Summer Edit: Part Two

From pastels to polka dots, the style of the summer feels like a nostalgic return to childlike whimsy. There’s a playfulness this season that is reminiscent of princess-era birthday parties and fairy-themed playdates.

As children, many of us had the bravery to wear whatever we liked — ribbons in our hair, mismatched socks, an endless array of seemingly absurd accessories. We experimented with fashion as a means of self expression, relentlessly trying on new versions of ourselves to see what may stick.

it was a beautiful exploration of self discovery through textiles and adornments.

But as is human nature, with age came the pressure to conform to the status quo or “outgrow” our childish ways. Some of us felt that tension more than others, but the temptation was universal. We were sold fast fashion micro-trends that preyed on our insecurities and tempted us with empty promises in return for “dressing our age”. Somewhere along the way, many of us fell out of love with fashion. We dressed ourselves out of obligation, seeing it as a chore instead of an opportunity.

In the recent years, as slow and sustainable fashion has become more mainstream, there seems to be a subtle, yet palpable, return to whimsy.

The rise of vintage and thrift has made fashion accessible again, inviting us all to reconnect with fashion through one of a kind finds and uniquely discovered treasures. Similarly, the rise of independent designers has proven that fashion, at its best, is an art form — not an obligation or a chore, and surely not a mass-produced capitalist endeavor.

Slow fashion has steered us back on track, nudging us to return back to the childlike whimsy we should have never abandoned.

Discover our favorite whimsical looks of the season, handmade by independent women-owned brands in part two of our Slow Fashion Summer Gift Guide.