The LaBante Blog

By Ellie Peach

 

If you want to find something new to add to your collection of summer outfits this year, we've got you! From bags to headscarves, here are four trendy essentials you need to add to your capsule wardrobe.

 

1. Crochet pieces

Having a crocheted piece is a priority for your wardrobe this summer, they can be so cute while also offering adequate coverage as the evenings cool down. They are also ideal for taking with you for picnic dates or to a beer garden with friends. 

Crocheted pieces are another way to add another textile to your outfit and give it more dimension. Whether that is laying it over a different skirt or wearing it over your bikini on a beach day, there is so much versatility you can't really go wrong. 

Oversized cardigan and mini skirt styles are our favourites; complemented with colourful patterning or block colours, you will have the perfect statement piece this summer. Another way we have seen crochet becoming popular is through bralette tops. These are another fantastic piece to keep in, and there are many small businesses to support making beautiful designs. Have a look on Etsy before shopping at larger retailers.

You could also make one yourself! Crochet is a very accessible hobby, and learning can be quick and easy with the help of online tutorial videos. Simply search for a DIY of what you want to make, and there will be a video to help you!

2. Crossbody bags and baguette bags

Crossbody and baguette bags are a must when it comes to summer. They can be worn multiple ways, and they hold only the essentials. They are a great way to add a little extra fun to your outfit without getting in the way. Choosing one in a colour that compliments you will ensure you get the best usage out of it, and choosing one with sustainability at its core is even better! LaBante London has a wide range of crossbody bags to choose from. The Bella bag in mustard or white has a very summery feel to pair well with your maxi dresses, or the Raven bag in green offers a thinner shape that would complement a blazer and skirt look. 

Keep your eye out for our new collection of vegan baguette bags dropping soon on our website!

3. Headscarves

If you plan on channelling a vacation in Italy - whether you're actually going to Italy or not - you need to buy a few headscarves. They can add so much to a plain outfit and generally are versatile enough to be worn in multiple ways, such as tops, scarves or sarongs! 

The outfits you can wear a headscarf with really have no bounds. Wearing it with a long silk dress on the beach will give you an old-money style aesthetic while wearing it with mom jeans and a cami top overlaid with an oversized shirt would give you 'the girl next door of your dreams look.' Whatever your style, Choosing headscarves in bright, bold patterning will make them stand out and add a little extra fun. Try pairing your outfits with different colour headscarves to see what fits you best, and you will almost definitely fall in love with them. 

We love Cath Kidston head scarves, they have intricate patterning and pretty colours. Check out the designs here;

4. Platform Sandals and Sneakers

You only really need to take two pairs of shoes with you on holiday and what's more essential than a pair of comfortable sneakers and platform sandals? The sneakers are great because you can walk around in them if you are having a day exploring an area or just mooching about. They are also so easy to pair with any outfit due to their simplicity as a staple outfit piece. They look just as perfect with jeans or shorts as they do with a dress or skirt. 

LaBante has a new range of vegan apple leather sneakers that come in nude, white or black; take a look here;

Going from flip flops to platform sandals seems like a big jump, but this switch can be a fun way to upgrade your summary fits this year! They can be your statement shoes that go with your dressed up outfits for things like dinners and drinks, but they also go perfectly for casual occasions like a beach day or lazing by the pool. The critical thing is finding a pair that fits you well to ensure they are just as comfortable as your old flip flops! we love these Melissa sandals from Lazy Oaf. 

There are so many styles of platform sandals to choose from, such as a higher or chunkier heel, for example! 

By Ellie Peach

What is reversible fashion?

A reversible piece is something that can be worn two ways. You usually just have to pop it inside out, and you'll be wearing a totally different garment. They are so great to own as having the option of two pieces you love in one has so many benefits;

• Particularly when packing, reversible pieces will help you save on luggage space. Thus, you will have less weight to carry and more room dedicated to bringing back souvenirs from your holiday! Alternatively, if you are packing an overnight bag for your partner's or a friend's house, the less clothing to haul around, the better! 

• You will save tons of room in your wardrobe. With the amounts of microtrends we are seeing now every year, almost all of us are buying new clothes we simply don't need or will only wear a few times. Buying reversible clothing will save this space, and having pieces in colours and styles you consistently buy will ensure these pieces become a staple rather than something you struggle to style outside of the trend cycle.

• The ability to change during the day cannot be emphasised enough. I'm sure we've all been in a situation where the day gets away from us, and you find yourself in a setting you didn't expect to be in. For instance, going from the office to a bar. The change from business to chic or casual to fun can be effortless. With the unpredictability of life, it is so handy to be able to change your outfit without rushing home in a panic. Reversible clothing will be invaluable in this respect.

• To build up your capsule wardrobe! This is effectively trying to have as little items as possible that make up multiple outfits. Say 3 to four of each type of garment, that can all be paired together for different occasions or weather. This may include;

-one or two skirts, 

-two pairs of jeans, 

-Three of your most versatile tops,

-Three types of jackets for different weather,

-Three bags 

-And your favourite staple accessories such as sunglasses, jewellery and scarves etc. 

These pieces should all follow a similar colourway so that they can all be worn in different ways together and pair perfectly. A reversible piece thrown in the mix will add more colour options or styles without taking up more room!

• Being sustainable is another way reversible garments come in handy. This is because the item (a skirt, top or jacket, for example) can effectively double as two pieces of clothing. Thus you will have to buy less, reducing the amount of waste you produce! 

What's even more key is that the clothing needs to be good quality to be effective as a reversible garment, so you will be investing in a product that will last a long time, promoting slow fashion.

 

Reversible clothing is a fun and easy way to level up your wardrobe, but where can you find them?

Here are 4 Fashion brands you can buy reversible pieces from.

1. Isabel Mans - A sustainable womenswear brand with a stunning collection of reversible pieces ranging from evening wear to summer dresses. The pieces are generally one side of beautiful print and the other an elegant single colour, enabling you to mix and match depending on your mood! 

We love this Alice silk satin dress in Emerald/ forest green for summer!

https://isabelmanns.com/collections/reversible 

2. Seams friendly - The eco-friendly brand offers locally sourced, affordable clothing and their reversible range include blouses and different styles of jackets for any occasion. This quilted cotton jacket really caught my eye as it is lightweight enough to work as an everyday jacket and comes with a detachable hood if the weather takes a turn for the worst!

https://seamsfriendly.com/search?q=reversible type=product 

 

3. Sunday London - The virtually zero waste store offers a stunning range of reversible swimwear. Their brand stands for body positivity, and their collection features bright and fun patterning and colourful styles. The Jade reversible Bikini is my absolute favourite. Its bold colours are cute while still flattering any body type.

https://www.sundaylondon.com/search?q=reversible 

4. Vivai - Is a sustainable footwear and accessories brand that uses recycled plastic bottles to make up most of their products. They offer a beautiful collection of reversible tote bags 'Zaneta' using this same material.           
 https://www.vivaiacollection.com/

 

You should also always check secondhand platforms such as Vinted or Depop first for reversible clothing more to your taste or budget. You'll be able to find hundreds of reversible styles that are right for you while being more environmentally  conscious. Alternatively, you could start sewing! This and buying second-hand is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. There are many tutorials online for sewing reversible pieces such as skirts and tops that are very beginner-friendly. What's perfect is that you have complete creative control to make it your dream reversible garment without sacrificing particular aspects!

Ultimately reversible garments are a great way to up your sustainable fashion game. They can be helpful for people wanting a smaller capsule wardrobe or those wanting the choice to change outfits during their day as they please. So why not explore the style and see if you love it!

By Ellie Peach

Why did earth day start?

Since 1970, Earth day has been held on April 22nd each year. It was initially created by Senator Gaylord Nelson in the United States; during this time, there was no clean air or water act and no legal framework to protect the planet from our harmful manufacturing and other processes. He recognised with other constituents that this needed to be addressed and created this dedicated day to bring awareness to the issues starting to arise.

What should you do this earth day?

Turn off lights and reduce heating- Try and use natural lighting as much as possible to save energy and reduce heating in your homes. You might find that you don't need to use these things as much as you already do, and this day might spur on habit change that will benefit the planet and your bank account!

Repurpose old items - Perhaps you could take some time today to sort out some old things and think up ways you could reuse or repurpose them into something else. This might be taking an old piece of furniture you have stuck in your attic or garage and deciding to turn it into something new. An old dressing table could become a new bookshelf, or an old bed frame could become a garden chair! The possibilities are endless. Repurposing is a great way to give old unloved items a new life while sustaining the materials you already have. This reduces the need to buy raw materials and is therefore very environmentally friendly. 

Meat-free- Earth day is a great day to try a veggie or vegan diet. Cut out all meat and/or animal products from your day and see if you like it. You never know, it might inspire a new era of healthy living for yourself! Meat and animal products use a lot of water and nutrients to produce; this, along with the transportation emissions and the way animals are often treated in captivity, are all huge reasons to give it up.

Clean up - If you want to go that extra mile this Earth day, a great activity to organise for yourself, friends, family, schools, and even the community is a street/beach clean up. Clean up your local area from pollution and actively recycle as you go. This will help get more people aware of the issue and may even go as far as to prevent people in the future from littering.

Support a small sustainable business- Earth day is an important day to show your appreciation for the smaller shops you love, doing as much as possible to be sustainable. Promote them on social media and rave about them to your friends because the more people supporting sustainable fashion, the less need for sweatshops, animals bred for their hide and un-recyclable plastics in fabric etc.

Fundraise for charities- Another fantastic way to involve the community in Earth day is by organising a fundraising event for a chosen environmental charity. For example, this could be a vegan bake sale, a sponsored fun run or activity, or even a car wash. 

Charities to support

WWF - worldwide fund is a non-profit organisation that aims to help endangered species all around the planet. They also support areas facing extreme climate change and address global environmental threats.

https://support.wwf.org.uk/donate-to-wwf 

Rainforest trust- A non-profit organisation. Their aim is to protect threatened rainforest areas worldwide and protect endangered wildlife. 

https://www.rainforesttrust.org/fighting-climate-change/ 

The wetlands initiative- Is a non-profit conservation organisation based in Illinois that works to restore wetlands in the US. These areas have a considerable impact on our environment as they produce cleaner water, act as a buffer to prevent flooding events, and have a significant effect on cooling down the planet.

http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/donate  

Ocean conservancy - A non-governmental organisation that takes action to tackle issues threatening the ocean, primarily ocean pollution and sustainable fishing. They have organised tens of thousands of beach clean-ups around the world. 

https://oceanconservancy.org/ 

Fashion revolution- a non-profit that aims to change the fashion industry into being as sustainable and ethical as possible. Human exploitation for fast fashion, eradicating throwaway culture and conservation of resources are among their primary goals.

https://www.fashionrevolution.org/donate/ 

 By Ellie Peach

LaBante's new collection of trainers are made from primarily recycled Apple skin leather. They are a beautiful combination of style and practicality while being completely environmentally friendly. In fact, they are so advantageous to the planet (in addition to the ten trees planted with each order) your carbon footprint is actually reduced by purchasing a pair. 

 

 

So what is apple skin leather?

Apple skin leather is a great natural alternative to animal hide leather. It is durable and breathable while also being hypoallergenic and UV resistant. But the most important thing about it is; it is entirely sustainable and ethical.

 

How is it made?

Manufacturing the leather involves dehydrating the apple waste and turning it into powder. The powder is then mixed with natural ingredients and a binder and spread onto a sheet until it naturally becomes a flexible leather material. Finally, it is mixed with polyurethane to create more durability and become PETA approved vegan leather.

 

 

Why is it good for the environment?

We source the apples from Tyrol, a region in Italy with a sizable juicing industry and a bountiful harvest of fruit for our new range of products, Apple Leather Shoes. Naturally, this industry created a lot of waste products, and the pulp, skin and core were often discarded, having no other usage. This is not the case anymore. We can now make vegan leather by recovering this waste product and transforming it into a sustainable material combined with other recycled fabrics to produce a textured fabric that looks and feels like genuine leather. Whats more, the few virgin materials used means fewer natural resources are extracted from the planet, creating lower emissions and lower energy consumption across the entire production.

 

 

Our new collection

LaBante's new line of unisex shoes are primarily made from this apple skin leather, the laces are made from recycled plastic bottles, and the sole is made from a recyclable plant-based rubber. Thus, making the entire shoe not only vegan and sustainable but breathable and comfortable for your feet. The sustainability message embroidered onto the back of the shoe showcases your commitment to the environment, and LaBante will plant ten trees for each purchase making the purchase itself carbon-negative- a fab step in the right direction for sustainable consumerism! 

Head over to the website's bespoke page for more information and preorder your new apple leather shoes in Black, White and Nude!

 

 

 

By Ellie Peach

 

Mother's Day is the one dedicated day to shower your mum with love and little presents to tell her how much you appreciate her (this is not to say you shouldn't be doing this all the time, but this day is the most important!). Here are some excellent ideas to give your mum the most special day, no matter how last minute you leave it!

 

1. Bake a cake and serve afternoon tea!

Baking something from scratch is a small but touching way to tell someone you really care about them. If you have children, you could also let everyone help out with the decorating making it a fun family bonding activity. Home-baked goods added to your outdoor tea party is a fun way to spend time with a mother who loves to be around nature and her family. You can give some freshly picked flowers and spend the day relaxing and eating the little treats you've spent time making. 

If you haven't spent quality time with your mother for a while, often just having a good catch up, whatever the location will be so lovely. Make it perfect by making the place comfy and cute to show you care. The past few years have been tough on many families with not being able to see each other, so go all out this Mother's Day if you are able. Alternatively, if you won't see your mum this Mother's Day, perhaps arrange a video call. You can spend a few hours talking while making cakes and having the tea party separately but together.

 

2. Matching LaBante necklaces and a mini boat trip or booze cruise!

If you have any lakes or rivers nearby, a mini cruise is a fun outing to go with your mum. This doesn't have to be on a big fancy yacht; a longboat would be equally entertaining and relaxing! You can choose whether you want it to be a social occasion by selecting a group boat trip or a more personal one with only the two of you. Just imagine how lovely a little trip with only you, your mother and a glass of champagne would be!

You could give her a LaBante heart or star pendant necklace to round the day off. It is the perfect 'I love you' that doesn't need words, and It is sure to get you both feeling very nostalgic and grateful for one another.

 

3. Relaxing spa day and follow up dinner.

If you both need some peace, what better place than a spa to spend some time together while melting your troubles away. After this, you will feel so refreshed and calm that you will relish the idea of going out for a meal and sharing a bottle of wine with your mum. 

Book a nice restaurant with a cuisine you both enjoy to tell your mum you love her! A sweet way to finish the day is a little gift to show her that you appreciate everything she has done for you. Perhaps buying corresponding LaBante clutches so you can play well off of one another. What's more, purchasing twin bags like this will ensure wherever you both are, you always have something to make you feel close to one another.

 

4. Apple leather shoes and a shopping spree in a city.

If you are your mum and shopaholics or just love walking or exploring, then a city escape is the perfect gift. Walk around the high street while catching up and stop in a little cafe for lunch and a coffee. There is usually some event in a bigger city, particularly on special occasions such as Mother's Day, so maybe be spontaneous and go to one. It could be anything from a comedy show to sculpting experience days! Just have a look around until you see something that might pique both of your interests. Spontaneous outings are always the most fun, so make the day memorable! An excellent way to treat your mum is a nice new pair of LaBante apple leather shoes. She's been walking all day; time to spoil her with some new fancy flats that will not only make her feet happy but the planet too! Being so sustainable, they are the best choice for eco-conscious mums!   

 

Mindfulness is taking time to relax in a day and not worry about trivial things. This might be a five-minute meditation, a quick dance around the room, or just spending some quality time with your thoughts. It is essential to incorporate mindfulness in your daily routine because it can directly influence your outlook on life and mental health. It becomes even more critical when you think about how poor mental health could affect us physically. It's time we all make some changes.

Labante London’s classy  ‘Mae’ bag in pink has been featured in the Victoria and Albert Museum in the ‘bags: inside out’ exhibition. The exhibition is running now until the 16th of January 2022, so be sure to check out the exhibition where our bag and other amazing designers work have been featured.

On June 18th 2019, Vanita Badlani, founder and CEO of LaBante London and avid sustainability activist, was invited by the Fabian network, a think tank organisation, to the UK government, to discuss the fixing fashion bill held at the house of commons in Westminster.

Moissanite is made from carbon silicate formed as a single crystal; making a moissanite diamond takes around 2-3 months to get the composition of elements involved in the gemstone perfect.

Choosing what to buy for a woman who deserves the world can be challenging, but we're here to help with some present ideas you just can’t go wrong with, worthy of the queens they are, for the upcoming holiday! These ideas take the environment into consideration making them low impact presents in terms of sustainability.

Sustainability is defined as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future’. In the case of fashion sustainability this includes using practices that affect the environment, biodiversity and people that manufacture the product, as minimally as possible. From the types of raw materials used, to how it is produced and made, each step is so important in ensuring the products overall sustainability.

The benefits of a plant-based or vegan lifestyle are backed by tons of research, and if you're concerned about your health, your environmental impact, and the impact of the meat and animal by-product industry, then you've probably thought about making the switch.