What do you wear to the farmers' market?

Wearing eco-friendly clothes to the farmers market just seems fitting, doesn’t it?

2021 UPDATE: Thankfully, the covid pandemic seems to be receding and rules about gatherings are being relaxed. But it’s still unclear as I write this in late February, 2021, whether I’ll be exhibiting the Sympatico collection this year at the Lithia Artisans Market in Ashland. You can sign up for my weekly newsletter below—as soon as Sympatico returns to the Market, I’ll announce it with an email.

It's become a habit of mine to slip away from the Sympatico booth at the Lithia Artisans Market of Ashland to see what our compatriots in the world of growing things are up to. I invariably come away with wonderful fruits and veggies, and sometimes, things to grow in my own garden. As fellow entrepreneurs whose living comes from their hearts and hands, I value the growers’ crucial contributions to the Shop Local movement.

Rose Gerstner is the founder of the ethical clothing brand, Sympatico. She offers sustainable clothing style tips that are tailored to mature women and their fashion needs.

When I’m off on these veggie-hunting expeditions, my faithful booth backup person, Mary, (pictured above right) takes over, helping customers find their right size in Sympatico tops, skirts, and pants. Speaking of which, the easygoing breathability of my hemp/Tencel blend is ideal for summer outdoor markets. That’s especially true in Phoenix, Arizona where we took the shot of Beth in the Princess Top and Flip Skirt (top image). Temperatures there can be sizzling by mid-morning.

I'm enjoying the calm of doing my show appearances in Ashland this year, I think my aging Honda Element is as pleased with the new regime as I am. The cooling breezes from the park across the way and the splash of Lithia Creek right behind the Market make those hot summer afternoons far more pleasant. I hope you’ll stop by when you find yourself in the Ashland, Oregon area. 

On a typical (post-pandemic) weekend, you’ll find a broad array of crafts and fine arts on hand at the Market. With fine dining and Lithia Park close at hand, a visit to the Market can be just one stop on a day-long itinerary in Ashland.