Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review

Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Side View Leaning on Tree

Hi all, me again! I realize I start just about every new post with a statement about how long ago it’s been since I posted last, but what can I say? It’s been an interesting few years for all of us, and life tends to take its turns. I’ve definitely been getting my feet back on the ground with work and all kinds of new ventures, but my interest in blogging and supporting ethical premium denim, or ethical and sustainable apparel in general, hasn’t waned one bit, despite my long break from the writing element. I’m back again now with something new, from a brand I’ve been working with for quite some time now. Most of my denim reviews have to do with, well…denim, but this time I have had a chance to finally check out the corduroy side of the industry. I’m excited to share another piece from Porter Blue Apparel, in the form of a Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream review.

Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Side View Hand on Head

While driving up California’s Highway 1 for a mini solo road trip a few weeks ago, I stopped in San Simeon to snap some photos of these super cute and comfortable cords! The scenery was totally fitting, as Porter Blue Apparel was embracing the beach aesthetic for many years after they were established. I’ve done three other reviews from the brand: the Rebel Straight, Heart Breaker Skinny and the Wanderer Flare in Gracie. I know corduroy pants have been a staple alongside its denim counterparts in the collections of premium brands across the industry for a long time, but I never had the chance to actually try the style until now.

Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Side View

As a refresher, before I get into these beautiful corduroy flares themselves, as all of you must know by now I’m HUGE on ethical premium denim and I am thoroughly impressed by Porter Blue Apparel’s sustainable efforts! The brand uses the Better Cotton Initiative to reduce water consumption by 40% and improve soil health by eliminating toxic pesticides and fertilizers, as well as helping educate farmers to use more improve the environmental impact of producing cotton. The brand uses laser finishing technologies to reduce water, energy and chemical usage in the wash process (which gives denim that desired worn-in look and feel), and also chose a factory with an impressive wastewater treatment process to revert waste back to its original quality—good enough to drink! All metal hardware on Porter Blue Apparel’s jeans are made from post-consumer recycled materials, and even packaging is made from 100% recycled content. All denim labels are made from vegan faux leathers as well. Read about this brand’s sustainability efforts in more detail here!

Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Front View Standing on the Beach

Like the Wanderer Flare in Gracie, the Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream offers a super curve-hugging, flattering fit and stays in place so comfortably with a rise of 11.25″, inseam of 32″ and a groovy 20″ wide leg opening. It’s made from a 97% Cotton 3% Spandex OEKO TEX 100 certified fabric blend and is oh so soft without losing shape! I’m usually between a 25 and a 26, but I found in the Porter Blue flares I best fit a 24. I wore a 26 in the straight and skinny styles but although they fit, I could also have sized down to a 25 as I was between sizes. These flares, like the denim version, were slightly snug at first but softened up so perfectly after a few jumps and lunges and just walking around in them for awhile. Porter Blue Apparel does recommend sizing down in the corduroy styles due to the stretch factor. The only issue with corduroy is it does tend to collect lint, but other than that I absolutely love this new and different addition to my closet and look forward to pairing them with other pieces in my closet for just about any occasion!

Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Front Angle View

Grab a pair of the Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream HERE. There’s also a beautiful golden brown version, the Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Whiskey, which can be found HERE.

Ethical Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Back View Standing on the Beach

Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Back Angle View Legs Crossed

Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Back Angle View

Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Front Closeup

Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer High Rise Corduroy Flare in Cream Review - Back Closeup

Sustainable Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel – Wanderer Flare Jeans in Gracie Review

Sustainable Premium Denim by Porter Blue Apparel - Wanderer Flare Jeans - Front View

Porter Blue Apparel Wanderer Flare in Gracie Wash. Earrings: Coco Loco Jewelry, Tank: First Earth

Hi all, I’m still here! I know it’s been awhile, but sometimes life obligations take over. My passion for blogging and helping promote ethical, sustainable and small brands will never die, however, and I plan to keep going for the forseeable future! Despite the disruptions in our economy due to Covid, it has been incredible seeing so many new and current brands still forging forward as best they can. The last time I was posting on a more regular basis, my most recent brand connection was Porter Blue Apparel, a fast-growing, new sustainable premium denim brand based out of San Francisco, California. This awesome name is still working hard and making strides, and I’ve been so excited to also be helping them with marketing and building up their new website! In addition, I’m happy to continue helping them promote through product reviews. So without much more, here’s another: the Wanderer Flare in Gracie Wash by Porter Blue Apparel.

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Nomads Hemp Wear at the Getty

Leaning on Wall at the Getty Museum

Things have taken quite a few strange turns lately…which is why I’ve been slacking on my posting schedule. Life, you know? Either way, I love blogging and sharing pieces and brands I love with all of you so no matter what I don’t plan on stopping any time soon…or at all! I’ve been spending a lot of time in Southern California lately, mostly in the Los Angeles area, and I’m digging it. I had a chance to finally check out The Getty museum! Original Van Gogh pieces, what?! Shortly after, I hit up Santa Monica Pier and rode the coaster…twice. Bucket list item checked off! I wore a brand new pair of leggings from Nomads Hemp Wear on my adventures, which kept me feeling comfy and stylish.

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Fran Denim Ivy Shorts in Black Review

Wearing Fran Denim's Ivy Shorts in Black

I can’t believe I’ve gotten this far in my blogging life without reviewing a pair of shorts! I’ve done so many product reviews featuring premium denim for Denimology and my own blog here since 2013, and yet I’ve always ended up with cropped or full-length styles (no complaints though!). I’ve worn denim shorts for many years now, ever since I got more confident with fitness (and especially weight lifting), so I guess it’s only appropriate I finally cover that area of the denim world. Speaking of weight lifting, even though many of my favorite shortie shorts from Siwy, American Eagle, True Religion and BDG still are my favorite in terms of fit every time summer comes around, I still find that as I keep up my gym routine, my body keeps changing year after year. I’ve noticed that I need higher cuts in the back, and a smaller waistband-to-hip-room ratio. I’ve been an advocate for Fran Denim ever since I discovered them, but even more now am I realizing how awesome they are for women who are serious about lifting weights! So, since I got some pretty good feedback on the post I made a little while ago about their new denim shorts for summer, I’m happy to share my Fran Denim Ivy Shorts in black review.

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An Evening in Articles of Society Flare Jeans

Me wearing Articles of Society Flare Jeans, KAMALIKULTURE top and Red ASOS Heels

Top: Norma Kamali Kamali Kulture (sold out, resold here and here on Poshmark or here on Ebay), Jeans: Articles of Society Faith Flare Jeans in Rio Bueno, Shoes: Asos (sold out, similar here). Sunglasses: Blenders Eyewear

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve written about flare jeans…Probably back when I reviewed a totally fun pair from AGOLDE for Denimology back in 2016! Time flies…and all this time, skinny jeans have continued to dominate the market. I’d say they still do, but flare jeans are starting to make a comeback again. I was sent this rad pair from Articles of Society, the Faith Flare Jeans in Rio Bueno, to review for Denimology, and I say they are quite groovy! I love this added dark denim panel on the outside of the flares.

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A Day on the Beach in Festival Wear

It’s finally getting a little warmer here in California, but the cool air and drizzles are still hanging around for a bit! That’s all fine with me, since the green hills are always so fleeting (and already starting to turn brown again) and who knows what this summer will bring. In an attempt to get out of the house more and enjoy the outdoors a bit more, my hubby and I acquired a few kites and went out to Morro Bay for a little sunshine last weekend!

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A Winter Staying Cozy with Baabuk Footwear

I am so stoked to finally have had a legit winter here in California…it’s actually been pretty cold for those of us who aren’t quite used to it, and it’s been raining quite a bit, taking us just about out of our drought! I’m definitely one for the warmer summer days, but I’m absolutely loving this cold, wet (and even snowy with hail at times) winter. When it’s as cold as it is, my go-to boots these days have been my Dr. Martens in smooth leather, as they are fairly weather repellent. I’m too afraid to wear many of my nicer leather boots when it’s wet out for obvious reasons! My Docs are warmer than most of mine as well, as are my Oliberté boots (an awesome ethical brand from Ethiopia), but I guess I wasn’t really sure what cozy was until I was approached to review a footwear brand I hadn’t heard of before, Baabuk.

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Mavi Jeans Tess Super Skinny in Rinse SuperSoft Review

Here we go with the fifth and last (but definitely not least) review I’ve got for you from Mavi‘s awesome Fall denim collection. These all have been absolutely some of the best jeans I’ve ever gotten the privilege of reviewing, and I hope you liked them too! Every time I work with this brand I am consistently impressed with their constantly improving quality, fits and overall style and feel. Looking back, I’ve shared the Tess Super Skinny in Indigo SuperSoft, Adriana Ankle Super Skinny in Mid Cheeky, the Tess in Ink Stripe, and the Alissa Super Skinny in Dark Smoke Supersoft. I’m going to go back to the classics again with this next one here: the Tess Super Skinny in Rinse SuperSoft. Everyone needs that staple jean that will take them from the office to cocktails or from a nice dinner to dancing with ease, and this one fits the bill, both in comfort and that ever-coveted asset-enhancing factor!

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Mavi Jeans Tess Super Skinny in Indigo SuperSoft Review

Mavi Jeans Tess Super Skinny in Indigo SuperSoft Review

Jeans: Tess Super Skinny in Indigo SuperSoft, Sunglasses: Blenders Eyewear. Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters (Similar here). Booties: Similar here and here.

I hope you’ve been enjoying my reviews for several of the great new pieces from Mavi’s fall denim line! These have been such great additions to my denim collection, topping some of my existing favorites, and I’m definitely thrilled to share them all with you. So far, I’ve shared my two cents on the Adriana Ankle Super Skinny in Mid Cheeky, the Tess in Ink Stripe, and the Alissa Super Skinny in Dark Smoke Supersoft. Next up is the Tess Super Skinny in Indigo SuperSoft, which is truly a perfect closet essential.

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Mavi Jeans Adriana Ankle Super Skinny in Mid Cheeky Review

Alright, I have a few more reviews from Mavi for you…I am totally digging the jeans sent to me from their new Fall collection and they are rapidly moving up the list of my favorites from all the jeans I’ve reviewed in the last several years—and that’s a LOT! I’ve already presented to you the Tess in Ink Stripe, and the Alissa Super Skinny in Dark Smoke Supersoft, and I’ve still got three more. I’ve reviewed Mavi many times in the past, both for Denimology and my blog you’re reading now, and it’s been awesome to see this company grow as they have, both in quality and style! This time around, I’ve got the Adriana Ankle Super Skinny in Mid Cheeky, a vintage style jean with a whole lot of extra (yet modest) flair.

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