Arnotts is encouraging everyone to make one change to make their lifestyle more sustainable this World Earth Day. Changing how you shop can make a big difference – buying better, locally, ethically and sustainably – something that we are certainly doing more of under lockdown. According to Dorothy Maxwell, Head of Sustainability at Brown Thomas and Arnotts, “Sustainability is a key priority for our business and our customers. We want to support our teams and customers to take meaningful actions to make a difference and make a positive change.”

While Arnotts is currently closed, it will be re-opening and resuming online deliveries as soon as it’s safe to do so, when you will be able to browse 120 brands in the Sustainable Edit – more than 850 products across beauty, fashion, kids and home, all certified to best practice ethical and environmental standards. Arnotts has also switched to 100 per cent verified green electricity, set science-based targets for carbon reductions over 50 per cent from 2020-2030, shifted to zero-emissions vehicles for online deliveries in Dublin, with all cities planned, reduced waste by 20 per cent, achieved Zero Waste to Landfill, introduced reusable carrier bags and completed over 150 volunteering days cleaning beaches and planting trees. www.arnotts.ie

From devastating deforestation in the Amazon to wildfires in Australia, over the past few months the world has become hyper-aware of the global climate crisis. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic London Fashion Week has announced that it will be going carbon-neutral for its shows this June, presenting the entire schedule online only with a mix of womens and menswear.

We all need to play our part, but how can we update our wardrobes without impacting on the environment? It can be difficult to know which brands are genuine and which are just trying to keep up with the sustainability zeitgeist. Some brands have recognised they don’t want to be part of the problem anymore – they want to be part of the solution, embedding sustainability into how they design, manufacture and sell.

Online retailer Zalando has created a 70-piece sustainable capsule collection as part of a collaboration between nine Nordic brands. The innovative 1/OFF Paris brand creates trenchcoats, blazers and jeans from discarded fabrics and old garments by luxury houses (including Chanel and Burberry) – an example of thinking outside the box to tackle sustainability issues and create utterly unique pieces. Former creative director of Céline, Phoebe Philo is rumoured to be in the process of launching a new eco-friendly label.

There are huge improvements to be made by traditional retailers, from investments in renewable energy to sourcing recycled fabrics and materials or embracing the possibility of re-sale and circular fashion. Consult the website www.goodonyou.com and see how your favourite brand scores…

ROS DUKE
Irish designer Ros Duke on sustainability: “I source cashmere from Loro Piana, who ensure sustainable development and selective breeding that balances the animals, the environment.” Striped knitted dress, €475; blue triangle scarf, €195; both Ros Duke.

IMARA
IMARA, an Irish accessories brand by Amy Condell, creates multifunctional ‘hags’ (reversible hat/bags) from Irish linen. For every hag sold, IMARA will plant one tree. Feel-good fashion.

GABRIELA HEARST
Gabriela Hearst, with the help of EcoAct, successfully offset her SS20 catwalk show’s carbon footprint at New York Fashion Week. Slowly but surely the traditional bi-annual catwalk shows are becoming outdated, as fashion editors question the wisdom of so much air travel.

1/OFF PARIS
Parisian fashion label rooted in the upcycle movement, 1/OFF remakes standout pieces from designer vintage clothing. www.1offparis.com

PANGAIA
New brand Pangaia (co-founded by Miroslava Duma) creates hoodies, tracksuit bottoms and T-shirts from post-consumer recycled materials, coloured using plant and food-based dyes. Sustainable credentials appear on the top righthand corner of each piece. Pangaia’s wild flower-filled puffer jacket (biodegradable and hypoallergenic), replaces the traditional duck down and goose-filled down. Talk about flower power.

MONSOON
Over 50 per cent of Monsoon’s current clothing collection is sustainable. Their SEW capsule collection is created using sustainable fabric alternatives, including responsibly sourced organic cotton and Lenzing Ecovero, a planet-friendly alternative to viscose. Keep a look out for their 90 per cent sustainable recycled polyester beachwear collection.

INDITEX
Oysho design gymwear, swimwear and nightwear uses sustainable materials, like recycled polyamide and organic cotton. It promises that its garments will care equally for those who use them, those who make them and for the planet. www.oysho.com

BROWN THOMAS
The Sustainable Edit at Brown Thomas features over 700 sustainable products in womenswear, menswear, home and beauty. Our top pick? Stella McCartney’s vegan Adidas Stan Smiths, €250.

BANSHEE
A custom suit tailored precisely to your measurements is a garment you’ll have forever. Enter Banshee of Savile Row, funded by Ruby Slevin and Rocco Tullio, in Dublin March 26-28 for one-to-one tailoring appointments. www.bansheeofsavilerow.com

PENNEYS
Penneys has just launched a wellness collection. All products are made from organic cotton, recycled or sustainable materials.

MARKS & SPENCER
Wondering what to do with your old clothes? Drop them off to M&S’ Shwopping boxes in store, where they will be donated to Oxfam to be resold, recycled or reused.