Party dress of the week!

Slinky, sexy and slimming – what’s not to love about the Alchemist Silk Dress, for £140.00 with its empire silhouette?

Made from sheer silk chiffon in dark grey, there is wonderful delicacy in the gathering detail of rectangular panels on the front and shoulders that will accentuate your bust, flatten your stomach and lengthen your body.

Perfect for any pear-shaped princess looking for her Christmas (k)night!

You can choose your weapon of choice to place under the dress, although the loose-fitting, delicate Alchemist Slip Dress for £85.00 in the same dark grey colour and spaghetti straps – which, by the way, are adjustable - is an absolutely perfect match!

Glitz up with some jewellery and heels to finish.

More Equa dresses.

Festive Feet: Eco Party Heels

‘Tis the season to let your hair down, kick back and glam up your feet. Equa has some beautiful eco party shoes to help you become the belle of the Christmas ball that we just had to share with you.

Be a stunning red bomb shell with the gorgeous Beyond Skin Derby Heels for £124.00. Altogether foxy, it's perfect to bring extra panache to this season’s LBD, and is just as gorgeous with a pair of skinny jeans and a tailored blazer.

Using faux felt, with a black patent style cone heel, the shoes are vegan and available in sizes EU 38 -41.

The Sofia Court Shoe for £150.00, also by Beyond Skin is another fantastic faux felt design, with its timeless design and neutral grey colouring offset by black patent effect.

A practical height with its brogue design, it’s suitable for both office wear with a trouser suit or an elegant pencil skirt but can add the finishing touches to any outfit for after work festivities, saving you the need to try and cram an extra pair of shoes into your handbag.

What’s more, the shoe comes lined with a slick and stylish purple lining.

Another item on the Christmas party outfit wish list should be these Terra Plana Doll Quilt Court pumps, £120.00.

The fact that Terra Plana’s memory foam lines the souls of these shoes creating real comfort - not to mention the low-heeled appeal - these make for great dancing shoes. Using only vegetable tanned leather in a stylish cream tone back panel that offsets its funky heel, the classic Terra Plana detail of bright recycled textured woven materials towards the front design will add some spice to any outfit, whether it is jeans or an evening dress.

What’s more, if you are buying online then there is free UK delivery until Christmas – so you can stay snuggled up if you wish!

Now all you need to add is the sparkle!

Greenmystyle.com Editor’s pick: Luxe gifts

Greenmystyle.com Editor Jen Marsden was in the Equa boutique this week, choosing her favourite Luxe gifts for Christmas. We asked her to share what she will be buying with us.

“I have a confession. I found it very hard to choose from the gorgeous selection of beautiful items in Equa. Mainly because the choice selection was already so quality and fabulous. I couldn’t just think about gifts for loved ones either - I had to choose one or two for myself!"

She immediately made a beeline for the OUTSIDER Pleat Collar Blazer, £149.00. "I have been looking for a tailored, gorgeous and ethical jacket like this for ages! I can dress up my jeans during the daytime and ensure elegance is not lost when I wear it over a dress or skirt when going for Wintertime after work drinks It feels absolutely lush with its hemp and silk mix and satin collar. I particularly love the flattering V neckline and practical single silver button, as well as the decorative pockets."

"I adore shower time, particularly when there is a lovely scent to wake me up! The Whishes Three Whishes Body Wash (£15.00) is really scrumptious, as it’s not only moisturising with its organic ingredients (and paraben free, I might add) but the citrusy and herbal elements of the lemongrass awakens the senses while soothing and toning my skin. Mmmn!" Jen thinks it's a, "perfect gift to help get people out of bed on a cold January morning."

"The scents of Timothy Han’s Orange and Clove scented 100% natural soy wax candle (£28.00) gives the home a really Christmasy feel - it reminds me of childhood - and is bound to bring smiles to the beneficiary. A real luxury treat!"

Jen declared that, "practical gifts are great".

And what would Christmas be without receiving a jumper?

"I love the V-neck organic cotton fine knit Edun Moraine Sweater, £169.00, particular it has a white owl pattern (somewhat angelic too) on the rear that sneaks to the front. Perfect to snuggle up in while looking eco chic."

Jen explained that she is currently seeking out someone to buy her the Fifi Bijoux Cheek Necklace, which costs £115.00. "It’s incredibly delicate and will sit as a feature on your neck, hanging from a 100% recycled gold chain .The pendant itself is made from 9 carat ethically mined gold from South Africa and made in my homeland of Scotland. I love the detail as much as the story of how it has been produced sustainably and fairly."

Jen adds: "I have a friend who would just love the natural and chunky nature of the LeJu Black Horn Resin Ring that has been cleverly carved out of just one piece of cow horn. Added to the charm is the inset coloured resin of purple, yellow and aqua blue, making the finger a feature." This costs £32.00.

Who wouldn't want a luxury gift at Christmas?

Gift Ideas £100 and over

Win! £50 Equa Gift Voucher

Take advantage of our generousity splurge! We’re offering one lucky ethical fashion fan an Equa gift voucher worth £50, to either spend online or in the Camden Passage Boutique, Islington on whatever you wish for!

That means that any one of those gorgeous eco gifts under £50 that you saw in our blog last week could be yours! That could make for a cheaper Christmas gift spend  - or it could be a way to treat yourself.

For your chance to win, just email info@equaclothing.com with ‘£50 Gift Voucher Prize’ in the email subject title by 15th December.

Want to treat someone?
Buy Equa gift vouchers in multiples of £5, with a minimum value of £15. To redeem, each voucher contains a unique code that can be entered in the check out area of the website.

Christmas Gifts for under £50

The Christmas lights have been switched on. I had a festive moment: I began planning what gifts to buy the near ones and dear ones for Christmas. Some of my friends have been planning their ethical Christmas gifts for a while, creating loads of homemade chutneys spiced and packaged with all the festivities. I’ve not been quite as proactive but I now have a good idea of the presents that I wish to give – and hope to receive, naturally! And they all come straight from the Equa boutique.

I thought I would share some of my favourite gift ideas that will provide eco chic style to the Christmas routine and all cost less than £50!

These Violet Haze Short from Enamore, for £44, is likely to heat up the boudoir. A sexy and ethical item I think any girl will be pleased with if she finds it under the tree.They are full knickers made from organically grown silk in a luxe purple colour with a black lace trim. It also has a contrast off-centre yellow bow that oozes sophistication and elegance – while being a tad cheeky.

You can’t go wrong with this gorgeous, slouchy lilac People Tree Trinity Beret, £19. A practical buy for keeping you warm throughout the winter, it offers much seasonal style charm too. Fairly traded from Nepal, it uses the hand knitting craft of open trinity stitch. There’s also a matching scarf for £29. And, if you would prefer another colour or knitting style, then we have currently got a wide choice in the boutique, including a bottle green feather and fan stitch beret or a Samantha Holmes Leaf Knit Hat - a charcoal grey, hand knitted alpaca wool beanie hat.

I just adored Whish Three Whishes Sugar Scrub from day one and so had to sell it in Equa as it makes the perfect pamper gift. Made in the USA, it contains organic ingredients and is paraben free. For £26, the exfoliating sugar works on your dry skin while adding many moisturising oils in so that you can lose the dull skin and begin to glow. In two scents, I love the pomegranate option at this time of year as it is packed full of antioxidants and is perfect for rejuvenation.

I also take pleasure in the Cotswolds organic purity creation of the Ila Body Balm for Feeding the Skin, £39. This is suitable for all ages and is particularly great for those with eczema, as it uses essential fatty acids and antioxidants to do just what its name suggests. It’s particularly good to apply the balm after a warm bath.

For those romantic nights in under the mistletoe, then Timothy Han’s Tin Candle, £7.50, makes a sumptuous and sexy gift. 100% natural and handcrafted in London from pure essential oils with soy wax, these are free from genetically modified ingredients and avoid the usual black-smoking petroleum and paraffin. For Earl Grey tea drinking lovers, the Bergamot scented candle is particularly lush, and promises to burn for 12 hours.

So. What are you going to use for all your Christmas and January sales shopping? Our Envirosax Reusable Bags can easily be tightly rolled up and stored in your handbag until they are needed, so you never need accept a plastic bag again! I also keep a whole stash of them by my front door to remind me to use them when I'm nipping out quickly to the shops. I love the different designs these bags come in: from the inspiration of Australian rainforests to bohemian Art Nouveau, as well as the straightforward Oxford design, which is perfect for men. Each Envirosax Reusable Bag costs £5.99, however we’re also offering a lucky dip, special offer where you get 5 random bags for £25, which you can keep all for yourself or treat friends and family to as a bonus green stocking filler.

Other Christmas under £50 gift favourites:

LeJu Brown Horn Resin Ring, £32
Saffron Winds Recycled Cosmetics Case, £14
Eco Boudoir Eye Mask, £35

Gifts £50 & Under

New Arrivals! Autumn/Winter 2010 Treats

I had a realisation this week and it’s one that comes to me about the same time every year as the atmosphere begins to feel very festive: running my lovely Islington boutique really is like celebrating Christmas all year around!

And, that feeling is never more pronounced than when the gorgeous ethical garments we’ve had on our wish list and ordered arrive into the shop. It’s a real joy opening the packages with anticipation and preparing them for the shop floor. I’m never disappointed.

Least of all this week, when we got the new range of jewellery by Made, the brand by the people for the people. Included in our bundle were these lovely Heart Hoop Square Earrings created out of thin slivers of recycled brass by cooperatives in Kenya. It’s a fresh take on the usual simple design hoop earrings, yet playfully adds one square and one heart into the mix. And there’s a matching pendant that should sit perfectly on any party diva’s neckline.

Not only that, the Made Hayley Mardon Rhombus Necklace  is a stunning piece
utilising the contrast of a quadrilateral shape with brass disks that sits just below the collar bone. This would look great with a V-neck top, blouse or jumper. The result is beautiful. I already witnessed a friend of mine prodding her boyfriend with a hopeful look that can only mean she expects them as a gift under the Christmas tree - if not before...!

For less fussy designs, there is also Made’s Square Brass Pendant and Earrings. These drop earrings are fast becoming a favourite of mine too because they are so adaptable! A perfect accessory for the ever-so eco chic party dresses that we have this season, suitable with both our fab ethical LBDs as well as our more casual range.

Speaking of casual, we now have both in-store and online these gorgeous Kuyichi Desi Jeggings! Yes, you did read correctly – jeggings (jeans come leggings) are a super hot look. Favoured by the celebs this summer, including Beyonce Knowles and Lily Cole, this trend continues into winter. 

These skinny jeans complement any tunic and are ideal for keeping warm when worn under a glamorous party frock through these cold winter months. And, if you’re worried they look a bit too skinny for you, worry not, they include a delicate touch of elastane to ensure they stretch and provide comfort.

I can imagine showcasing them at the weekend, offset with an easy top, while I warm up with hot chocolate in my local coffee shop.  As with all Kuyichi’s range, these legging jeans are made from organic cotton and are fairly traded.This new style has some decorative features added with a contrast silver grey stitched faux jean style pockets that give it a little extra sparkle compared with most I’ve seen. Divine.

More by Made

See all Jeans

Style Tips - 2009's top Christmas party dress trend!

It's nearly November ladies, and that means only one thing - Christmas! Yay. We love this time of year. Of course, it's a season all about giving and we love planning the perfect gifts to buy for everyone. But there's definitely one self-indulgent highlight in the season - finding the perfect Christmas party dress of course! We don't know about you, but we're seeing Christmas party banners up in bars and restaurants already and we're dying to get glammed up.

2009 has been a fashion homage to the opulent Eighties, with the comeback of numerous Eighties trends, from outsized bows to towering platform heels to sequins scattered over everything we can get away with. Keep fashion's current penchant for excessive details, playful silhouettes and vivid colours in mind when picking out your dress for the season's Christmas celebrations. It's definitely the hottest look of the year.


Pair overly-girly Eighties-style dresses with tough ankle boots to epitomise this season's catwalk looks. Go body-con and channel Christophe Decarnin's models at Balmain, or choose a prom shape in a mini length like ones seen at Luella. Either way, check the dress from every angle, and think what accessories you would complement it with; there's nothing worse than buying a great dress and discovering that nothing in your wardrobe goes with it.

Equa has a host of ethically-made party dresses to pick from. New in is a capsule collection of one-off prom dresses by designer Tara Starlet, who recently starred in BBC3's Blood, Sweat And T-Shirts, exclusively created by Tara just for us. Tufts of taffeta jut out from structured waistlines in perfect party fashion. The feminine, sweetheart, strapless neckline is a modest way to show off some decolletage. The plaid print version of this dress (pictured above) will make an unexpected, yet darling choice for any Christmas party. Play on the dress's femininity by adding some elegant peep toe stilettos or, as suggested above, contrast the dress with some heavy ankle boots.

Blue is not an obvious choice to wear for the festive season, which is usually filled with reds, golds and LBDs. So, why not go against the grain and wow with this electric blue parachute dress by Debbi Little (pictured right)? The recycled parachute silk falls to the knee and comes with a separate net petticoat for masses of volume. In addition to getting our vote, this dress has the celebrity stamp of approval after being worn by style icon Daisy Lowe in The Observer Magazine Ethical Issue.

This bow dress by Sika wouldn't look out of place on Lady Gaga thanks to the huge bow on the shoulder. The amazing detail is balanced out by the simplicity of the rest of the dress, resulting in an offbeat LBD with a twist. This is ideal for those who want to stand out whilst staying true to something classical and elegant. It's available at Equa right now in black or green. By Amiee Mann

See all party dresses at Equa
More from Debbi Little
More from Sika
More from Tara Starlet
The perfect Christmas party shoes
Christmas party clutch bags
More Style Tips

The ethical Christmas gifts we'd love to get (and give!) this year

Behind the scenes at Equa we're getting ready for the Christmas season. We love creating our festive shop window, coming up with our instore treats (mulled wine, anyone?) and displaying our top ethical gift picks. Islington looks so magical at Christmas, especially Camden Passage where we're located.

We make a special effort to capture that Christmas magic online too, at both our online shop and on this blog, where we will be highlighting our best gift ideas and running a special Christmas competition (watch this space). We couldn't help ourselves this week, what with so many lovely new season pieces arriving on the shop floor. We just had to pick the ethical gifts we'd love to find under our eco trees!

Penny Dowling, founder & director

I love the Saffron Winds wash bag made from recycled rice and fish bags from Cambodia. I have an old wash bag that I think was a freebie from a magazine, so I think I deserve a new one! This one has been catching my eye ever since they arrived in store and I'm hoping that I've dropped enough hubbie hints!!

If I don't get that (or maybe even if I do), then my Eternal Creation slippers that I bought three years ago at one of the Fashion Made Fair sample sales are now so threadbare that I don't think they will last much longer. A great classic Christmas gift of a pair of slippers wouldn't go amiss and these Po-Zu Peasy slippers fit the bill for me.

Eva Phillips, sales assistant

Hmm, it's tricky to pick just one as I would love pretty much anything! But I guess if I'd been a very good girl I'd love to receive the Edun Morain sweater. But then again, I would also love any of the Ila candles as I adore scented candles, especially such pretty ones. I can never justify buying them for myself!

Christina Harnois, sales assistant
I would love to receive the Cecilia Hammarborg Mandarin coat because every girl should have a red coat to brighten up those crisp Winter days! This piece would be in my wardrobe for years to come, the quality and elegance of the fabric makes it timeless and the whimsical design would make me feel like a character in a fairytale. Now, who will I find to give it to me...?

Marta Krsteva, sales assistant

Top of my Christmas gift wish list is Kuyichi's Magic dress. I love everything about this dress: the colour, the fabric, the style, the length and the detailing. I'd wear it as a dress and as a top too, with skinny jeans or leggings. Electric blue is such a powerful colour and is my favourite!

Thalia Warren, sales and marketing assistant

Beyond Skin Hendrix vegan ankle boots: This is the kind of gift I would give because I really want them for myself! A vegan friend of mine says she missed leather far more than she misses any food items but I know she would love these gorgeous boots. They are super sexy and very chic. The flash of purple lining gives them a fun edge too. I think the fact they are hemp rather than all over plastic, as many vegan shoes often are, would be appreciated too.

An early Christmas gift from Equa to you - free postage on all orders

Are you bored by the postal strike? Us too. Waiting for goodies to arrive in the post is like waiting for Christmas to happen as a child; agonisingly painful, though worth the wait of course when those gorgeous parcels arrive.

To take a little pain out of shopping online we're offering free delivery worldwide on all items until the end of October. Now at least you're not footing the postage bill for those new on-season purple Monkey Genes sateen skinny trousers, best-selling Veja volley trainers or delectable Made Hayley Mardon Rhombus necklace. Or on any items that you just have to have right now, for that matter!

We know you love to save the pennies too, where you can, without skimping on the quality of what goes in your wardrobe or course. Free delivery on all orders is one perfect way to help you do that. Consider it an early Christmas gift from Equa to you!

In store right now, our stylists are going ga-ga for winter warmers. It must be the nip in the air this week. The conversation has turned to coats and knitwear (check out People Tree's snuggly cable cowl jumper), especially with the arrival this week of this glorious Mandarin coat in a striking red from young designer Cecilia Hammarborg's capsule Black River Falls collection, launched at London Fashion Week. Against a grey autumn day, it can't help to lift the spirits.

Made in London using Italian wool, this swing coat has a high collar and puff shoulders and is fully lined. With front seam pockets the coat fastens at the front with four covered buttons. But here's the most gorgeous touch; the tailored front is offset with wide pleats at the back, so beautifully made that we just had to show you in the picture here. The whole coat has a Sixties feel to it, don't you think? It's a great quality investment piece, at £245, that will last for many winter seasons to come.

Cecilia Hammarborg is a new talent to watch. Her signature style is the combination of sharp tailoring and immaculate cutting with slightly unexpected feminine fluidity, such as sharply waisted coats with full skirts for example. It's a blend of sharp and soft. Hammarborg's 'birdgun' logo is a case in point - cute little birdie with a revolver head. Need we say more!

Jeans alert! £50 Monkee Genes arrive, plus how to find a pair to flatter your shape

Great news for fans of good old faithful jeans this week - and doesn't that just about include all of us?! We've taken our first delivery of Monkee Genes, the ethical jeans brand that won't bust the bank. A pair of Monkee Genes jeans is comparable in price to Topshop or Gap jeans, retailing at about £50, but the cut and quality of the fabric suggests a far more expensive pair. Hurrah!

If you haven't heard of Monkee Genes, they're a UK brand, born in 2006 out of a desire to perk up the jeans market and bring more fashion-forward styling to ethical denim especially. Now carrying the Soil Association organic standard, which ensures that no pesticides or chemicals are used in the making of the cotton, Monkee Genes are made in factories where working standards are vetted.

We're stocking two Monkee Genes styles; the organic cotton sateen trouser in purple or slate (black will be arriving soon), and the super skinny high-rise organic cotton jean in inky blue. The Monkee Genes brand patch that you see on the picture here, on the back of the jean, is detachable.

Perhaps the best news, apart from each pair retailing at just £50, is that Monkee Genes contain Lycra, which makes for a great fit. The number one style tip for choosing jeans is to find a pair that flatters your shape, rather than slavishly following a jeans trend that just doesn't work for you. A little bit of Lycra certainly makes for a better fitting, and more comfortable jean.

To celebrate the arrival of Monkee Genes, and help you find a pair that flatters, we've asked GreenmyLIFEstyle fashion stylist Zoe Robinson for her top tips. Zoe says:

1. Cut
Don't hide your figure buy wearing over-sized, baggy jeans - they will only make you appear larger than you really are. If you're conscious of your hips or thighs wear boot-cut or slightly flared jeans to create balance. If you really want to wear skinny jeans, team with heeled knee-high boots to create a longer, leaner look. If you're worried about your tummy, opt for a mid or high-rise jean with stretch rather than a true hipster. Go for a cut that suits your shape and not what's in fashion this week.

2. Length
Make sure jeans are the right length - too long and they'll bunch up and look scruffy, too short and you'll look dated and your legs will appear shorter (which may have the effect of broadening your bum). Take your favourite boots or shoes with you when you try your jeans to find the perfect length - they should sit on your foot. If jeans are always too long for you and you can't get your size, have them taken up - it will only cost a few pounds but will make a big difference

3. Pockets
The eyes focus on them so well-placed pockets on the back of jeans can be very flattering. Large pockets will make your bum and hips appear narrower but if they're too small they will make your bottom look broader. Make sure pockets sit high enough on your bum, if they are too low your bottom will appear to sag. Also check the direction of the pockets - if the bottom of the pocket is angled out towards the hips this will accentuate the curve of your hip - great if your hips are narrow there but if you want to streamline your curves go for pockets that point slightly inwards.

4. Colour
It's an obvious one that dark denim has a slimming effect. Whatever the colour the jeans are, if they are lighter in certain areas, that will highlight those areas on you. If you are sensitive about large thighs or bottom, don't go for jeans that are lighter or bleached out in those areas, but if you have a tiny bottom and want to create the illusion of curves go for it!

5. Cost
Jeans are an investment so it's worth spending a little extra to find the perfect pair. They'll be a key piece in your wardrobe and should last for years.