Tradlands Clothing Review: My Honest Thoughts on This Ethical Brand

Hey there, fellow fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for clothing brands that are not only stylish and well-made, but also align with your values. That‘s why I was so excited to discover Tradlands, a women‘s clothing company all about creating timeless, ethically-made essentials.

I‘ve spent the last few months putting Tradlands to the test, and I‘m finally ready to share my honest, unfiltered opinion with you. Is this brand worth the hype (and the price tag)? Let‘s dive in.

First, What Exactly is Tradlands?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the clothing, let‘s talk about what Tradlands stands for as a brand. Founded in 2012 by Sadie Beaudet, Tradlands was created to fill a gap in the market for high-quality women‘s basics that are built to last.

With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Sadie was frustrated by the lack of well-made, thoughtfully-designed essentials. She set out to create a brand that would deliver on quality, versatility, and ethical production.

All of Tradlands‘ pieces are designed to be timeless wardrobe staples that can be worn season after season, year after year. The brand releases small, curated collections using premium natural materials and responsible manufacturing practices.

Rather than chasing fast fashion trends, Tradlands is all about slow fashion – creating clothes that are versatile, long-lasting, and transcend seasonal styles. It‘s an approach that has earned the brand major acclaim from publications like Forbes, The Good Trade, and Vogue Business.

My Experience with Tradlands Clothing

Okay, let‘s get into the good stuff – the clothes themselves! Tradlands was kind enough to send me a few pieces to test out, and I‘ve been putting them through their paces over the last few months. Here are my thoughts:

The Nico Dress: A Summer Staple

As soon as I laid eyes on the Nico Dress, I knew it was going to become a summer go-to for me. I opted for the white cotton poplin, which is lightweight, breathable, and perfect for hot days.

The quality of the fabric is immediately apparent – it‘s a substantial, 100% cotton material with a nice crisp look. Compared to flimsier cotton dresses I‘ve tried from other brands, the Nico feels much more luxurious and well-made.

I‘m typically a size small in dresses, and the small Nico fit me perfectly. It has a relaxed fit through the bust and waist, with more of a tailored silhouette through the hips. The slightly dropped shoulders and just-above-the-elbow sleeves create an effortless, unfussy look.

For reference, I‘m 5‘1" and the midi length of the Nico hits me below the knees. On taller women, this would likely be more of a true midi length. Petites, keep that in mind!

I‘ve been wearing my Nico dress constantly – with sneakers and a denim jacket for casual weekend outings, and dressed up with sandals and gold jewelry for summer events. It‘s incredibly versatile and makes me feel instantly put-together.

My one complaint? The 100% cotton fabric does wrinkle fairly easily. I find myself having to steam or iron the dress after each wash to get it looking crisp again. A small price to pay for such a lovely, hardworking piece, but something to note!

The Finn Sweater: A Luxurious Everyday Layer

Let‘s be real, a great crewneck sweater is a wardrobe essential. But finding one that is well-made, fits just right, and holds up wash after wash? Easier said than done. Enter the Finn Sweater.

Tradlands describes the Finn as "your hardest working luxury sweater" and I have to agree. Made from a soft, breathable cotton with a honeycomb texture, this sweater is cozy without being too heavy – perfect for transitional weather.

I went with the camel color, which is a perfect light brown neutral. The color is rich and exactly as pictured on the website. I‘ve washed my Finn several times now and the color hasn‘t faded at all.

Fit-wise, the Finn has a slightly relaxed shape but the sleeves are slim and fitted. I love the juxtaposition of the boxy body with the more tailored arms – it gives the sweater a modern, updated feel.

At $217, the Finn is undoubtedly a splurge, but I believe the quality justifies the price. This sweater looks and feels incredibly high-end and shows no signs of wear after multiple washes and wears. It‘s a classic piece I know I‘ll be reaching for year after year.

The Ellie Tee: The Perfect White Tee?

A good white t-shirt is the backbone of any wardrobe, but a great one? Game-changer. I‘ve tried my fair share over the years, but none compare to the Ellie Tee from Tradlands.

Made from a weighty and incredibly soft Pima cotton, the Ellie puts all of my other white tees to shame. The fabric feels substantial and not at all sheer (a pet peeve of mine with white tees).

I love the slightly cropped, boxy silhouette of the Ellie. It‘s relaxed without being too voluminous, and looks great both tucked and untucked. For my petite gals, this cropped length is perfection – no awkward bunching or excess fabric to contend with.

I‘ve been impressed by how well the Ellie tee has held up with regular wear and washing. It still looks crisp and white, with no pilling, holes, or yellowing. Compared to tees I‘ve had from other socially conscious brands like Everlane, the quality and durability is far superior.

Yes, $84 is a lot to shell out for a t-shirt. But in this case, I believe the craftsmanship and fit of the Ellie make it worth the investment. If you‘re going to splurge on an elevated basic, a great white tee is the way to go!

Tradlands Sizing Tips and Tricks

As someone who typically wears a size small or 4-6 in tops and dresses, I found Tradlands‘ sizing to be accurate and true-to-size. The size smalls fit me well across the board, with a relaxed (but not oversized) fit.

However, Tradlands offers an inclusive size range from XXS-5XL, which is amazing! Many ethical fashion brands stop at an XL or offer very limited sizing, so I love that Tradlands is committed to serving a diverse range of body types.

A few other notes on Tradlands sizing:

• Detailed garment measurements are listed on each product page, which is incredibly helpful for determining your size. Be sure to compare your own measurements to find the best fit.

• Tradlands models represent a range of sizes and body types, and the website lists each model‘s measurements and what size they are wearing in the item. As a petite woman, I love being able to see how a piece looks on someone with a similar frame to me.

• In general, Tradlands pieces have a more relaxed, flowy fit, so if you prefer a slimmer silhouette, consider sizing down.

I‘d recommend using the detailed size guides and model images to inform your purchase, rather than relying solely on the numbered sizes. With Tradlands, I‘ve found it‘s best to go by your measurements to find your perfect fit.

Petite-Friendly Pieces from Tradlands

At 5‘1", I‘m always on the lookout for brands and pieces that work for my petite frame. While Tradlands doesn‘t have a dedicated petite line, I was pleasantly surprised by how well many of their items fit me!

The Ellie tee and Finn sweater in particular are great options for petites, thanks to their slightly cropped, boxy silhouettes. These shapes pair well with high-waisted bottoms and help to balance out shorter proportions.

As for the Nico dress, the midi length does read a bit longer on me, hitting below my knees. However, I don‘t mind the look and appreciate that the dress doesn‘t overwhelm my frame. Taller ladies, the Nico will likely hit you mid-calf.

If you‘re petite, I recommend paying extra attention to the garment dimensions (particularly the lengths) to ensure a piece will work for you. The good news is, Tradlands‘ relaxed silhouettes are quite forgiving and can be easily adjusted with a front tuck or cuff.

Styling Your Tradlands Pieces

One of my favorite things about Tradlands is how easy the pieces are to mix and match. These truly are versatile basics that can be styled countless ways. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Give your Nico dress a casual spin with white sneakers and a denim jacket, or dress it up with block heel sandals and statement earrings for a summer wedding
• Pair the Ellie tee with high-waisted trousers, loafers, and a silk scarf for a chic work look, or style it with cut-offs and slip-on sneakers for a cute weekend outfit
• Layer the Finn sweater over a slip dress with ankle boots in the fall, or pair it with wide-leg jeans and mules for a polished yet relaxed vibe

Tradlands also has a great Lookbook on their website with tons of outfit inspiration. I highly recommend checking it out to see how other women are styling their pieces!

Breaking Down Tradlands‘ Ethical Practices

You know those brands that just make you feel good about your purchase? Tradlands is one of them. From their commitment to responsible manufacturing to their use of sustainable materials, this company is doing the work to create fashion that benefits people and the planet.

Let‘s start with manufacturing. All of Tradlands‘ pieces are produced in small, family-run factories that prioritize fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical practices. Tradlands has close relationships with each of their manufacturing partners and visits the facilities regularly.

The brand is also committed to using sustainable materials like Tencel, organic cotton, and responsibly-sourced linen. As someone who tries to make eco-conscious fashion choices, I love knowing that Tradlands considers the environmental impact of their fabrics.

What‘s more, Tradlands offers a repair program to help extend the life of their pieces. For a small fee, you can send back a well-loved item to be mended or repaired. I think this is an incredible way to combat the throwaway culture of fast fashion and keep garments in use longer.

The cherry on top of Tradlands‘ ethical initiatives? The brand donates a portion of their proceeds to various non-profit organizations. In the past, they‘ve supported The Loveland Foundation, The Trevor Project, and Black Girls Code. I love seeing a fashion brand use their platform to give back!

A Fair Price for Quality Fashion?

There‘s no getting around it – Tradlands pieces come with a hefty price tag. A t-shirt for $84, a dress for $207…these are not fast fashion prices.

However, as someone who has splurged on a few Tradlands pieces myself, I‘ve found the quality and craftsmanship to be unparalleled. The attention to detail, the luxurious fabrics, the perfect fit – these are special garments, designed to last season after season.

Let‘s break down the cost per wear. While $207 for the Nico dress is undoubtedly steep, if you wear it 30 times, that comes out to less than $7 per wear. Suddenly, the price tag doesn‘t seem so scary when you consider how much use you‘ll get out of the piece.

Additionally, Tradlands has several promotions throughout the year (like their End of Season Sale where select styles are up to 70% off) that can help you snag their pieces at a discount. They also offer occasional discount codes to email subscribers – yet another reason to sign up for the newsletter!

Ultimately, only you can decide what‘s a reasonable price for your wardrobe. If you‘re someone who values investing in high-quality, long-lasting basics, Tradlands is absolutely worth the splurge.

The Final Verdict

So, is Tradlands truly as great as the hype suggests? In my opinion – a resounding yes. After months of wearing Tradlands pieces on repeat, I‘m thoroughly impressed by the impeccable quality, beautiful design, and brand integrity.

This is a company that cares deeply about creating fashion that lasts, in terms of both style and construction. Every piece I‘ve tried from Tradlands has exceeded my expectations and become an integral part of my wardrobe.

I know the prices can be hard to stomach, but I genuinely believe Tradlands is one of those brands that‘s worth saving up for. The cost per wear and years of enjoyment you‘ll get from these pieces makes them a smart longterm style investment.

If, like me, you‘re tired of throwaway fashion and want to build a closet of beautiful, ethically-made essentials, I can‘t recommend Tradlands highly enough.

To get started, I suggest browsing the Tradlands Lookbook to see how other women are styling the pieces and get a sense of what might work for your wardrobe. The Nico dress, Ellie tee, and Finn sweater are all excellent pieces to begin with.

I hope this review has been helpful and informative as you consider adding some Tradlands pieces to your closet! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions – I‘m happy to chat all things ethical fashion.

Until next time,

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