Looking rather grey today...

Looking rather grey today... by ameliaglynn featuring People Tree blazers

Style Post: Peopletree & Komodo

This was taken before the rains came.... Seriously weather- what are you playing at?! But when it was warm enough to go outside in a skirt, sans tights and thermals, I wore this to dinner and drinks with my lovely housemates. My new Komodo jacket has proved its worth by being just as fabulous teamed up with a skirt as it is with jeans due to its perfect cropped length. I've gone with my Peopletree jersey skirt which is an absolute staple in my wardrobe- so easy to wear and the stretchy waistband is a winner when your scoffing down copious amounts of chinese food with friends! Bag and shoes both picked up from Brighton charity shops for under £3 each and the crop top too which was once a full length tank top which I chopped up to fit in with this summers stomach bearing trend.... Brave indeed!

All in all a thoroughly ethical outfit combining charity shop and Fair Trade fashion followed by a fabulous evening with friends : )

Style Post Ft. Komodo & Monkee Genes

The end of summer requires a bit of layering. Here I am modelling the stunning new Komodo jacket in herringbone. It's a classic shape and cut that will carry through the years and the quality is incredibly good. It isn't yet part of my own wardrobe, I've just borrowed it for this picture from The Fair Shop, but as soon as I gather the funds it will be all mine! 

Together with the jacket, I'm wearing my new Monkee Genes. I've wanted a pair of these for literally years but always a) shied away from the price and b) could never find the right colour denim... But finally I found them in Loot, an independent retailer in Brighton's North Lane. They were in the sale reduced from £59 to £40- far more acceptable for my budget. I know you can buy Monkee Genes in Topman but I always like to try and support independent retailers if I can. 

My sandals I picked up in a charity shop the other day for the bargain price of £1.99 and the top was exactly the same price, originally American Vintage and is 100% silk- charity shops really are incredible. 

P.S. These photos were taken in The Fair Shop and any items you can see in the background can be found and bought there  : )

The FAIR Shop

Trying to find ethical fashion on the high street is a nightmare. When I'm buying ethical fashion I constantly find myself limited to online shopping. Yes, it is convenient in this winters miserable weather, I can shop from the comfort of my own bed, but when it comes to clothes, I like to try before I buy. I also want to take every opportunity to support local independent business's especially ones stepping out of the normal highstreet fashion comfort zone and looking into ethical alternatives.

In Brighton we have a plethora of vintage, second hand and charity shops but we have very few shops selling brand spanking new ethical clothes. This is where FAIR comes in. FAIR is an independent ethical retailer stocking brand new Fairly Traded clothing, accessories and homewares. They pick out the best bits from womens clothing brands such as People Tree, Komodo, Nancy Dee, Bibico and O So Shika focusing on beautiful dresses and bright knitwear. They stock stunning jewelry from Fair Trade brands like Bombolulu and Love That Stuff that also supply to bigger stockists like People Tree.

Ethical fashion for men is an area which needs some more effort put in and FAIR are doing just this with their exapanding mens collection. They stock the usual suspects like People Tree, Komodo and Pants for Poverty, but also stock newer Fair Trade brands such as Arthur & Henry who make stunning formal shirts for men. Along with mens clothes, FAIR stock brands for kids; the adorable Little Green Radicals that have cute animal designs on tops, hats and babygrows for the little ones in your life. 

FAIR are doing what not many other shops have the guts to do. They are going out on a limb and challenging the fast fashion monopoly. They provide a space where Fair Trade fashion can be showcased and bought by the ethically conscious consumer in an environment where it competes against retail giants following unethical and fast fashion practices. FAIR collects the best of ethical fashion and brings it straight to the public so that we can still maintain the shopping experience that most ethical brands do not provide us with. So, lets say thanks to the ethical fashion boutiques like FAIR who provide us with real life clothes instead of pixelated images online and support them with our business this Christmas.

P.S. Vote for FAIR in the 'Dress for Success' window dressing competition held by Brighton and Hove City Council here

Photo: first- www.thefairshop.co.uk, last- http://www.jimpix.com/, all others my own

@TheFairShop   #dressed2012   #ethicalfashion

It's that time of year again folks...

So it's definitely warming up to that time of year again...Christmas. This pre-Christmas time slot just stikes fear into my heart because of one reason only- Christmas shopping. Erugh! The mayhem! The panic! The pre-Christmas sales!!

You can find out how I'll cope with this years Christmas shopping panic, right here, at the Oxfam Fashion Blog