Posh Swaps Blog

Ethical fashion is one of those terms that seems to be bandied about all over the place but there doesn’t really seem to be any clear definition of what it is. The easiest way to discover it and see what you like and don’t like about it is to check out some of the amazing brands out there. Check out Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog for some great examples of ethical fashion.

I guess the reason the term ‘ethical fashion’ is so difficult to define is that ethics are very different for different people. For some ethical fashion is about environmental sustainability and preserving the environment for future generations, for others it is about ensuring that people working in the fashion industry are treated fairly and with respect and trying to use fashion it to alleviate poverty. It can also include treating animals with respect or vegan fashion that does not inlcude any animal products at all. Finally some also consider buying locally produced fashion the best option in terms of ethics as it cuts down on transportation , is easier to ensure fair treatment of workers and it supports the local economy.

Most people will look for a combination of the above when shopping ethically for clothing. Anything that encourages less consumption, better treatment people, animals and the environment, more sustainability and recycling, even in a small way, has to be a positive choice.

The variety and choice or ethical clothing is increasing all of the time and you know longer have to resign to looking boring, frumpy or hippyish if you want to dress ethically. Here are just a few ways that you can make your fashion more ethical.

Sustainable fashion

Generally sustainable fashion starts with the use of some sort of  sustainable material. This can include organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or Tencel, all of which are considered more sustainable choices than conventional cotton which is grown using lots of pesticides. There are also know innovative fabrics which use reclaimed materials including plastic bottles to make clothes. Recycling or upcycling is definitely on the  up in fashion. The process of making something new from something old, be it a vintage or second hand piece or factory offcuts, seems to stimulate some amazing creativity.

Fairtrade Fashion

Fairtrade is used to describe products that have been fairly traded with farmers in developing countries. There are now a growing number of fashion companies pioneering and developing their own Fairtrade programmes which not only make use of Fairtrade cotton but also local and traditional, artisan skills such as weaving, embroidery and beading. These schemes allow workers and communities to benefit from the profits made by the clothing. There are also a number of certifications that can be held by the factories which ensure fair treatment of workers.

Vintage and second hand fashion

One of the most sustainable ways of shopping has to be shopping for vintage and second hand clothing which has virtually no carbon footprint. There is a growing movement of people who buy there clothes in this way and look amazingly stylish on it.

When deciding which ethical fashion to buy, greenwashing can be a problem. There are many companies who call themselves ethical but with little in the way of ethical credentials. The easiest way to ensure that you are shopping ethically is to look for companies who have strong ethics and practice sustainability in everything that they do.

Some ethical fashion brands also support charities by donating a percentage of their profits or turnover each month.

Image - organic cotton dress by Jackpot on Fashion Conscience.

A good  pair of boots are a real investment that you can keep and wear for years. If you choose a classic style that are high quality well made they will go with a multitude of different outfits, always look stylish and never go out of fashion. The sales are a great time to invest in a great pair of eco friendly shoes or boots that are not only incredibly comfortable but also made with respect to the environment. Spartoo have a fabulous sale on at the moment with boots by some great eco friendly brands at amazing prices. Here are just a few of out favourites.

These ankle boots by Pikolinos would look equally good with a trouser suit for work or a pair of jeans on the weekend. The wedge heel is a great way to add some height without making them difficult to walk in. You can be sure that these shoes will be top quality as they are made using artisan techniques.

These versatile boots by Dream in Green can be worn to dress down a pretty floral dress or with leggings or skinny jeans for a Rock and Roll look. They are made with vegetable tanned leather which is kinder to the environment than conventional leather.

These cosy boots by Think would look great with a casual skirt and thick tights for the weekend. They are made from 100% natural materials and a completely handmade manufacturing process.

Pikolinos is one of my favourite ethical shoe brands. I can definitely vouch for the quality and amazing comfort of the shoes but they are also manufactured with respect for the planet. The shoes are made in Spain using natural materials with interesting details like stitching. The majority of Pikolinos shoes are manufactured using vegetable tanned leather, water-based dyes and solvent free glues which considerably reduce any environmental impact. The company also supports a variety of different social cuase through the Juan Peran Foundation.

For autumn and winter this year, I am loving the tower heel hiking boots, practical court shoes and casual knee high boots. These shoes and boots combine practicality with style and are versatile enough to go with a range of different winter outfits.

Pikolinos - Brujas Rico - Chocolate

A great choice for every day wear. These boots would look good with any skirt or dress and tights.

Pikolinos Tolouse Grey Court Shoes

For the office, it can be difficult to find a pair of hardwearing and practical shoes that look great with a suit. These are perfect and versatile enough to go with trousers or skirts.

Pikolinos - Izmir Tajo Boots

If you like to keep up with the latest fashion, these heeled hiking boots are just what you need. Wear with chunky socks for trendy and toasty feet all winter.

Pikolionos Izmir Kihu Boots

Finally I love the cosy faux fur trim and double buckles on these boots. You couldn’t get much cosier toes.

Style Eyes Fashion Blog is the latest in a number of designers, celebrities and fashion bloggers to switch their focus to green and ethical fashion. The blog has also changed its name to Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog can now be found at www.ethicalfashionblog.com.
Ceri Heathcote, founder of Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog, made the change after realising that there was more to looking stylish than constantly buying cheap bad quality fast fashion. She discovered that it is possible to combine a love of fashion with charity shop, second hand, vintage and ethical clothing. She has also joined the army of fashionistas who are getting creative to refashion and upcycle old clothes for a unique and sustainable alternative to shopping on the high street and sharing their creations through online social networks.
Ceri says “How could I enjoy wearing and writing about clothes that had been made at the expense of both people and the planet? Blogging about second hand and ethical fashion is the perfect way to indulge my love of clothes without any guilt and hopefully inspire others to get involved too.”

Future plans for the Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog include a monthly new letter with ethical fashion news, tips and offers, plus affordable ethical fashion and vintage clothing guides.

For further information
www.ethicalfashionblog.com
Email: ceri@heathcotecommunications.co.uk

We are now moving away from summer and into the colder, wetter and windier weather of autumn  and winter. Time to pack away the flip flops and sandals and treat your feet to something a little more sturdy but that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style (or your ethics). There are plenty of beautiful shoes for autumn and winter that have been made with respect for the environment including boots for daytime wear and more dressy shoes for evenings out to take you right through to  the festive season. Here are just a few of out picks.

All of these shoes are by Dream in Green, an eco brand that used vegetable tanned leather and recycled materials. They are also manufactured in Europe and made with strong eco principles. I love the practical wedge heels and the details like the cute collar on the first ones.

These on trend boots are all from the eco brand Pikolinos which is know for making high quality comfortable shoes. Again they use eco friendly materials like vegetable tanned leather.

Finally, if you are addicted to cosy ugg boots in the winter, Po-zu make a great eco friendly version that have a unique coconut foot mattress making them super comfortable.

If you spend all day on your feet or walk a long way, comfort is likely to be pretty high on your priority list when it comes to choosing shoes.

Po-Zu shoes have also put a very high priority on your comfort when designing shoes, along with caring for the environment and ethical manufacture. As if this wasn’t already the makings of a great shoe, they have also added in a healthy dose of quirky style. These shoes are perfect for those who want to stand (comfortably) apart from the crowd and make a statement with their shoes. 

The styles are also smart, feminine and versatile so you can be sure to get plenty of wear  out of them. Po-Zu shoes are made from completely natural materials and have an amazing foot mattress made from coconut fibres which moulds to the bottom of your feet.

These beautifully made Hop sandals are not only perfect for the end of this summer, but will last for many summers to come. When you no longer want them, you can bury them in the ground to biodegrade.

For the autumn and winter you can keep your feet super warm and comfy in these Pep sheepskin boots.

These Lola shoes are perfect for everyday wear- they go with everything. We love the cork detail.

Birkenstock is a German brand of shoe that has been manufactured since 1774. The Birkenstock has always been about the wearers comfort and has a characteristic cork and rubber footbed which is moulded to the shape of the foot. It is thought that the first Birkenstock sandals were originally made by  Johann Adam Birkenstock, but it was in 1897 that his son Konrad Birkenstock developed the first contoured insole to be used for bespoke shoes.

Birkenstocks are now worn all over the worn all over the world and are particularly loved by those in professions that are on their feet all day. Birkenstocks originally became popular in the US with flower children in the sixties but in the 1990’s they again experienced a surge in popularity. These days they are seen as a classic piece of summer footwear to be worn with a variety of summer clothing without socks.

As well as traditional Birkenstocks, you can also get Birki’s for children and a more feminine version of the original design - Papillio from online shoe retailer Spartoo. There are some great colours and prints available, making them a great way to add a bit of interest to your summer outfits. Try wearing with your seventies flared jeans for true seventies style.

The great thing about swapping and buying second hand clothes is that although you might not be buying the latest designer collection, if you know what to look for you can find some great pieces that work perfectly with the seasons new fashion.

Get some fashion inspiration for your swapping and shopping with these 5 trends for SS11.

Stripes - stripes are one of those looks that are always on trend. For SS11 they featured heavily in the Prada collection, a sure sign that they are going to be huge for SS11.

Floral Prints - another look that never really goes out of fashion floral prints just keep on coming back. There were some amazingly bright and colourful prints featured on the catwalk at D&G for SS11.

Bright Colours - the perfect way to get yourself noticed bright colours were the perfect contrast the neutral colours that have become so popular recently. Look out for neons and juicy citrus colours to brighten up your spring wardrobe.

Maxi Skirts - hemlines will be moving downwards for the spring with long ankle length and mid calf length skirts and dresses. As maxi dresses have been popular for some time now there are likely to be some great second hand choices available.

The Seventies - the seventies will have a huge influence o Spring fashion with flare, maxi’s and pussycat bow blouses all featuring. Also watch out for that Studio 54 disco style.

For more ideas on trends for the season ahead check out www.theshoppingforecast.com

Vintage fashion fairs

Here at the Fashion Buzz, we can’t wait until the weekend because Sunday (23rd January) will be the first Vintage Fashion Fair London of 2011. The event which is held at Cecil Sharp House in Primrose Hill, will be open between 11am and 5pm and will feature a large selection of vintage stalls selling clothing, accessories and textiles from a range of decades. In addition to its regular stallholders the fair will also feature a number of new stallholders.

We love vintage fashion because it offers a refeshing change from shopping on the high street and is a great way to get a different and unique outfit. There are so many different styles of vintage clothing that there should be something for everyone. For those who like to keep up with the latest fashions, the styles or the fifties, sixties and seventies are all likely to be having a big influence on fashion this spring and summer.

If you need a treat to get rid of those post Christmas blues, there are sure to be some real gems at the fair, perhaps some original designer pieces by Chanel, Dior or Ossie Clarke.

For further information visit Vintage London Fashion Fairs

The snow has arrived leaving many of us completely unprepared. For the artic like conditions that we are experiencing in the UK at the moment, the most practical type of footwear has to be warm boots with a good grip. In deep snow taller styles of boot are a good choice. For some it is also important no matter what the weather that they have a minimal impact on the environment.

The eco brand El Naturalista at Spartoo make the perfect eco friendly shoes for winter and keeping warm in the snow. All of the designs are concieved with the greatest respect for the environment using materials like vegetable tanned leather and natural rubber. They also have practical and comfortable soles (these boots were made for walking!).

Organico Fimi

This boot has a sheepskin lining and attractive lacing detail. It is also gathered at the top to keep your feet extra warm.

Inuit Fogh

This traditional style of laced up boot is inpired by the Inuit and so perfect for the colder weather.

Nido Trambu

For a more versatile style of boot that will work for more than just snow and cold weather.

Looking stylish in the snow can be a difficult task. But a great pair of boots to tuck your trousers in to can help you to look incredibly stylish. They will also help to stop you slipping over on the ice (not a stylish look)