The clothes and shoes you need for a smaller ecological footprint.

Although we like to know where our coffee beans came from, who made them and how many miles they have travelled, when it comes to the pursuit of style, the provenance of clothing can often get ignored. Who cares how a pair of sneakers were made if they’re snazzy? We seem to think more about what we put inside ourselves than what we put on. However, this week an ethically minded Instagrammer asked us about the sustainable brands that we carry. Below, we give an account of some of them. So, now you have no excuse for not wearing clothes with a guilt-free history.

**Do you have any ethical and sustainable streetwear or casual brands that you could recommend?

@milesskinner via Instagram**

Well, the short answer to this, Mr Miles Skinner, is yes – we do stock some casual brands that are ethical and sustainable when it comes to manufacturing their clothing. In fact, you could invest in a pretty solid wardrobe from MR PORTER built on pure smugness.

For example, if you want something super-casual, try Outerknown, the eco-conscious brand from champion surfer Mr Kelly Slater. As you might expect from someone who has spent much of his life on the beach, these are easy, breezy pieces full of colour and pattern. And crucially, sustainability is at the heart of Outerknown. It is partnered with the Fair Labour Association and uses organic cotton and recycled fishing nets – which should provide something to talk about with your friends (through mouthfuls of your quinoa salad).

How about your feet? If you’re ethically minded, we’re sure you won’t accept any old leather things. One word, then: Veja. We spoke about this brand fairly recently, so you may already be familiar with it. If not, here’s the skinny: it’s an environmentally responsible footwear brand that is transparent about every step of its manufacturing process. You can read about it more here.

Now that autumn is here, you may want something that will prepare you for more inclement weather. And, given that we’re dealing in clothes with a conscience, step forward Patagonia. This outdoor-clothing brand, which has been around for more than 40 years, has integrity when it comes to the making of its pieces. If you don’t believe us, head to its website. Quotes such as, “the protection and preservation of the environment isn’t what we do after-hours. It’s the reason we’re in business” will give you an idea of where it stands.

Will that do for you? We could carry on with this sustainability rant. Nudie Jeans, for example, is known for its ethical production. And Stella McCartney uses organic and recycled fabrics. But we don’t want to sound too insufferable. Anyway, it’s time to get back to our ancient grains and activated charcoal.