So I had every intention of making this month’s look channel a festival friendly vibe. But in the end I veered towards something a little bit more urban. (Think sipping something cold sitting on the steps at Camden Lock on a hot London evening without a care in the world.) Regardless of where you wear this outfit (and yesterday I wore it for a casual evening out on my holiday here on the sunny East Coast of Canada) you will look and feel great. I dabbed a little diluted Idaho Blue Spruce oil behind my ear and for me – that comforting smell really finished off the feeling of completing the outfit for me.
The key pieces in the look this month are this Absolutely Bear organic cotton Maple t-shirt which I love and which gets gazillions of compliments. This t-shirt is designed by a husband and wife team back home in London and they’ve put a lot of thought and energy into the design, quality and material sourcing for this top. Its really lightweight so it helps keep you cool and it looks great either worn on its own or layered with a pale strappy top underneath. I chose to wear it on its own paired with this organic Monki denim skirt and a vintage ikat jacket to keep out the evening chill. To accessorise I recommend checking out the shoes and bags at Fashion Conscience – either online or in their lovely boutique in East Dulwich (near the station). I’ve opted for this large vegan tote (cheap at £39) and these (non-vegan, but fair trade) flat Chloe sandals. I think they’re a really special little independent boutique and I always pop in on my way past.
You know, as much as I love minimalism and capsule wardrobes, I really love jewellery. This month I’ve dug through my own jewellery box and have paired two strands of Guatemalan turquoise beads I bought on honeymoon a few years ago at the market in Chichicastenango with an antique Chinese talisman which we had turned into a pendant. I would really encourage you to look at the jewellery you have and get creative with it. Find the stones you love and that really resonate with you, and which are either second hand or which have been ethically sourced. I always wear my sterling bangle which was a present from my husband years ago, but if you don’t have a bangle and like the look, I’ve found this similar one available from eco fashion retailer, Komodo.
Finally – because its the height of summer and I have a fair complexion – I’ve opted to finish of the daytime version of this outfit with a fabulous large brimmed hat. These hats are from London based online retailer Plum and Ivory and are ethically sourced, fair trade and made in Madagascar. They also conveniently fold up so you can pack them in your suitcase and travel with them easily. And at less than £23 I thought they were pretty inexpensive! (I just wish I had their lovely model, Sarah’s cheekbones!)
And now I’m going to return to my own summer holiday! I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and next week I’ve got a treat for you in the form of Dulwich yoga expert, Meredith Gunderson, sharing her yoga-inspired tips for keeping cool in summer.
The vegan tote bag is gorgeous, looks like a lovely shade that can be used throughout the seasons x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes its definitely something that will go into the Autumn season very well. Its from Fashion Conscience in East Dulwich and they have all sorts of ethical brands of clothing and accessories.
LikeLike
Love those sandals! And that necklace is a beautiful colour x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the sandals are lovely and the necklaces are something I picked up in Guatemala while on honeymoon…I just can’t find turquoise quite that colour here, sadly.
LikeLike
For £23 the hats really are a steal. I love a good quality hat, non of this Primark malarky for something that’s a focus piece 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t really do the Primark thing, not out of any snobbery (as I think they do get some cute things in) but I just can’t quite bring myself to get something cute and cheap when I know that someone is quite literally being worked to death to make it for me. I’d rather go without. That hat is a great focus piece too and shows that ethical fashion doesn’t have to be stupid expensive either.
LikeLike
i love v neck tees and need more.i can imagine what the outfit looks like together in my head and i love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t say enough nice things about Absolutely Bear. They’re a great husband and wife team here in London and this venture is their labour of love. I get complimented on this shirt all the time and because of the way its cut in the front it doesn’t get that ‘dumpy’ look around the belly that alot of plain white t-shirts can get. Thank you so much for your kind words!
LikeLike
I want that tote in my life and the Chloe sandals! Some great choices here.
LikeLike
Thank you Melissa, I really enjoyed selecting the pieces for this edit.
LikeLike
I love the organic denim skirt and vegan bag Its great that people are so much more aware of the importance of making organic natural products!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks they are lovely aren’t they. I’m so glad these things are becoming more mainstream available to people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea of organic clothing and accessories, especially when they’re vegan friendly x
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are some amazing picks. I think those sandals are the coolest. It’s awesome that you found the tote in the same place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Liz. I’m glad you like the picks. And it helps that the bag and shoes came from a local eco-fashion shop just up the road.
LikeLike
Wow I’m not Vegan but I adore the tote bag! Lovely. Also a good denim skirt is a wardrobe must-have. So versatile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sam! I’m not vegan either, but it is just a lovely bag and its great that eco friendly options like this are available. So often vegans need to resort to plastics and environmentally unfriendly materials. I’m glad you enjoyed my choices this month! Let me know if you think of any other wardrobe ‘must haves’ that I should try to find in an eco-friendly version. 🙂
LikeLike
Yup I love this, especially the skirt and sandals. xx
http://www.annanuttall.com
LikeLike
I love the design and shape of the bag, quite unusual but quirky x
LikeLike
I love Plum and Ivory – they stock some gorgeous things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow I love all of those pieces but especially the vegan bag – awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the orange vegan tote and chloe sandals! Perfect for summer because of the bright colours but also great for transitioning into Autumn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the orange vegan tote and chloe sandals! Perfect for summer because of the bright colours and great for transitioning into Autumn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ive got a thing for denim skirts lately! I’m in England though so we are going to be needing tights with then very soon as chilly autumn approaches x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I’m definitely looking for some nice tights to include in the next edition of the Style Edit! Please recommend any natural/organic or eco brands if you know of any.
LikeLike
Gorgeous outfit, love the necklace and tshirt, it’s my kinds of style
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would totally wear this entire look! So cute!
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like the look of the bag and shoes – such a gorgeous shade!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness I so jeed that bag and those sandals! I love them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They seem to have some great items, I love the bag!
LikeLike
Only the shoes and the bag come from Fashion Conscience but yes they do have some great things there. I’m not sponsored by them or gifted by them or anything like that. Its just a local shop which has a great online business which I really like.
LikeLike
My mummy loves large brimmed hats and can’t wait to wear hers in a 70’s style nod to AW16 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How stylish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those shoes and that bag are gorgeous, totally ideal for a summer break xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been searching for a good white tee in forever!!!! so thanks for the tip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The couple who run Absolutely Bear are just lovely too. They do other styles which aren’t organic but they’re all very very cool and fit nicely (I hate dumpy looking t-shirts) and they’re all environmentally sustainable.
LikeLike
Sustainable fashion is the way to go! Very good article 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Lubka! I love hearing things like this…and its motivational as I am researching my September edition!
LikeLike
Great items here. Those sandals are gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I really had fun choosing this look.
LikeLike
Such a simple but class outfit choice the bag is amazing and even better that it’s vegan xx
LikeLike
Coming from a stylish gal like yourself, this is a real compliment. Thank you very much! (I’ll be featuring vegan shoes on my September style edit, so keep your eye peeled!)
LikeLike