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.

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