Eight Great Graphic Organic T-Shirts

Bellamy Tee - People Tree
made in india (IFAT) / organic cotton
Give a shout out to renowned ecologists, Bellamy, Attenborough, Nutkins and Oddie by wearing this truly eco tee.
People Tree - £15 (was £22)

Crop Circle T-Shirt - Mociun
handmade in new york / organic cotton
A white tee or top is an essential item for summer and when you add a silver / orange crop circle into the mix, well, you're the leader of the fashion pack. This fun tee mixes style with kookiness perfectly so that you can wear this dressed down with shorts and jeans or dressed up with sleek skirts and chic blazers.
Beklina - $80


Butterfly Top - Mika Machida
made in nyc / organic cotton
This 'save the natural habitat for butterflies' top is a wonderful fusion of creativity and quirkiness. I love the idea of using the butterfly's antennae as the straps for one shoulder. Too sweet!
Planet Threads - $198


What Would Ben Do T-shirt - Look for Fiddleheads
made in chicago / organic cotton
I love a tee with an intelligent message and a sense of humour. This tee ticks both boxes for me, plus it looks downright cool. This one will certainly be a conversation starter!
Etsy, Look for Fiddleheads $26


Christian Lacroix Tee - Environmental Justice Foundation
made in Turkey (Fair Wear Foundation) / organic cotton
Christian Lacroix is one of several stellar designers that helped The Environmental Justice Foundation (EFJ) produce a line of fair trade, organic t-shirts that help raise awareness to end forced child labour and the use of toxic pesticides within the cotton industry. Pick your favourite design and look great while supporting a great cause.
Fashion Conscience - £32


10 Speed Tee - Sub_Urban Riot
made in usa / organic cotton
This 'bicycles are best' tee should get your eco transport message across effectively and stylishly as long as you don't wear it while driving, in which case you'll need a plausible story prepared such as, 'my bike is in the shop' or 'of course my car is electric / hybrid / running on last night's leftover olive oil from dinner'.
Greenloop - $32


Rain Forest Tee - Andira
made in peru / organic cotton
A tee with stunning symbolism. This tee, featuring an upturned rain forest is from Andira's line of Rain Tees which feature the 'thoughts, illustrations and names' of school children 'living in endangered rain forests across Central and South America'. For every tee sold, a tree will be planted in an area of rain forest that has been destroyed in Costa Rica.
Econscious Market - $34.20


White Leopard Sash - Edun
made in peru / organic cotton
Get your leopard on the green way with this v-neck tee from the perpetually cool label, Edun. Keep the look edgy by wearing the tee with skinny jeans or inject a flash of bright colour with a fun skirt or pair of shorts.
Edun - 55 Euros

8 Eco Fashion Finds Under £20 (US $30)

There are few better ways to kick start the weekend than by checking out some eco-friendly and wallet-friendly fashion bargains! From fun purchases to essential stockpiling of organic tank tops and tees, hopefully you will spot the perfect piece for you in this selection of fashion all priced under £20 (US $30)!

Vintage Vegan Barbarella Booties - Learn to Read (pictured above)
I love unusual statement shoes and these futuristic ones couldn't be more unique or in such great condition! And what with the new Star Trek film just coming out, these 80's space age booties (made from man made materials) will look like summer 2009 blockbusters too!
Purchase at Etsy (Learn to Read) for $25



Gathered Strap Shell Top - Stewart + Brown
Made in Portugal / USA
Organic pima cotton
This stunningly sweet top was $72 and has now been reduced drastically (yeah!). It's available in black and white and a variety of yummy colours such as yogurt, pomegranate, mint leaf and walnut (anyone else feeling hungry?).
Purchase at Stewart + Brown for $28



Wood Disc Necklace - Made
Wood + brass / Made in Nairobi (fair trade)
This deep infusion of red will liven up any black, navy, white (or any colour / patterned) ensemble you may be wearing. Beautifully designed by Hayley Mardon, this necklace has been reduced and would be a smart purchase as it will never date!
Purchase online at Adili for £17



Vintage Jungle Top - Choopie Blu 222
If you want to shimmer around in a floaty top this spring and summer, look no further than this aqua hued, vintage silk chiffon stop (size medium to large).
Purchase at Etsy (Choopie Blu 222 - Paris based seller) for $30



Boat Neck Top - Spun
Made in USA / Organic cotton
I'm tempted to buy this top in every colour (black, olive or purple). The boat neck line and 3/4 sleeves make this top ever so flattering and perfect for pairing with organic jeans for a casual yet chic look!
Purchase at The Greenloop for $28



Raw Silk Scarf - Manumit
Made in Vietnam (by Manumit, fair trade)
Tassel silk (suitable for vegetarians as silk is spun after moth has left cocoon)
I featured these sumptuous looking scarves awhile ago, but not this Royal Lilac one, which I think is quite adorable. If purple is not for you though, fear not because there are many other pretty shades to choose from. Visit Scotia Fair Trade to see more varieties.
Purchase online at Scotia Fair Trade for £12



Beater Tank - Spun
Made in USA / Organic cotton
This Spun tank should be in every girl's eco wardrobe with its super flattering cut, length and colour range (available in white, black or colours such as Sangria and Tibetan Blue).
Purchase at The Greenloop for $10



Edged Lengthen Cami - Stewart + Brown
Made in Portugal / Organic pima cotton
A classic summer staple. Perfect with jeans, skirts and even over swim wear. I love the comfort factor of any long length camis such as this Stewart + Brown one. It's available in many colours such as blue marlin, fig, felt grey and water.
Purchase at Stewart + Brown for $24

Technorati Tags: Stewart + Brown, Shoes, Fashion, Eco Fashion, Organic Clothes

9 Eco Butterfly Finds

I've always had a thing for butterflies. If I can find jewellery, cute tees or any fashion with a stylish butterfly design, I'll probably be all over that! I'm not sure if there is a 'deeper' reason for loving butterflies (such as their ability to transform themselves and fly away) or maybe it's just a matter of falling for something pretty! Who knows? I certainly could have kept going all day uncovering butterfly finds but I've restrained myself and kept the following eco friendly products to just 9!



Butterflies & Blue Aurora Borealis Jeweled Cuff Bracelet - Coppertina
This clusturous wonder looks as if a hand has been dipped into a treasure chest and come out dripping in brass butterflies, silver leaves and blue aurora borealis gems. Aside from being vintage, another eco credential this cuff has, is the fact the items have been welded on and not glued with toxic stickiness. Ideal for those of a medium to large wrist size.
Purchase online at Etsy (Coppertina) for $42



Butterfly in Wonderland Tee - Look for Fiddleheads
Handmade in Chicago
Organic Cotton
We all need a great graphic tee in a pretty shade but some can be so crass and cringe worthy that is hard to find the perfect tee when you are a conscientious girl! Thankfully, Look for Fiddleheads have created an amazing organic tee with beautiful imagery. The designer, Lee is inspired by 'art and writings found in very old books' and this specific tee has some Alice in Wonderland connotations. Lee writes that the 'character on this tee shirt never spoke, he was too busy befriending a butterfly'. Love it! Even the clothing label is made from up-cycled fabric like swatches and the remaining offcuts from the tee are used to make pillows as Lee is making an 'effort to produce zero waste' in her studio!
Available in cranberry (pictured), natural, ocean, olive, pumpkin or plum.
Purchase online at Etsy (Look for Fiddleheads) for $26



One Hundred Thoughts Notebook - Use UK
This mustard and turquoise notebook is 'made from 100 pages of 100gsm quality recycled paper' and is printed on a 100% recycled card. The plastic spiro binding is cadmium free and recyclable. Notebook is also available in a pretty pink and green but it is currently sold out. Keep an eye out for more.
Purchase online at Use UK for £7.95



Butterfly Top - Kuyichi
Made Fair Trade
Organic cotton
A gorgeous grey scoop neck organic cotton top with cool sleeves. Perfect for pairing with some Kuyichi jeans. Every green girl needs a bit of Kuyichi, not only for their fashionable designs but also because they are a pioneering fair trade brand and work hard to ensure workers are treated well by collaborating with Made-by and also certifying organisations, SA8000 and WRAP.
Purchase online at Bochica for £55



Wool Felt Belle Lampshade
Handmade in UK
100% wool felt
Who would have thought a wool felt lampshade was possible and with cute butterflies too? This particular lamp shade is available in butter (pictured) or mandarin and is designed to be used with an energy-saving light bulb as a normal light bulb may hurt the felt butterflies (i.e burn the felt). Other butterfly lampshade designs include one with a rabble of butterflies in pink or blue or another design with a butterfly shaped rim.
Purchase online at Love Eco UK for £42



Butterfly Bag - Adili
Made in India
Fair trade and organic cotton (Fair trade Foundation and Skal)
Such a pretty reusable shopping bag and the money you spend goes towards supporting an Indian children's charity, the Supporting Life Association (helping to provide homes and education to Indian children).
Purchase online at Adili for £8



Organic Bamboo Butterfly T-Shirt - Inner Peace Design
Handmade in LA
70% organic bamboo
Featuring the words from one of my favourite quotes by Gandhi, 'be the change you wish to see in the world'. This inspiring design is extra long and would be ideal for yoga, working out or just relaxing in. Available in chocolate brown, eggplant purple, midnight black or royal blue.
Purchase online at Etsy (Inner Peace Design) for $24.85



Small Gold Mesh Penny Purse Necklace - Junes
This gold necklace has a black and gold metallic butterfly attached to the front mesh. The little purse opens up so you can store pennies in there or any teeny tiny mementos you may have. Such a sweet vintage find!
Purchase online at Etsy (Junes) for $26



Vintage Butterfly Shift Dress - Zeitgeist Heist
So pretty and so Parisien, non? The perfect dress for spring! I also want the umbrella in the picture too. It's so dainty.
Purchase online at Etsy (Zeitgeist Heist) for $25

Eco Wardrobe Staples - Organic and Fair Trade Singlets and Tees

Part One of How to Create the Perfect Ethical Wardrobe



Wardrobe 101: Every girl needs staples in basic black, white and grey. Tees and singlets are perfect for layering and will form the basis of any stylish look.

When I popped by People Tree's website a few weeks ago and saw they had perfectly designed tees and singlets that were certified organic and fair trade, I immediately ordered up and tweeted happily when my delivery arrived! The organic cotton feels cashmere soft and the cut and design of the tops are comfortable and flattering. Ethical, stylish and each piece is priced under £18! Thank you People Tree!

Basic Vest Top (pictured above)
Made in India (International Fair Trade Association)
Certified Organic and Fair trade Cotton (Soil Association)
Available in black, blue, eco-white, grey and pink. Sizes 8-18
Purchase online at People Tree for £12




Scoop Neck Tee
Made in India (International Fair Trade Association)
Certified Organic and Fair trade Cotton (Soil Association)
Available in beige, black, eco-white, khaki and red
Purchase online at People Tree for £18. Sizes 8-18

If you are new to People Tree's fashion or just want to sneak a peek at an ethical fashion show, click on the You Tube video below. You can watch People Tree's Summer 2008 Fashion Show in Tokyo and see why they are leading the way when it comes to ethical and stylish fashion.

Stay tuned for more posts about how to build the Perfect Ethical Wardrobe on Green Lashes and Fashion. Ever since I learnt about the cotton and sweatshop industries and switched to buying organic and fair trade clothing, I have been thinking of how to purchase items more consciously and systematically. I want to have a chic wardrobe filled with a relatively small number of quality items that will last many years and interchange with other items perfectly. As I try to do this myself, I will also share any tips with you and would certainly welcome any ideas from you about what clothing is needed to build the Perfect Ethical Wardrobe.

Organic Cotton Designer T-Shirt Collection - Environmental Justice Foundation

Brazilian model Aline Weber in John Rocha (photography by Eric Guillemain)

Here is a way to make a difference in the world and look fabulous while doing it! The UK based charity, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has collaborated with top designers and A-listers to create a collection of fair trade and organic t-shirts to help raise awareness to end forced child labour and the use of toxic pesticides within the cotton industry.

Sophie Ellis Bextor in Zandra Rhodes (photography by Jane Mcleish Kelsey)

EJF’s Program Director, Juliette Williams explains how ‘our buying power can be a force for good’ and by choosing to buy ethical cotton we can help support ‘communities in some of the world’s poorest nations’ and help put a stop to child labour in countries such as Uzbekistan. According to the EJF, Uzbekistan is the world’s third largest exporter of cotton and shockingly many adults and children are ‘forced to work in conditions near slavery for the state run cotton industry’.

Ashley Jensen in Allegra Hicks (photography by Ryan Michael Hackett)

Show your support towards the EJF’s ongoing work by purchasing a t-shirt from designers such as Zandra Rhodes, Giles Deacon, John Rocha and Allegra Hicks. The designs range from cute and quirky to pretty and simplistic and will make you look good but more importantly feel good knowing you are doing your part to help improve the cotton industry.

EJF’s Organic Cotton Designer T-Shirt Collection
Purchase at EJF’s online store (from £30)
The organic and fair trade cotton is picked and manufactured in Turkey (Fair Wear Foundation) and printed with organic certified inks (Soil Association).

Joss Stone in Giles Deacon (photography by Paul Conroy)

More exciting news from the EJF - The Great Fashion Cycle
Have you heard about the EJF’s other wonderful campaign, the ‘Great Fashion Cycle?’ If you want to cycle from London to Paris and raise funds to support the EJF’s work ‘addressing human rights and environmental abuses within the fashion industry’ you can visit their website for further details. The Great Fashion Cycle takes place from the 9-13 September 2009.