Let us begin…

 

The first online store I found was Ecoist. This site has a range of handbags, jewelry and other small gifts such as a bottle opener made of recycled bike chains. I immediately saw a problem. Although the bags, made of sweet wrappers, film posters and news papers were funky, they weren’t the type of thing you’d want to be caught with on an evening out or at a meal. There was one fantastic bag that I fell in love with immediately. It is made of recycled ring pulls from drink cans and it has a great edgy, rock chick look. I think this would be acceptable as it isn’t obvious until close inspection what it’s made of and just shimmers due to the metallic aluminum finish. The shapes however are a little on the dull side… plain and rectangular but definitely a statement piece.

Another little bit of trivia about this bag is that it was created in Brazil by the women of the Cia do Lacre and 100 Dimensao Cooperatives – I assume that means no one was exploited!

This bag is a steal at $84 (£48.50 today but by tomorrow… who knows!)

For more information on prices, postage and other items go to http://ecoist.com

 My next stop on my handbag journey was eco-handbags.ca. Here the range is huge! There’s hundreds of products made of over 30 different materials including bike tire inner tubes, plastic bottles and the ever present hemp. I found a few bags that I felt I would buy and not be ashamed to take out of my bedroom- unlike the stash of un-wearable, impulse buy clothes and handbags under my bed gathering dust!

My first bag of choice is a smart looking handbag that looks durable and sleek, but would not look out of place on a work commute. The next is a stunning little clutch that screams style on a night out, last but not least is a large bag perfect for travel or the gym… just for some diversity!

 

 The first is a black bag made of the inner tube of a lorry tire, recovered as tires are discarded. It is designed by a Colarado, USA based company called, ironically, “English Retreads“. I could easily imagine a Posh Spice wannabe wandering down the road with this slung over a shoulder. It’s a great size, not so big that you look like you’re smuggling a child but big enough to fit the endless supply of make up, gadgets and other ridiculous items we women can’t live without.

At $210 CAD (£103) it’s a little out of my price range but gorgeous.

 

 My second choice of bag is this ingenius clutch made of recycled skateboards, its all scratched up and be-stickered and looks so raw and funky. I cannot wait to sport one on the streets of London, also being made from wood I imagine it could be a little weighty, style and self-defence rolled into one! Due to the nature of the materials used (skateboards) every bag is completely unique and therefore colours may vary from those advertised. The lining is silk satin. This bag is designed by Beck(y).

This clutch costs $95 CAD (£46.50) well worth every penny!

 

The third bag I was interested in is a ‘travel bag’ made of reused signs advertising art exhibitions and events in Barcelona, Spain. If this doesn’t scream ‘culture’ nothing ever will! These are designed by Demano, a company that claim to be “helping to change the world through design by creating fashion using recycled plastic and fabric materials”. This sounds like a worthy cause to me! I love this bag and if I wasn’t too lazy to exersice I’d be toting one of these on the way to the gym. Of course it is also perfect for a weekend away – roll on Mr Right! Like the skateboard bags the colours may vary from those advertised but the ones advertised are stunning and I image the others are nothing less. These one-off bags are made of water resistant PVC and are described as “flexible and quite resistant“.

This bag, designed and made in Spain costs $189 CAD (£92.53). I can’t decide if this is too much to pay for a clean conscience and slice of culture or not.

For more information on any of the above mentioned bags and the full range log on to http://eco-handbags.ca

I have realized by this point in my exciting journey that many of the Eco Friendly bags are hideous. I’m sorry but bags made of felt or hemp may be practical but look revolting. To each their own but there is no chance of turning the youth of today eco-aware if their fashion alternatives are ‘minging‘ and ‘bare expensive‘.

But onwards to Matt & Nat. I know it sounds like a ‘Will & Grace’ spin off but think more ‘Eco-Dolce and Gabbana‘!

I could honestly buy every single handbag from here for the rest of my life.

 
My favourite is ‘Jorja’ and should be in the wardrobe of every loud and proud crazy girl.
Every fashionista. And every working girl… and every woman…. and most men. Basically what I’m getting at is : This bag is a must have for everyone and anyone. If you don’t like this one there is a huge range of other colours and styles which are all flawless. Magenta vegan leather and antique trimmings make this bag a gorgeous must-have eco purchase. I reckon this would spice up any working girls suit and look fabulous out on the town afterwards. It also looks great in grey, brown and black.

This bag is $225 USD (£130).
For more information on this bag and too see the full gorgeous range log onto http://www.mattandnat.co.uk/

So at the end of this little jaunt what have we learnt?
If you look hard enough you can find what you are looking for and feel like a (very fashionable) Saint.

Watch Out For…. My next Eco-Fashion search looking for jewelry that doesn’t look like its had a tribal curse cast upon it….

Happy Shopping!
Jemima x

Words By Jemima Compton

Images Kindly Contributed by

http://mattandnat.co.uk
http://eco-handbags.ca
http://ecoist.com