Summer lovin’

This year it feels like we’ve been blessed with a long a beautiful summer. Perhaps mother nature decided to make up for the hideous winter we all had and treat us with the long evenings, sunny days and flip-flop appropriate weather we’ve all dreamed of!

I always find that around this time I get itchy feet, and start trying to make travel plans in my head. I’ve been very fortunate this year that I’ve managed to have a few trips away for one reason or another, and have seen some wonderful places and met some amazing people.

My style also changes in the summer, and I put away my boots, coats and woolly tights and dig out my floaty dresses and sandals. I thought, in the spirit of this new found summer happiness, that I’d share a few of my favourite eco-friendly summer style pieces with you, and demonstrate how festival fashion can be friendly fashion too!

T-shirts:

I have recently invested in two t-shirts from Rapanui, an ethical fashion company based on the Isle of Wight. I have got to say, they are incredible. They’re made from bamboo which is eco friendly and SO soft… it’s like being in surf-style pyjama’s that are ok to wear out in public.

Dresses:

You cannot beat a People Tree dress. The pioneers of ethical fashion have teamed up with Zandra Rhodes to produce some stunning pieces this season. My personal fave is the Eloise rose print dress… an absolute stunner!

Jeans:

Despite the warmer temperature, we Brits love our jeans. My favourite eco friendly jeans are made by MonkeeGenes, who make all their trousers from organic materials (cottons and bamboos) and use responsible labour practices across their supply chain. They are often on sale on their website, and they’re available on ASOS too (hello student discount!). If you fancy trying them on, Oxford’s very own Indigo on Cowley Road stocks them too! Pop, say hi, and fall in love!

Sunglasses:

Monkeyglasses (there seems to be a theme here…) are a fantastic Danish company, who produce eye-catching (haha) sustainable sunglasses. I own a pair in green, and they always get me compliments.

Perhaps people get a case of the green-eyed monster? OK, dreadful puns aside, they are really awesome shades that do actually protect your eyes from the sun and are very durable. Mine have been dropped in a lake and fallen off my head whilst cycling and they’ve survived unscathed!

So, why not take a peek at your summer style and see what you can do differently to make it a little more sustainable!

Links:

www.monkeyglasses.com
rapanuicothing.com
www.peopletree.co.uk

Style-wise: More bang for your buck

It is undeniable; as we grow older there are just more places where we have to invest our money. So how is a feeling young and stylish person supposed to keep their wardrobe up to par? By learning where to throw down the big bucks and where going cheaper makes more sense with these simple tips:

Quality Over Quantity:

Let’s be honest there really is no need to have every item in every colour imaginable in your closet (even if you can afford to) so for items like these spend for your hard earned money quality items:

1.Winter Outerwear - As much as I would like to deny it, winter comes round every year and after the onslaught of this past winter I am so glad that I put some serious coin into purchasing just ONE coat for the season. Canada Goose has an amazing line of coats for both men and women and they are awesome but you are going to pay a pretty penny for them, this coat cost me about $600! Expensive I know but it is guaranteed for life and you are able to send it back to the company if there are issues for repair and cleaning. These coats NEVER go on sale so while it is still hitting the 90s, temperature wise, start putting aside some money for a purchase like this in a subdued tone that really speaks to you avoiding the need for multiples. Trust me you won’t regret it.

2. Wardrobe basics (Work-wear, Casual) - Basics make up the vast majority of your every day wardrobe so why shouldn’t you purchase quality items? Fit is especially important for basics so you are more than likely need to get some alterations done. Buy pieces off season, while they are on sale, allowing you to have a designer cut and look for half the price.

Quality AND Quantity

Here are few areas where quality and quantity should be on par with one another whether you own a ton or just a few:

1. Footwear - Ladies please be kind to your feet! Take the time to learn about your feet and what they need for optimal performance whether you’re into heels, working out and/or flats. I assure you it is worth the money now to buy footwear that is comfortable and well constructed rather than fighting with insurance later to get your; feet, ankles, knees, and back fixed in surgery. That doesn’t mean that you have to go straight to Manolo Blahnik or Ferragamo but there are plenty of smaller brands that are offering well constructed foot wear that won’t leave you hobbling before your 50th birthday.

2. Undergarments - I believe that we women will spend most of our adult lives searching for that perfect bra. It is as rare as a purple unicorn but I assure you it is out there somewhere. But until you can find that perfect fit expect to have to commit a great deal of your budget to buying undergarments every year. Like footwear buying good quality here can save you a great deal of problem down the line.

Items to Save on:

These items have a sort lifetime in your closet and so there is no real reason to spend a bundle on them:

1. Trendy pieces - We all love to have pieces that are on trend for the season but they are just that a trend that will quickly fade away with the next season so instead of spending big for great quality check out what retailers like; H&M, Forever21 and Primark that carry the trends for less. That way you can indulge your inner fashionista without breaking the bank.

2. Handbags/Purses - Nothing brings an outfit together quite like the right handbag or purse but should you be spending your money on those expensive designer ones? I don’t think so. As great as they are at a certain number of bags the great majority will just end up in you closet collecting dust. Splurge on a one or two everyday bags as for the rest going cheaper really isn’t that bad and that way at least you will still have some money to carry around in it.

Whatever your budget maybe it will go that much further when you prioritise how and a where to spend it and you never know you may just have enough for fabulous night out with your girls or a holiday with your special someone.