Seasalt Cornwall Striped Dress, a New Satchel and Some Thoughts on Organic Certifications

Posted on May 12, 2013 by admin

Tunic – Seasalt Cornwall
Leggings – People Tree
shoes – Melissa
Bag – My Green Bag

I have been admiring clothes from Seasalt Cornwall on style-is.co.uk for a while now, so when I got a bit of money for my birthday, I decided to invest in a striped tunic as stripes never go out of fashion and they are also really versatile. This tunic could be worn as a top with leggings or jeans or as a dress when the warmer weather finally arrives.

I was really pleased with the tunic and know I will wear it loads because it is so comfy and easy to wear. It is made from really soft certified organic cotton which is lovely and thick. The flattering cut also means it skims rather than clings which becomes ever more important the older I get. The high neck is also great for wearing with statement necklaces and definitely my favourite style for casual clothes. Seasalt Cornwall were the first UK company to use cotton certified by the Soil Association and they still use more than any other company in the UK they also clearly show their purchasing / ethical policy on their website. I feel really confident that Seasalt Cornwall clothing has been manufactured with respect for people and planet.

The bag was also a birthday treat and is from My Green Bag. The leather is a by product of the food industry and sourced in Bangladesh and Afghanistan where it is hand cut and sewn into bags. They are then hand polished in the UK using natural substances. It states on the website that the leather is ‘organic’. I am struggling a little to understand how it can be classed as organic. To me organic means that the animals were reared organically and the leather tanned using organic vegetable substances and also that there is some sort of organic certification to prove this. As far as I can see there is no guarantees of how the leather is tanned though or how the animals are reared as there is no certification. I was told when I asked by email that the leather is sourced ‘untreated leather directly from farmers market’. The website doesn’t really give me enough information to know if vegetable tans were used or animals reared organically but I am thinking not. Reading this article in the Guardian about toxic tanneries, I am even more concerned. The quality of the bag is not great, the zip keeps breaking. I am wondering whether I should have considered this purchase a little more carefully rather than just seeing the ‘organic’ label. What do you think?

This does kind of highlight the difficulties of consumers when trying to buy ethically and sustainably. How do we know if some thing really is produced sustainably and ethically if it doesn’t have any certifications?

With warmest wishes

Spring Wish List

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admin

I think I have posted before about my thoughts on wishlists. On the one hand, I don’t think that constantly making lists of things that I want to buy is a great way of reducing my consumerism, but on the other hand, if I do feel that my wardrobe is lacking in any way, compiling a wish list is a good way to carefully think through what I actually need and want and consider carefully how much I will actually wear any items that I buy.

I thought it might be worth gathering a few ideas of clothes I need/ like as it is my birthday soon and you never know! Definite needs for the season ahead – a rain coat, light weight trousers, a new bag that is easy to carry, a versatile black dress, a few statement accessories but of course I always find it difficult to say no to a gorgeous print dress, even though I have lots. So enough of my warbling on, here is what I am loving for spring

Have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of printed trousers for ages. I think People Tree must have known just what I wanted when they made these! Monochrome is great, it goes with just about everything and the cropped fitted style works much better for me. They have lots of discounts at the moment too!

This classic leather satchel is just the right size for me and looks like the sort of bag I could keep forever. It is made by My Green Bag from untreated and organic leather. They also have some very tempting cow hide bags.

Ok now for the dresses!

SkunkFunk Ainhoa Jersey Dress - I love the assymetrical hem on this. I would wear it for both daytime and evening.

Ruby Rocks Peacock Shirt Dress – Love Love Love!

I love the colour of this amazing dress, again by Ruby Rocks.

Floral prints never go out of fashion. This floral dress by Komodo is sooo pretty!

I think I have blogged about this Timberland Earthkeepers Abingdon Parka jacket. and yes I still want it. Looks ideal for camping trips.

This Seasalt Corwall Seaside Mac is another great option for the inevitable UK rain.

I also love this Agate pendant by Fair Trade jewellery brand Mirabelle.

Do you have a wish list or your eye on anything for Spring?

So pleased, it is now the weekend. Its been a long old week! Have a good one!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Seasalt Cornwall

Posted on February 14, 2012 by admin

Seasalt Cornwall is a British brand making clothes inspired by the rugged coast of Cornwall. Seasalt Cornwall clothing features plenty of breton stripes, practical and stylish outdoor wear and fun unique prints. They are the UK’s largest sellers of organic cotton and try to use organic cotton as much as possible in their clothing. They also aim to make as much of their clothing in the UK as possible with their locally made project utilising artisan skills in the UK. For those clothes made in other parts of the world, they work with suppliers that share their commitment to working standard. They are also part of the Ethical Trading Initiative.

Shop Seasalt Cornwall

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30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Seasalt

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

ruby dress 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Seasalt

For today (day 21) of my 30 days of Ethical Fashion, I would like to share a brand that I have just bought some Christmas pressies from. I was impressed by both what I received and the customer service.

Seasalt started as just one shop in Penzance in 1987 and has now grown to include 12 shops in the South West, an online store and many more stockists. The brand is one of the pioneers of sustainable fashion. They were, in fact the first fashion brand to have clothing certified to Soil Association standards. In 2010 they won the ‘UK’s Best Organic Retailer’. They are also largest seller of Soil Association Certified product in the UK. They are signed up to the Ethical Trading Inititative. 60% of the cotton collection at Seasalt is organic and where possible they use recycled or sustainable alternatives.

I love the bright colours, bold patterns and fun but practical styles at Seasalt. Actually they remind me of many happy holidays to Cornwall and they are just the sorts of clothes that I want to wear when I am by the sea with all of that beautifully fresh air. But they are also great for practical and very stylish for everyday wear where ever you are. They have their own unique signature style which is classic but modern and won’t go out of fashion.

They also have some great accessories, check out the knitted scarves, snoods and legwarmers!

You can buy Seasalt clothing from the Seasalt website.

I hope that you are well, only 4 more days to go until Christmas! If you are looking for ethical bargains in the sales, please check out the rest of my 30 days of Ethical Fashion Series.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X