Top Eco-Fashion Brands In Wales


Discovering local sustainable brands can be challenging, so Elouise Hobbs has rounded up some of the best sustainable Welsh clothing brands, perfect for every occasion.


Day-to-day Rhetorik


Denim


Founded by a group of university friends in the Welsh capital, Rhetorik’s distinctive clothing line prioritises ensuring that their supply lines are sustainable as possible. This involves working with a renewable-powered factory in India, ensuring their UK workshop runs partly off solar panels and printing with water-based inks. Their latest forest


10% profits to global reforesting initiatives.


wear-rhetorik.com collection also donated


Huit Denim Last century, Cardigan in west


Wales was better known, for their denim production than their woollen namesake: the local factory produced over 35,000 pairs of jeans a week, but closed in the early 2000s. Luckily, David and Clare Hieatt saw an opportunity to reinvent the business with a new, sustainable outlook. Eco-balls and washes have taken the place of chemicals, and the brand also offers free repairs for life. hiutdenim.co.uk


Occasion DATi


Founders of Cardiff’s Sustainable Studios, sisters Sarah and Julia, have helped start a sustainable revolution in the capital – with their clothing brand DATi at the centre. Translating to “good on you” in Welsh, pieces are crafted from reworked fabrics, helping each piece feel unique. By primarily focusing on reducing fabric waste, they have become known for producing one of a kind, zero waste pieces from leftover fabrics and threads. daticlothing.co.uk


Sportswear Howies


More established than most brands on this list, Howies of west Wales has been producing sustainable sportswear, as well as everyday clothing, for over 25 years. Mainly focusing on using organic, recycled, and natural fabrics, all their sport base layers are made using Merino wool and their undies, t-shirts and jeans are made exclusively from organic cotton. howies.co.uk


Accessories Maykher


Maykher is not only a champion of artisan creative techniques, such as weaving and printing, but they also have an amazing mission, with every item sold contributing to their aim to tackle poverty and inequality through education. Founded by Heidi Louise-Griffiths, the brand has grown rapidly – and her stylish bags, hats and scarfs are perfect for chilly winter evenings. maykher.com


How to


Shop Sustainably and Stay Stylish


From environmental to ethical concerns, there are many reasons to want to shop sustainably. But if most of us are honest, doing so is hard and typically means unlearning a lifetime of habits. Yet, knowing a few simple tips, you can quickly – and, most of the time, affordably – start building a green, chic wardrobe.


Over the past decade, charity shops have had a massive reinvention and now are the coolest place for Gen Z to spend their weekends – trawling through everything from fast fashion donations to one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. The charm of charity shops is that there’s always something new to discover.


Vintage shops are another great option. Often more curated than their charitable counterparts, there are typically two kinds of vintage: the first selling pricier repaired mid- century finds and the later celebrating fashions from the 80s onwards at more affordable prices. When shopping


vintage, always remember that sizing is non-comparable to modern-day, so go with an open mind.


If you do want to continue shopping high street brands, there are some great alternatives to visiting the story. Patagonia and Gap now have sections in their online stores dedicated to selling returned or slightly damaged ‘seconds’. Brands like Zara and Ted Baker have deals with the British Red Cross and Oxfam, respectively, to sell last season’s items at highly discounted prices. Resale apps, like Depop and Vinted, are also here to help, and in addition to individual sellers, brands including Lucy and Yak sell overstock on through the app.


Another way to change your shopping habits is to save and invest in classic pieces. According to the BBC, this could have a big impact: increasing the lifespan of an item by nine months could reduce its environmental impact by 30%.


When looking for investment pieces, try channelling iconic stars – think Audrey Hepburn or Lady Diana. Natural fibres in block colour and simple patterns, like spots and stripes, are always a winner. Once you have the item, your local tailor or cobbler will be your best friend to help you ensure that it lasts a lifetime.


ELOUISE HOBBS


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