August Picnic Window Display

We based our August window display around a balmy summer picnic complete with cup cakes and friendly insects!

The outfits featured, from left to right:

Clown Dress by Annie Greenabelle

Oona Pocket Tunic by Stewart+Brown

Bow Clutch by Julia Smith

Sequin Dip Dye Tunic by Alchemist

Inky Black Organic Jeans by Monkee Genes

Botanica 4 Reusable Shopper by Envirosax

Equa Staff Pick Of The Sale

The Equa sale is in full swing, but what are the staff's favourite bargains?

Thalia, Manager:

Kuyichi Lisa Nipi Belt

I got myself one of these earlier on in the season and I absolutely love it! It’s skinny enough to fit through the belt loops on jeans but I’ve also worn it knotted at the waist over dresses. It was worn this way when featured in The Observer Magazine’s LINE-UP (See our post in June). The tan leather gives it a rustic feel but the brass studding lends a harder edge.

Vivo Barefoot Union Plimsolls

We’ve had lots customers tell us that these are the most comfortable shoes they have ever owned. They are designed to be as close as possible to walking barefoot. This strengthens the muscles in your feet and helps to re-align your natural posture. The sole is ultra thin but puncture resistant. I’m very tempted to get a pair myself and see what the fuss is about!

 

 Marta, Sales Assistant:

Annie Greenabelle Clown Dress

Adorable dress that gives a different twist on the classic summer stripy look. Love the pink ruffle neck line which gives a hint of colour.

 Alchemist Linen Riding Jacket

A cute little jacket that looks cool with a pair of skinny jeans, a relaxed t-shirt and a pair of ballet pumps or heels for a smarter look. Love the shorter length at the back.

Christina, Sales Assistant:
                                                       Outsider Shirt Dress

Lovely airy shirt dress with subtle details that set it apart, lovely neck line and full skirt. This is a versatile dress that can be worn in the summer with sandals or in the winter with thick tights and boots.

Enamore Betty Bedrock Camisole

You can’t go wrong with a bit of leopard print, the blue background just makes it a bit softer. It is made of bamboo which makes it lovely and soft against the skin.

Ruth, Sales Assistant:

Annie Greenabelle Scoop Back Party Dress

So pretty and made from organic cotton, this dress is great for the beach with flip flops, or I would add leggings and heels and party the night away!

Stewart & Brown Oona Pocket Tunic 

This casual weekend tunic is lovely worn over Monkee Genes for shopping or the park. Add some Just Trade brass jewellery to meet friends for a summers evening BBQ.

Eco Fabrics

Have you ever wondered what an ‘eco-fabric’ actually is?

There are many variables to consider when classifying a fabric as being an ‘eco-fabric’. This includes everything from how the raw material is grown, the manufacturing process, the chemicals used to dye the fabric to the fabric ultimately being biodegradable or recyclable.

Over the next few weeks Equa will be featuring a different eco-fabric of the week…..

HEMP

Eco Credentials:
Hemp has been associated with cannabis since the 70’s but it is much more than that. For over a thousand years hemp was in fact the world’s largest agricultural crop, it was even the primary source of protein for both humans and animals. Hemp is now used commercially in a wide variety of products, such as paper, biodegradable plastics, health food, and textiles.

A hemp crop will yield 4 times as much raw fibre as an equivalent sized tree plantation. Hemp is a very hardy plant which can be grown in almost any climate and soil condition, allowing it to be grown on otherwise unusable land. It requires no pesticides or herbicides to grow, even replenishing the soil with nutrients such as nitrogen.

Characteristics:
Traditionally hemp produced a coarse woven fabric not suitable for clothing; however recent developments in processing have made it possible to soften the coarse hemp fibres into a soft wearable fabric.

If woven tightly hemp fabric acts as a natural sun screen by repelling 95% of UV rays. It is also a very light and airy fabric while being very strong and durable.

This summer try Equa’s Komodo Cobalt Tunic it is a hemp/cotton mix and has a raw  loosely woven quality, which gives it a natural feel...

                                                                                                  In contrast the Stewart Brown Varley Pleat Dress is made from more tightly woven hemp giving it a fine drape and luxurious finish.

Ethical Holiday Wardrobe

I’m about to go off on a two week city holiday and as it’s my honeymoon I’ve been planning my wardrobe very carefully. Being the buyer at Equa I have great access to a wonderful collection of ethical labels and this season I’ve been spoilt for choice over what to choose from.

The most obvious thing that I needed for a city holiday was a great pair of tailored jeans, especially in Rome and Paris where everyone is so well dressed. My favourite jeans are my Del Forte Calla’s. I have two pairs, one in this season’s Cielo wash, and the other in the Black Out from two seasons ago (and with my careful cool washing with my eco balls the black is still beautifully black).

With that I need some classic separates and where better to look than Stewart Brown and Annie Greenabelle. My Annie Greenabelle Polkadot Blazer is a must and this Annie Greenabelle Grandpa Blouse is perfect for chic casual when wearing with jeans, and this season’s StewartBrown tees are as ever perfect for everyday wear.

As it will be early May I will still need jackets and I’ll be taking my Sika Rain Coat from three seasons ago (click here for Sika’s new season Mac), and my favourite new season purchase - the Kuyichi Leiko Jacket.

Obviously I wanted some spring dresses to wander around my two favourite cities in. I have many dresses from past season from Edun, Annie Greenabelle and Alchemist, but I just couldn’t resist the Amana Eleanora Dress. Wearing it with leggings and ballet pumps makes it a great day dress, and then with heels and sheer tights it can take me to dinner and dancing.

Shoes was something I needed to think about carefully, I needed something for all that walking we’re going to be doing so my Veja Grey/Black trainers are definitely in the holiday bag. For a more tailored look I have a great pair of Terra Plana boots that have a small 1” heel (from a past season) and some great La Lesso Ballet Pumps.

With all that in my suitcase I’m hoping that my romantic notion of overnight train travel won’t be ruined by my new husband complaining about having to lug it around! Wishful thinking? We’ll see!

Penny x

Pick of the Winter Sale

Coat with piping by Kiilerich. A fantastic statement coat with beautiful detailing. It has a soft flattering silhouette with full sleeves gathering into deep cuffs. I adore the contrast electric blue piping and the angular blue buttons remind me of sweets!


Was £390 Now £195




Magenta Jorja Fox by Matt & Nat. The vegans out there should already be familiar with Matt & Nat's terrific range, but this is more than just a faux leather bag, it is really well designed with compartments for everything a girl might need and finished to the standard of a quality leather bag. Features a lining made from recycled plastic bottles.


Was £155 now £93


Pinafore Dress by Bora Aksu for People Tree. Made from a hand woven cotton herring bone fabric with a skirt that swings when you move and tied with a pretty striped silk sash. A versitle dress that can be styled to look formal or super cute!




Was £95, now £66





Organic Cotton Long sleeve Tee by Stewart Brown. A great wardrobe staple, perfect for layering under the People Tree Bora Aksu Pinafore dress.




Was £49 now £29

Thigh High Socks by g=9.8. Beautifully soft to touch, these socks are made from a remarkable pine fibre modal, recycled from pruning white pine trees. For cold weather I like to layer mine over a pair of tights.




Was £15, now £8





Bronze and Black Banjo Boots by Terra Plana. For high heels these boots are amazingly comfortable! The inside sole is padded with memory foam for shock absorption and the heel is high enough to feel sexy but small enough for everyday wear. They look great with skirts or with skinny jeans tucked in.

Was £200, now £120