Warmer days are in full swing - the sun is officially shining past the office yours, which means your summer wardrobe is in desperate need for an ethical makeover. Fret not, shopping smartly this summer will get you through the season in style without breaking the bank. Investing in a few versatile staples that you can wear season after season and dressing them up with some statement pieces is the key to summer chic. Here are some of my favorite picks for this summer: all curated from ethical fashion brands that not only sell beautiful products, but also ensure they are ethically made using sustainable materials and some even support a cause.
Written by Shruti Jain of Style Destino, Ethical Vegan Fashion Blogger
14 Ethical Must-Have Pieces for Summer #Savant
1. Amour Vert Marine Stripe Dress
Amour Vert: Marine Stripe Dress
Shop via Amour Vert
A striped nautical print is a summer essential, and this timeless style is an investment that can last for years. I love this marine striped dress from sustainable clothing brand Amour Vert that believes in creating zero-waste styles, using eco-friendly fabrics and non-toxic dyes, and of course, ethical manufacturing. A re-take on the classic, this striped style features a flutter detail at the hemline giving it a flirty-feminine feel. It’s perfect for every occasion, from beach to travel to running errands, or meeting your friends for lunch.
2. Organic Cotton Skinny Jeans
Monkeegenes: Organic Cotton Skinny Jeans
Shop at Monkeegenes.com
Skinny jeans are a wardrobe must-have and one well-fitted pair that allows movement is essential for all your exciting summer plans. Be forever grateful to sustainable vegan brand Monkee Jeans, as now sacrificing ethics, style or comfort is not needed. Their Organic Flex Skinny Jeans combine all the three together. Crafted from organic cotton, these cool super skinny jeans fit perfectly and allow movement. With a classic white tee, these skinny jeans and a pair of cool pineapple leather sneakers , you are all set for spontaneous summer adventures.
3. Comfortable and Stylish Dress That Takes You From Day to Night
Jan N June: Neoprene Dress
Shop at Jannjune.com
When you are travelling for summer, you often need outfits that can go an extra mile. This super comfortable dress from ethical vegan brand Jan N June is just the best bet for all your day-to-night needs, ensuring you don’t exceed your baggage limit. It would be perfect for a casual brunch, or done up with a statement necklace and heels for a night-out at the bustling beach clubs. The best part about this dress? It’s crafted from fabric that’s made with recycled ocean waste (fish nets and ocean garbage) and it’s also lightweight, breathable and feels easy on the skin even in heat. What more can you ask for?
4. Organic Cotton Shirt: From Boardroom to Beach
Zady: Organic Cotton Voile Shirt
Shop at Zady.com
A good quality white shirt is always a good investment – it lasts forever, you can wear it for nearly every occasion and style it whatever way you like. You can choose to look stylish, elegant, sophisticated, cool or street smart – depending on how you style it. When you are buying a button down white shirt, make sure it is crafted from organic cotton, like this stylish and slim fit Zady Voile Shirt – it will be the right decision for the soil, for the world’s water and for our climate (as the Zady website states).
5. Stylish Jacket: Seasonless Staple
Passion Lillie: Ikat Jacket
Shop at Beadandreel.com
A stylish jacket is a seasonless staple. They are a savior when you’re travelling or when AC in the malls or your office is on blast. This lightweight blazer jacket style is a great investment – the waterfall style makes it perfect for both your more formal and off-duty looks, while the neutral grey hue would ensure it complements most of your outfits.
6. Vegan Sandals That Are As Chic As They Are Comfortable
NAE Irene: Vegan Suede Sandals
Shop at Shop.addresschic.com
Summer 2017 is taking a turn for a chunkier and more comfortable style in the shoe department, and these low-heeled minimalist chic sandals are right on-point. You can wear these for nearly everything your summer calendar has in store for you – lunch meetings, summer soirees, weekend getaway, shopping sprees and even a quick trip to the grocery store. I love the ethical vegan online store Address Chic that curates everything from clothing, shoes, bags to beauty, and even cool sustainable lifestyle products from around the world. Although nude is my favorite (it’s so versatile and timeless), you can find more colour options of Irene on their store.
7. - 9. Stylish Bags For Your All Your Summer Plans
Stylish Bags
For All Your Summer Plans
When it comes to shopping for a bag, making sure that it is cruelty-free and super stylish is a must. After all, there’s little place for leather post -00s. Plus, finding cool vegan handbags is not difficult anymore. There are so many amazing ethical vegan handbag options out there that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
This summer, invest in a crossbody style that works for all occasions – travel, shopping, beach and beyond, and a dressy clutch that gives you more spark. My favorite picks are:
- Nude Dakota Crossbody from Aussie vegan handbag brand Urban Originals, it has so much room and the color is so versatile, it goes literally with every summer outfit of choice.
Urban Originals: Dakota Crossbody
Shop via Shop.addresschic.com
- The Noces Raffia Clutch will add a touch of rock’n’roll to any outfit and is ethically handcrafted by artisans in Madagascar. For every bag you buy, the company donates part of the profits to a charity.
Noces: Raffia Clutch
Shop via TheNoces.com
- The Gemini Clutch from luxury vegan bag brand FruitenVeg, a statement piece that works for all your dressy looks. It comes in a beautiful box and is crafted from luxury vegan exotic skin. It’s colour-blocked style (pink and green) makes it perfect for every special occasion.
FruitenVeg: The Gemini Cluth
Shop via Shop.addresschic.com
10. Glam Up With Sunglasses
Modo: Eco Clip-On Glasses
Shop via Modo.com
No summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of stylish sunglasses. And when you can invest in a pair that not only looks cool, but is also sustainably-made, there’s no reason to hold yourself back from getting a new pair for this summer. Modo’s Eco Collection has some really stylish pieces that you must get your hands on. Crafted from recycled and bio materials, this New York based brand goes the extra mile to save the environment. For every pair you buy, they plant a tree. Now looking stylish while contributing your bit to save the planet can be done in a single swipe of a card!
11. - 12. Statement Jewellery: An Investment That Lasts For Seasons
Accessorizing is the key to bringing that extra edge to any look, and jewellery is the best way to achieve it. Investing in good quality ethical pieces makes sense, because not only does a good piece of jewellery last forever, but when you buy from an ethical brand that supports artisans and uses sustainable materials, you naturally become part of their story.
Soko: Solitaire Ring
Shop at Shopsoko.com
This stunning ring from ethical jewelry brand, Soko, that supports artisans in Kenya and offers them a means to earn a livelihood, will work for all your summer adventures. You can wear it with a tee and jeans, with red nails to deck up a simple look, or add that extra jazz to your sexy outfit for your candlelight beach date.
Tribe of Lambs: Malika Earrings
Shop at Tribeoflambs.com
And, of course, you need some gorgeous earrings to complete the look - the Malika Earrings from Tribe of Lambs will be the perfect pick. It's handcrafted from sterling silver and every purchase supports HIV positive children in India. Look good and do good at the same time – what can be better?
13. Juicy Summer Nail Colours
Oh Tiff!: Vegan Nail Polish
Shop at Shop.addresschic.com
Flaunting a cool pedicure and manicure is mandatory come summer. After all, your feet and hands need some sun and color after being stuffed in boots and gloves in colder days. However, it’s important that you paint your nails with only non-toxic vegan nail polish that’s not only cruelty-free but also 5-free. Oh Tiff vegan nail polish checks all the boxes and is one of my favorites – lasts longer, dries quickly and comes with a choice of gorgeous colours. My favorite is their classic set, comprising of a bright and happy pink that screams summer, chic and elegant nude that works for day as well as night, and a romantic burgundy for your summer parties and romantic dates.
14. Pop Some Bright Colour On Your Lips
Reflections Organics: Wild Cherry Vegan
Shop at ReflectionsOrganics.com
The perfect red lip will finish off every summer look to perfection, and for that you need a lip shade that not only looks good, but is also free from harmful chemicals and animal ingredients. Lip butter from Reflections Organics does the job quite well. Crafted from organic ingredients and free from animal cruelty, their lipsticks moisturise the lips, give them a deep rich colour and nourish them too. Favourite for summer? Wild cherry – it’s the perfect red that’ll complement most skin tones.