Spring came early this year and vanished just as quickly. Everything seemed to bloom all at once instead of in its usual sequence. I missed the pink crabapple trees completely this year as they bloomed for less than a week, and it happened that I was traveling that week. Oh well, there is always next year! Thankfully I was able to catch this lovely daffodil field in bloom! I found it last year as the last blooms were fading and so I made a plan to go back this year. The field is about 40 minutes away by car, so I had to calculate carefully to catch the blooms. We got to the field as the first rays of sun peeked out from between the leafless trees. It was a cool morning, but the chill faded quickly as I began to set up and the sun warmed my skin.
I wanted to stay as long as I could to soak up the peace and beauty here, so I spent a little time reading and enjoyed a cup of tea as I created these photos while wearing my favorite Son de Flor dress.
I reached out to Son de Flor, a popular sustainable fashion brand to see if they were interested in working with me for some spring projects, and they said yes! (Part of my studio rebranding is centered around working with sustainably minded and socially conscious brands.) They gifted me this beautiful linen butterfly sleeve dress that is part of their spring collection. You can see it here. (Please note that this is an affiliate link, which means I can receive a commission if you order using the link)
I started exploring sustainable fashion brands because I want to be part of the the change after learning about just how toxic the fast fashion industry was for the environment. I used to think I needed far more clothes than I could actually wear in a week. I think as a teen I probably had enough clothes that I could go a month without doing laundry! Even before I started leaning about sustainability, I grew tired of managing so many clothes because they didn't fit into my closet or dresser. I was constantly shuffling them around, refolding and storing them for each season. I realized I was wasting a considerable amount of time and money; and then I started to learn about the environmental costs and unethical sweatshops. That felt terrible to contribute to and I didn't want to feed that monster anymore, so I started planning my wardrobe more carefully and buying a lot less clothes. I started seeing more and more sustainable fashion brands popping up, and the clothes were beautiful! The one thing that made me hesitate was that the clothing was often much more expensive, and I wondered if the investment was worth it. Would I want to wear my clothing for more than a few seasons to offset the cost? Would I get bored having fewer choices? Were the clothes really worth the higher price?
Once I put on the dress from Son de Flor, the doubts disappeared, and now it's one of the most versatile and loved pieces in my wardrobe. First of all, the quality of the fabric and the craftsmanship is far better than anything I've owned before!
Son de Flor dresses are ethically made from OKEO-TEX® certified natural linen. The linen is substantial and yet it's soft and it moves and floats around you in a way that feels delightfully feminine. I've worn it on both hot and cold days and have been completely comfortable. The stitching is uniform, precise and tight throughout. There are no crooked seams or hanging threads like you find in cheaper garments. There is a hidden side zipper that is nearly invisible and deep pockets in the skirt that are also well hidden. Tucked into one of the pockets is a sweet message to brighten your day. There is a layer of white linen around the inside edges of the skirt and sleeves that gives a nice finish, but also seems to make the skirt and sleeves more flowy somehow. It's really quite lovely! Everything about this dress exhibits a quality and pride of craftsmanship that is sadly lacking in fast fashion. The fabric seems to be pretty durable too. During this shoot, I sat on bare dirt on places that was a little muddy, and even though mud rubbed into the fabric, it brushed off once it dried without leaving any stains.
The classic and feminine design of the dress can be worn casually without accessories, or dressed up. I can pair it with different belts, sweaters and jackets for different looks, and if I'm feeling extra whimsical, it pairs well with a corset. I absolutely LOVE how the skirt swirls around me as I move. It makes me feel like a character in my favorite fairytale or novel!
Confession time! This past winter I purchased an inexpensive ($35) linen blend dress off of Amazon to try out linen fabric. The Amazon dress and the Son de Flor dress are absolutely NOTHING alike! It's like trying to compare paper to cloth. There are vast differences between them. The Son de Flor dress fabric is easily 3x thicker than the Amazon dress. The Amazon dress has loose stitching and uneven seams as well as a fit that's a little 'off'. There is a large zipper that runs up the back that doesn't match the fabric (white on a brown dress) and it doesn't flow around the body.
It may sound silly, but the Son de Flor dress brings me to a place of calm and comfort on a busy day. Linen comes from the flax plant, so perhaps I am feeling more in touch and grounded wearing something that comes from the Earth and is made with much care. Maybe it's knowing I'm wearing a garment that's sustainably made with care for both people and the environment; or perhaps it's the thought of one day being able to pass it down to my (now) 10 year old cousin and seeing the delight on her face as she spins with the skirt swirling around her. Whatever the reason, it simply feels GOOD, and that's enough for me.
I'd love to hear your thoughts or answer questions below. If you enjoyed this post and are curious to learn more about Son de Flor, you can click this link. If a Son de Flor dress is right for you, please consider supporting my work by purchasing through the link above. Thank you for reading!
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