Brand Review: Amour Vert

This isn’t a conspiracy blog-- but just listen to this story. A few weeks ago, I was doing a brief gut check with all my closest friends about whether or not The Swoop was a certifiably insane idea and (“one of”) my best friend(s) told me about the brand Amour Vert. I looked it up and was intrigued, adding it the “To Investigate” tab on the incredibly organized (and surprisingly robust!) Swoop spreadsheet. Yesterday, I was checking my mail and low and behold there was an Amour Vert catalog. Coincidence? Seems unlikely. But I must admit, I’m a bit flattered that Big Brother is a Swoop Fan. Like all the classic conspiracies of our age (an office favorite-- did a man really land on the moon??), we might never know the truth. But what we do know is that these clothes are CUTE and need to get into my closet NOW. That is if you are still reading Big Brother…

Amour Vert seems might be the solution to my conundrum of everyday normal clothing that is ethically and sustainably made without making me look like I’m headed to a GreenPeace meeting with my own home fermented kombucha. I read recently that your closet should be 80% “staples” and 20% “wow” pieces. Doesn’t that seem like the perfect breakdown? I often overbuy the “wows” (re: I have a closet of cocktail dresses with literally nowhere to go) and end up wearing down the “staples” because I love them so much and don’t have enough of them… This feels like the right place to start fixing that.

Amour Vert is focused on reducing the waste often associated with the clothing industry. It wasn’t until I was reading their site I learned that clothing is the second largest polluting industry... As a runner up to OIL! Amour Vert is committed to a zero waste policy and accomplishes that with their use with non-toxic dyes and fabrics from a sustainable forest. The clothes are also made in San Francisco, with carbon footprint reducing practices like limited cutting and carpooling with other industries. Plus, every time Amour Vert sells a shirt, they plant a tree.

I don’t yet own any Amour Vert, so I can’t personally attest to the quality but the interwebs has many positive things to say… as well as Kristen Bell who narrates their About Us video. I am most intrigued by the plethora of awesome basics all over their website (and catalog…) Admittedly, I struggle a bit with prints. I either see a print and HAVE TO HAVE IT IMMEDIATELY or hardly pay it any mind. With the exception of stripes. I could wear stripes every single day. All of the stripes + single colored Amour Vert pieces would meld seamlessly into my wardrobe. When it is time to replace some non-consciously bought pieces, I plan to head back here to stock up on some staples.

A surprise bonus-- Amour Vert has a wonderful selection of sustainably and ethically made accessories, including multiple brands on The Swoop’s “To Investigate” list like Nisolo, SOKO, and Veja.

ONE: This looks like the perfect work summer staple dress. With all it’s simplicity, I can layer it with accessories to trick those into my office into thinking it is a different dress but in reality I have been wearing it every single day MUHAHAHAHA.
TWO: My off duty summer outfit of choice: jean cut offs and a deep v. Not like Bachelorette contest deep. Just a good ol’ deep and breezy. I’m digging this one, especially in the beautiful marigold.
THREE: Jeans are a MAJOR polluter. I am anxious to find a non-toxic pair to love. I’m also currently trying to tip the balance of the skinny to non skinny jeans in my closet. I had almost forgotten I didn’t actually have to jump up and down to get my jeans onto my body. These look like a perfect pair of not-so-loose not-so-tight boyfriend jeans.
FOUR: The best thing about sleeveless work tops in the summer? They layer perfectly under AC fighting sweaters. This top has an adorable back button detail that makes it twice as nice. Plus, when the temperatures drop, I can continue to wear them under sweaters in the defense against the heater months.
FIVE: Stripes! I love you! I would LOVE to wear this with a denim jacket and my new all white sneakers. People who just ASSUME I was French and be horrified when I responded to their causal French pleasantries in my terrible Southern-tinged-my-father-can’t-believe-I-lived-in- France-for-a-summer-accented French.
SIX: It took me awhile to get on the wide-leg cropped pants trend, but not that I am on it, I’m not really sure what I was doing before. They are incredibly comfortable, surprisingly flattering, and offer a swooshing breeze in the summer. These look like a wonderful pair.
SEVEN: I recently admitted with shame my favorite jacket on rotation right now- an oversized Gap jean jacket. I think replacing while still in great condition defeats the idea of conscious consumption, but when the time comes and I am able to cleanse my guilty conscious, this looks like the perfect replacement. There is something so Brooklyn and chill about an oversized jean jacket and yet I somehow feel like I can actually pull it off.