Horrocks classic clothing

Did I ever think I would say it! 

It’s too hot for London! This is Mint Julep weather, the kind that includes long languishing lunches in the balmy west country, not sitting or standing on overcrowded platforms with billions of tourists. 

Plus everyone has resorted to streaky legs, because how the hell is one supposed to wear trousers in this heat. I guess they haven’t heard of Gina Conways new organic tan treatment available at their salon, ginaconway.co.uk. That’s why I am starting to feel like this hapless chap in a bear costume in the middle of New York. Even the sales are not managing to revive me, oh gosh! 

Although I have managed to get excited by a couple of things. This white H&M organic cotton top down from £12.99 to £3. Still liking H&M shorts in tencel (sustainable fabric) which haven’t moved in price at £14.99. Also their garden tops for £12.99 are nice and fresh to look at but maybe not so cool in this heat as they’re from recycled polyester. 

Muji is also worth a look, I found a recycled pet coat in a dull khaki down from £65 to £25. It also comes in Navy blue so quite a bargain there. They also do some rather cool recycled yarn tops which I have had my eye on for a while which are down from £15 to £5. 

Their organic cotton jeans, dark denim and grey wash are still a steal at £39 but you’ve got to be a skinny jeans fanatic to go down that route! Talking about jeans, just got a whiff of reco jeans the true recycled jeans brand. 

Their new collaboration MrNY with Matthew Langille who has designed for Swatch and Marc Jacobs is worth checking out. It’s hitting the shelves (not sure where) in autumn, but yours truly will keep you posted when they have their London outing, they do look pretty amazing check www.recojeans.com. 

Of course can you wait ? No! Well thank the Lord that at the end of July, Goodone has a superbly original alternative, her online Summer Sale with a 20% discount on S/S 2010, check out goodone.co.uk. What’s unique about this particular sale is the designs are all from recycled pieces and come in a variety of colour ways, with one being able to order one’s own individual colour preferences. A sort of haute couture arrangement at a discount. Yum! 

If that s not cool enough, how about a brand new fashion concept store that opens on Tuesday 20 July in the heart of East London, 123 Bethnal Green Road, unveiling a new approach to sustainable fashion. The first of its kind, 123 is dedicated to bringing the consumer cutting edge, one-off, high fashion and ready to wear collections all made out of recycled material. 

People like DR NOKI is presenting a One-Off diffusion line, the NHS, exclusively designed for 123. Now this is going to be seriously awesome! Check out images on their website for a preview, 123bethnalgreenroad.co.uk. 

Now me and glasses are a synergy that go beyond reason , so I was amazingly surprised to find the Unidot bamboo wayfarer sun wear range for only £80 at excentree.com. They are great weight and fantastically finished,check before the secret is out! 

Chai Wallahs

Festivals and summer kind of go hand in hand, always had a little soft spot for festival venue Chai Wallahs and finally this May they launched their website chaiwallah.co.uk. Not to do things by half, they have already teamed up with Supreme Being. Together they are producing a 100% organic tote bag, complete with environmentally friendly Life water bottle. Every bag bought at a summer festival this year will go towards supplying clean drinking water to children worldwide in desperate need of it. Check out for the venues chaiwallahs.co.uk. 

The new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile museum starting 9 July til 24 October is a must. Horrockses Fashions Limited (manufacturer of one of the most respected ready-to-wear labels of the 1940s and 1950s) is what I aspire to look like in this kind of heat, feminine cool and manicured (in other words in control). The company is best known for its full-skirted dresses that were sought after by women everywhere and were even worn by Queen Elizabeth II. 

This exciting and inspirational exhibition represents the many elements that made up Horrockses Fashions. Divided into different sections, you can experience the feeling of a 1950s summer through In Search of the Sun, hanker after some wonderful outfits in Glamorous Evenings; and pretend you are watching an episode of ‘Mad Men’ with Sophistication at Home and From Kitchen to Office. The exhibition also explores the Fashion and Styling, Artists, Designers and Pattern Design that built up the brand. Could this herald the return of the house coat - OMG! 

Of course I have to finish with the most important event of all in July and I guess that’s why the sales are not so inspiring,yet! I just need to thin my wardrobe and the Big Swish London event at the Platform bar and restaurant on the 10th is the perfect opportunity. Make a day of it, by first of all popping into Borough market to pick up some organic fayre, then come onto swish, followed by a quick jaunt to the Fashion and textile museum down the road on Bermondsey Street for the Horrockses exhibition! 

See you there! 

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Lupe Castro is a leading ethical stylist. Check out her website at ethicalheaven.com