In the UK alone, we send more than 100 million bags of garbage to landfill over the Christmas period, creating 30% more rubbish than we would at any other time of the year. 

That garbage includes an incredible 227,000 miles worth of wrapping paper - enough to stretch to the moon - and that’s without thinking about those unwanted Christmas gifts.

If you’ve got loved ones who are impossible to buy for, it’s easy to stock up on nick nacks and gifts that they’re probably not going to use.

Lots of those gifts will sit in cupboards and drawers for a year or two and then be thrown away, meaning they’re not only a waste of your money, but they’re bad for the environment and causing even more unnecessary waste.

Below, we’ve put together some eco-friendly gift ideas for Christmas 2019 to help you save time and money, and ensure you put a smile on their face with a thoughtful, useful present.

Refillable bottles

In the UK, we throw away billions of plastic bottles every year.

As well as the obvious culprit (water and fizzy drinks bottles), shampoo and conditioner bottles are also big targets and are often sent to landfill, even if they’re put in your recycling bin at home.

If you’ve got a friend who wants to do their bit for the planet, consider gifting them some refillable glass bottles.

These bottles can be personalised with their name and you could even start them off with some eco-friendly shampoos; all you need is some soap, coconut milk and essential oils.

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It’s true that good things come in 3! 👌⠀⠀ What good things you ask? Well, these 3 beauties will: ⠀⠀ - Declutter your shower from bright and mismatched packaging, enhancing the look of your bathroom ✔️ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ - Allow you to limit unnecessary bathroom plastic, saving money and the planet ✔️

A post shared by Refillable Shower Bottles (@darling_and_king) on Nov 22, 2019 at 8:09pm PST

Stainless steel straws

Some drinks are best enjoyed with a straw, whether it’s a gin and tonic at the end of a busy week or a cool Pepsi Max with ice.

If you’ve got a friend who’s always got a drink in their hand, consider buying them a set of stainless steel straws and a cocktail shaker so they can experiment with new drinks concoctions at home.

Even better, treat them to some quality glass tumblers that they can use to serve their favourite drinks in - no more plastic cups!

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Do you sip, suck or slurp? ~ Whatever you do, if you use straws you should give something sustainable a go! ~ Soseas straws come in a pack of 8, 4 fab colours in straight and bent varieties with a free linen carry case and 2 cotton tipped cleaners (completely plastic-free!) ~ Check them out on Soseas.co.uk or Amazon

A post shared by 💚 Soseas Earth-Kind Products 💚 (@soseasuk) on Mar 27, 2019 at 11:03am PDT

A cotton tee

Okay, time for a little self-promotion.

At Ultra Tee, we specialise in eco-friendly clothing and offer a wide range of options that make for great gifts.

From our adorable fox tee from our autumn collection to our super-cute bi-colour puffin tee, all of our clothing is choc-full of personality, without harming the environment. Indeed, we use organic and conventional cotton which is great on the skin and designed to stand the test of time.

Treat your girlfriends to one or two tops from our latest collection and they’ll be wearing them for years to come.

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We absolutely love this look from @lesroussoeurs featuring our 🦊 tee and their Ségolène shorts! Thanks girls for sharing! 😍 . . #inlove #perfectlook #organiccotton #tshirt #embroidery #fox #model #independentbrand #france #lesroussoeurs #bloggerstyle

A post shared by Ultra Tee (@ultrateebrand) on Nov 18, 2019 at 4:09am PST

Reusable face pads

Another great gift idea for a friend who’s into beauty is a pack of washable face pads.

Not only will this help to reduce the number of cotton wool pads they put into landfill, but it will save money, as handmade face pads can be washed and reused hundreds of times. 

Buy them a matching bag or travel case and they’ll never need a disposable face pad again!

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📍Reusable Face Pads⠀ .⠀ .⠀ A must have low waste bathroom essential ✅⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Each set comes with 10 super soft + 5 scrubbier pads for removing or applying skincare. Throw them in the washing machine and reuse time after time 🔄⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #reuse #facepads #ecoliving #lessismore #zerowasteuae #sustainablehome #dubai #ecodubai #hellogoodkarma #thegoodkarmaco #reusablefacepads ⠀ #dubaiecoshop

A post shared by Choices That Feel & Do Good (@thegoodkarma.co) on Sep 12, 2019 at 9:18pm PDT

A houseplant

Looking for an eco-friendly gift? You can’t go too far wrong with a houseplant!

Whether you opt for a common cactus or succulent or choose something more exotic like a Madagascar dragon tree, you’re bound to find something that will look great in your friend’s home (and in their inevitable #homeinteriors Instagram shots).

Houseplants are not only pretty and add greenery to any home, but they absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, clean the air, boost healing, and help you work more productively.

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when you’re entering the jungle and meow meow has a side quest for you hahaha oops - if video games have taught me anything lol ___________________________________________ 🌟FOLLOW & TAG us to be featured. Repost from @jamies_jungle • • #houseplants #instaplants #livingwithplants #plantparenthood #houseplantlove #plantnerd #plantsmakepeoplehappy #planthoarder #plantaddict #plantmakepeoplehappy #greenfeed #crazyplantpeople #monsterafanclub #horticulturelife #botanicalpickmeup #houseplantlove #plantstyle #urbanjungleblogger #apartmentjungle #plantaddiction #monsteradeliciosa #succulentfreak #wanderlushinterior

A post shared by House Plant Community (@wanderlushinterior) on Nov 22, 2019 at 9:01am PST

There you have it - some eco-friendly gift ideas for Christmas. Got an idea you think would make for a great gift? Let us know on Twitter @UltraTeeBrand and check back soon for more tips and tricks on living green. Whatever you’ve got planned, have a very Merry Christmas.

Whether you’re ready to accept it or not, the summer is officially coming to a close.

Those dreaded dark nights are returning and, before you know it, you’ll be snuggled up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate on Christmas Eve.

Transitioning from your summer wardrobe to your autumn wardrobe can be stressful, as the weather is unpredictable and you must be prepared for every eventuality, whether it’s 30 degrees or raining cats and dogs.

Fear not: today, we’ve bundled together some autumn fashion tips, designed to help you not only look great but feel comfortable and relaxed as we head into a new season…

Use Pinterest to find some inspiration

Head over to Pinterest and your favourite blogs to curate style inspirations for the season ahead, and focus on reusing and repurposing clothing you already have rather than creating a list for a whole new wardrobe.

Create a mood board of images and you’ll soon be able to put together a series of autumnal outfits that will see you through September to November.

If you’re trying to cut back on buying new clothes this season, then head to your own library for inspiration.

The truth is that autumnal fashion rarely dates, so you’ll be fine wearing the same pieces as last year - think scarves, long-sleeved t-shirts, trench coats and leggings.

Dig out selfies from last year or head over to Instagram to see what you paired with what.

Consider your lifestyle

If you’re always on the go and travel to work on foot, then you’ll likely need more cardigans and coats than if you drive to work or work from home.

The ideal wardrobe should not only reflect your style but your lifestyle, so look through your schedule for the season ahead and plan your outfits in advance.

Above all else, keep it comfortable: you’re better off with a white tee and an overcoat than a fitted one-piece, especially as we transition into cooler weather.

The good news? People socialise less in the colder months, so you’ll likely require fewer dressy outfits than in the summer - great for the environment and for your back pocket, too!

Choose your colours

Pick your weapon! Autumn is the perfect opportunity to tone down your look and retire some of your bright and bold dresses and tees until the spring and summer of next year.

The majority of what you wear will likely fall into the neutral colour palette of blacks, whites, nudes, and greys, which is on-trend and allows you to mix and match to keep outfits fresh. 

If you want to express yourself, then add some excitement to your ensemble by adding a splash of colour, such as magenta, vivid red or maroon - all work well with neutral tones.

Oh, and don’t forget to inject some emerald green and bright orange into your wardrobe - two of the season’s hottest colours and incredibly adaptable, whether you’re at work or play.

Add some new staples

Once you’re settled on your style for the season ahead, consider adding a couple of new pieces to your wardrobe to refresh older looks.

Make sure you do some planning to avoid impulse buys; consider buying your clothes online if you’re prone to overspending in stores. 

As you’ll likely be wrapping up in the cooler autumn months, make sure every accessory or t-shirt you buy complements the rest of your style and wardrobe, as you’ll be wearing them time and time again, and carry them into the years ahead.

That bright green handkerchief with blue florals might look fancy, but it’s probably not practical or particularly comfortable!

Depend on hoodies, sweatshirts and jumpers

There’s no season like autumn for keeping it casual and wearing hoodies, sweatshirts and jumpers, so make sure you’ve got enough of a selection to see you through the season.

Warm, cosy, comfortable, and most importantly versatile, hoodies can be worn throughout the year whether you’re headed to the gym or out with friends, so don’t be afraid of stocking up.

However, remember to only choose colours that suit your style and personality, and steer clear of seasonal trending prints such as geometrics which may fall out of fashion in 2020.

Whether you keep it plain or choose an adorable print, like the eco-friendly sweatshirts sold here at Ultra Tee in our fall and winter range, you have no shortage of options to consider.

The first drop of the Ultra Tee Fall Collection is here. Visit our website to peruse our latest additions, and check back regularly for more fashion tips and tricks from the Ultra Tee team!

Last year, we started the Ultra Tee blog to fly the flag for sustainable and eco-friendly fashion - and we think we’ve built a powerful community where fashionistas can change the way they think about what they buy, and opt for clothing that not only looks great but does great, too.

One thing we haven’t been so good at, however, is flying the flag for our own range of tees - all of which are made from ethically-sourced materials and hand-printed with love in London and Paris.

Our tees are artisanally embroidered, made from high-quality, long-lasting fabrics, and come with free delivery and returns as standard. What’s more, for every tee we sell, we plant a tree to give back to our planet and do our bit to reverse the effects of global warming.

Whether you’re new to Ultra Tee (nice to meet you!) or a regular customer (welcome back), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite tee designs that you should add to your wardrobe… 

Cactus Friends Tee

With our stunning Cactus Friends Tee, you can get closer to nature. Manufactured from 100% organic cotton, its design might be a little spiky, but it’s ever so cute!

Featuring an elegant, eye-catching print with greens, blues, yellows and oranges, we think this tee looks great with its sleeves rolled up and worn paired with some high-waisted jeans or a skirt - and you can rock it whether you’re off to the beach with friends or spending the day in the office. 

Kingfisher Tee

If you’re a fan of birds, we think you’ll love our beautiful Kingfisher Tee, which sports a faded kingfisher bird in blue and grey colours. Printed onto our breathable 100% organic cotton ice blue crew neck, this graphic tee looks best when worn with a pair of jeans, and it’s soft-touch which is a great choice, whether you’re headed to the gym or grabbing lunch with friends.

As with all of our tees, we recommend washing this Kingfisher Tee inside out with similar colours at 30 degrees, and to maintain its water-based ink print, ironing inside out on a low temperature.

Look after your Ultra Tee, and it’ll last you for many years to come, and help you stand out from the crowd with a garment that will be the taking point of any get-together.

 

Apple Stripes tee

We think that every girl needs a striped tee in her wardrobe. Featuring summery white and blue stripes and a cute yellow apple embellishment, this Apple Stripes Tee is a real staple piece and looks beautiful whatever it’s paired with, whether you rock a pair of blue jeans and a pair of sliders or some Zella leggings and a cardigan for a relaxed, stripped-back affair.

Our friends over at Merrick’s Art has put together a super useful guide to wearing a striped tee in twelve different ways. Of course, we’re not saying that you should wear this tee every day, but the article demonstrates just how adaptable a striped tee can be - and how you can try out many different looks without having to fill your wardrobe with damaging fast fashion.

 

Long Sleeve Stripes Crab Tee

Whilst we’re on the subject of stripes, let’s talk about our Long-Sleeved Stripes Crab Tee. As the centrepiece of our spring/summer campaign for 2019, we think that this tee is one of our very best.

Made from 100% cotton at 175 gsm with an adorable crab embroidery on the left chest, this long-sleeved tee is great for all seasons - wear it on its own in the spring and summer and throw on a cardigan, hoodie or coat in the cooler autumn and winter months.

Why choose a long-sleeved tee over a short-sleeved? They’re great if you want to cover your arms, or you can balance out a long-sleeved look with a pair of boots and some jeans. Roll up your sleeves for a casual look, experiment with a short-sleeved tee over the top of your long-sleeved tee, or wear your long-sleeved tee around your waist - great if you’ve got a cotton vest on underneath in the summer months. The possibilities are virtually endless… 

Parrots Speckled Tee

Finally, a quick squawk to our Parrots Speckled Tee. Made from 96% cotton and 4% polyester, this tee features a crew neck in a boxy style in a speckled cream colour - and some artsy parrots, flowers, and tropical leaves to keep you company!

Though designed for the summer, we think that this tee would look great throughout the year and lets you inject some colour and sunshine into those dull and miserable autumn days to come. 

Made with love in Portugal and digitally printed in France with water-based inks, this tee is delivered for free and we’ll plant a tree for every tee sold. We recommend washing this one inside out on low heat, ironing inside out to protect the print, and avoiding bleaching to keep the colour and design intact.

Those little parrots are sensitive, so please look after them!

Want to add an Ultra Tee or two to your wardrobe? Shop the range on our website, with free delivery and returns as standard. Plus, stay tuned for all-new designs coming soon…

It’s impossible to watch the news or scroll through social media without reading something about the devastating effects of global warming, and how we’re damaging our environment. 

Everything we do - from driving to work to buying our grocery shop from the supermarket - results in more waste, more carbon emissions, and more guilt.

And as a ‘little guy’, it’s easy to feel helpless, as though there’s nothing you can do to stop the impending doom.

The truth is, you’re not going to change the world or put an end to climate change on your own, but you can make changes to your lifestyle to reduce your personal impact.

One of those changes is fashion, and choosing clothing from ethical and eco-friendly manufacturers.

Below, we’ve put together just some of the reasons why choosing ethical and eco-friendly clothing could make a big difference… 

 

Fast fashion is killing the planet

The fast fashion industry is bad news for the planet.

The $2.5 trillion sector churns out 80 billion new garments a year to chase trends and drive sales, but the majority of the clothing is made from poor quality materials that don’t stand the test of time.

In fact, the vast majority of this clothing is designed to fall apart quickly.

It’s called planned obsolescence and helps manufacturers and brands sell more clothes, more regularly, to maintain their profitability.

What’s particularly concerning is that global clothing production has doubled in the past 15 years - an alarming statistic that simply needs to change.

The average t-shirt or pair of jeans requires 20,000 litres of water to manufacture, and countless chemicals and toxins that eventually make their way into our oceans or pollute the earth, causing destruction to nature.

Clothes that aren’t sold or recycled are sent to landfill or worse still, an incinerator, which leads to more toxic pollution and waste, impacting our cities, our people, and our animals.

According to 1 Million Women, only 10% of the clothing we donate to thrift stores or charities ends up being sold; the rest goes to landfill, where it can take many years to decompose.

When you purchase high-quality clothing from an ethical manufacturer, you can rest assured that your garment will last much longer than the cheap products you pick up from the high street or your local supermarket, and you’ll know that it was made with ethically-sourced and sustainable materials.

At Ultra Tee, for example, we use organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel (a fibre made from eucalyptus pulp) which is less harmful to the environment.

 

Working conditions in fast fashion suck

In the past twenty-five years, 270,000 Indian cotton farmers have killed themselves due to the stress caused by the debt they had to accumulate to purchase cotton seeds to keep up with demand.

In Bangladesh, nine out of ten workers can’t afford enough food for themselves and their families - even though they work full time for a clothing factory.

Indeed, in Bangladesh alone, more than three million people work in the garment industry, with wages starting as low as £25 per month - far below the living wage - working from 8am to 8pm every day.

What’s more, three-quarters of female workers interviewed by Oxfam had been verbally abused at work and half had been beaten.

Many worked up to 140 hours of overtime every month, working until 2am, and more than half couldn’t meet the targets set by employers. In one factory, workers had to produce 20 ladies shirts every hour, an impossible task.

These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg.

In the fast fashion industry, workers are being exploited to create cheap clothing for Western consumers. The next time you pick up a new t-shirt for £2, consider where it came from and how it was made - you might just reconsider.

Switching to “slow fashion” might be more expensive in the short-term, but it allows you to support independent fashion businesses with ethical manufacturing practices.

At Ultra Tee, for example, we have an in-house embroidery facility in London, and our company only works with global partners who respect the rights of the men and women that they employ.

Each is carefully chosen based on their compliance with working conditions requirements.

 

Supporting ethical brands speaks volumes

The truth is that high street and online fashion retailers will only change their manufacturing operations when consumers speak out and vote with their feet.

Until shoppers can overcome the temptation of purchasing super-cheap clothing made in sweatshops, they’re not going to change - so supporting an ethical brand speaks volumes.

Eventually, as more and more consumers look to environmentally-friendly, sustainable and ethical clothing brands, the big chains will have to change their ways to meet evolving consumer attitudes and demands.

How long will that take?

Who knows… But the sooner you make the switch and do your bit for the environment, the sooner you’ll realise the benefits of ethical, eco-friendly clothing, and you can spread the word to your friends and family.

Which leads us on to our next point… 

Your choices can encourage others to switch

Buying a few pieces of ethical clothing isn’t going to change the world overnight - neither is throwing out your entire wardrobe and switching to ethically-sourced alternatives.

But doing your bit allows you to fly the flag for sustainable fashion and encourage others to make the switch, too.

The next time someone compliments you on your t-shirt, you can let them know where you bought it, and it’ll serve as a real domino effect, until everyone makes the switch.

The truth is that most people don’t realise just how damaging the fashion industry is.

So, when you talk about ethical clothing and its benefits, whether with your friends over a coffee, at work during a presentation or at a social or community event, you’ll encourage others to consider their own relationship with fast fashion and re-evaluate their buying choices.

 

Better for your skin

Finally, a quick word on comfort.

It’s no secret that organic fabrics are better for your skin, as they’re produced without allergenic, carcinogenic or toxic chemicals.

That not only means that your dresses, t-shirts and jeans will be more comfortable, but they won’t cause irritation, and they’ll be better for you in the long-term.

Organic materials are often weaved wider than synthetically-produced materials, so are more breathable. That means you’ll be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, and you won’t need as many outfits in your wardrobe.

Synthetic clothing materials can lead to an increase in allergic reactions and dermatitis, whereas natural fabrics such as 100% cotton are also better at stopping you from sweating, which is a major bonus.

What’s more, materials such as organic cotton not only reduce the number of toxins you breathe in, but they also reduce the amount of pesticide chemicals released into the water supply when you wash your clothes.

Opt for materials such as silk, flax, wool, and tencel, and avoid materials such as polyester, acetate, rayon, and clothes that are “wrinkle-free” and “easy-care”, as they’ll have been soaked in harmful chemicals.

Which ethical clothing brands do you recommend? Tweet in your favourites using @UltraTeeBrand and check back for more news on ethical and sustainable fashion soon.

A glowing, bronzed body is the sign of a good summer, but tanning isn’t always good for your health, nor the health of the planet. On a mission to chase the sun and catch a tan, many of us are unnecessarily polluting the Earth, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re planning a summer holiday and want to reduce your impact on the environment, you might book an eco-friendly break or stay at home. Below, we’ve put together a few ways to get a tan without harming the environment - read our top tips below, and you’ll be sun-kissed in no time!

 

Head to the beach

One of the best ways to get a tan this summer is to spend more time outdoors, so why not go to your local beach and spend time with family and friends? The UK is blessed with some of the most stunning beaches on the planet, from Whitstable in Kent (boasting a gorgeous pebble beach with traditional stripy beach huts) through to Pentle Bay's white sand and blue sea, where at the height of the summer, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in the Caribbean. Explore what’s around you and make sure you’re wearing a good suncream.

Whilst you’re there, consider plogging - the art of picking up litter whilst you’re on a jog or a walk. The Scandinavians came up with the lifestyle trend a few years ago, and ever since, it has really taken off. Our oceans are being polluted with more bottles, bags, and packaging than ever, and you’ll probably find a surprisingly large amount of litter on your trip. Turn it into a competitive game with friends, and you’ll naturally tan without sitting in the baking sun.

Switch to vegan suncream

Although beauty products can no longer be tested on animals in Europe, most sun creams include a whole host of animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, chitin (which comes from crustaceans, insects, and arachnids) and collagen, which is found in connective tissue from pigs, cows, and fish. Elastin is also commonly found in sun cream, as is lanolin (animal fat that comes from sheep wool) and stearin, which is from cow fat. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a vegan or not - choosing sun creams without animal ingredients is better for your skin and for the planet, so shop around and switch to vegan alternatives where possible.

Brands like Green People, Lush, Pure Chemistry, and Arbonne offer a range of creams and SPF moisturisers from SPF15 to SPF40, so there’s no excuse not to make the switch. Sure, they’re a little more expensive than the creams you’ll find in the supermarket, but your skin will thank you for it - and you’ll likely find that natural ingredients help you tan more evenly.

Avoid the sunbeds

It’s a common myth that hitting the sunbeds before you go on holiday will ‘kick start’ the process of tanning, and whilst it’s been debunked, that doesn’t stop more than 10 percent of Europeans from using them on a regular basis. Research shows that sunbeds increase your risk of skin cancer, causing damage to your DNA and encouraging rapid cell growth needed for a tumour to develop. What’s more, sunbeds are bad for the environment, unnecessarily wasting energy. According to Businesses for Sale, a 40 tube 200-watt sunbed will use 9.6 kilowatts of energy per hour, so would cost around £1.20 to run for an hour at today’s prices, so steer clear and tan naturally - it might take longer, but it will keep you safe from harm.

Cut back on air travel

The aviation industry is one of the world’s greatest polluters, and environmentalists are increasingly encouraging consumers to travel less. In fact, the Netherlands has invented a word for it: vliegschaamte, which means ‘fly shame’. Travelling to new countries is great fun, as it allows us to explore, meet new people and immerse ourselves into new cultures, and we can pay extra to offset emissions by investing in wind farms or other renewable energy projects, but we’re still polluting the earth unnecessarily. In Sweden, two friends have persuaded more than 15,000 people to commit to going air-free in 2019 with an incentive called Flygfritt 2019. They want to get 100,000 people to pledge not to fly this year; why not join them and explore what’s on offer at home in the summer months? You’ll still catch a tan!

Switch to fake fan

Finally, consider protecting your skin and the environment by switching to fake tan. If you’re trying to fly less or you have fair skin, then faking it is a great way to get a sun-kissed look without the risks of skin cancer. There are a growing number of eco-friendly fake tan brands, including Eco Tan, set up by Sonya who wanted to get a tan without the risk of harmful UV rays. She experimented with regular spray tans but soon realised that the ingredients were bad for her skin and the environment, so set up the company to provide organic, toxin-free, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly tanning lotions. The best part? The bottles are recyclable!

Other companies offering eco-friendly tanning lotions include TanOrganic, La Mav, and Sukin, whilst Lush offers tanning tint bars that allow you to ‘paint on’ a fake tan if you want to look good for a night out. Shop around and see which company works best for your needs.

However, remember that there’s nothing wrong with tanning outdoors naturally - especially if you let it happen organically when you’re out walking or gardening. Spending a couple of hours per day in the sun is healthy for you, lifting your mood and producing Vitamin D, too.

The key to a good tan is to be sensible - don’t overdo it in the sun, and don’t use products that could damage your skin or the planet. Whatever you’ve got planned for the summer, enjoy, and check back to Ultra Tee every month for more tips on living a sustainable life.