Posh Swaps Blog

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.

Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog is celebrating its fourth anniversary with an exciting competition for fashion bloggers. The competition has prizes worth over £300 including £100 vouchers to spend at Spartoo shoes, a £50 voucher for People Tree and a pair of handmade earrings.

The aim of the competition is to get fashion bloggers thinking about ethical fashion by creating an outfit that contains at least one piece of ethical fashion including vintage, charity shop and upcycled clothing and accessories. It is open to all UK Fashion Bloggers with a Twitter account and the closing date is 28th November. You can find out more about the prizes and how to enter over at Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog.

Ceri Heathcote of Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog has also just created a new group called Ethical Fashion Bloggers, that will provide a platform for bloggers to network with other bloggers that have an interest in ethical fashion, promote  their blogs and work with ethical brands. It is not just for those that only blog about ethical fashion, it is for anyone with an interest. Bloggers can find out more and join the group here. Ethical Fashion Brands can keep up with what the group is doing by signing up to their newsletter here.

Havaianas women’s sandals have stood for style, comfort, affordable luxury, and positive energy for over 45 years. Inspired by the traditional Japanese sandal with fabric straps and rice-straw soles, Havaianas is known for their eye-catching sandals since 1962, with their signature logo-emblazoned thin strap and foot-beds with a textured rice pattern.

Featured styles include our slim line of women’s sandals for the ladies whose feet run just a bit more petite, and our Conservation International Line, which donates 7% of sales of these nature-patterned flip flops to social environmental projects in the Brazilian shoreline. The Havaianas Bridal Collection of women’s sandals in delicate pastels and jeweled straps. And whether we’re offering fun options like glow-in-the-dark flip flops, metallic burnishings or the chance to customize your own pair of women’s sandals, you’re sure to feel at home in any pair you choose.

You’ll also feel comforted knowing that Havaianas is doing their part to help conserve the environment, with their support of Conservation International and The Institute for International Research, a non-government organization in Brazil dedicated to promoting science, education and sustainable business. And Havaianas employs environmental sustainability methods, such as electricity and water consumption, residue recycling and environmental conservation training for employees right in their own factory.

Havaianas are always in season. Visit us.havaianas.com to get started on finding the perfect pair today.

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.

Who says that eco shoes have to be boring? There seems to be some preconceived that anything eco friendly in terms of fashion is going to be hippyish lacking in colour and just a bit dull. This is definitely not the case with new tecqniques used in the manufacturing of eco fashion being developed all of the time and some great eco shoe brands which manage to balance the need for style, comfort and sustainability so well.

We are loving the colourful range of eco shoes available from Spartoo on  a range of very desireable colours. they are made from sustainable materials including vegetable tanned leather which elimates the harmful chemicals and heavy metals which are used in the traditional process of tanning leather.

These boots are great for brightening up a plain old pair of jeans and adding a bit of colour to your day.

Recyclus Gygy- these bright and fun shoes by El Naturalista are completely biodegradable and 50% of the soles are made from biodegradable materials.

Inua Malada - this colourful patchwork design by Think is made manually and is completely biodegradable.

Two - these ontrend boots by Airstep not only work incredibly well with the seasons folk trend, but are also made of vegetable tanned leather will a gel insert for maximum comfort.

Theshoppingforecast.com has recently launched with a focus on cutting waste in the fashion industry by allowing retailers to make more accurate predictions on fashions and trends for the season ahead. The site will be the first of its kind to offer detailed information on customer preferences including by age, location and a number of other demographics based on user activity through a social site

Theshoppingforecast.com is an interactive site where users can vote, rate, comment, share, win and make outfits using pieces of clothing for the season ahead that have been picked out by the Style Council, a team of fashion enthusiasts. The site will provide information to retail buyers on preferences relating to various demographics whilst keeping data protection for the users as an upmost priority and not revealing any of it’s users details to third parties.

The site represents a significant step forward in the reduction of waste in the fashion industry which should not only represent financial savings for retailers but also greater customer satisfaction and environmental sustainability.

Site Founder Matthew Murfin commented ‘We are really pleased to offer a solution to the ever growing problem of waste in the fashion industry. The Shopping Forecast provides a win: win scenario for everyone involved. Shoppers get the opportunity to buy more of the clothes that they like, retailers can save money and improve their customer satisfaction at the same time and those concerned with the environment can help to reduce waste as well as making their preferences for sustainable fashion known by voting on The Shopping Forecast’

Theshoppingforecast.com was launched in September 2010 by Matthew Murfin with the aim of providing detailed quantitative data for fashion retail buyers as a solution to the problem of predicting trends for the season ahead. The site will provide data on style and colour preferences for women’s clothing by a wide range of parameters including age, geographic location,>. The site will not share any data on individuals with third parties.

Theshoppingforecast.com will also provide a fun and interactive social network where users can win prizes, earn incentives, share and discuss their favourite items as well as discovering what others think of what will be a hit, or not, in next season’s fashions.

 Visit www.theshoppinforecast.com for further information

For the first time Po-Zu’s entire Autumn-Winter shoe collection is online. The collection of natural and ethically produced footwear with a topsy-turvy theme is displayed on http://www.po-zu.com/

Warm in even the coldest weather, Po-Zu winter shoes are also breathable. This is achieved by lining them with bio-based materials, which are naturally thermal, such as unbleached and undyed pure felt wool and vegetable tanned sheepskin. This season Po-Zu also treats tweed, felt and sheepskin shoes with an eco-friendly water-resistant coating. Waxed suede shoes are treated with coconut shoe cream to improve water resistance.

The women’s Piper boot is a new, taller version of the old favourite style Pep. With lacing at the back, the shaft become fully adjustable to provide a snug, perfect fit. The vegetarian Joy and Yew styles now come in elegant mixed-colour tweeds with fine blotched-pattern.

As for the men’s range, there is a new Chelsea boot called Che,that has a unique elasticated gusset moulded in natural latex, embossed with the repeat pattern of the Po-Zu butterfly. It’s a refreshing alternative to the typical synthetic woven elastic and is also longer lasting. Technically speaking, the entire range comes with the Butterfly Suspension Mechanism at the heel; it softens the impact as the foot hits the ground. Sandwiched between the sole and the inner-sock lies Po-Zu’s unique coconut fiber ‘foot-mattress’. This dream mattress gradually moulds to the shape of your feet, making them feel incredibly rested.

Po-Zu was launched in 2006 with the aim of setting new standards in ecological and ethical

footwear manufacturing. Its shoes are made from carefully selected natural materials that are healthy for your feet, safe for all the workers throughout the supply chain, and kind to the environment.

By stitching all the components together, Po-Zu avoids harmful glues, making its shoes more breathable, durable, repairable and recyclable.

The brand’s other prime purpose is to provide maximum comfort. The experience of walking or even standing in Po-Zu shoes is absolute pleasure. Thanks to its unique ‘foot-mattress’ feet feel incredibly rested. The coir ‘foot-mattress’ also provides great air circulation to keep feet dry, and good insulation from both hot and cold climates. Po-Zu’s original shoebox was nominated for the UK Green Awards 2006, for best packaging.

The biodegradable coconut box can be used as trays to grow seeds. As the plant grows, the entire packaging can be planted into the ground where it eventually decomposes into the earth.

Following its commitment to produce products that are as non-toxic as possible, Po-Zu launched in 2007 a shoe cream that is so safe it can be eaten. Apart from treating leather, the Edible Shoe Cream is also an all-in-one beauty product that can be used as a lip balm, skin moisturizer, hair conditioner, massage oil and cooking oil. It can even be spread on toast for a nutritious snack.

Choosing a pair of boots for winter is all about finding a really snug and warm option. If you like keeping up with the latest fashion, you are lucky this year as outdoor wear, alpine sports and shearling linings are all key trends and all really cosy. There are also plenty of ethical choices of outdoor boots made from natural materials and vegetable tanned leather.

Our favourites are from the El Nauralista range at Spartoo. A collection of boots inspired by Inuits who live in artic conditions and know more than most how to keep their feet toasty warm.

Inuit Fogh These boots would look amazing with leggings and a  chunky knit jumper or cape plus an oversized knitted scarf.

Organico Fimi - These boots would look great worn over skinny jeans for a very stylish winter outfit. They have a warm lining and a stylish design made from different pieces of leather sewn togther.

Inuit Koki - Another great pair of boots, this time ankle height which is great for wearing with trousers.

Vegetarian or vegan shoes are made using materials that are not derived from any animal products. This will include leather and even the glue that is often used to fix shoes together and is made from animal bones.

People wear vegan and vegetarian shoes for a number of reasons. For some it is part of a lifestyle choice which is combined with a preference for not eating meat either due for ethical or animal welfare reasons. For others it is more about the environmental impacts that are associated with the rearing of animals whose skins are used to make the leather and the tanning of the leather which uses a cocktail of damaging chemicals. For some people the choice of vegan shoes is about the choice to live a more healthy and chemical free life.

If you choose to wear vegan and vegetarian shoes you can be sure that animal will have suffered in any way in order to produce your shoes.

But aren’t synthetic alternatives to leather damaging to the environment?

Yes many synthetic alternatives to leather have a significant environmental impact which includes the use non renewable resources (oil) to make them, the pollution caused by their manufacture and their inability to bio degrade at the end of their useful life. Whilst these alternatives may be acceptable for those who don’t wear leather shoes purely because of animal welfare, it is difficult to say whether the different aspects of their environmental impact adds up to more or less than that of leather. If you want to ensure that you are choosing the most eco friendly vegan shoes you should look for the completely natural alternatives to leather. Specialist manufactures of ethical shoes like Po-Zu vegan shoes make natural and bio degradable vegan shoes in a variety of materials including cork, natural latex, coconut husk and organic hemp.

So are vegan and vegetarian shoes as long lasting as leather shoes?

It depends on the type and style of shoe and the material that it is made from. It will also depend on how you look after the shoes. Hemp is incredibly strong and a good alternative to leather for casual shoes. It is also breathable and can be dyed many different colours. If the shoes are manufactured well and looked after they should last well.

Do vegan and vegetarian shoes look as good as leather shoes?

This is all about individual taste. Many people like the look of leather and there are some leather alternatives that look almost identical to leather. However these are usually synthetic and so not great for the environment. Other alternatives to leather include wool, hemp and cork can be made into beautiful, stylish and fashionable shoes. There are plenty of styles available so you should be able to find some that you like the look of.

Vegan and vegetarian shoes are a great way to minimise your impact on the environment aprovided that you choose natural alternatives. You should shop around for great styles that are good to look at, hard wearing and long lasting.

An eco fashion company from the Isle of Wight is taking on fashion’s last big challenge –making eco fashion cool.

Rapanui use eco-textiles like organic cotton and bamboo, trade and manufacture ethically using renewable energy and host an award winning traceability tool on their website where shoppers can quickly find out exactly how and where their clothing is made. Now that they have established an eco-friendly supply chain the company has turned its attention to the design challenge – turning eco-fashion around from hippy to hip.

Their women’s collection is about creating super soft, flattering basics- eco fashion essentials that are made to last and outlast seasons. From knickers and socks to leggings and great basic t-shirts,

Rapanui have created a collection full of wardrobe essentials made ethically from natural, organic materials – eco clothing that packs a serious style punch.  

Designer Martin Drake-Knight  states “We all know, at the back of our minds, that fast fashion has some quite serious and negative consequences, but it can be hard to find out exactly where clothing comes from and how it is made, and the ranges that clearly are eco-friendly are also clearly not chic. At Rapanui we want to change that, and make it convenient for people to shop quickly, with a conscience. Eco Fashion no longer has to be exclusive or expensive.”

Rob Drake Knight, Co Founder, continues, “The great thing about using eco-fabrics is that they are naturally softer, more breathable and comfy. We’ve also developed initiatives like Traceability and Eco-labelling to make ethical shopping easier on the high street and online.”

The brand says that it’s not that people don’t care about these issues, it’s just they don’t know and suggest that fashions unique power to inspire trends could be used to some good.

Rapanui are winners of the 2010 Sustainable Business Awards, Runners up at the 2010 Enterprising Young Brits Awards and finalists at the 2010 RSPCA Good Business Awards. Rob and Mart Drake-Knight are also listed on the Future 100 List of Top Young Ethical Entrepreneurs.

So take a look at their women’s organic clothing and do your bit for nature.