By Clare Press
Did you hear hyper-consumerism is on its way out? The cool kids are repairing, refusing and re-using rather than buying new these days, or opting for socially-conscious stuff that's been designed and produced by ethical labels or social enterprises.
According to research by ING, 56 per cent of Australians are more inclined to buy sustainable, socially-conscious products today than they were 12 months ago, and, despite last week's news that they're a wasteful lot, millennials are leading the way.
So what to buy the early adopter in your life this Christmas?
Herewith, a list of mindfully brilliant ideas (and one that might get you into trouble – you have been warned):
For the anti-plastics crusader
This elegant shoulder bag by Melbourne accessories label Blanc & White Collective is made from upcycled plastic bag waste. The new material is shiny, a bit futuristic and a lot fab, while the leather used for the strap is locally made and responsibly sourced. Founder Erika Siabotto set up the label last year as a social enterprise to employ and train new migrants and refugees.
Want more war on waste? Clean Coast Collective's shampoo bars are a chemical-free alternative to conventional shampoos without the plastic packaging. They also sell bamboo toothbrushes and combs.
For the designer jeans fan
The Queenslanders behind Outland Denim get my vote for a super cool product that does good as well as looks it. Founder James Bartle launched the brand after watching the Liam Neeson movie Taken and started researching just how much of a problem human trafficking is world-wide. The brand is run out of Cambodia to provide fair work and training to women rescued from the sex trade.
More genius jeans? If the present receiver in your life is up for a bit of delayed gratification, G-Star's new Elwood styles, billed as the "most sustainable jeans ever", drop in February. Certified by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute they use 100 per cent organic cotton denim that's been indigo dyed using 70 per cent fewer chemicals. And there are no zips or rivets – all non-recyclable elements have been designed out of the equation.
For the eco campaigner
The only branded tee to have is by Patagonia. Everybody's favourite environmental activist outdoorgear brand just stepped it up even further, announcing its intention, in partnership with native tribes, to sue Donald Trump for his administration's failure to protect Bears Ears National Monument status. The Trump administration plans to slash the protected Utah wilderness acreage by 85 per cent, following lobbying by a uranium company keen to gain access to the land. Of course, it says it's not about mining …
For the fairtrade vegan
Arc & Bow is the non-daggy fairtrade fashion brand designed out of New Zealand by Liz Turner, and ethically made in Jaipur, India. It's now available on Well Made Clothes – and never did a frilly floral crop top look so wearable.
While you're one-stop shopping at responsible fashion's answer to Net-A-Porter, Well Made Clothes also stocks cult vegan sandals by Teva which hit just the right ugly/chic note in a season that's seen embellished Crocs high on the Vogue set's radar.
For the dress to impress type
There's always Stella McCartney, obvs. If she is sustainable fashion's international queen, KITX is the Aussie equivalent. The things she can do with hemp! It's the new cotton, don't you know?
Shallower pockets? Rising Aussie star Annie Hamilton's printed silks are reassuringly expensive (think $500 rather than four times that) but not mortgage defaulting-ly so, and are beautifully made in Sydney.
For the purist
Nothing. Just make sure they really mean it when they say they don't want anything this year, and won't slap you when you say, "My presence is your present, darling."
Clare Press is the presenter of the Wardrobe Crisis podcast. Follow her on Instagram here.