Sustainable style is more than just addressing the fast fashion industry. It’s about the whole system of fashion – using materials that are less damaging to the planet, producing clothing in factories that are safe to work in (and that give back), and being a brand that’s constantly striving to boost its eco-credentials.
In this age of being ‘woke’, turns out you can be eco-friendly and super-stylish (we promise). We’ve rounded up six sustainable favourites for October. Buy them, love them, and wear them over and over again…
Say hello to the sustainable shirt that comes in white, black, pale peach or jade green to match the rest of your wardrobe. This Florence Bridge number is the ultimate cowboy-style shirt, but it’s the epic embroidery that’s the point of difference. The embroidery is by Shatila Studio, a needlework studio founded by female Syrian and Palestinian refugees living in the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. Buying this shirt directly supports these entrepreneurial women by providing them with a sustainable income.
How does a vibrant blue dégradé knit dress that resembles a vacation sky get any better? When you can trace exactly how it’s made… AWAYTOMARS is the world’s first 100% user created fashion brand that’s collaborated with The Woolmark Company and Harvey Nichols to release a 10-piece fully traceable collection. By zapping QR codes, customers can see where the fibre came from and how each piece was produced – genius. Using natural Merino wool, every piece is 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable.
Get a bag from a designer that’s been championing sustainable and eco-friendly style before it was even a thing on the catwalk. Stella McCartney's mini logo camera bag is crafted from a cruelty-free material that mimics the look and feel of leather. We love the fact it’s in a timeless colour to transcend the seasons and there are multiple ways to wear it. Secure it as a waist bag on your travels or throw it over your shoulder for a nonchalant look.
The high street is working harder to be sustainable and H&M is marking a decade of conscious fashion with some seriously good partywear. The Conscious Exclusive range is back with its 10th anniversary collection that celebrates after-dark glamour in a big way. Think tulle tutu dresses and opulent brocade frocks. Take note of the details; for the first time, recycled brass, recycled zinc and a lyocell fibre that’s partly made from waste cotton have been used. Conscious Exclusive is available in selected stores and online at hm.com now.
No plastics here. Say hello to the jewellery designer who handcrafted her entire first collection out of wood. Sophie Monet’s handcrafted jewellery and accessories are lovingly made in Venice, California with sustainability in mind. Her designs are bold, but with natural, earthy appeal. The versatility of these Bell hoop earrings mean they will go with anything and everything.
Bye-bye, twinning. You’re not likely to bump into anyone in the same swimsuit or bikini on the beach when you’re wearing She Made Me. Each piece is lovingly handmade in limited numbers. The wanderlust swimwear line is skilfully hand crocheted in limited quantities by local artisans in Bali, who work from their homes in villages throughout the island. In a sunshine-ready palette, we love the Maalai swimsuit in marigold.
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