Outfit Details: Jeans // Sweater (similar) // Boots (similar) // Bag (similar)

Let’s be honest: I struggle when it comes to handbags. Striving to dress sustainably can feel impossible when the demand quite there and brands aren’t always transparent with details on their supply chain. I love a great handbag, but I feel a tinge of guilt whenever I wear a designer leather bag or shop at a cheap fast fashion brand. The truth is that being unsustainable is quite… easy. Today’s mission was simple: create a list of sustainable handbags people can actually afford.

I first stumbled across the Texas-based brand Ceibo at a local pop-up boutique, Burd + Burdies. Designer Maria Cadena designs and crafts the vegan handbags from her Houston home, growing a strong local following. Her distinctive, colorful faux-leather bags can be spotted at craft festivals and fashion events throughout the city. When I bought my first Ceibo bag – a camel-hued circle ring bag – I was hooked. The bags are limited quanities because they are each handcrafted by Cadena and take three hours from start to finish. I love knowing my product was handmade and has a personal touch from the artisan herself. I wondered what other vegan, sustainable purses I could add to my collection.

So what reason do you have to use your purchasing power for good? For starters, fashion employs 45 million women worldwide, and most of them cannot meet their basic needs with their earned wages! The epidemic echos throughout the entire fashion industry and impacts factory employees all over the world. Fast fashion also uses environmentally harmful production methods and often unfair practices at the factory level.

I’m by no means perfect in the sustainable fashion arena, but for new purchases, I strive to do a little research. Research is what I’m here for! So far on Cup of Charisma, I’ve compiled lists of ethically-made boots and sweaters. How much longer could I really go without a handbag roundup? Here are a few of my favorite sustainable handbags for the season.

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