On our radar: Jil Sander / Birkenstock sandal collaboration

I’ve been a fan of Birkenstock sandals for decades. They’re versatile, they can be dressed up or dressed down. They’re available in so many styles and colours for men, women and kids. They were one of the first footwear companies, to my knowledge, that had a range of vegan shoes. Most of all though, they were hard-wearing and comfortable.

This week, I discovered that there’s to be a Jil Sander Birkenstock collaboration – a range of four styles in three colourways. Prices range from £320.00 to £500.00. According to Birkenstock:

The three existing models, now with a wider, rounded and higher profile in black, extend the grounding but sophisticated feel. Its reimagined thinner buckles in precious satin nickel contrast elegantly with straps in raw edged calfskin and suede. Accompanied by neutral black, the warm colour palette of cream and olive underlines the natural look.

As an addition to the collection, the newly designed model Velan, a reinvention of the Berlin closed-toe sandal, with a soft nappa strap to wrap around the ankles, is the ultimate flat strappy sandal for sophisticated world travelers.

BUY SANDALS HERE

Price Points: Ethical underwear

I read somewhere that the British wear their underwear the longest. Not that it doesn’t get washed between each time it’s put on, just that they don’t throw them away for brand-new ones as often as other nationalities.

In many ways, that’s a good thing; wear it until it’s worn out… make do and mend and all that. It’s been recommended that you throw away underwear after a year – I think that’s excessive and downright wasteful! So long as they’re washed properly – a hot cycle where possible and with the recommended amount of detergent – there should be a lot more life left in them than that.

When they’re actually coming to the end of their useful lifespan, consider replacing them with ethical underwear. They may be dearer than that bulk pack that costs a couple of quid for half a dozen, but a clear conscience is as important as clean bra & knickers.

There are a growing number of manufacturers and retailers that are putting sustainability, the environment and workers’ rights at the forefront of their business. We’ve picked three of them for this week’s Price Points feature.

As well as their green credentials, I also admire the fact that their models come in all shapes, sizes and complexions. And the photos aren’t airbrushed to remove cellulite, stretch marks and other ‘imperfections’. They’re ‘real’ women!

Lara hipster briefs (sizes 6-16): £20 & Ava non-wired bra (sizes A-GG): £48, Lara Intimates

Every Lara Bra is made in London by our team of 7 sewing machinists. Our fabrics are deadstock, and we recycle 100% of our fabric waste.
SilverTech™ Active Sports Bra and a pair of SilverTech™ Active Hipsters (sizes XS-XXL): £63.00, Organic Basics

…we put sustainable thinking at the center of everything – that means we only choose fabrics that care for our environment and we only ever partner with factories that care about their impact, too. When we say sustainability is our core mission we don’t mean that sustainability is nice to have – we mean that it’s the only way we act.
The High-Rise Bikini (sizes XXS-XL): £11.00 & The Bralette (sizes XXS-XL): £24.00, Everlane

Exceptional quality. Ethical factories. Radical transparency.
We believe our customers have a right to know how much their clothes cost to make. We reveal the true costs behind all of our products – from materials to labor to transportation – then offer  them to you, minus the traditional retail markup.

shop ethical underwear

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
£63.00

Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
£35.00