LOUNGIN’ AROUND
With many of us in self-isolation, and the country in official lockdown, now might just be the time to invest in your loungewear. Forget cashmere this, and fine linen that — this is the kind of loungewear that, while it won’t necessarily make you look like a lady of leisure, works hard against those inevitable pulls, snags and saggy knees, tatty elbows and bobbly thighs that all the posh loungewear inevitably succumbs to. I’m talking loungewear with staying power… in fact let’s call it “comfy tracksuits for those who take lounging seriously” (i.e. day to night... and maybe through the night and well into the next day! 😂) — with a bit of cooking, that weekly top-up shop, taking the bins out and an office report to get done. As someone who quite often works from home, a soft fabric and stretch waistband is ideal for freedom of movement. Not just for the home, loungewear is also ideal for travelling (one day!!!), hitting the town (i.e enjoying and supporting your local amenities with friends — I will never take this for granted again!), yoga and a run around the block if you are so inclined (news guys - this didn’t get cancelled in the lockdown so keep it all moving still please). Read on for some of my favourite ethical loungewear options which will see you not only through the coming weeks but through many years to come…
PANGAIA is a materials science company on a mission to save our environment. Their global team of scientists, technologists, designers are dedicated to creating essential products from innovative tech and bio-engineered materials. Materials are generated from plants grown without the use of harmful and toxic pesticides, with certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), using a recycled water system. This bright pink tracksuit is sure to lift spirits when your mood may be low thanks to its vibrancy and has been made using a dyeing process with low water consumption and treatment of textile effluents, aiming to reuse water during the washing processes. This is a more sustainable, “environmentally friendly” process which uses low toxicity products in order to reduce the generation of effluents, whilst also promoting low water consumption.
Riley Studio is on a constant journey towards being as sustainably as possible - the brand uses recycled materials and works directly with ethical partners, with a constant commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way. Pieces are created to be durable and versatile, to stand the test of time. This co-ord set is cut from the Q-NOVA® by Fulgar recycled fibre, and made exclusively from regenerated waste materials.
Colourful Standard is all about creating timeless classics in organic materials — in their words, their pieces are “sustainable, colourful and uncomplicated.” Everything is made from 100% Organic cotton, which means cotton that is grown without genetically modified seeds. And on top of that, they are made by hardworking people who are treated as humans should be treated. That means fair wages, no discrimination and freely chosen employment.
Noctu is dedicated to using organic cotton that is GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) approved. The GOTS certification not only ensures that the cotton is 100% organic and therefore completely pesticide free, but that there are no nasty chemicals used in any process of the growing, avoiding water, soil and environmental damage. It also ensures that workers under GOTS approved cotton farming, had strict guidelines for fair trade including, workers rights and unions, absolutely zero child labour, fair wages and good working conditions. The cotton used is also ‘Standard 100 Oeko-Tex®’ Certified, this ensures that no harmful chemicals have been used in any process of the cotton cycle, from raw cotton though to the knitting and dyeing process. Likewise, for every single purchase made through the brand’s website, they donate enough money to save 10 square metres of endangered wildlife across the planet via their partnership with the World Land Trust (WLT).