Materials
Made from fair trade certified organic cotton. Unlike regular cotton, this one is grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, which damage ecosystems and poison waterways. Also, if you remove the zipper, the dress will biodegrade in the compost within five months.
Suppliers
The dress is made at Swallows, a Fairtrade workshop in Bangladesh, where predominantly female labor is involved in the entire production process. Swallows aims to encourage the empowerment of women by providing economic stability and independence.
Packaging
Founded by Safia Minney in 1991, People Tree was one of the first brands to put sustainability at the heart of its concerns. So, as you might expect, the plastic packaging and the paper shipping bag of its packaging are completely recyclable. Simply put them with the rest of your household recycling. Top marks for it to be hassle free.
The extra mile
An estimated £140 million worth of clothing is sent to landfill in the UK each year. To help solve this problem, People Tree has partnered with Give Back Box, allowing you to reuse its packaging (which includes a free label) to send unwanted clothes to charity shops.
Carbon footprint
The fabric was woven by hand on a loom and not on a machine, which saves CO2-emitting electricity. While People Tree parts are usually shipped by sea, Covid restrictions meant that air transport had to be used. They plan to resume maritime and road transport in the coming seasons.
Verdict
Sustainable brands are more expensive than high street fast fashion. But this dress is well made, and it’s a style that can be a vacation staple for years to come, making ethical shopping more affordable in the long run.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Fashion Director: Shelly Vella
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