Fair trade bridesmaid dresses and menswear

Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Here comes the groom

Mar 10th, 2013 by Katie

It’s the last day! We made it – it’s been tough, and I have to tell you there have been a lot of very late nighters to get this done but here we are on Day 14 of Fairtrade Fortnight.

It’s not just about the groom and his guys today – we’re looking at the bridesmaids too. I’m going to start with them as I’m feeling quietly confident on this score. The groom? Not so much.

Fair trade posh frocks

Here are our top 5 fair trade bridesmaid dress ideas.

1. Berry wrap dress from Bibico

Bibico fair trade wrap dress

Bibico’s wrap dress is made in India from 100% cotton. Bibico ‘…clothes are made from quality natural materials and produced in fair trade cooperatives.’

2. Betty Sure Was Good dress – Alexandra King

Alexandra King fair trade gown

She says: “Our super good and gorgeous little black dress made in a beautiful cotton that just happens to be organic and fair trade too.” (Fabric from Bishopston Trading)

3. Rita embroidered dress in coral – People Tree

People Tree fair trade Rita dress

This sleeveless pencil woven dress is made in Bangladesh by Artisan Hut for fair trade fashionistas, People Tree.

4. Flo Fair Trade Full Skirt Dress – Komodo

Flo Fair Trade Full Skirt Dress by Komodo

Floral dress in 100% cotton by Komodo.

5. Fair trade dress by Nomads

Fair trade 50s style dress by Nomads

I found this 50s style fair trade dress by Nomads (after much searching) on a website called Folio. I’m not 100% sure whether it’s still available but it is gorgeous (comes in other colours too) so maybe get in touch with Nomads if you want it!

The groom

This is probably the hardest part of the challenge. Decent formal fair trade fashion (and sustainable fashion) is notoriously difficult to find for men.

Most of the companies mentioned in our 2007 Fairtrade Fortnight Challenge Dressing Up post have now disappeared but Chandni Chowk, Bishopston Trading and People Tree are all thriving so we’ll see what they can offer the discerning groom in 2013.

Bishopston Trading

Bishopston Trading slimfit shirt

This slimfit shirt from Bishopston Trading could suit a more informal wedding.

Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk men's fair trade white shirt

Chandni Chowk has a 100% organic, unbleached, fair trade cotton shirt, hand made in India.

People Tree

Hector Chambray jacket from People Tree

People Tree has taken things a step further with the fair trade Hector Chambray jacket in grey or navy.

Fairtrade white grandad shirt

They also have this white grandad collar poplin shirt (100% organic Fairtrade certified cotton) with breast pocket and shell buttons which would go very nicely with the jacket.

Arthur & Henry

And now for the exciting bit. This brand new company is finally taking men’s fair trade shirts seriously.

Fairtrade white shirts from Arthur & Henry

Take a look at the Chislet collection – “Classic herringbone weave shirts made with fair trade and organic cotton”.

Isn’t it just perfect? Arthur & Henry is named after the founders’ great-grandfather, Arthur and granddad, Henry. They say: “Arthur and Henry both lived in an age where a shirt was both an every day item of clothing, and something special to be looked after. Holes darned, cuffs reversed & collars starched. We don’t yearn for a rose tinted past, but we take inspiration from it. An era when men dressed just that little bit smarter and clothes were made to last.

“Our shirts are good shirts. They are well made. We haven’t cut corners. They are good for the environment made with organic cotton. They are good for the people who’ve had a hand in making them, from farmer to factory worker, weaver to dyer.

“We believe that every man needs a good shirt and so we founded Arthur & Henry to provide beautiful, ethical, men’s shirts.”

They also gave us a great tip. If you’re going all out for a fair trade wedding and are getting married in church, make sure your vicar is on board by pointing him or her to Fair Trade Clergy Shirts.

Celia Grace

Fair trade bow tie from Celia Grace

We admired Celia Grace’s bridalwear yesterday but they also offer fair trade ties and bow ties for men.

In Tandem Fair Trade

Fair trade ties and bow ties

Our friends at In Tandem Fair Trade put together this great board with a selection of fair trade ties and bow ties.

Mrs Bow Tie

Mrs Bow Tie has a bounty of beautiful fair trade bow ties.

Mrs Bow Tie fair trade ties and bow ties

“This Fair Trade Blue Vertical Stripe bow tie has been made from handloomed organically grown cotton from India and is Fair Trade certified to ensure that it ethically sourced to improve the life of the poor and marginalised producers.”

NOHARM

NOHARM vegan shoes for men

And last but not least, NOHARM has a fantastic range of vegan shoes for men. While not strictly speaking fair trade (they are handmade in Italy), NOHARM says: “NOHARM is proud to introduce an exciting range of high fashion, environmentally-conscious, vegan footwear for the discerning and ethically responsible.”

So guys, slowly but surely, you’re getting there on the fair trade fashion front.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our posts over Fairtrade Fortnight 2013. Big thanks to Kate Marillat and Tara Gould for their posts and general keenness.

We’ll do a summing up piece next week but for now, I’m off to bed!

Katie

Day 1: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Gift Lists

Day 2: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Favours

Day 3: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Decorating your venue

Day 4: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Stationery

Day 5: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Accessories

Day 6: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Time out

Day 7: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Drinks

Day 8: Fairtrade Fortnight Wedding Challenge: Sight & Sound