As I've discussed in a previous blog, I've built my wardrobe on a mix of new and thrifted items for many, many years now. I first discovered United By Blue (UBB) when I thrifted a pair of their pants (with the tags still on, which was lucky) at my local Crossroads. I was impressed with the quality, and they've become a go-to piece since I brought them home with me.
UBB reached out to me a couple of weeks ago to partner with them this fall; as a rule, I tend to not accept partnerships or collaborations unless I really trust the brand and wear or use them myself, but after my first great experience with their clothes, I was open to hearing more about their brand. UBB is dedicated to cleaning our water; for every product purchased, they'll remove one pound of garbage from oceans and waterways, and at the time of writing they've removed over 3.4 million pounds. And to make it easier for customers to produce less waste, they sell products such as reusable tote bags and utensil kits, and prioritize the use of sustainable and ethically sourced materials.
Additionally, UBB's products are made in factories that hold high standards for facilities and personnel, verified by third-party certifications to ensure the well-being of the people who work there. In an effort to be transparent, UBB provides more details about these factories on their site. After doing a little reading, I was more than happy to partner with a brand that's trying to make our world a cleaner, better place. UBB gifted me two of their new arrivals for fall — here's how I chose to style them, and a little background info on each. (Note: the following opinions are mine and not influenced or directed by UBB.)
This is one of UBB's best sellers: super soft, 100% organic cotton, in a relaxed but tailored fit. The sleeves are pretty snug, but both sides are slit for added movement and comfort. I tend to gravitate towards neutrals, but the color Rosewood was really speaking to me. The color appears more rusty red online, rather than the burgundy shade it's closer to in real life, which was admittedly somewhat disappointing. I was hoping for more of that rust tone. But the quality of this sweater is really nice, and the high-low hems makes it easy to do a French tuck with this piece.
I styled mine with a pair of Madewell's Classic Straight Jeans and my Sézane Will Jacket for a casual fall look, but this sweater could easily be dressed up given the more tailored profile. The waffled texture adds some visual interest, as well.
Everyone should have a good flannel (or two... or five) in their wardrobe, and UBB's are a good option. This one is seriously soft — kinda like that one blanket you reach for every time you want to curl up on the couch — and comes in six different colorways. I went with Boulder Gray, which has pops of orange and yellow stripes in the fabric. This brushed flannel is made from a blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester, and has a high-low hem.
I love the look of flannels paired with leather, so I wore mine with my Ultimate Leather Motorcycle Jacket from Madewell, and a pair of the Straight Leg Crop pants from Everlane. This flannel is a great transitional piece that's layerable (wear it as a shirt jacket with a tee underneath in the fall) and warm (or on its own under a heavier coat in the winter).
UBB is working to change our oceans and waterways for the better every day; I'm happy to add their sustainably-made pieces to my wardrobe, and to recommend them to you. If you try them out, I hope you enjoy!
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