Upcycled Fashion Finds

The Lilian Asterfield Vest
- Lilian Asterfield (Etsy) $160
Hand made in Boston / Upcycled Neckties

Ooh, ooh! Quirky cool fashion alert! This upcycled tie vest will add a unique twist and flourish to any outfit. Dresses, tanks, black long sleeve tops, anything will work and look ultra lovely.



Sea Lilian Upcycled Vintage 40s Necktie Necklace
- Lilian Asterfield (Etsy) $25
Hand made in Boston / Vintage silk necktie and buttons

Step away from your usual necklaces for awhile and wear a tie the fashionable and feminine way.





Recycled Ruffled Glory Jacket
- Stephanie Teague (Etsy) $135
Made in North Carolina / Antique, vintage fabric

Who knew an 'antique cotton chair cover' could be transformed into such a cute jacket? It has a vintage muslin lining and buttons made from 'cobalt glass Vicks bottles'. You'll be fashion ready for fall with this upcycled wonder!



Old Gold Mini Trapeze Dress
- Maisy Brown Repro Retro (Etsy) $140
Made in Sydney / Vintage Rayon Satin

This opulent, luxe-looking fabric and use of 'classic couturier techniques' creates quite the sublime little dress. Wear with black stockings and heels or flats for a look that is both elegant and playful!



Lipstick Dress - Stephanie Geisler (Etsy) $93
Made in Asheville, NC / Vintage and recycled fabrics

A slight 80s vibe but still totally contemporary thanks to the crisp white top and bright pop of colour in the pink high-waisted skirt (which has pockets). Gorgeous!



Crazy Paisley Orange Brocade Strapless Mini
- Maisy Brown Repro Retro (Etsy) $149
Made in Sydney / Vintage fabric

The colour, print and style of this pretty dress squeal 'fun, young and oh so fashion savvy'.





Upcycled Frida Dress
- Whistling Sparrow (Etsy) $75
Made in Brookline, MA / Upcycled materials

Hold onto the last days of summer with this lovely, wafty sundress made from an 'embroidered table cloth, ruffled curtain and vintage crocheted lace'.





The Sweet Shop Dress
- Stephanie Geisler (Etsy) $98
Made in Asheville, NC / Vintage fabric

This pale candy-coloured strapless dress is utterly adorable, especially the bow tie back. Such a cute upcycled fashion find!

Six Ways to Become an Ethical Fashionista

Vintage 80s Black Jumpsuit - Ramona West (Etsy)

1) Check your labels
Grab five items out of your closet and check the labels to see where they are made. If they are clothes from the high street or mass produced labels, I bet the tag reads 'Made in China' (or PRC). I did an audit of my old clothing and shoes about 18 months ago and I was shocked to see that 80% of it was made in China! While we should be ever so grateful to the people in China who do work hard to make our products, I don't know how grateful we should be to the companies that choose to manufacture in countries where they can:

• pay staff less
• make staff work extraordinarily long hours
• employ or use children
• use hazardous work environments

I make sure the labels on my clothing come from a country I am confident has more laws in place that monitor factory working conditions. I will not buy clothing made in countries where factory working conditions are shady and unlikely to be enforced. If I do buy any clothing made from countries such as China or India, I make sure it has been certified fair trade by an organisation such as the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO, formerly known as IFAT) or Made-By.

Your Resources:
World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)
Made-By

2) Check your fabrics

ORGANIC COTTON
Did you know your 'regular' jeans contain about 2/3 of a pound of pesticides and your t-shirt contains 1/3 of a pound? - Del Forte Organic Denim website

'An estimated 1 million to 5 million cases of pesticide poisoning occur ever year, resulting in 20,000 reported deaths among agricultural workers and at least 1 million requiring hospitalisation' - Environmental Justice Foundation

These statistics were enough to convince me to immediately switch to organic cotton purchases. There are so many stunning fashion items being made today from organic cotton that there is no need to keep using normal cotton.

SILK
Another natural fabric, I'm ashamed to say I hadn't stopped to think about was silk. I don't like to list disturbing and gruesome information about the way some animals (or living creatures) suffer for things such as fashion, so if you want to learn more about silk, you can read this information provided by PETA. You can buy Peace Silk or Ahimsa Peace Silk instead, which is just as beautiful but is 'made from the cocoons of caterpillars who have completed the moth stage and flown away.'

BAMBOO
I've started to limit the amount of bamboo derived clothing on Green Lashes and Fashion after reading articles such as the following:

Treehugger featured an article, 'Is Bamboo Clothing Truly Green?' in which Michael Lackman of Lotus Organics stated, 'the growing of bamboo is environmentally friendly but the manufacturing of bamboo into fabric raises environmental and health concerns because of the strong chemical solvents used to cook the bamboo plant into a viscose solution that is then reconstructed into cellulose fiber for weaving into yarn for fabric.'

Your Resources:
Environmental Justice Foundation - information about organic cotton and the problems within the cotton industry.

3) Check where you shop
I used to enjoy popping into H&M and finding cute pieces at cheap prices but I no longer visit high street, big name shops due to where the clothing is made and the fabrics used to make the clothing. It wasn't too hard to end this retail relationship once I saw the benefits such as:

• less chance of running into another girl wearing the exact same outfit as you (the ultimate fashion nightmare)
• increased fashion creativity. Interpreting fashion trends and outfits I see in magazines or on the street with clothing I already own (and a vintage accessory or two).
• the thrill of finding a designer item or high street label at Oxfam for half the price and in excellent quality (perfect for moments when you may be tempted back to the high street).
• supporting ethical labels by shopping at their sites and parading in their eco clothing looking simply fabulous, will increase the popularity and profile of ethical fashion which will then increase the market and lower the prices! It's a win / win!

Your Resources: If you haven't checked out ethical shopping online, you may want to check out the following stores (which are also featured on a longer list of shopping sites I have on the side panel of Green Lashes and Fashion).
Adili
Fashion Conscience
Nimli
Greenloop
Beklina

4) Check what you really need
Before you reach for a pair of harem pants or other 'must-have item this season', ask yourself the following questions:

• Will I still be wearing this in a year's time?
• How often will I wear this?
• What other items in my wardrobe will it go with?

When shopping for new pieces, it's important to purchase invaluable pieces that will suit your lifestyle. It's also better to spend more money on one good quality item than several cheaper pieces that will date, loose their shape and / or colour or fall apart.

Your Resources: I've written a series of posts about the key wardrobe pieces we all need, which you can view here: Building the Perfect Eco Wardrobe

5) Check out vintage and second-hand stores
This is the greenest option by far because you are using fashion that already exists and not creating a demand for new items to be produced which can impact negatively on the environment and the people making them.

For anyone that thinks vintage is expensive (yes, it can be in big fashion cities) but I'm sure you will find some cool vintage stores in your town or online vintage sellers at Etsy, who will all prove just how affordable vintage can be! You can put together a whole new, fashion forward outfit from Etsy's vintage sellers for less than $50.

Your Resources:
Etsy (vintage section)
Oxfam (shop online)

6) Check out your sewing abilities
Upcycled clothing (clothing made from reclaimed fabrics, vintage clothing, end of line fabrics) is exploding in the fashion world right now. What better way to save the planet and look stylish and unique whilst doing it? If you or someone you know can sew, your fashion creations will be limitless but if sewing is not your thing, you'll be pleased to know you can look online and find many sites and labels are producing some stunning upcycled pieces (see below for listings).

Upcycled fashion:
Round London
Armour Sans Anguish
Si:Su
Heidi and Seek

Check you have have a pretty reusable shopping bag for your ethical fashion purchases! You probably have your reusable bags for your groceries but why not keep an extra one solely for clothing purchases in your handbag?

Armour Sans Anguish - Upcycled Fashion

Armour Sans Anguish is the perfect name for this enchanting fashion line designed by Tawny Holt, who only uses 'salvaged and recycled materials' when creating beautiful garments in her Californian studio. The use of vintage fabrics really infuses a charm and elegance from stylish and romantic eras of the past. All the dresses manage to capture a dash of the 'The Great Gatsby' or 'I Capture the Castle' and a sprinkle of the 1920s and Parisien decadence. Every piece made from Armour Sans Anguish is one-of-a-kind, which makes these dresses even more covetable and special.





The Botanist's Dream Dress
This is the dress that had me immediately questioning, 'who made this delicious dress?' and 'where else can I buy their clothing?'. I don't know if its the vibrant summer colours or the fact the dress manages to look both 1920s flapper fantastic and thoroughly modern. Either way, this dress is simply spectacular!
Purchase at BTC Elements $190






Peaches and Cream Dress
I wouldn't be surprised to see some fresh faced, young Hollywood starlet wearing this soon on the red carpet to rapturous applause from both the fashion world and green world. The vintage beading around the bustier, soft draping and apricot orange and white makes this dress completely sublime!
Purchase at BTC Elements $235








The Afternoon Latte Dress
If only I could look this vintage chic and fancy every afternoon I sipped on my soy chai latte! The nude colouring of the upper dress is such a big hit right now but this dress also has 'timeless' written all over it. It's gorgeous, frilly, frou-frou, femininity at its best.
Purchase at BTC Elements $180






The Sunken Treasure Dress
This dress certainly does resemble something a mermaid would have crafted together from a bling laden treasure chest from beneath the sea! The clashing of two luxurious vintage fabrics with their sheeny, metallic-ness, ruffle detail at the front and glorious bow at the back, will let everyone know the belle of the ball has definitely arrived!
Purchase at Etsy $190




The Early Harvest Dress
A sweet bustier in a romantic peachy, pink hue with a playful plaid skirt. Who would have thought these two fabrics would create such an adorable dress when sewn together and garnished with an antique-adorned belt and a little lace? Purchase at Etsy for $265




The Orion Across the Sky Caplet
Could there be a cuter, more stylish and more unique way to stay warm during a summer evening out? The delicate colour and addition of sequins, lace and a 'vintage millinery flower' combine to create a wondrous and whimsical caplet. Purchase at Etsy for $78




Visit Armour Sans Anguish today to learn more about their beautiful upcycled clothing.



Technorati Tags: Armour Sans Anguish, Vintage, Upcycled Fashion, Dresses

2ReVert - Jewellery made from Recycled Skateboards

You will love Canadian label, 2ReVert and their creative and cool jewellery made from '100% post-consumer recycled skateboards'. Here a few of my favourite picks from their Etsy store.


Large 2in1 Reversible Necklace - $28 (pictured above)
I'm captivated by the striking red, black and white colour combination of this reversible necklace. It's slightly wild and tribal-esque. Wear with an organic black top, organic skinny jeans and quirky sandals and voila, you're a head to toe, green glamazon!




Small Purple Earrings (Style A313) - $32
I love how these earrings can twist and twirl around to reveal either the pretty purple side or the natural, wood side. Everyone will be asking where you got these unique earrings from.



Small Green Earrings (Style A313) - $32
Could there be a more fashionable way to show off your green status? These stunning earrings will add edge and style to any outfit but will also show others how incredible recycled jewellery can be!



Earrings - Wings - $32
2ReVert's wing style earrings are fabulous. This pair has a green and navy shade on one side and a plain wood look with red tips on the other side.



Teardrop Reversible Necklace - $28
It's too difficult to try and select just a few necklaces for today's post as each design is utterly striking. I do love this teardrop shaped necklace though and the soft pink shade on this side (natural wood and black is on the other side).



Recycled Napkin Ring Holders (Set of 6) - $48
Here's another way to lure non-green friends over to the green side, when you hold your next dinner party. Once you explain the recycled skateboard origin of the napkin rings to your friends, (while wearing a recycled necklace or bangle of course) they'll immediately be convinced that recycled jewellery and products are just as stylish, if not more stylish than conventional products.


2ReVert also make rings, bangles, cuff links, belt buckles, key chains and other lovely styles of necklaces and earrings in a bold array of colours (made in Nova Scotia). Once they transform street skateboards into street chic jewellery, they seal the pieces with a 'non-toxic, vegan-friendly clear gloss'. Check them out at Etsy or visit their blog to learn more about the creative duo behind 2ReVert.

Stunning New Ethical Fashion from 'Round London'

It was a happy day, this past Tuesday when I came across Round London and their stunning fashion collection. But first I had to ask myself, 'could this elegant line of clothing meet both my aesthetical and ethical needs? Could life be that kind to me on a Tuesday morning?' Yes, it turns out Tuesday is a great day for ethical fashion discoveries. Who knew?

Round London's ethical angle comes courtesy of the designers reusing recycled and vintage garments, thus saving them from a life left languishing away in landfills. According to Round London's website, approximately '1 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away each year'. The salvaged, recycled garments and fabrics are transformed into a collection of utterly stylish pieces that have 'designer, limited edition, must-have' written all over it. You can purchase Round London's one off collection items through their website or you can use their collection as inspiration.

Thanks to Round London's customised service, when you spot a piece from the collection you particularly love, you can get something similar made by sending in a piece of your own clothing or fabric. This seems pretty perfect to me. Now, you don't have to consider throwing away problematic clothing anymore. You can just send it to Round London for professional help and wait to receive a piece of clothing back in a style you love and that is made to fit your body! Their customized service can be a radical 'redesign' or just a 'little fix up'. It's up to you.

Prices start at £10 per piece using your clothing and fabric, or £15 a piece using Round London fabric.

Two more ethical greenie points to add to Round London: designs are made in London and their packaging is made from recycled or bio-degradable materials. Okay, you are officially Green Lashes and Fashion's FED for April (favourite ethical discovery).

I'm not sure how long Round London have been circulating this fashion mecca of a city but I do know this is definitely one name to watch and a name every style savvy green girl should know about!

Visit Round London.

Heidi & Seek - Unique Ethical Fashion from Australia

Ella Winter Dress US$66 (Etsy)

Don’t you wish you could transform some of your old clothes you never wear, or tweak some vintage / charity purchases into a more wearable and modern look? I do, but if you put me in front of a sewing machine, I’m afraid I would either injure myself or sew myself into the piece (sounds impossible but I’m sure I’d be capable of it).

Friend of the Sea Dress US$66 (Etsy)

Thankfully, there is Heidi & Seek for all sewing challenged girls who like unique clothing with big time ethics. No sweatshops or new fabrics used here. Nope, these quirky and distinctive pieces are designed and made by founder Hayley Lau in Melbourne from reclaimed fabrics. How nice it is to actually know the person who is making the clothes you wear! And with such thought and care! It doesn’t get much better than that. Don’t forget to check out Heidi & Seek’s blog or facebook group too, Ethical Fashion Australia.

Friday at Sunset Top - US$51.94 (Leeloo)

To purchase Heidi & Seek online visit Etsy (US), Madeit.com.au (AUS) or Leeloo (AUS).