Sustainable and ethical fashion and beauty (for those interested in style and beauty)

[SuperSketchy]

I wanted to start a thread about sustainable and ethical fashion, for people who like to look their best or who need to look good for work or whatever.

I love secondhand shops and am always on the lookout for tips on how to shop better in them. I am also a fan of sites like Vestiaire for secondhand, higher end items.

I also like finding eco friendly brands, who are 'walking the walk' as well as 'talking the talk'.

Obviously, the best thing for the planet is to make do with what we have in our wardrobes, but for people who also like to look current or who wouldn't be taken seriously at work if they came in in clothes which were worn out, I'd like to discuss looking good and also being as sustain as possible.

I like doing fashion 'fasts' and also follow a few low buy fashion content creators, like Alyssa Beltempo.

Would anyone like to join me for some sustainable and ethical S&B chat?

People who have no interest in how they look and only wish to stay warm and protect the planet, I truly applaud you, however, this may not be the place for you, although of course anyone is welcome

This is a great thread! Friends of mine have started a company called Sioda as a stand against fast fashion, which provides a subscription service so you can hire clothes instead of buying things. The clothes that they are offering are all very high quality and they're very aware of environmental issues etc. I've got a wedding soon and I'm going to hire a dress for it!

The website is siodauk.com/

I love charity shops and used to buy all my clothes this way but ended up with a really random wardrobe over years and never seemed to have any good basics. Ths year I have tried to stock up on good quality items which will last but I have felt frustrated and guilty by the packaging. I have tried a few 'ethical' companies like Tentree, and some places, like Seasalt and Jigsaw have paper packaging. I guess the most sustainable option would be to go back to making our own clothes out of curtains

Very Julie Andrews Bonmonkhouse

I would love to learn how to alter or patch up my clothes a bit better, as I imagine that would make my clothes look better for longer. I can do things like reattach a button or sew a seam back together if it goes and I do this, but I'd love to learn how to do it better or yes, how to make a new item out of old fabric! Maybe not curtains though...

@SuperSketchy

How is the length in things like hoodies and leggings at Rapanui please? Not that I'm buying anything at the moment due to 90 day nothing new pledge, but maybe another time.

I had to send back a hoodie from Rapanui as the arms were too long but I'm 5'2 at a stretch.

Oh interesting! Obviously annoying for you country, but I have to admit if I read a review and it says "far too long" I usually think "that might fit me then"!

Yes, perhaps not using "nothing but some old drapes!"

I would also love to be able to sew better. My DD hands her guide badges over to one of the grandmothers...

supersketchy I think the same when I see too short. I wish people leaving that kind of review would put their height on it.

This is my perfect thread! Thanks @SuperSketchy for setting it up.

I restrict myself to one nice new item a year - something that I'll definitely wear over 30 times. Tends to be a jumpsuit from L F Markey (who seem to be quite ethical but they're not on the Good On You ratings directory.goodonyou.eco/) so can't really tell. But they're small and seem to know their supply chain really well. Community Clothing's already been mentioned but it's brilliant for staples - really recommend their socks!

My top tip is go to the poshest area in your town and root around. I live in London and the charity shop chains send their best stuff onto the nicest areas. I'm the proud owner of a couple of Comme des Garcon dresses which were a fraction of the price (though still quite expensive!). Comme des Garcon got an awful ethical rating with Good on You but because it's second hand I don't worry! Also, with eBay, if you know your size and fit in a certain brand, something will always come up. I got a pair of MaxMara trousers for £8 - absolutely beautiful fit.

Ethically produced undies... now that's what I really need... Any suggestions?

Just wanted to recommend the instagrammer Tess Montgomery for this.

That's brilliant @mrstea301 , I'll definitely look at that next time I'm going to a do. I'm trying to dress more sustainably, I've tried out different ways of doing it (spending more on good basics that will last, bits and pieces from eBay), not quite got it right yet, I still have far too many clothes, but getting there I hope.

Yes, thanks for that mrstea! Great idea, especially for events.

They’re honestly fab! I’m a bit biased as I know the founders, but I’ve seen the clothes that they have and many of them are brand new, some still with tags when they get them! They’ve got loads of workwear etc as well, so there’s plenty of options if you wanted to try out a new way of dressing for work or anything!

For people saying they get bored with their clothes.

I often re-dye things or get them better fitted at an alteration shop, sometimes I attempt DIY.
It doesnt always work but often a fresher colour or better fit gives a complete new lease of life and you really enjoy wearing it.
I had a chunky cream cable knit cardigan from Brora secondhand. It somehow looked a bit daggy and unflattering. I dyed it with dylon hand dye in navy and its come up a lovely soft mid blue. My husband says I am now permitted to wear it outside :D

That’s a really good idea @madamceladon. I like the idea of dying or altering to give things a new lease of life.

@madamceladon

For people saying they get bored with their clothes.

I often re-dye things or get them better fitted at an alteration shop, sometimes I attempt DIY.
It doesnt always work but often a fresher colour or better fit gives a complete new lease of life and you really enjoy wearing it.
I had a chunky cream cable knit cardigan from Brora secondhand. It somehow looked a bit daggy and unflattering. I dyed it with dylon hand dye in navy and its come up a lovely soft mid blue. My husband says I am now permitted to wear it outside :D

Brilliant idea.

I've been thinking about dip dying an oasis cream dress which I love the shape of but have got a stain on and just can't shift.

I just haven't pushed myself to actually do it!

Maybe I'll do it abs upload a before and after!

@Hereforthedramaz

Sounds really fun! Do it!

Yes, dramz I'd love to see a before and after of that!

Check if it's silk or polyester satin though, as I think some dyes only work on natural fibres iirc? I've dyed silk and cotton with great results and also one of the modern sustainable fibres (tencel or modal or one of those...think I was tencel). Maybe someone more knowledgeable can confirm though.

Totally agree @madamceladon. I have three summer full length dresses - one silk, two cotton which I loved but the thin straps just didn't feel right any longer. I had a dress maker make them into skirts as the material is gorgeous - have worn them so much this summer.

@SuperSketchy

Yes, dramz I'd love to see a before and after of that!

Check if it's silk or polyester satin though, as I think some dyes only work on natural fibres iirc? I've dyed silk and cotton with great results and also one of the modern sustainable fibres (tencel or modal or one of those...think I was tencel). Maybe someone more knowledgeable can confirm though.

Good point, it has got an element of stretch in it which is partly why it's a nice shape. I'll do some fabric research to see if it would work.

Assuming it will work ok I shall get dye ordering and update!

Loving this thread btw, I've just signed up for thrift and bought myself a vintage Volkswagen camper used T-shirt from Vinted.

I'm all in on second hand etc

So, I am obviously not buying anything new at the moment, as I've done this 90 day pledge.

But, I did order last week, a new bra and pants from Molke. They aren't to everyone's taste, but I love them, mainly for comfort. They're made in Scotland and are (I think) an ethical brand. I'm wearing the wonder woman set as we speak

Also, not style related, but I've just cleaned my oven using bicarb and vinegar. Is it exactly as good as something caustic and horrible? Probably not, BUT, my kitchen doesn't stink, I didn't have to faff about wearing gloves etc, and my oven isn't going to start sending out stinky smoke next time I switch it on. So I'd say I definitely prefer the bicarb option.

I discovered recently that Oxfam sell second hand clothes online, don’t know if this is widely known.

I think I remember looking for wedding dresses on Oxfam online! I hadn't thought of looking there in ages, so thank you for the reminder

@SuperSketchy

How is the length in things like hoodies and leggings at Rapanui please? Not that I'm buying anything at the moment due to 90 day nothing new pledge, but maybe another time.

I haven’t worn the leggings in ages (because it’s Summer) but I seem to recall they are quite long (I’m 5’5”)

I haven't bought any small binbags for a year because I use the plastic bags my new clothes come in instead.

Wolf & Badger stock ethical, independent brands and is a great way of finding gems from smaller traders. I love the clothes by Sugarhill Brighton in particular, and there are some great bargains to be had in the sales.

www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/pages/about/