Totes time for sustainable fashion

This month is Plastic Free July and so I’ve been on the hunt for ways to reduce my plastic use but also I’m always looking out for ways to make my clothing choices more sustainable and ethically produced.

I am queen of a reusable shopping bag not only for trips to the supermarket, but it's also so handy to have in your handbag for when you are picking up a few bits and pieces in town.

It took me a while to start using reusable bags in clothes shops but it makes perfect sense to have your own bag for these small items. I like to keep them separate to the ones I use when doing my weekly food shop because I always have a fear that some food smell will transfer so when I came across this brand Reuzi on Instagram I thought their mosaic design reusable tote made from recycled plastic bottles was the perfect bag to keep for such occasions.

I’ve also come across this gorgeous new label Organic Movement from Cork-born Emylou Hurley which sources and sells organic cotton yoga wear that’s consciously grown and ethically sewn and is really rather understated and beautiful.

Following a trip to India in 2018 and inspired by her love for yoga, Emylou saw the unethical supply chain, lack of sustainability in the retail industry and the negative environmental impact of synthetic clothing. She says: “My curiosity and compassion grew instantly. Having witnessed a tiny percentage of what people go through daily in India, I became a conscious consumer overnight. Who made my clothes? Were they treated fairly? What effects environmentally is this having? Do I need this?”

And so began her search for organic and natural products that were ethically produced and so began Organic Movement which comprises of hand-picked yoga wear made in both Bali and Europe.

The collection of leggings and cropped tops are made from 92 per cent organic cotton and 8 per cent lycra making them super soft and comfortable and all the while allowing your skin to breathe. Emylou launched Organic Basics at this year’s Thrive Festival including elegant triangle bras, long sleeve tees, tennis socks and towels all made from organic cotton. She also stocks their recycled Nylon Sea Blue collection.

Organic Movement is Ireland's first and only stockist of Organic Basics, an international activewear brand who also shares the same values as Emylou, and takes pride in their ethics.

This June, Emylou launched a tote bag to help bring awareness about the unjust Direct Provision system in Ireland. The End Direct Provision tote is made from 100 per cent organic cotton, with all proceeds going directly to Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI). “I've made this tote bag to help take the discussion of ending Direct Provision offline and into our society.”

The soft colour palette of shades of greys and stone wash mean not only does it make for great yoga wear, it’s also full of mix and match pieces that would instantly update your loungewear basics.

These are just a few sustainable labels I’ve been loving lately but there really is so much out there just waiting to be discovered and it's all about introducing small changes like these into our daily lives and wardrobes. Happy Plastic Free July everyone!