Reviews |

Ethical Fashion Spotlight: Power of My People

Small batch goodness. Unique fabrics. Just the right fit. Canadian clothier Power of My People makes the kind of shirt you’ll want to wear over and over again.

Recently, Power of My People invited me to pick a shirt from their fall line to style for you guys. I had heard a little bit about them before, but didn’t know much. After chatting with co-founder Jessica Matthew through the spring and summer, I have come to see a brand model that truly values the slow-fashion process.

Jessica’s own sartorial search lead her to launch Power of My People a little over two years ago, when she could not find a just-right button up shirt, no matter how hard she looked. She started and runs the business jointly with co-founder Kyle Kozma, both of whom ran the brand (including making the shirts!) from their apartment floor in the early days.

Today, all the shirts are made by talented seamsters in Vancouver, Canada, with natural-fiber fabrics sourced from Portugal. They are known for their two signature fits – the Women’s Proper Fit, a ‘standard relaxed fit’ and – the Women’s Wayward Fit, a loose fit.

This fall they released the Women’s Proper Fit shirt in seven beautiful fabrics, ranging from cream to dark forest green, in weights spanning 3.5oz to 6.3oz. I opted for the Proper Fit shirt in speckled blue (affectionately named The Artist) because I’m a sucker for texture. The cotton/silk/wool blend is one of the more unique fabrics I’ve come across. It’s weighty (6.3 oz) and warm, and sits nicely in the space between shirt and jacket, which makes it easily interchangeable as both. The fabric is a clear fan-favorite for fall; the kimono in the same color has already sold out!

I like the Proper Fit style because it’s a true classic shape with a slight modern edge (note the breast pocket details). It’s long enough to tuck, and short enough to wear loose without looking swallowed by fabric. The eight-button design nicely mitigates any boob-gap situation. And the tapered shirt tails work beautifully for tying!

Discount for Seasons + Salt Readers

For a limited time Power of My People is offering a 20% off discount code for your total order (aka, anything from their line). Use code: SEASONS&SALTThe Artist retails for $185 CAD, which translates to roughly $147.92 USD. Less the 20% and the price is $118.34. Not bad for a closet classic, made with love in Canada.

If you’re in the market for a new long sleeve shirt, the Potter is gorgeous in classic white (with subtle gray heather texture), and the Composer strikes a unique chord with it’s ultra-soft brushed cotton (feels like flannel!) in heather teal.

The discount also applies to their men’s line which features classic styles such as the Men’s Wayward Fit, a short sleeve with double breast pockets and the Men’s Proper Fit, a long sleeve with asymmetrical pockets.


How I’m Wearing Mine

You might be curious why I’m not sharing photos of myself wearing this shirt yet. That’s because I’ll be styling this shirt in several ways when the Fall 10×10 kicks off later this week! I spent some time over the weekend trying on various outfit combinations and I am eagerly awaiting the chance to share them with you all! Let’s just say I’ve tried it over, under, tied and tucked, and I am quite happy with the results!

Sizing notes: I am wearing a small, which fits nicely through the body, and hits slightly short on my wrists. I often fall between sizes on shirts because of my longer arms, but in this case it works well because the sleeves have a fuller cut, and I prefer them to hit shorter than longer. The fabric is part wool so I prefer to wear an undershirt with mine. However, I have not washed it, and hope it will get softer with time.

The Artist, gift from Power of My People | Jeans, vintage 501’s | Clogs, No.6 Store

I’ll be back later this week with my 10×10 picks. I hope you’ll join in on the fun. It’s a great chance to plug-in to this wonderful online community.


This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click the products mentioned in this post and make a purchase, I will make a commission. Thank you for taking the time to consider the wonderful companies who partner with Seasons + Salt, and who strive to make this planet a better place.

16 thoughts on “Ethical Fashion Spotlight: Power of My People

  1. Hey there, I have two questions: 1) what is the measurement from shoulder seam to shoulder seam? 2) I get confused about ordering things from Canada – am I going to have to pay import taxes/duties on it? And if so, how does that work? Do I have to pick the package up from somewhere? Is there an amount due upon delivery? Thanks for any help with these details.

    1. Hi Lindsey! I recently purchased a top from a different Canadian store and it delivered right to my door and there wasn’t an amount due upon delivery. Hope that helps!

    2. Hi Lindsey! The shoulder measurement is about 16.5″
      And I just passed along your other Q’s to Power of My People and will let you know ASAP when I hear back!

    3. It sounds like this is a tricky one to answer! For duties, it varies state to state, but when I got my shirt I did not have to pay duties, so it sounds like you wouldn’t have to in Oregon. Also, your package will be delivered to the shipping address you provide. I hope that helps!

      1. 16.5″ across the shoulders in a S is like my dream! I need 16″ min to not feel like I’m breaking outta my shirt – my trapeze shoulders are no joke. Thanks for looking into the Canadian situation, Andrea, much appreciated!

  2. As a Canadian follower of your blog I LOVE that you have featured a Canadian maker, thank you!

    1. You are WELCOME! It’s my honor to share these wonderful makers on my blog. And thank you for following all the way from Canada! :)

      1. YES – my first! I’m excited + nervous.

        I shouldn’t be, because we always travel with a limited wardrobe, but something about the challenge of styling workwear “differently” makes me a little anxious.

Comments are closed.