Saywood: Why buying sustainable fashion is important especially at Christmas

There are many great small independent fashion brands on a mission to improve the fashion industry for good. One such brand is Saywood, a contemporary slow fashion company focused on colourful, wearable everyday essentials purposely made in small volumes from responsibly sourced materials.

Saywood was created in 2020 by Harriet Saywood-Bellisario. Here Harriet shares her thoughts on buying clothing especially at Christmas.

Why sustainability is important especially during the festive season?

Sustainability is important, first and foremost, because the way we are using our planets resources at such an excessive rate, and how too many of the people who make our clothes are treated and cannot sustain their own livelihoods on unfair wages, is so damaging to our future on this planet. It does not have to be this way.

Especially over the festive season, plastics, packaging waste and food waste increase heavily, and around 19% of gifts go unwanted and end up in landfill. Yes – it is a time for joy and sharing, but it is so important to be thoughtful about what we a buying. Giving thoughtfully, keeping our waste to a minimum, and looking to more sustainable and eco-friendly options when it comes to Christmas wrapping and decorations really goes a long way.

Reusing decorations, using recycled and recyclable wrapping, and utilising as much food waste as possible is not only good for our planet, but makes anything we spend go so much further.

What are some of the sustainable items Saywood can offer in terms of foundation wardrobe?

Building up good wardrobe foundations really helps give longevity to your wardrobe, pieces you wear over and over again. These don’t have to be boring, a beautiful well fitting shirt, and good strong pair of jeans, quality knitwear that goes with everything. For me, I love my Saywood Edi Shirt, a white shirt with lace collar trim in super soft Supima cotton; I also wear it often in the pale blue recycled cotton.

And my Amelia Wide Leg Trousers in Japanese denim I wear every other day they are so comfortable, flattering and go with everything. A great everyday dress that you can dress up for the evening is such a good foundation piece too, something that you feel amazing in every time you wear it. For me, this is the Saywood Rosa Dress, with a cute puff sleeve and side splits. From the navy check to the Japanese denim, they are my go-to dress for any occasion any day of the week. Anything that you can find that fits you beautifully and is super versatile will always be a stronghold in your wardrobe.

What customers should be looking for when it comes to gifting sustainable fashion?

When it comes to gifting, those really thoughtful gifts go such a long way; meaningful gifts that turn a smile. They don’t have to be expensive; maybe it’s something they spotted that you remembered, or something that says ‘I really know you inside out’, or something you know they would love that they’d never treat themselves to.

It could be from an independent business, a local maker, from a second hand or charity store… even better if it’s made sustainably. A gift from you to them should be treasured, and if it has story, whether it was the journey to find it, the story remembered, or the story of how it came to be, that makes for a truly thoughtful gift.

And if they’re a lover of sustainable fashion, look for natural fibres – cotton, wool, linen, hemp – or recycled natural cloths. Look for the brands that have a story to tell, that are passionate about both the product and how it is made, and think about how that sustainable fashion item is going to be worn and for how long. Timelessness and longevity is fundamental to fashion being sustainable.

For more information about Saywood, please visit their website here.

READ ANOTHER FASHION STORY HERE.