Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shops in London

London Shops for Ethical Clothing

The Natural Shoe Store

The Natural Shoe Store has been operating for about 30 years and proudly claims to have launched Birkenstocks onto the UK market back in the day. Today, The Natural Shoe Store stocks a range of brands some of which are vegetable-tanned and low chrome (leather's chrome-based tanning is considered harmful to the environment by some), and even entirely "crime free" footwear. The Natural Shoe Store also sells accessories and gifts in its three London locations: Natural Shoe Store Covent Garden – the flagship store, Natural Shoe Store Notting Hill and Natural Shoe Store Richmond.

Terra Plana

Get the shoes to match your ethically produced clothes. Terra Plana produces fashionable shoes from recycled materials and vegetable-tanned, chrome-free leathers, which are kinder to the environment and to factory workers. London Terra Plana branches include Terra Plana Covent Garden, United Nude in Bermondsey Street, Terra Plana Brushfield Street and Terra Plana Westfield.

Komodo

Eco-friendly clothing brand Komodo has a shop in Covent Garden, and is also stocked in The Natural Shoe Store and Eco Age in London. Komodo's clothes are made with eco-friendly materials and the company has a philosophy of ethical business and social responsibility.

Green Baby

Green Baby opened its first store in London's Islington back in 1999 and since then has established two more London branches – Green Baby Notting Hill and Green Baby Greenwich. The shops stock a huge range of natural baby products from eco-nappies, to organic skincare, to ethically made children's furniture.

Ascension

Ascension is a popular one-stop eco-fashion shop that opened its first physical store in London in late 2009. The shop stocks organic, fair trade, sweatshop free, vegan and sustainable clothes from brands including People Tree, Patagonia, Edun, Karen Cole, Ascension, Kuyichi, Annie Greenabelle and Ascension Originals.

Vintage Clothes in London

One of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to shop green is to buy "recycled" clothes, or in other words, vintage! Luckily London has a huge range of vintage clothing stores. Read our features on Vintage Fashion in London and Thrift Shop Fashion. 

For recycled, vintage gifts, why not try one of London's Art and Antique Markets

Ethical and Eco-Friendly Gift Shops in London

As Christmas rolls around, you should consider giving a card or gift that gives back! Eco-friendly and charity cards and presents are a great way to offset the excesses of the season.

Old Truman Brewery

East London's Old Truman Brewery is a hub for creative and arty types to sell their wares. The Shoreditch venue hosts various markets and special events throughout the year. A lot of the products displayed and for sale are produced with eco-friendly materials and by choosing gifts from here you'll be supporting local artists.

Eco Age

One of London's most high-profile eco shops, Eco Age was set up by siblings Nicola and Livia Giuggioli (Colin Firth's wife). The shop in Chiswick stocks 1,700 eco-friendly, fairly traded, recyclable and durable products including gifts, gadgets, fashion and furniture,

National Geographic Store

London's National Geographic Store on Regent Street is a great place for unusual gifts, which often have an eco theme. Here you'll find travel goods, maps, guidebooks and gadgets and unique furniture items that are often made from reclaimed or recycled-wood.

Charity Cards and Online Shopping

You can get cards for Christmas and other occasions from various eco-friendly charities. Look in your local charity shop for Christmas cards whose purchase price goes towards a good cause. Or try online charities including

• The World Wildlife Fund
• Plan UK
• My Ecostore
• Ethicalsuperstore.com

Green London Links

• Organic Food in London
• Organic Restaurants in London
• Green Attractions in London
• 10 Tips for Green Travel
• More Green London Features