ETHICAL FASHIONABLE?

The animalfriendly accessory

It’s important that we know the environmental impact of fast fashion, but here’s the conundrum: we don’t want to cause any more damage to the planet but we still love clothes. What to do? Well, instead of a lecture, I thought it would be far more helpful if I went in search of ideas for how we can stay stylish and become more ethical.

Happily, designers and major high-street brands are switching on to the idea that their customers want to make more considered choices, so are rethinking how they produce their clothes. There are now entire websites dedicated to chic ethical choices, plus young designers, great accessory brands and sustainable jewellery (yes, diamonds and gold need to be considered too) are on board. It’s true that prices are often higher because the clothes aren’t produced in mass-market quantities, but major retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Mango and H&M all have ethical collections with affordable price tags.

To prove that sustainable fashion is as on-trend as it gets, here’s my pick of the best looks out there right now… I love this Stella McCartney bag, but faux leather doesn’t have to be designer to look just like the real thing – the high street has nailed it, too. Look out for Marks & Spencer’s vegan shoe range, out next month.

£725, Stella McCartney, net-a-porter.com. JUMPER, £395, beulahlondon.com. SKIRT, £325, Alexa Chung, net-a-porter.com

BAG,