Or, am I?
Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks posts the most stunning photos on Instagram as well as on her blog. If you’re not following her on either, do yourself a favor and find her! Last fall, she kept writing about Kantha Bae. I wasn’t exactly sure what that was, so I googled it (of course, I did). Oh, I surely shouldn’t have done that!
Kantha Bae
Kantha Bae is a woman-owned boutique in Nashville, TN. Krista Sartin founded Kantha Bae about five years ago after giving birth to her third child. She needed help but discovered it was easier to make a baby wrap than grow a third pair of hands! On top of being mama to five little people, Krista is the CEO and designer at Kantha Bae!
Shopping with a heart
But, let me tell you more about what is actually happening in this little shop. Krista (we’re on a first name basis because she texts me all the time and calls me “sweet Marsha”) is not just designing really cool clothing. She is designing a better world. Each item of clothing is made from recycled fabrics (usually saris) and is assembled in North India or Bangladesh. A portion of every purchase aids a woman in the United States, North India, or Bangladesh. If you want to learn more about this, read here (North India) and here (Bangladesh).
A little history
Kantha cloth is recycling at its finest! Traditionally, kantha cloth is created by first pulling threads from the discarded fabric. These threads are then used to stitch together layer upon layer upon layer of old pieces of fabric or rags. This practice of reusing fabric began centuries ago due, in part, to the labor-intensive process of creating cloth. The word kantha refers to both the cloth and the embroidery. You can read so much more about this process here.
Which leads to…
After chatting with Daenel about sizing and the pieces she had, I took a leap of faith and bought these delightful palazzo pants! They are silk; they are full; and, they are gorgeous! In case you want a pair for yourself, here’s some information. These are considered one size fits all. I’m an 8, 10, or 12 depending on the brand and the day! I’m also 5’1″. As you can see they are not too long with the right shoes.
Presto chango!
The palazzo pants have an elasticized waistband with a non-functional drawstring. But, here’s the really cool thing about these pants and that drawstring. You can pull them up above your bosoms and tie the string around your neck for an instant jumpsuit/midi dress kind of situation! If you look closely, you will see these pants are very non-traditional. The inseam is only about six or seven inches long from one leg to the other!! I wondered if they would be difficult to walk in, but I had no problems whatsoever! I could be mistaken here, but I believe most, if not everything, at Kantha Bae is unique meaning you won’t see your neighbor dressed in the exact same pants, dress, top, or kimono! I linked to a random pair of palazzo pants and not the ones I’m wearing. Another thing to note is these are from recycled saris and may be a bit faded or have small holes. That just means they’re pre-loved!
Wait a minute!
I am not wearing kantha cloth in this look, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have any! I did splurge during the recent warehouse moving sale and bought a cross front top and another pair of palazzo pants. Shipping is pretty quick when you consider the times and the small business aspects. Do I think these will be my last purchases? No, no, I don’t! Besides indulging my inner boho/hippie/flower child persona, I’m helping another human being somewhere on this planet as well as reducing the amount of cloth surrendered to landfills.
The Lewk!
Now, I’m going to be completely honest with you! I am not 100% sure how to style these pants! So, I did what I always do when I’m stumped. I went with a white tee and a denim jacket! My jacket (similar) is years old and is from J Jill. The tee is from Old Navy but is sold out. I then layered all kinds of beads, stones, and metals to add to the boho look. Some of the items are from Stella & Dot. Some are from Pier 1 from way back when. The stranded necklace is from Coldwater Creek. Those earrings are probably close to 20 years old and are from Target! I bought these clogs after my first foot surgery in 2010. They have that nice worn patina and are really comfortable. I don’t usually wear socks with them because my feet slip out of them (I know…TMI).
Not quite there yet, but…
I do not currently have any types of affiliate links…fellow bloggers, if you have any hints on how to accomplish this, I’d appreciate it. But, I thought I’d include the disclaimer information should this ever happen! Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. On this post as well as all past posts, italicized links are provided as a convenience to you. Kellyann has given me a couple leads…thanks, Kellyann!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’m going to remind you right here and now to go find Daenel’s blog and Instagram! You won’t regret it. Her photos are breathtaking! What do you think of these fun pants? Would you wear them? How would you style them? Let’s talk! Please leave a comment or two to get the conversation going! Thank you as always to my subscribers! I am so glad you read and comment. You make my days!
Where I frequently link up:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag and Doused in Pink and Being a Wordsmith. Please check out these wonderful blogs!
I thought you were wearing a skirt at first! Those pants are so neat and look so comfy!
I know…aren’t they the coolest pants ever? The only thing is they are a bit staticky in this weather. I thought about wearing tights under them, but I think that would create even more static!
Just like Joanne, I thought that was a skirt too – love the print. I’ll need to check out this boutique next time I’m in Nashville!
xo,
Kellyann
When I first saw them, I thought they were a skirt, too. And, then when I realized they were pants, I wondered how that little bitty inseam could possibly work. Oh, do check out the boutique and let me know what you think.
The pants are delightful1 I adore the print and the combo of them with the jacket. I’m heading to Nashville this weekend. Maybe I will check out this boutique!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aren’t they cool? The colors and print are much more vibrant in person. Oh, if you make it to the boutique, you’ll have to let me know. I think they are open by appointment only…you might want to check that out.
I love these! I am planning an anniversary trip in September to Nashville and will have to remember to put the boutique on my list to go to so I can buy something in store. I love the history behind the boutique and think it is wonderful!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmm.com
I would love to go to Nashville and visit the store. It looks like it would be lots of fun. I’m really impressed with the mission of this store.
OMG, I’m checking this out. That versatility about wearing them other ways always intrigues me.
And I love how you’re trying new styles and things. I think that is exactly what keeps us young and fresh!!
Thanks for sharing this Marsha,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You are very welcome, Jodie! I love to try new things if I’m relatively sure they’ll fit!
No surprise, I went to the site and ordered a pair, so we can be twins. Mine are a bright pink.
Thanks again, I’m so excited to try these out.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I think you will love them. I did read that the dry air of Arizona can make them staticky.
I love everything you described about the brand! The sustainability aspect, the fact the owner is personable enough that you’re on a first name basis – and the designs are so cute and comfy! x
mia // https://miasdiyprojects.com/
It’s really a fabulous boutique…at least what I’ve been able to see online! I hope to someday go to the store. It looks like so much fun! And, the story behind it is pretty amazing!
This print! So fun and vibrant- and I love it with a denim jacket!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thanks! I’m almost worried the denim jacket takes the boho fun down a notch. The print is even better in person!
Wow – that’s an amazing pair of pants and so like a skirt! The material is beautiful and a lovely story about how the brand started and behaves. I love the fact that saris are used. I’m also aiming to use more ethical and sustainable brands. It’s all good. You look lovely in the pants, and yay – we should always try to be a little outside our comfort zone!
Thanks, Penny! The fabric is even more lovely in person! And, they are oodles of fun! Comfort zones need to be pushed a bit, don’t they? What’s the fun in being boring, right?
OMG Marsha! You look fabulous! I’ve already been perusing the website due to Daenel. I’d made a pledge to buy mostly pre-loved this year, but recycled saris count, don’t they?
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Absolutely, that does count! And, you’re not only saving fabric from the landfill, you’re helping other women! It’s a win-win-win situation! And, yes, Daenel should get a commission, right?
Thought it was a skirt at first as well! Love the pattern and the colors, the denim jacket really complements it! <3
http://www.couture-case.com/
Thank you so much, Jelena! You have to look closely to figure out they’re pants! I do really enjoy them!
I absolutely love those palazzo pants! After checking out the website, I found it difficult to decide on which pair (pairs) I loved most! They are all so beautiful it’s hard to decide! I look forward to seeing you style them again!
I know exactly what you mean! The one thing I wish they would do is show more than one image, but it’s a small business. When I bought the second pair, I decided on a color and picked that way! I hope you indulge yourself and get a pair!
I love love love these on you! And that color and print are absolutely perfect. I adore Kantha Bae clothing for all the reasons you listed and because the community is just so warm and inviting. You are correct in stating that each piece is essentially one of a kind — another thing I like about my pieces. While colors may be similar, patterns and layout will be different.
Also, thank you for the shout out. I appreciate it.
Thank you so much, Daenel! I think that’s one of the things I really like about April Cornell clothing…very few people know of her and hardly anyone around me wears it! But, the Kantha Bae things are really and truly unique! And, thanks for introducing me to it! The Facebook group is fabulous…so kind and definitely enabling!!!
These are such fun pants and you wear them so well! I thrifted a green midi skirt I wasn’t sure how to style so I went with a classic white tee for the first wear too! It’s great you were introduced to this brand by another blogger and that they are so ethical using recycled fabrics too! It’s wonderful! And you really rock those palazzo pants!
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope that you are having a good weekend 🙂 Another sunny day here thankfully, helping things dry out after the floods!
I have to admit a white tee and denim jacket are my go-to styles! I’m experimenting with these pants even though Nigel is not a fan!
Thanks for coming by!
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Okay, I am seriously dying over these Kantha Bae pieces! I always love Daenel’s as well! I have opened the website in another tab but now I am afraid to look. I am going to want all of it, aren’t I?! (Shelbee, practice some self control and just have a harmless browse! Yes, that’s what I am going to do!)
Shelbee
Well, Daenel is absolutely stunning in Kantha Bae! It’s hard to compare to her! I think you just need another road trip to Nashville!