After watching Sir David Attenborough’s feature documentary, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet I went away wanting to make some changes to my personal lifestyle, in particular, my fashion choices. So the following morning I started the conversation with my instagram followers, asking for recommendations and suggestions of fashion brands that hold sustainability at their core.
Fast fashion is something that has hit the headlines over the past year or two and with documentaries on the BBC and Channel 4 showcasing just how fast and throwaway some brands are and the effects this is having on our planet, it is clear that it is more important than ever to shop slower and more thoughtfully, not only thinking about quality over quantity but the impact that our choices have on the planet including the brands that we buy from.
When it comes to shopping on the high street I had already started to become more aware of trying to make more eco-friendly choices (not always easy) and picking from the sustainable collections now available. H&M is a brand I discovered at university for their student friendly price point. Now I’m in my 30’s I still regularly purchase from them and although they are far from perfect when it comes to sustainability they have been actively making changes. Their aim is for all of their products to be made from recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030. This already applies to 57% of the materials that they currently use. Their Conscious concept creates pieces with a little extra consideration for the planet. They’re made from at least 50% sustainably sourced materials – like organic cotton and recycled polyester — but many of their Conscious products contain a lot more than that.
A brand I discovered at the start of this year that holds sustainability at their core are Saint and Sofia. They create fair trade, sustainable fashion and accessories and wherever possible, use natural or eco-friendly materials. They are mindful that the production of fabrics has a meaningful impact on the environment and our climate. It’s not only the manufacturing process that they focus on, their packaging is bio-degradable rather than single-use plastic – read more about their Not Plastic initiative here.
Their beautiful Greenwich Dress has recently made an appearance on my instagram and not only is it gorgeous to style and such a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe it is made from 96% Eco Vero Viscose. This super soft eco friendly viscose is kind to your skin and kind to the planet. Stylish and sustainable, exactly how I want the pieces in my wardrobe to be.
Net-a-porter’s curated platform, + NET SUSTAIN, means you can discover their selection of consciously crafted fashion and beauty items. Every product in their edit is selected to ensure it takes into account human, animal and environmental welfare and aligns with the fashion and beauty industries’ internationally recognized best practices. Even the props used in their campaign photoshoot would normally go to waste.
My VEJA Esplar pumps feature in the + Net Sustain collection, they use considered materials and processes, working closely with local farmers and factories to ensure that each sneaker is made responsibly.
Nu-in was founded with a simple mission, to create beautiful clothing whilst having a lower impact on our planet. Their mission is to show the world that affordable fashion and sustainability can coexist.
‘And if we only convince one person or one brand to think more about the impact fashion has on the environment, it will have all been worth it.’
Each piece has a description of what it is made from, where it is made, and what it is packed in. Recycled materials, such as recycled polyester and recycled cotton, are used a lot in their clothes, slowing down the process of materials being thrown away and giving them another life.
I look forward to trying this brand out in 2021. Here are a few of the pieces I have my eye on:
It’s looking like no more bare legs until spring, so in the meantime it’s time to update that sock drawer and invest in some new leg wear. Clear out those tights that have snagged, bobbled and lost their shape because I’ve found the ultimate in chic and sustainable hosiery.
Swedish stockings made it their mission to change and influence the entire hosiery industry. Nylon yarn, which is currently used to produce most modern tights, is created from an environmentally harmful petroleum-based manufacturing process that leads to damaging carbon emissions. More-so, modern hosiery isn’t made to last. These harmful practices in the fashion industry are all too common. Swedish Stockings believe the world needs more innovative and environmentally conscious products to lead the way, and so the brand was launched and these gorgeous tights were created!
Over the past month I have been trying out their Gerda Leggings. Not only do they fit incredibly and are super comfortable on my 7 month bump, they are made from recycled nylon and recycled elastane and are knitted in an emission free and zero waste factory.
