Stripped Bare Fashion

Author: Kate1173

Gluten free wholemeal flour
After making Vegan mylk, dehydrate the strained-off pulp to make your own unique gluten-free wholemeal flour!

Besides making a delicious and wholesome raw baking ingredient, this is the most useful and least wasteful way to use the nutritious by-product of homemade Vegan mylk. You’re not really going to make this by itself, you’ll start by following my mylk recipe and when you get to the part that says “…you will have about a cup of pulverized nuts left in the straining bag. Don’t throw it away!!!…” just set aside the bag of pulp, finish making the mylk and then come back to this page.

Ok. Here we go…

Gluten free wholemeal flour

Ingredients

The pulp left over in the straining bag from making Vegan mylk… possibly any combination of nuts and grains such as almond, cashew, hazelnut, chia, oats, rice, hemp… it can be pure pulp, for example, if you’ve made pure almond milk, or any mixture you have used to make your mylk. If you’ve followed my recipe religiously there will be a trace of date and salt in there too…

That’s it.

Equipment

Wide, flat baking dish

Food processor

Method
1. Empty out the contents of the nut mylk straining bag you have used to make mylk.
2. Spread the mylk by-product, pulp, in a ceramic baking dish. It’s ready to blitz when it’s dry and crumbly…
  
  You should have roughly a cup and a half of pulp, the equivalent of a fist-sized ball (this is the cup of nuts and seeds used in the mylk recipe which is slightly expanded due to soaking.)
3. Break up the pulp and spread as thinly as possible across the baking dish.
4. I am lucky enough to have an AGA oven in my kitchen, the top of which is the perfect place to dehydrate food. If you are using an AGA, just sit the uncovered dish of pulp on top of a closed hot plate and leave it to dry out over night. **I have to say, I adore my AGA rangecooker… but my Falcon American -style fridge/freezer – which is also an AGA Rangemaster product – has been nothing short of an disappointing and expensive disaster (rusted/peeling front door, malfunctioning ice machine, 21°C in the fridge (I put things in there to warm up!), failed water filter and a “frost free” freezer like a dripping ice rink) … a disaster which despite only being 5 years old at the time of publishing, AGA Rangemaster could not care less about. I digress…
5. If you don’t have an AGA, just preheat your oven to its minimum temperature and place the uncovered dish of pulp on the bottom of the oven for 2-3 hours.
6. The pulp is finished dehydrating when it is hard and crunchy to touch, and crumbles between your fingers.
7. Place the dried pulp into a food processor and blitz until a fine meal is formed. The longer you blitz, the finer the meal. I like to give it several bouts, lightly shaking in between to make sure any lumps come to the surface. When you no longer see lumps upon shaking, it’s done.
8. Store your gluten free wholemeal flour in an airtight jug.
9. Use for baking – it’s particularly good used alone in fruit crumbles, shortbread biscuits or heavier cakes such as banana or carrot cake. I also use 100g blended with 500g of strong bread flour (rye, spelt etc) to make a dense, moist loaf of bread.
[author image=”https://strippedbarefashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Kate-Harcourt.png” ]Kate Harcourt is the Editor of Stripped bare fashion. She is also a freelance journalist specialising in ethical fashion, women’s issues and interiors. Her opinion pieces have been featured in local and international press and a small collection now appear in Don’t bother asking. As the single mother of six children, with a passion for healthy vegan and vegetarian food, she inevitably ends up spending a lot of time in the kitchen! Some of her simple, wholesome recipes are here: Stripped bare food. Kate loves to hear from potential collaborators or brands keen to promote their ethical products and services. Media information is here, or contact Kate via email: kate@strippedbarefashion.com[/author]
January 29, 2019
Vegan mylk
Making your own organic vegan mylk is so easy and so delicious! Whats more you know there’s nothing but the wholesome ingredients you put in, and no heat treatments (like used for supermarket varieties) which might reduce the goodness of your raw ingredients. Making your own mylk also provides you with a nutritious, gluten free by-product – Wholemeal Flour! – which you can then use in baking…

Here’s how you do it:

1 litre Organic Vegan Mylk

Ingredients

1 cup raw, organic nuts (see Method for recommendations)

1 organic date

1 tsp salt flakes

Approx 4 cups filtered water

♥

Equipment

Measuring cup and teaspoon

Jug blender able to finely blend nuts without blowing up

1 litre glass storage jug, or two 500ml jugs

1 large glass jug for straining into (a wide-ish mouth makes it easier to pour and strain into)

Nut mylk straining bag – Buy an organic cotton bag from A Fine Choice, or try Rawsome Creations’ “more than a Nut Milk Bag”

♥

Dry ingredients for Vegan mylk ready to be soaked overnight in the fridge

Method
1. Measure 1 cup of raw nuts or a combination of several kinds of nuts, seeds, grains and/or a sprinkling of desiccated coconut. Purists can go for a cup of almonds, a cup of cashews or a cup of Brazil nuts, or mix up your recipe by combining with chia, oats, rice, hemp seeds… or any combination. Just pack a cup! My personal favourite is 1/3 cup almonds, 1/3 cup cashews and 1/3 cup desiccated coconut.It’s nutty but without an overpowering almond taste and smell, creamy because of the richness of the cashews and a hint of coconut makes it a little sweet…
2. Soak those nuts overnight. Put them in a glass container, cover with approx 1 cup of filtered water and leave them in the fridge. This activates, softens and plumps them up.
3. In the morning, drain off the water and discard.
4. Put the nuts into a blender with approx 1 cup of filtered water.
5. Add the date for sweetness and the salt for balance. (You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I think it makes a sublime taste difference…)
6. Pour the blended ingredients into a wide mouthed jug lined with a nut mylk strainer
  
  Blend until very smooth. Give it a full 30 seconds and then pause for the bits to settle, then another 30 seconds.
7. Place nut mylk straining bag in glass jug for straining, and open it out securely over the rim.
8. Pour blended nut mixture into bag in jug
9. Make sure the bag isn’t sitting in the liquid as it drips through… I tie mine to the handle and leave gravity to pull it through for half an hour or so.
10. Gently squeeze bag to ensure all the liquid is out.
11. Sometimes – if I’m feeling impatient – I sit the straining bag between two small metal strainers and compress… though squeezing out the liquid by hand is more satisfying if you have time.
12. Allow the mylk to drop through into the jug, leaving the pulp in the straining bag
  
  When you are done you will have about a cup of pulverized nuts left in the straining bag. Don’t throw it away!!! – follow my recipe to make super-easy gluten free wholemeal flour here. But before you do that…
13. Pour the strained mylk into your glass storage jug(s). There will be less than a litre as you haven’t finished adding all the water yet.
14. Taste your mylk – it should be quite thick and creamy.
15. Top up your jug(s) with approx 2 cups of filtered water to make 1 litre of delicious MYLK. You can add less or more water to suit your taste, but as a rough guide, I suggest a cup of nuts makes a litre of good “milky” mylk.
16. Store your mylk in the fridge. It will separate when stored, just stir lightly with a spoon before using. Mylk can be used in hot and cold drinks, on cereal or anywhere you would normally use milk or store bought mylk. Best used within 48 hours.
Ta dah! A litre of wonderful tasting and nutritious Vegan mylk… store in the fridge and use within 48 hours!
January 29, 2019
Go on! Take the ethical fashion plunge
So who did make your clothes? You might not like the answer… photo courtesy of ShiftLondon.com

The reason people don’t buy ethical fashion is usually for one of two reasons;

They think it’s too expensive

or

They don’t know what to buy

So many of us aspire to be conscious consumers and value both the products we buy and, in principle at least, the people who make them. Fashion should be fun and creative, a source of pleasure as well as practicality, shouldn’t it?

At some point you’ve decided you would like to use your consumer power to encourage fashion retailers to provide safe working conditions and pay a living wage all along the supply chain…

Great! Here’s how:
1. DON’T CHUCK OUT all your fast fashion. It will just go to landfill, and if you care enough to boycott sweatshops, you probably care about the environment too.
2. DO FILTER through what you have in your wardrobe already. Bundle up anything that doesn’t fit, anything you haven’t worn for a year or anything you know deep down you just aren’t going to wear, and take it to your local charity shop or clothing recycler.
3. CONSIDER A PROFESSIONAL STYLIST in to help you assess your wardrobe for colours and styles that particularly suit you and make recommendations about what to buy in future. You might be surprised how affordable stylists can be… Besides, from now on your wardrobe is a collection you invest in, so buying great pieces and making minimal style mistakes is a good thing. Gotta say, I know a local (to me) Kent stylist (check out Elisa Traynor’s website here) who does colour analysis, wardrobe styling and – if you want to push the boat out – personal shopping too. She’s totally realistic about budget and all about wellbeing and body positivity. I have found her colour advice particularly useful when buying new pieces as well working out how to wear existing garments even if they’re the “wrong” colour.
4. PHONE A FRIEND. If you think hiring a stylist is a rubbish idea, but you have a friend who’s style you admire, maybe ask them to help. Notice for yourself what colours and styles you wear when you get a compliment, and which ones tend to get your friends asking if you’re ok, or make you feel like you need to hit the gym or pile on another layer of makeup.
5. BE SURE ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO BUY. You are no longer shopping on a whim, or buying something just because it’s reduced, or buying garments for a single wear. Be fussy. Only buy clothing you know will suit you and that you will wear for years to come. Invest in classic, beautifully made pieces. I can honestly say that the quality of every single ethically produced garment I have bought has been impressive. From super-soft kids’ t-shirts and jeans, to bamboo socks, linen shirts, gymgear, jackets, sunglasses… everything! Ethical manufacturers want your repeat business and they make products to last. (They also tend to have great customer service, so if you do have a problem, get in touch!)
6. RETURN ALL THE CATALOGUES you get through the letterbox and unsubscribe to all the fashion marketing emails. Even the ethical fashion ones!! They will only encourage you to impulse buy. When you need something new you will know. That’s the time to look.
7. LOOK AT THE LABELS! When you know what you have and what you want to buy, start doing some research into your favourite brands. The sad truth is that unless a brand markets themselves as ethical and has certified labelling to prove it, it’s highly unlikely that they are. If a company is going to go to all the trouble and extra expense of meeting ethical standards, they are going to display evidence loudly and proudly that they are doing so. Check out Ethical Consumer website for the labels to look for.
8. NO JOY WITH THE LABEL? Consider where your garment was made – clothing manufacturers are required by law to include a “Made in…” label in every garment.
  From the website “Good on You” click to see full article.
  
  Personally, I don’t want clothing brands to take their manufacturing away from China or the many third world countries that rely on our trade. I would just like those companies to pay their workers a living wage. Bear in mind that a living wage in Bangladesh is not the same as a living wage in the UK, so this wouldn’t necessarily hike up the prices of mass produced clothing in a dramatic way… what it would mean is that the largely female workforce could afford to eat, have somewhere safe to live, provide adequate childcare or education for their children (so they don’t become the next generation of slaves) and have a small amount of disposable income. However, in terms of avoiding sweatshops, some ethical shoppers choose to buy garments which are made in Europe, USA, Australia or any other country where workers’ rights are protected. Don’t kid yourself that these countries don’t have sweatshops too though! If the garment you’re buying is super cheap, it was probably made in a sweatshop. Use social media to ask the question, “Who made my clothes”. If you get a quick, clear answer, great! Kerching! If you get a lengthy ethical policy full of good intentions but no actual commitment to a living wage and safe working environment… it’s buyer beware. Most likely you will hear nothing. Come to your own conclusion.
9. GO THROUGH THE 5 STAGES OF LOSS AND GRIEF. It’s tough. But you can do it.
10. SEARCH FOR NEW BRANDS TO LOVE. There is an absolute plethora of exciting brands which go about setting up or using worker’s cooperatives, Fairtrade factories and the like. They empower employees, providing them with fair pay, healthcare, childcare and a chance to escape poverty and abuse. That’s something you want to be a part of! Some brands are listed in the Love this! section of this very website and over time I will try to list many more. But for now, be an eo-warrior and search on Ecosia (find out about Ecosia here) for ethical fashion, ethical clothing… something like that.
11. SHOP THE SALES. Some ethical brands are more expensive to buy than high street brands. It’s true. (But they last longer and mean you aren’t contributing to human trafficking, slavery etc, so it’s worth a bit more, right?) Try new brands when they come on sale. I am always surprised how early in the season this happens. My children and I are usually still wearing woollies when Summer clothing goes on sale, so wait till you actually want to wear new season’s clothing before you shop.
12. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE DELIVERY AND RETURNS. Not shopping on the high street (with very few exceptions) usually means you can’t try clothing on before you buy. Once you get to know a brand, you will know how it fits. In the early days, buy two sizes and return one, or just be prepared to send something back if it arrives and you don’t love it. Easy.
13. SPREAD THE WORD. Over a relatively short period of time you will develop a list of go-to brands. I make a point of giving these brands as gifts and telling anyone who compliments me where an item is from. Don’t forget to tag brands if you post images on social media too!
I always love to hear from readers about their ethical fashion journey… what brands do you love? How did you manage the change from fast fashion to slow fashion? What made you make your own pledge to shop sweatshop free? Let me know… Email: kate@strippedbarefashion.com Twitter: @manytimesmummy Insta: @stripped.bare.fashion

Featured image credits: “Who made my/your clothes?” dazedimg.dazedgroup.netdna-cdn.com, makeandbelievemagazine.com, ravishly.com
January 23, 2019
PICO pants

There’s ethical fashion which isn’t as bad as fast fashion, and then there’s ethical fashion which is beautiful, inspiring and thoroughly lovable. PICO is the latter.

Before we even start talking pants, you have to pop over to their website and have a look at the story of how their product is made… It strikes me that the first image is of organic cotton seeds, but they are not seeds alone, they are in the hands of the farmer who sows then. He/ She is the very first person in so many garment supply chains, whose life is undoubtedly improved by not being exposed to chemical farming. And on the story goes, through each process, detailing how PICO choose to minimise environmental impact and maximise social responsibility.

After their pants are constructed in a Fairtrade factory in India, they are shipped to the UK and appear online, ready for us to buy. When they arrive you’ll even find the packaging thoughtful, stylish and simple!

Men’s trunks

I was lucky enough to stumble across the PICO team at Fare Healthy, in 2016. I bought a pair of trunks for my boyfriend, who loved them so much he bought another three, and then another three and then another! He’s such a fan. Their “dark-navy grey” (which I have until researching this post thought was black) Trunk Shorts are really soft, comfortable and well fitting with a front pocket opening, and their New Trunks are slightly slimmer and fly-free.

Women’s knickers and briefs

I can’t say generally that I’m a fan of Big Knickers… or at least I wasn’t until my dear friend and Pilates teacher, Suzi, told me how confronting it is at times when her Pilates students bend and stretch in almost any kind of legging. Are you with me on the visual? (ie even if you prefer scanty panties for general wear, spare a thought for exercise instructors and consider investing in some of these…)

So I bought myself a couple of pairs for decency, and have to say, whether it’s the beautiful cut or the super soft organic fabric they’re made from, PICO pants can’t be beaten for comfort.

Naturally, I bought Suzi a couple of pairs of PICO pants for her birthday and she is now a convert too.

More than just pants… about PICO

PICO pants looks to be the first project run by two fashion and ethics inspired women. On their website, it’s really interesting to read about their careers and business development to date, and to see the whole supply and production chain illustrated so clearly. Here’s hoping for more exciting projects from these two in the near future!

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Do you know an underwear retailer with great ethics at the heart of their business? We’re always looking for interesting brands to feature… check out our media page for more information and get in touch.

June 27, 2018
Nobody’s Child

Ethical fashion for teens and young people

While organic and ethical babies’ and children’s clothing abounds, it suddenly dries up once your child turns about ten. By the time you have a teenager, you are often left with few options that are nothing short of compromise. This brand saves the day.

Mums and Dads looking to help their teens make sweatshop free fashion choices are going to love this one… Nobody’s Child. And the best bit is, your teens are going to love it too! And they’ll keep loving it right up until their twenties and thirties… The dresses might not be lined, the back might not cover bra straps and the tops might reveal a midriff, but that’s what they are supposed to be like! Garments are well and consciously made and not intended for those of us with, let’s say more mature expectations from our clothing.

Having said that, I’ve borrowed a few Nobody’s Child pieces from my daughter and loved wearing them myself. I’ve also shopped their accessories – lots of cute bags and sunglasses – which make perfect presents for Tweens.

Edgy cuts and up to the minute styling…

My eldest daughter was actually the first person in our house to discover Nobody’s Child and couldn’t wait to sit me down in front of the computer to peruse their fashion forward range. Edgy cuts, up-to-the minute detailing and styling which shows you exactly how to wear their garment right now. It’s become very much the go-to brand for both my teenage daughters.

Eco credentials

Environmentally, Nobody’s Child promote their hatred of waste and control their production process from fabric design and dyeing to knitwear, all in their own factories in the UK, Europe and Asia. More information here on their ethical credentials.

I think you’ll love it because…

And if you – or your youngster – think you can’t afford ethical fashion, think again. These are well made, sweatshop free garments at high street prices.

Topping it all off, the Nobody’s Business magazine is a lot of fun with styling and lifestyle tips that appeal to anyone interested in social media, vlogging, styling and young women’s issues (#girlpower hello!) …and there’s 15% student discount.

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I’d love to hear about ethical fashion brands your young people love! Email me at kate@strippedbarefashion.com or visit the media page for more details.

June 26, 2018
Gudrun Sjödén

Though I’m never quite sure how to say it out loud, Gudrun Sjödén (Good-run Show-den?!) is one of my favourite ethical fashion brands. Not only are her clothes fresh with colour and pattern, she is an inspired pioneer of ethical and environmentally responsible clothing.

Way before the #fashionrevolution began, Gudrun was pairing quirky prints with her hallmark stripes and encouraging women of all shapes, sizes and ages to wear vibrant, stylish clothing.

It’s quintessential feel good fashion.

In a previous role I was a brand ambassador for Gudrun Sjödén and had the chance to discover not just her clothing and accessory ranges, but also her homewares: bright and beautiful doormats and towels; glossy ceramics and glassware; rugs to fill a room with colour and pattern… as well as dreamy bedding and tableware textiles.

In a fashion world so flooded with conformity, cheap fabrics and poorly made, disposable, fast fashion, Gudrun Sjödén’s range is a breath of fresh air. Her shapes are designed for comfort and durability, they’re the kind of clothes you’ll enjoy wearing for twenty years as the textures soften and age.

Though her loyal customers adore Gudrun’s colour explosion styling, for those with a little less everyday flamboyance than the Nordic designer herself, rest assured, it’s not the only way to wear her clothes. Many items come in muted and neutral shades (deep navy, slate grey, black and white) as well as the loveliest lolly brights and the richest hues from nature.

Gudrun Sjödén offers her customers the chance to be fearless and expressive with fashion! Use individual garments to add a colour pop or mix a loudly striped garment with denim or workwear.

Explore Gudrun Sjödén on their website, or order a catalogue for hard copy fashion and homewares inspiration. If you see yourself becoming a regular Gudrun Sjödén shopper, it’s worth investigating the perks of joining their club too… enjoy!

June 26, 2018
Tailored ethical denim SS18

Tailored – almost unisex – but without the slouchiness of a boyfriend jean: The Coda from Hiut is a jean to buy this year and wear for many!

Looking to invest in ethical denim for the coming season? There are some really interesting and progressive denim brands who pride themselves on both the quality of their product and their transparency all along the supply chain.

If you’re loving SS18’s tailored denim trend, it’s time to put aside your distressed jeans for gardening and start thinking structured shapes and deep indigo washes.

Let’s start at the bottom…

The Coda slim fit jeans from Hiut have to be the essential tailored jean. No sign of bleaching or tears, these raw denim beauties are what we might have called “going out jeans” in the 90’s… until we started going out in designer ripped acid wash with fishnet tights underneath. But that’s another story… The Coda is super smart, able to be dressed up with a silk shirt and summer booties, or styled like Hiut’s model with brogues and a fitted t-shirt.

The cut is masculine without being a boyfriend jean, and Hiut say the raw fabric is quite stiff to begin with. Visit their website for sizing advice, and take their recommendations on breaking them in. I’m saying these are a perfect investment for now and may – one day – evolve into your softest, comfiest and most organically distressed denim.

Black organic sateen skinny jeans from Monkee Jeans

Another super ethical brand who make great jeans is Monkee Jeans. If you’re a sweatshop free shopper, you’ll be keen on their logo “no blood, no sweat, no tears”… and you might also appreciate that they are one of the more affordable denim designers.

There’s quite a range of shapes and cuts on the Monkee Jeans website. For a more tailored look, try their organic sateen skinny which can be worn as smart casual with block heels and a blazer, or to create a sexy evening silhouette with a fitted tank or bustier, tuxedo jacket and stilettos.

Its bold, it’s boxy, it’s the perfect way to wear tailored denim this year and into the future

Working our way up…

It’s a denim jacket but not as we know it: Finisterre’s Sinum jacket. Utilitarian, boxy and made from premium 12oz organic cotton denim. Style it with denim shorts or a floaty dress for the weekend, or wear it buttoned up with a brightly coloured silk neck scarf and culottes for work.

Top to toe denim…

She’s not looking happy but we’re loving the Laurie dress from Bon George, made from reclaimed fabric. Clever.

Ok, so this isn’t actually denim but it’s a gorgeous navy dress – that looks like a lightweight denim – and ticks all the boxes for 2018 and a long time ahead. It’s from LA-based Bon George Conscious Clothing who use salvaged vintage textiles and trims on all their USA-made clothing. Eco… tick. Fair wages… tick.

Dresses like this one – Laurie – are pieces to treasure in an ethical wardrobe because they’re versatile enough for work or play, and can be layered up or down for multi-season wear.

Laurie would look brilliant with a crisp white shirt, long boots and a leather jacket for coming Winters. Equally, styled just with the hat, strappy platforms and oversized tortoiseshell glasses, it’s right on trend for right now.

Over and out!

Tailored denim is all about structure and detailing, which are not always things we associate with a fabric most famous as workwear. Garments that we don’t expect to be made from denim are perfect for creating the look and make strong statement pieces you can wear in the future too.

Maria Long jacket from Kings of Indigo

Kings of Indigo do several overcoats ranging from a swinging belted Gladys trench to the Maria Long coat in a boxy anorak style. (Jan 2019 no longer available)

I’m not really sure what a lot of the text says on the website as it’s largely in Dutch… but there IS lots of info that makes sense, including their use of sustainable fabrics, their commitment to fair wages and working conditions, their Triple R Policy (Repair, Recycle, Reuse) and their creative ways of finishing garments including low-impact and natural techniques which respect the environment and worker safety.

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I’d love to hear and see what tailored ethical denim you’re thinking of investing in this year and how you’re styling it for SS18. Drop me a line at kate@strippedbarefashion.com, or tag me in social media so I can pass it on!

June 12, 2018
Pretty in ethical pastels SS18
Ooooh… lemon yellow tie front wide leg culotte from Nobody’s Child

For Spring/ Summer 2018, the fashion world is offering up all manner of pretty pieces in the softest, most flattering gelato inspired colours.

But if you’re committed to buying ethical fashion the thought of shopping cheap, throwaway trends is counter-intuitive. If you’re wanting to add some on-trend colour, you don’t have to go head-to-toe pastels! Mint, fuzzy peach, dusty pink and baby blue all look great with your existing black, white or tan basics.

Steal her style! – Karlie Kloss showing how to pair pastels with olive green and keeping the accessories light.

To add a touch of pastel, pair a top in your favourite faded shade with a pair of white linen trousers or skirt. Olive green and navy work well too as a good base for adding pastels.

Keep the look fresh and light with delicate styles – such as strappy sandals and a small clutch or shoulder bag – if you want to wear dark or bright accessories from your existing wardrobe. Personally, I love the contrast of white or tan with pastels and would steer clear of beiges, greys and more earthy shades.

A combination of different pastel shades works too. Layer up a shabby chic rainbow by pulling together all your old and new pastel items. Don’t forget faded blue denim jeans and jackets which look brilliant contrasted with yellows and pinks and finished with your shiniest white eco-trainers.

Floaty fabrics create a feminine look: beautiful maxi dress from BaliElf

Luxe fabrics work brilliantly to emphasize delicate colours. Consider sueded silks for their muted, peach-skin softness; chiffon for the addition of translucent colour (think a draped scarf or floaty overskirt): or crushed, coloured linen. Embroidery is still strong as a trend and can add some depth and texture.

From Badgley Mischka’s fashion week offerings… barely there makeup and bright red lips work so well with pale and pretty clothing

Colour advisers suggest you choose shades which contrast with your natural skin tone to compliment your complexion: Try blushed pink or apricot near the face if you have olive skin, yellows and melon for pale, cooler tones, and icy blues or soft sage for those with a rosier complexion.

Before you dash out the door, give your makeup a moment’s thought. Pearlescent glosses or dewy matt lips in cashmere colours can accentuate the prettiness of pastels. But alternatively, don’t hesitate to go bold with your lipstick. Bright red lips create impact against an otherwise understated palette and look to be a top SS18 makeup trend when worn with otherwise minimal makeup.

Last but not least, if you want to avoid sweatshop fashion:
- Buy quality, not quantity – spending more money on a garment that is thoughtfully made will improve it’s longevity and reduce your contribution to clothing landfill
- Look for brands that promote their business ethics – credentials such as Fairtrade and certified organic are found on labels, or you can easily research ethical policies online
- Ask online or instore #whomademyclothes
- Join the ethical fashion conversation by sharing your favourite finds on social media with #fashionrevolution, or tag @kate.adores in your image
- Follow the links from the images to shop the clothing shown in this article
Dresses in sorbet-soft colours from Outsider fashion: blue lightweight linen tunic and peach bamboo and silk draped dress
May 23, 2018
BaliElf shoes and bags

BaliElf Muse cuffed ballet flats come in nine different colours… and there are matchy matchy bags!

Sometimes a great place to start when searching for new ethical fashion brands is Etsy. Emerging brands who are testing the market often feature small runs of product there. I found BaliElf that way, looking for ethical sandals a few summers ago.

I really liked their distinctive boho style, the fact that their shoes and bags are made by hand to order (under fair trade conditions), and that they promise to only use the finest quality materials.

BaliElf midsummer sandals in Emerald

Ordering online for the first time always feels a bit risky, especially with shoes and the fact that they use American sizing, but I was encouraged by their helpful customer service team to send the measurements of my foot and they would make my shoes accordingly.

A few weeks later I received a beautiful pair of supple leather sandals which fitted perfectly. They were packaged thoughtfully in a reusable fabric bag which I always put them in to travel, and came with a little leather bracelet as a gift.

I have been a repeat customer ever since and recommended them to friends who ask about where to buy ethical shoes or comment on my sandals which – three years later – are still going strong. I can recommend their ballet flats and coordinating bags if you like a bit of matchy matchy (yes please!) and also love their Velvet Moon ankle boots, which made it into my #10x10challenge capsule.

kate.adores’ Instagram #10x10challenge… 10 items, 10 outfits, 10 days…

BaliElf shoes are made in Bali, Indonesia, and epitomise slow fashion with their commitment to developing local craftmanship, sourcing local materials and treating everyone along the supply chain – right down to you, the consumer – with the utmost respect. You can read about their ethics here.

I’m also really excited to see a range of beautiful boho dresses in the latest collection… definitely something to go on the Spring/Summer 18 wishlist!

April 26, 2018
Seasalt coats

My go-to brand for coats has to be Seasalt. Whether you’re looking for light weight or heavy duty, long or short, brightly coloured or understated, Seasalt is the place to start.

When I moved to the UK from Australia I had no idea of the need for such a

From kate.adores: Not hot, not cold… Maybe rain… The best ethically-made lightweight coats are by #seasalt… So many different shapes lengths and colours… #feelgoodfashion #ethicalfashion #transseasonalfashion #yellow #madeinuk #rainproof #spring

variety of outerwear – one leather jacket, one denim jacket and an umbrella pretty much gets an Aussie through the cold weather! So after shivering through my first Winter a helpful friend told introduced me to the notion that there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Hello options such as waterproof, windproof, breathable, packable, rollable, reversible, belted, buttoned, zipped or toggled… coats for dog walking, beach combing, school runs, day trips, errands and standing on the sidelines at sports matches.

Seasalt follow the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code and provide information on their social and environmental policies which deserve a read. And what’s more they can be found on the high street which is very rare indeed for a truly ethical fashion label.

Now I would describe my coats as a collection, and Seasalt is very much at the practical heart of it.

April 26, 2018