FitBeauty: Can you skip cheap and go global? Challenge on, ladies!

I am frantically getting ready to travel three whole miles to a conference that I hope will rejuvenate and inspire me me, where I will get to meet many of the fabulous women I work with and where I will finally have a face-to-face with my online colleagues who I only know by their witty IMs or blog handles. Of course, that means, I am scouring my closet, reevaluating my wardrobe and digging through the hamper for perfect pieces to place in the merciful hands of the one-day dry cleaner.

What I've realized (other than how much I need my roots and nails done) is that, no matter how much I preach investing in clothes that feel delicious and fit as perfectly as possible, I have a lot of cheap shit in my closet. For some reason, I get all bugged out on bargains from Old Navy, Gap Outlet, Target and sometimes (shhhh) Meijer. It's not that I think these clothes are bad or that you (or I) shouldn't shop there at all. In fact, I just scored an adorable Isaac Mizrahi dress straight off of the clearance rack for half its regular price.

It's just that I had this a-ha moment when I saw how many stretched out, shrunken, faded and hanging-by-a-thread t-shirts and capris and exercise gear I have. My saving grace from totally cheapskatedness are jeans. Because of my shape and many experiences with jeans that are tight in all the (ahem) wrong places, I have a deal with myself that I must buy the good brand. Period.

So why don't I extend this to the stuff I wear everyday? And can I get a better balance of bargain and better-made into my dresser drawers?

Here's my challenge for myself: Toss, donate or sell the clothing that doesn't look good anymore, has seen much better days or I feel ehhh about putting on. Then, really put my preaching into better practice by investing in more pieces, perhaps not every single thing I own, but the stuff I wear regularly.

And if I'm investing, I want those clothes to last a while, to be stylish and to be a pleasure (not a pincher) to put on.

The first stop on my challenge is going to be to Global Girlfriend, a fair trade boutique that "offers a line of trend-setting, women-made, fair trade products including stylish apparel, accessories and gifts with one purpose ~ helping women in need help themselves."

I fell in love with this site before all the images were completely loaded up. How cool is it that they offer eco-friendly and fashion-forward clothing that fuel economic justice for women (and not just lining the hemp cloth pockets of a mass market retailer)? Each product comes with information on the women who made and where it comes from. And while the prices are steeper than the price tags on big box sale items, they are certainly more accessible than many organic online stores.

Here, I've shared five faves I've spied. Remember, investing in pieces isn't the same as splurging. It means shopping wisely and using your hard-earned cash to support businesses you believe in, not just those places with the most $2 tees.

Go Deeper Wrap Dress - This would have been a perfect pick for my conference and would suit any traveler well. Simply roll and stow and when you're ready for that dinner with the in-laws or class reunion or to take your "after" photo, just slip on, add some sassy sandals and an accessory or two and you're set. $42.

Yoga Wear - You know I can't get enough of this stuff. But really, what mom/comfort-demanding diva/eco gal/fit beauty can't? $26 - $28.

Summer Cardigan and Pintuck Skirt - Pair these two together or split them up to add some sweet eco-friendliness to your everyday outfits. The cardigan would be a pretty touch to a dreary tank and capris and the skirt could be worn more with a nice t-shirt and comfy, cute flips. $42 and $28.

Scoop Tee - Do you have tons of these tees like I do? Now I want some good ones that don't make me feel schlumpadinka on a daily basis. And because I'm stretching (myself, not the top), I will go for any color other than black or white. $24.

Jewelry - How to choose? Let's make a pact to skip the turn-your-neck green cheapies. Maybe those necklaces can be replaced by a Bead Ball Lariat or Beaded Glass Pendant or a stunning Kenyan Recycled Glass Necklace. The Full Circle Wooden earrings are oh-so hip and the Blossom Bangles are oh-so adorable. $6 - $22.

I could go on and on. There are great finds on this site for your home, for a hostess gift and to get your own girlfriends on board with the Skip the Cheap Challenge.

Now that you've seen Global Girlfriend, now that you've mentally flipped through your own laundry basket, what do you say? Are you game?




ps. I stumbled upon Global Girlfriend in my mom's Woman's Day magazine. Go on, Woman's Day!