Inkkas: My snazzy ethical high-tops!

I spent most of my time at Who's Next scouting out ethical shoe brands, because like many others, I find shoes one of the most difficult things to buy ethically without compromising on style. Wandering around with my flatmate, we spotted the Inkkas stand from a long way off, thanks to its snazzy display of high-tops and low-tops made from stunning South American textiles. And their ethical credentials were on display too: all shoes are handmade in Peru, and 10% of every sale goes towards protecting the Amazon rainforest.

Inkkas only use authentic South American textiles in their shoes, which gives them their unusual look. The company is 'committed to ensuring the health, happiness and well-being of its workers', and ensures that their artisans are paid well above average, working in a hazard-free work environment, and following the 10 principles of Fair Trade. Inkkas also work with Amazon Watch, which promotes the protection of the Amazon rainforest and the civil rights of the indigenous people who live there.

It was really interesting chatting to the founder, Dan Ben-Nun, about his journey so far with this great start-up (only founded in 2012!). The brand seems to be doing really well already, and you can even find some styles stocked at Urban Outfitters. But for the full range, check out the Inkkas website!

Dan was kind enough to offer me a pair to test out. I opted for the Concrete Jungle high-tops - what do you think? I styled them up with the brightest outfit I could think of. You can never have too many patterns!

So what's the verdict? Really comfy shoes that look cool, give back, and that you can be either silly or sensible in (see above).

How would you style yours?

(...and as a quick note, I'm off travelling for the next month, so see you all in September!)

Sadie xxx
 

Disclosure: I received a free pair of shoes as compensation for this post but all opinions are my own!

Silly trousers

My blog has been somewhat lacking in the whole 'Sadie's Wardrobe' department lately, mainly due to the ridiculously long winter, a shortage of space, and a shortage of time (and a shortage of chocolate-based incentives). However, here in France, May is basically ALL bank holiday, giving me a chance to a) move the furniture around in the flat so I have a place to do my best posing and b) don silly outfits without the risk of The Metro Stare.

On reflection, this outfit isn't even that silly, and I'd put it on in England without batting an eyelid. As for the top half - well, who actually does their hair and make up on a bank holiday? Not me, that's for sure! So I will leave my giant spot and bright-orange-towel-wrapped hair to the imagination.

But outfit photos aren't all lies, don't worry... I do plan to face the commute AND the office in this attire next week.

I bought the trousers for just €5 at 'Vintage Desire' in Montmartre, just around the corner from Abbesses and Tudo Bom. According to the shopping bag, there are actually two in Paris (I think I have been to the other one as well without realising it!).

Addresses:
28 rue Yvonne le Tac
75018

32 rue des Rosiers (right next to loads of amazing falafel places!)
75004

Sadie xxx

P.s. I must confess that my sandals are a new purchase and are not ethical. However, I have made sure that they are excellent quality and built to last, as a sort of justification - and they are my only pair of sandals.

Hedgehog print! (Aimée by People Tree)

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of silly prints! If you open up my wardrobe (or rather, look across my room at my temporary year-abroad-clothes-rail), you are greeted with a ridiculous mix of 70s flowers and 60s geometric designs (take a peek at some of my finest blouses here). I love each and every one!

My latest addition is this fabulous organic boxy hedgehog print top from People Tree, my favourite ethical brand. Isn't it cool?! Organic cotton is always preferable to conventional cotton, as it is more sustainable and means dangerous chemicals aren't leaked into the ground, affecting local producers' health. I've started thinking more about buying organic vegetables too, for the same reasons.

The best thing about People Tree is that you can trace your supply chain really easily - they provide information on which factory made each item. According to the website, this top was 'Made in India by Assisi Garments' - the less cloudy a supply chain, the less room there is for exploitation, this is all good in my books!

I had planned to wear it with some bright red tights and a skirt, but it was a bit chilly so instead I wore it with my new Monkee Genes. Seeing as they aren't even in the photo, I think I'll be posting about them in the near future!

This top is now 50% off in the People Tree sale, making it just £14. There are quite a few other amazing things to be found! If you can't afford their clothes at full price, this is an excellent chance for some fairly guilt free shopping! And if you can... can I tempt you with this fabulous Peter Jensen soldier print top?!

How would you wear this hedgehog print top?

Sadie xxx

P.S. If you were wondering how People Tree is able to have a sale and still pay its workers a fair price, have a look here.

The Fru-Gal Challenge

Famous in ethical fashion circles for its 'Green Carpet Challenge', Livia Firth's ethical lifestyle website, Eco Age, also plays host to the 'Fru-Gal Challenge'. The idea is this: bloggers, universities and members of the public are challenged to put together an ethical outfit for each day of the week, and take a photo of what they come up with! The site has already featured over 250 outfits, and recently I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to add 5 of my own.

Seeing as a bit of time has now passed since I took part, I thought I'd take this opportunity to post them here!

I'm not used to blogging such huge photos, but I promise it's for blog aesthetics rather than vanity, haha.

Monday: Retro Blouse

I have a thing for retro blouses, and this is just one in my ever growing collection! I love ‘matchy-matchy’ outfits, and retro shirts are just perfect for this: wear one thing of each colour featured in the pattern, and voilà, you have an outfit. This is especially good when it means you get to wear brightly coloured tights.

I bought the blouse from a vintage shop in Bristol, the skirt from a charity shop (shortened a bit), the belt from a carboot and the velvet jacket from a charity shop. The shoes are hand-me-downs from my mum.

Tuesday: Vintage Cardigan

I’m currently catching up on Mad Men (I know I’m a bit late to the bandwagon), and I couldn’t resist this rose-pink cardigan found at a vintage shop in Paris – it reminds me of something Peggy Olsen would wear! I bought the skirt in a charity shop the day before I moved here, and the belt is from my childhood dressing-up box. It’s a bit of a strange colour combination, but I quite like it!

Wednesday: Red and Blue

Here in Paris, there aren’t many charity shops, but I’ve found a replacement for when I just need a good old thrifting session. Guerrisol sells second hand clothes, mostly for under €5 a piece. If you have the patience to rummage, you can get some really good things, like this oversized cardigan which I bought for €3. It’s super warm and super slouchy, perfect for the weather at the moment. I’m wearing it with a People Tree dress and a belt from my childhood dressing up box. The only problem: people here don’t seem to wear much colour so I stand out a bit…

Thursday: My favourite things

This is my all-time favourite dress, which I picked up from the Motel Recycle and Re-invent range a few years ago. Combined with my all-time favourite cardigan (Jaeger, and cashmere, by way of a charity shop!), this is, well… my all-time favourite outfit. I’ve worn the cardigan so much that I’ve made a hole in the elbow, so I think a purchase of some elbow patches is in order...

Friday: Homemade

I’ve been buying up lots of vintage sewing patterns lately, and this sleeveless blouse is one of the things I made. It fits like a glove – that’s the beauty of making things from scratch! The skirt was €5 from the ultimate Parisian thrift store, Guerrisol, and I had to alter it a bit because it was just far too long. I really love sewing, and I would definitely encourage anyone who is in doubt to have a go!

The rose-pink cardigan is from a vintage shop and the shoes are hand-me-downs from my mum.


Want more from Eco Age?
Like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter! The Fru-Gal challenge also have their own Twitter profile.

Sadie xxx

P.S. Millions of thanks to my housemate for taking these photos!

Zig Zags

I've been having a bit of a work-wear-buying-bonanza recently, trying to find things that are smart but not totally boring! My placement in Paris is looming and I don't fancy being sneered at by those oh-so-chic Parisians as I bumble around looking utterly lost sporting un-ironed dresses and cardigans with missing buttons! Obviously I've been busy sewing up all the holes and replacing buttons on my current clothes, but my dress selection was looking alltogether rather uninspiring or completely unsuitable for a 'sophisticated' intern. Hence the new dresses from my #1 Fave: People Tree.

I'm totally enamoured with People Tree at the moment. It is without doubt my favourite ethical company, and seems to be slightly more fashion-led than some of the others. I've been astounded by the quality of every item I've ordered so far. You know when you feel a fabric and it just feels, well, luxurious? That's what you get - none of this flimsy throwaway Primark nonsense.

This little number is still available on the website, in the Outlet section, an absolute total bargain at £18.75 (reduced from £75!). That is the same price as your average Primark dress, so there are no excuses not to buy ethically!

Cheesey lovey-dovey alert: forget-me-nots handed to my boyfriend/patient photographer - he had better not forget me whilst I'm away! haha.

I was informed the other day that people in France tend not to wear too much colour so perhaps I'll tone down the tights when I first arrive...

Sadie xxx

Monkee Genes!

When I made the decision to start buying ethically earlier this year, I was a bit worried about how I'd buy

ethical jeans, having not heard of any companies who sold them - or at least, companies who had a choice of more than one or two styles. But Monkee Genes have saved the day with their huge range of design options... with 'Skinny', 'Supa-Skinny', 'Skin', Flares, 'Slim Fit', Shorts AND Chinos to choose from, in the largest selection of different fabrics and finishes I have ever seen (have a look here).

I chose their 'Skin' Fit style, which is the skinniest of all the styles available on their website. And I must say I'm genuinely very very impressed. These jeans use their 'Bamboo' fabric which is made from natural fibres known as Tencel (more sustainable than cotton), making them super soft. But the best thing I noticed about the fabric is that it somehow maintains the shape of the jeans. I've worn them most days since they arrived and they still feel as good as new every time. Nothing worse than baggy knees!

The jeans are made in a factory in Indonesia which is certified by the Soil Association, and has commitment to not using sweatshops and child labour - one of the brand's biggest selling points in my eyes. That, and the fact that they are so well made... I doubt I'll have any trouble with zips breaking or seams ripping after a close inspection of the details.

It's surprisingly hard to model jeans but I hope these photos give you an idea! Thought I'd roll up the legs a bit as it was a sunny day :).

Jeans c/o Monkee Genes, Vintage Lace top: Carboot, Vintage Blazer: Charity Shop, Shoes: Vintage shop in south of France!

For these photos I dared to venture to a public place with my tripod and camera remote. I spotted this location on my university campus a few weeks ago: a strangely 'forgotten' old changing room that is still in use as a ladies bathroom but contains hints of its former use (and décor!). The pipes I'm standing on were still connected to the central heating, and I assume once heated benches under the pegs. As soon as I walked in here I knew it needed to be used as an outfit location... just needed to pluck up the courage to face the risk of people walking in and having to awkwardly explain that I'm a 'fashion blogger', not just really weird...

So... who here hates posing for photos in a public place? I'm never doing it again, haha!

Sadie xxx

P.S. Monkee Genes have kindly offered 20% off for the rest of the month if you enter SADIES1220 at the checkout :). I'd really recommend them if you want to invest in a good quality pair of jeans. And they do half sizes too! Who'd have thought you could buy size 9 jeans?!

Jumpsuit

Lectures were cancelled today, so I got up to some serious procrastination in the form of prancing around in the 'conservatory' of my house, posing with pretty cupboards (?!) and experimenting with upside-down outfit shots. Needless to say, the reason why you don't see many upside down outfit shots is because they are hugely unflattering... Anyway, thought it would be the perfect occasion to show off my new vintage jumpsuit, which is a cross between crazy 80s maternity wear and something that is exceedingly cool. But mostly the former. Nevertheless, it's very comfy, so it's a winner in my books!

And you can do this...

(Out-take: You can never be unhappy in a jumpsuit!)

Sadie xxx

The Cleo Blouse by People Tree

Sorry to have been a bit absent over the past month - I've been a very busy Sadie, with a year abroad placement to secure (Hello, Paris!!), Oxfam blogger meetings to attend, fairtrade fashion shows to organise, societies to run and coursework to do... However, I had some daylight hours spare today and thought I'd take the chance to showcase my new People Tree blouse.

I bought it a) Because it's ethical, b) Because it's beautiful! and c) Because I'm going to need lots of office wear for my placement in Paris later this year. It's super chic, very comfy, and very easy to style, which makes it a winner in my books! It was also half price in the sale, bringing it down from £75 to £37.50, which is very cheap considering it contains silk and is handwoven, and the workers are paid fairly!

I'm now taking time to consider my wardrobe's ethical credentials, and aside from a small slip on a bag earlier this month, I think I'm doing fairly well. Of course, it helps that I don't have much money to spend anyway! I'm hoping this blouse will be a good investment, and take me through my 20s without losing its quality & stylishness.

I promise I ironed these!

Wardrobe-wise, I'm pretty pre-occupied with trying to find clothes suitable for the office but without losing my personal style too much (every worker's nightmare!). I refuse to become a corporate clone! Has anyone got any tips on what to wear at work?

Sadie xxx

Boutique by Jaeger

You'll have to excuse the label-loving nature of this post because, well, I just can't help it! I can't remember how I first found out about Boutique, a new line from luxury brand Jaeger, but I really do love the pieces in their collection, which is described as 'combining a playful ‘60s spirit with a clean, contemporary aesthetic'. Just up my street.

So you can imagine my delight when I went for a spontaneous look around Birmingham's Selfridges with my house mate, only to discover a large corner dedicated to Jaeger and its younger sibling... with a sale. It was only supposed to be a bit of post-dinner window shopping!

I picked up these blue corduroy high waisted shorts, reduced from £60 to £35 (although I have seen them on ASOS for £99!). They look like a match made in heaven with my vintage Jaeger blouse (£2, charity shop!), don't you think?



As you may or may not know, I am currently trying to shop much more ethically. I've tried to cut out cheap fast fashion completely from my shopping diet, leaving just three options when I want to buy 'ethically': second hand clothes, specific ethical brands, and 'luxury' brands (i.e. clothes built to last). Whilst I might not be quite there yet with my wardrobe choices, I'm hoping these shorts are 'built to last' - and after a quick once over, I can see the seams are nicely bound and the material is good quality. I hope they do not disappoint.

Sadie xxx