Impact
No Waste November: Your Unique Closet
One of our goals for 2021 is to Continue to Grow Sustainability Efforts. So far we’ve introduced buttons, labels, drawcords, twill tape and packaging made from recycled plastic. We have also introduced a line of garments created from remnant fabric diverting waste from landfills – our ladies rib tee, rib tank and rib cardigan are all created from scrap fabric. We added zippers to the assortment of components using recycled plastics. We will also continue to expand our assortment of garments made of eco-triblend fabric diverting more plastic from landfills. Plus, we are reusing boxes that originate in Haiti. This November, we are reflecting on our commitment to reducing waste. We will be highlighting sustainability all month long so that we can further instill the cultivation of environmental stewardship (Fair Trade Federation Principle #8) into our daily lives. This week is all about loving what's in our closet. As you can imagine, we at GOEX Apparel staff love our eco-friendly garments as much as you do. Some days we’ll come to the office and find we’re all wearing the same garments. Sometimes in the same color! The beautiful thing about working at GOEX Apparel is that although we all appreciate the same feel good/do good garments, we all have very unique individual styles. Here's how our staff like to style our ladies eco-triblend drop hem v-neck pocket tee: Styled Three Ways Executive Director, Jessica Ray compliments the curvature of our charcoal eco-triblend drop hem v-neck pocket tee with a sharp blazer from her closet. Sales Manager - Western Region, Jen Parlin brings a pop of color with a light wash denim jacket and multicolor fair trade beads. Market Advocate, Amber Solomon says her wardrobe is best described as," fun for me." She like her charcoal drop hem to be bold via our Woman up Ladies Eco-Triblend Drop Hem Tee. Make Every Purchase Count Your personality oozes into your style and we empower you to try new things. No Waste November doesn’t necessarily mean, “Absolutely no purchases.” It means make your purchases count. If you see something that makes you feel good (and makes the world better) then by all means make it happen - just don’t forget about the fabulous potential already in your closet. Explore and experiment with color, placement, and style. Mixing your basic staples with innovative and outspoken patterns can inspire a cardigan or dapper a fleece crew. Need something? Shopped your closet and STILL not finding what you’re looking for? We’ve got you covered. Shop GOEX Apparel through the month of November and save 20% on all rib garments. That’s right! Every garment crafted from remnant fabric that would otherwise be tossed aside, is on sale. Shopping triblend? Our triblend rib garments actually divert waste from landfills twice – first the plastic bottles used in the fabric and then the rib fabric again when we use the remnants. No waste November. No waste ever. Follow the story We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Royally Fair Trade
'Tis the season for fair trade and who is fairer than a princess? We recently got to spend a day with the fabulous friends of This Princess Life. About This Princess Life Serving safe and magical events in the Kansas City Metro Area, This Princess Life offers celebrations engulfed in fantasy and wonder. Their services include storytimes and sing-a-longs, fairy makeovers, personalized video messages, and more. This Princess Life is where memories of your celebration become happily-ever-after. The Fairest Of Them All Behind every princess is the drive for a better life, ambition, fearlessness, and compassion. Sound familiar? These same attributes motivate the fair trade movement. Fair trade is an approach to business and to development based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks to create greater equity in the international trading system. Very much like the princesses we grew up with, fair trade advocates are, “sick of swimming..ready to stand.” Your Inner Fair Trade Princess Cinderella is the queen of upcycling which is why she is looking absolutely grand in our white eco-triblend cardigan layered with a light blue eco-triblend tank. The rib cardigan is sewn from rib remnants leftover from making our standard triblend tees. It also contains recycled water bottles and diverts waste from landfills. Tiana values the power of dignified work. Showcasing our grass green eco-triblend ladies tee, Tiana not only looks amazing but she’s helping to sustain dignified, fair wage jobs that help families stay together. Ariel advocates for seizing opportunities. As a fair trade advocate, Ariel wants her teal eco-triblend tee to help keep her oceans clean and healthy, making a positive impact on the planet AND create social and economic opportunities through trading partnerships with marginalized producers. A strong, free thinker needs a tee to match. Belle is ready to spend the day celebrating the cultural diversity of communities, while seeking to create positive and equitable change in her marigold premium cotton tee. After, she’ll relax the evening away curled up with a hot cup of tea and a good book. There’s nothing sleepy about this look. Invoking gentility and grace, our Sleeping Beauty shines in our berry eco-triblend flowy tee layered with a rose eco-triblend tank. This super-soft, eco-friendly look feels great from waking from a 100 year nap to celebrating sweet 16. (Spindle and spinning wheel not included.) The fairest of them all, Snow White knows the meaning of true beauty. Featuring a cropped hem and a bold color, this red crop cotton tee looks great with high waisted slacks for a look so bright you’ll be singing to woodland creatures. Just be mindful of strangers with apples.. Squad Goals Our mission is clear- we are royally fair trade. We exist to make you feel good as we do good. Together, we work towards a healitier world and we couldn't ask for a better squad. Follow the story We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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We're Bringing Fair Trade To KC's Runways
KCFW is a nexus of fashion professionals. Featuring local, national and international designers, each year KCFW produces two full weeks of premier runway shows, enabling designers to collaborate with seasoned stylists, make-up artists, models and photographers to present their collections in the most professional atmosphere imaginable.
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Three Things To Consider When Creating Your Custom Tee
Choosing your t-shirt color can be a fun but overwhelming process. The good news is that our experts can help you navigate the color wheel and create a unique design that will make your t-shirt stand out among the rest. Here's three things to consider when creating your custom tee. Your audience One of the most important things to consider is who will be wearing these t-shirts, why & where. Seasons are great to consider when determining whether you choose short sleeves, long sleeves or even fleece. For outdoor events in the heat, a light, breezy color like Vintage White or Light Blue can keep you cool and guarded from those bold rays. If your event is in the summer months, we suggest going with a brighter pop of color for fun and to keep the wearer nice and cool. Mint and Bubblegum are not only popular but are perfect for the sunny season. For a company event, we suggest sticking to a neutral color or a color on brand with your company. The makeup of the group can also help determine if you want to purchase unisex or ladies fit t-shirts. Considering your wearers ensures your team will not only look good but they’ll feel good. Design There are so many t-shirt and ink color combinations to choose from. It’s important to consider how many colors are in your design and if they will be dark or light colors. This also helps determine whether you want the design to be bold and pop, or to be more faded and tonal. If you want a tonal design, we suggest choosing a color that is from the same color family. Getting playful with tones can create a whole new aesthetic. If you want the design to pop, consider choosing a color that is either much darker or lighter than your design. Choosing a color at the opposite end of the spectrum can create a bold, complimentary look. Don’t hesitate to explore color and range. We can work with you to make sure you get exactly what you want. Price and Purpose Just one more thing - consider your price point. If you are looking to order many shirts at the lowest price point possible, a US cotton t-shirt with a one-color design will meet your goals in abundance. If you’re looking for a strong fabric that can withstand the elements as well as the challenges of everyday wear, our triblend or fleece options stay soft wash after wash. No matter what option you choose, we will print your t-shirt at the highest standard, and it will be the best t-shirt for you and those who made it. GOEX is here for you Sometimes it can be hard to visualize what your design will look like on the shirt, that is why here at GOEX we provide a digital example before printing. This will help you visualize and determine how your art actually looks on the shirt. Let’s get designing! Shop Tees made for you. We’d love to get you started with a better basic tee today! Choose from our many styles, colors, and fit to make the perfect garment for your next group event — something you can feel proud to wear. Browse our Digital Catalog.
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How To Be Trendy AND Sustainable
Trends challenge us to fully express ourselves and also define the autonomy of the age. When you say 1985 what comes to mind? Is it acid wash jeans, sequins, and big hair? Is it Reaganomics and Family Ties? Yes, to all of these things and more. Fashion trends have the power to reflect, define, and even impact history. They are the epitome of life imitating art and art imitating life. One of the biggest misconceptions about ethical, sustainable fashion is to view trends in a negative way. Quite the contrary, in greener fairer fashion, trends have purpose and meaning. The sustainable, ethical fashion movement is not here to shame trends. Instead we are moving to redefine. Here are some ways to redefine what it means to be trendy - 1.) Keep in mind, sometimes trends come back. Trends have the power to reinvent and revolutionize. They can be as timeless as the little black dress or as questionable as the popcorn shirt. If sustainability has been a priority for your closet for a long time you may have realized that trends ebb and flow. For example, we are seeing a resurgence in vintage graphics and even butterfly clips are inching their way back into our vanity drawers. Think of all of the resources we could save if we let our trends take a vacation instead of throwing them out. 2.) Appreciation vs Participation Time will tell if a trend is right for you. When you see something shiny and new sit with it awhile before making a decision. Give some space to discover wants vs needs. Check in with yourself. Ask yourself, “Would I want to run into an ex or frenemy in this garment? Would I feel confident and proud? Would mom tell me that we have this at home?” Many great decisions begin with conversation and feedback. Ask your friends for feedback. Follow influencers for style inspiration. Have questions about fit? Reach out to brands directly. We love to answer your questions and show you how we wear GOEX apparel. 3.) Explore. Experiment. Embrace. Explore new ways to wear favorites. Think of how many ways you can accessorize a vintage white triblend tee. A look can change drastically with a well placed tuck, layered up with a cover or wrap, or amplified with statement jewelry. Experiment with color, placement, and style. Mixing your neutrals and basic staples with innovative and outspoken patterns can inspire a cardigan or dapper a fleece crew. We empower you to try new things guilt free. Embrace that you are an ever changing person and that what you like today might change tomorrow. You don’t have to beat yourself up over fashion that doesn’t fit your aesthetic anymore. Acknowledge the joy you once had and move on. Your separation is another fashionista’s journey. (The Honest Consumer has an excellent blog about the magic of online thrift stores.) 4.) GOEX is here for you. GOEX has a continuous commitment to make comfortable, fashionable garments that have a positive impact on humanity and the planet. We will continue to expand our assortment of garments made of eco-triblend fabric diverting more plastic from landfills. Each garment is sustainably made of USA fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail. From heathered fabrics, subtle topstich, and versatile patterns we design in order for our customers to get the most out of their basics. We want you to try trends and explore your ingenuity with sustainable, ethical staples that will grow with you. When you go with GOEX, you're making an impact on the environment. PLUS you are helping to sustain dignified, fair wage jobs that help families stay together. Follow the story We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Strong Ethical Voices
We take pride in bringing you the latest insight into the worlds of sustainability and ethical fashion. There are so many outspoken, vibrant voices out there that truly resonate with us. Social media is a wonderful platform to learn, grow, and offer support. Here’s a few of our favorite voices to follow: Ms Paula Presents Ms Paula is a NYC mom of two with a deep commitment to fostering sustainable fashion encompassing vintage and thrift practices. She uses her channels to add voice to the pursuit of a transformation towards conscious consumption in fashion. She hopes to inspire more people to consider sustainable fashion choices and a sustainable lifestyle by providing accessible information. Her journey began with home products and has since evolved into a desire to seek, learn, and share. Subscribe to her blog and follow her on Instagram for style tips, inspiration, and knowledge. Links: Website| Instagram Manpreet Kaur Kalra Manpreet Kaur Kalra (she/her) is a social impact advisor, anti-racism educator, brand marketer, and activist working to decolonize ethical storytelling. She navigates the intersection of impact communication and sustainable global development. She collaborates with businesses to address inclusion in all aspects, from business development to marketing strategy. Her activism focuses on the interconnectivity of economic, social, and climate justice. She educates using a variety of mediums, including the Art of Citizenry Podcast, where she shares her nuanced and unfiltered insights on building a more just and equitable future. Her work unpacks history and addresses systemic power structures. She is a founding member of the Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Fair Trade Federation and sits on the board of the NYC Fair Trade Coalition. Links: Website| Podcast | Instagram| Twitter Eco-Stylist Garik Himebaugh is the founder of Eco-Stylist, the go-to marketplace for stylish and sustainable clothes. He got hooked on sustainable fashion after a chance meeting with the founder of an ethical brand, which then led him down a path of countless hours of research into how un-sustainable the fashion industry is. Garik emerged from all this research with a simple question: “can I put together stylish outfits with only sustainable brands?” Once he knew that he could, he wanted to help others dress like they give a damn—and Eco-Stylist (@yourecostylist) was born! Along this journey, Garik partnered with non-profit Remake to utilize their sustainable brand criteria to power Eco-Stylist’s brand research. He is excited to leverage this criteria in order to start conversations around what “sustainable” means, and as a vehicle to move brands towards greater and greater transparency. “I wear my values by supporting brands that are creating the future I want to live in: a world where all people are respected as if they were family, and all of the planet is regarded as if it were in our own backyard. At Eco-Stylist we help you do the same.” Links: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Personal Styling The Honest Consumer Meet Emily - an anxious creative advocating for fair fashion, social impact, mental health awareness, & conscious living. The Honest Consumer shares the stories of social enterprises, advocates for fair fashion, spreads the word about ethically made products, and empowers consumers. In response to the blog's growth, Emily launched Give A Damn Goods in 2018. Give a Damn Goods focuses on affordable goods that make a difference, while encouraging consumers to shop their values. Stay up to date on ethical fashion & conscious consumerism tips & tricks be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media. Links: Website | Instagram The world of ethical, sustainable fashion is predicted to experience exponential growth through 2030. This is due to awareness and a desire for meaningful connections in our everyday lives. Manpreet, Emily, Paula, and Garik have worked tirelessly to influence the world towards a healthier world and we can’t thank them enough for their work. Who are some of your favorite ethical voices to follow? Follow the story We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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A Complete Outfit From Recycled Plastics
The abundance of single use plastics in our daily lives is becoming an issue severely impacting our environment that we can no longer ignore. One million plastic bottles are purchased around the world every minute, but what happens to them after they’re used? While most plastic bottles are unfortunately not recycled, some companies have stepped up to reuse the bottles in sustainable fashion. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite brands reinventing what recycled fashion means – enough to make a complete, sustainable outfit! Check it out below. Shirt At GOEX, we are committed to a high standard of quality. Quality of worker experience, quality of fabric and quality of material. Better t-shirts start with better raw materials. Our eco-triblend tees are made from U.S. cotton, recycled polyester and rayon. Every eco-triblend shirt contains the equivalent of approximately five plastic water bottles! Jacket Patagonia has been making recycled polyester for their clothing from plastic bottles since 1993. Now their recycled polyester fibers are made from a blend of soda bottles, manufacturing waste and worn-out apparel. Recycled polyester can be found in a wide range of Patagonia’s products. We think their jackets are a staple in every sustainable fashionista’s wardrobe! Pants Aeropostale’s line of eco-friendly jeans is made from recycled polyester and comes in more than 6 fits, 4 rises and 21 washes. You’re sure to find your new favorite pair of jeans. Underwear Marc Skid offers premium, eco-friendly organic cotton underwear with one recycled plastic water bottle used in every waistband. For every pair of underwear sold, Marc Skid donates $4 to nine 4-star charities dedicated to Curing, Feeding and Saving the World. Socks Maggies Organics provides fair trade, socially conscious, organic cotton socks. Their socks have been made in the USA since 1992 and offer soft, long-lasting comfort that is so good you won’t want to take them off. Shoes Adidas offers a wide variety of stylish, sustainable sneakers. This year, over half of the polyester in its products is from recycled plastic waste, with plans to use only recycled polyester by 2024. Approximately, 15-20 million pairs of Adidas sneakers will be created in 2020 with plastic waste collected from beaches and coastal regions. The next time you decide to place an online order to refresh your wardrobe, we hope you choose sustainable, ethical choices. The purchase you make has the opportunity to change the world, one recycled and reused water bottle at a time. Shop graphic tees you can feel good about wearing. Our tees are one of the best, comfiest tees on the market made at the highest standard. Shop our graphic tee collection to find the perfect statement tee to add to your wardrobe that does good for the environment and its makers!
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What Is Eco-Triblend?
Once you’ve experienced one of our eco-triblend tees, it’s hard to go back to cotton. Read on to learn more about our eco-triblend tees and why we (and our customers) think they’re so amazing. Eco-triblend tees are better for the environment. Triblend was first introduced to the market in 2006. It is a fabric made up of three different materials: cotton, polyester and rayon. At GOEX, our triblend tees are made up of 25% U.S. cotton, 50% recycled polyester and 25% rayon. We define our triblend tees as eco-triblend because they are better for the environment. Each t-shirt contains the equivalent of approximately five plastic water bottles, taking them out of the landfills and repurposing them in your wardrobe. Eco-triblend tees are softer. Our unique blend of yarns creates a luxuriously soft tee with a little bit of a stretch that you’ll want to wear multiple days a week. Eco-triblend tees are more durable. These incredible tees withstand the test of time. They hold up to regular washing and resist pilling, ripping and fading. One of our eco-triblend tees will remain a staple in your closet for years to come. Eco-triblend tees are more moisture-wicking. This fabric breathes like cotton and the polyester content wicks water and doesn’t keep heat trapped between the fabric and your skin. You’ll stay cooler and drier wearing one of our eco-triblend tees, no matter what activities you get up to throughout your day. Eco-triblend tees are more fashionable. Besides being incredibly comfy, these tees come with a vintage heather texture, they’re wrinkle-resistant and have an awesome fit that perfectly hugs all body types. Whether you’re going for a basic or a graphic tee, you’re sure to stand out in the crowd. Shop tees made with you in mind. Our tees are one of the best, comfiest tees on the market made at the highest standard. GOEX is one of the elite few who have passed the Fair Trade Federation’s (FTF) rigorous screening, ensuring members are committed to being fair and responsible in everything they do — socially, economically and environmentally. Shop our graphic tee collection to find the perfect statement tee to add to your wardrobe that does good for the environment and its makers!
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Give Yourself A Little TLC
What we wear says a lot of our personalities. That’s quite a job for a pair of jeans or a t-shirt. After a long day, we all need a little TLC. Your clothes are an extension of you. Give yourself a little self care this year! Not only will you reap the benefits but these small changes can impact the world. Here are some best practices for caring for your sustainable fashions. A Good Cleansing Wash your clothes in cold water. Heat tends to shrink, damage, and fade clothing plus it takes a toll on the environment. This goes the same for your dryer. Favor air drying your clothes if you can or using a cooler setting. You know to separate dark and lighter fabrics, but did you know to separate heavy and light materials too? Heavymaterial will literally fight your delicates in the washer and dryer. Give your lighter, airier fabrics a fighting chance. This will also reduce the capacity in your washer. Stuffing your washer can restrict cleansing. When there is enough space your clothes will have optimized washing/rinsing cycles. Consider how much detergent you are using. Less is more. The cleansing process is caused by motion, water, and soap. It’s a team effort and you don’t need to overwhelm the other team members with products. Try using 40-70% of the recommended dose depending on your fashions’ needs. How often are you washing your fashions? Probably too much. Absorbent clothes like undergarments and exercise clothes should definitely be washed after every use. Your jeans, hoodies, sweaters, and dresses on the other hand have the power to withstand multiple wears without soiling. Trust your eyes and nose. If there is odor or discoloration, in the bin. Otherwise, hang it or nestle it safe and sound in the drawer. On The Mend Small tears? Hemlines coming undone? Loose button? No problem. You don’t need to be an award winning seamstress or even own a sewing machine for a quick fix. There are several quick and easy tutorials online that can show you how to easily repair your garments without breaking the bank or your brain. You’d be surprised what you can do with a needle, thread, and a little patience. Also, make friends with your local alteration service or green dry cleaner. They can provide easy to more complex repairs and can help extend the life of your garments. Plus, you’ll be supporting local business! Don’t know where to go? Ask around. Your friends and neighbors are reliable sources but your local theater groups might have a wardrobe manager with a few suggestions. Follow the story. We strive to be bold with our words and represent the ideals we believe. If you like what we stand for, we want to share more! Stay in the loop by signing up to receive our newsletters and following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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