Sustainable chic fashion choices

Can we make sustainable chic fashion choices? How conscious are we of sustainability and ecology when we make our fashion choices? Personally I like to buy clothes made from good quality fabrics. Items that may initially involve a higher purchase price but in the long term lead to a better cost per wear ratio. I always read the fabric composition on a garment before purchase.

Recently I have been doing some research into ethical and environmentally sustainable fashion. I was agreeably surprised.

I think in my mind I had a concept that “ecco fashion” was a bit ethnic and hippie. I was wrong there are some great sustainable brands out there offering a high level of design.

“Waste not want not” a quote from my mother. I like to recycle my clothes. The first option being to have them altered by a qualified tailor in order to update the style. If they are still good quality but no longer fit into my wardrobe or lifestyle I either sell them on eBay or give them to my local charity shop.

My cream jacket is a few years old from Zara (not very sustainable) but I do intend to get a couple more years wear out of it.

SHOP PEOPLE TREE

Other brands that claim to operate ethical and environmental programmes:-

A quote from MarksandSpencer “Plan A, our ethical and environmental programme, underpins everything we do, from sourcing responsibly and reducing waste to helping the communities in which we operate. It is a business plan that maps out our route to providing leadership in a world that’s increasingly resource-constrained and experiencing social change”.

“Make it matter” policy at MarksandSpencer. Their sustainable cotton range.

Eileen Fisher is another brand that takes sustainability seriously. Read their story

SHOP EILEEN FISHER

SHOP EAST

Hopefashion source as ethically as possible “Women want to know the provenance of their clothes and we work tirelessly to ensure that all the items are ethically sourced and manufactured.

I am not perfect and admit to the occasional purchase from a cheaper fast fashion brand however I try to spend my money on clothes that will stand the test of time as opposed to what might be termed as “throw away fashion”.

I am sure there are other ethical brands that I am not aware of. If you know of any that you like and can vouch for their sustainability do please share them with us.

All photos taken at Kew Botanical gardens by photographer Laura Hines. Follow her on Instagram. She has recently posted some stunning photos of seascapes and city architecture.

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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View Comments

littleblackdomicile says:

26th June 2017 at 13:45

You are so right that in our, ah slighting more mature minds, ego friendly must mean less colorful and Euell Gibbons like clothing. Happy to see it does not! -Laurel
Lynn says:

26th June 2017 at 16:43

Not a fan of the wide leg trousers you are wearing! Just my opinion though.
Julie aka Jaf_in_the_box says:

26th June 2017 at 22:04

I love this combo. With the white jacket and the hat, it looks so chic! Julie x
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  27th June 2017 at 10:02
  
  Thanks Julie. I feel very good in this style.
Christine says:

26th June 2017 at 22:16

Beautiful outfit. I make a lot of my own clothes so know who made them and try to buy good quality fabric but it is not easy to find out where and how it was made.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  27th June 2017 at 10:06
  
  Hi Christine
  It is great if you make your own clothes. Very ecological. I agree about the origin of fabrics. I used to think viscose was OK however according to a programme on BBC radio4 woman's hour the other day some of the processes in manufacturing viscose pollutes the local water.
Susan B says:

27th June 2017 at 00:02

Love that print! Yes, I've been making a considered effort to support those brands who are committed to sustainable and ethical practices. And buying good quality pieces that don't need to be replaced as often.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  27th June 2017 at 10:01
  
  Hi Susan
  Yes I think we are all becoming a bit more discerning in what we buy.
MaureenC says:

27th June 2017 at 08:27

That is stunning on you and brilliant in warmer weather I should think
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  27th June 2017 at 09:58
  
  Hi MaureenC Yes it is fantastic in warm/hot weather. I wore it to a summer garden party on a very hot day and felt very comfortable. It is made of Tencel.
Sharon says:

27th June 2017 at 14:04

Thank you for the list of places to shop. I just ordered something from Marks & Spencer. They now have a Canadian Web Site where the price is in Cdn$ and all taxes and duties are included. I used to shop there when they had Canadian Stores back in the 1980's. Love this outfit on you. Very summery.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  28th June 2017 at 09:58
  
  Hi Sharon
  Glad you are liking our M&S. I knew they had a US site thanks for letting me know about the Canadian one. They have some good styles this season if you look carefully. I have just bought a cotton dress with I hope to photograph soon while I am down in France.