pants, the headquarters of Savannah’s homegrown glam brand are worth a visit. Sky-high ceilings oversee iterations of her signature kaleidoscopic designs on clothing as well as placemats, candles, and other gifts galore. Shelves brim with snacks and wine, and the cafe where adorable staffers pour champagne to sip while you shop manages to be cozy and glitzy all at once.
“This was kind of an avenue to invite joy into our space,” Emily told SMN’s Amy Paige Condon at last year’s opening. “Just anything to encourage spending time together and creating community.”
The higher price points make for a less spontaneous purchase, though I am currently stalking this Citrus Grove Poppy Maxi dress. However, decor and consumables are quite accessible—I did buy two bottles from the selection of women winemakers.
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Labels on Liberty The most affordable way to obtain luxury fashion is get it on consignment. I pop into this sweet little step-down shop at least once a month, since you never know what the fashion fairies have delivered.
Savannah style mavens Lulu and Gigi oversee a colorful carousel of on-brand treasures in all sizes, relieving the city’s clothes hounds of previously-owned prêt-à-porter and reselling them with reason
I once scored a barely-worn Ulla Johnson frock for a song—one woman’s cast-off is another woman’s conquest!
It also helps me trade out when my side of the closet gets too stuffed. Check out their IG for the latest additions; you might have to fight me.
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Ladies’ Community Clothing Swap Let’s be clear: The best and most sustainable fashion costs nothing at all. Local illustrator and hip mama L.R. Fern—aka Ashton Greene—had been hosting clothing trades with friends for years when a friend offered up the space next to Front Porch Improv for the Mother of All Swaps.
Here’s how it works: You collect the cream of your closet cast-offs neatly in a few bags; no holes, pilling, or filth (my rules, not theirs!) Clothing donations are accepted Friday and Saturday to allow the sexy elves to sort, curate, and hang it all on racks.
On Sunday, a $5 donation is requested for a local charity (this changes each swap) and then it’s fabulous, free fashion for all. You don’t have to contribute any clothing, but definitely no drop-offs are accepted on Swap Day: Just “a blissful, fun shopping utopia.”
The next Community Clothing Swap is slated for late August—sign up here to stay informed. Also, there’s no such thing as elves—this event always needs helpful hands. Volunteers get first dibs!
If your closet situation is like mine, the aim is to leave with less stuff than you bring, but somehow an amazing Joy Lab sweatsuit jumped into my bag at the last one a few weeks ago.
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Summer’s coming, babes, and in spite of recent concessions, the economic weather looks stormy. With discernment, we can fight the psycho global capitalist complex and stun the streets and socials with our fabulous summer style.
No matter where you live, support local shopping—it’s summer’s hottest trend!
Sweat and swamp hair, but make it fashion ~ JLL
Yay, comments back on! I am so green when it comes to fashion. I’ve learned a lot from last week’s story. I’ll be signing up for that clothing swap!!