London’s atmospheric vintage boutiques may be wonderful to rummage through, but these days, savvy eco-warriors have more to choose from than just old treasures.
Whether vegan, fairly traded or crafted from green-minded materials, everything from bracelets to shaving cream is now sold with a little extra peace of mind. We’ve rounded up 5 sustainable shops to help save the world in style…
Quintessentially British menswear store Sir Plus built its success on ‘cabbage’. Not the vegetable (although the shop started out as a Portobello Market stall), but a term for surplus fabrics from mills. These are used to make the brand’s signature tailored Nehru jackets, waistcoats and boxers. It’s a waste-not-want-not approach for ethical dressers on the hunt for a unique piece to take home.
Decked out with driftwood and hanging lights, this cool Brixton boutique stocks classic, fast-fashion-shunning pieces. All mindfully-made, they’re earth-kind and covetable. Build his ‘n’ hers capsule wardrobes with organic-cotton shirts, Scottish-cashmere jumpers, hemp-silk skirts, tailored chinos and pure-wool scarves. Other keepsakes include geometric, recycled jewellery, and clean-lined bags from vegan brand Matt & Nat.
A petite shop with a big heart, Content Beauty is all about organic and natural beauty. Discover cult skincare brands such as Pai and Mühle to match every ethos. They’ve squeezed in treatment rooms and a naturopathic clinic, alongside eco-friendly and socially-aware initiatives. Book a make-up-bag detox with one of their experts to replace old products with new natural faves.
Shopping ethically needn’t mean swathing yourself in hemp. The Good Place treads the gilded line between luxury and low-impact, working to a sturdy ethical policy. It sells necklaces of fair-trade gold, delicately embroidered bags crafted by Berber collectives and soft alpaca throws handmade by Malawian women. A global mindset and glamorous outlook: very good, indeed.
Image credits: © The Good Place; © The Good Place; © Sir Plus; © The Third Estate; © The Keep; © Content