Being, and becoming more sustainable, should be on all of our agendas. Even in the smallest ways we can make a difference. Rewearing, restyling and upstyling your wardrobe is a start, and that’s something I have been trying to do this year while spending more time at home. If you want to give more sustainable gifts this Christmas, I have a few suggestions. For the fashion lover (hello!), you will be surprised to hear of how many well known brands have made changes to their lines to be more ethical and climate aware. Zalando, known to us as a haven of all things style, have a dedicated sustainability section to mark brands that align with sustainability charters and manufacturing practices. One such brand is Zign (Black Boots, €79.50 and dress €27.50), where clothing, footwear and accessories comply with the Leather Working Group standard. This requires leather, used in manufacturing, to be environmentally ethical. And from my experience, Zign boots are wonderfully comfortable (I wore a pair all over London Fashion Week earlier this year).
Rather than gifting slippers (I know, it’s kind of the only footwear we know at the moment), I do love UGG’s range of accessories, like ear muffs. But these ones also have a bluetooth connector allowing you stream music and answer calls. See, very practical and clever (UGG Bluetooth Ear Muffs, €108). Staying with all things practical, one new brand that caught my attention this year is La Pochette. A brand for the active, this range of post-gym bags, travel accessories and tech bags are all made with repurposed plastics to make high end, robust fabrics. For Christmas, my pick is the Anywhere Everywhere Portfolio Wallet (£50); fitting most tablets as well as your on-the-go notebooks (I have to bring notebooks everywhere) when we get to travel again, this will be a permanent addition to my travel accoutrements. But if you prefer to gift something for the home, then Irish brand, Rathbone, have the most lovely range of candles. The latest addition to their range is the Botanical Bee Candle, using all natural ingredients as well as coming in recyclable packaging you have several fragrances to choose from; Jasmine & Petitgrain, Herbal Woods, Camomile & Mimosa as well as Sweet Orange % Blooms (€40, available online and in Brown Thomas)
