Ah autumn, you are a temperamental season. Hot, cold, warm breeze, rain and snow, sunny afternoons.

I love spring for those very same reasons, but somehow autumn doesn’t give me the same pleasure. Perhaps it’s the falling leaves, the darkening evenings, the thought of winter? Having said that winter in Queenstown is superb!!!!

What I do love about autumn is the opportunity to layer up, and embrace earthy colours, and warm hues.

So, I thought I would share the pretty sustainable things I’ve stumbled upon on my search for a couple of new autumn additions to my ethical wardrobe. Now to decide on which ones I can’t live without, because space is limited in my capsule wardrobe! Hey, it’s all part of the fun.

My top FIVE autumn would-like-to-haves, from New Zealand and Australia for autumn, are…

ONE: TOP & TURTLE NECKS

I always thought yellow wasn’t my colour, but this butterscotch cotton top from Kiwi ethical pioneers Kowtow is lovely – truly autumnal.

I just discovered a new Aussie brand, called Kuwaii. As far as I can tell, they are ethical. They say so on the website, but sometimes you have to dig deeper. So far, so good (phew!!). I like this light pink turtle neck made of Australian and NZ merino to wear under summer dresses and jumpsuits. If you’re looking for a Kiwi version, Dunedin brand Silkliving is awesome, as is this cream polo neck.

TWO: Slip DRESSES & A JUMPSUIT!

I can’t get away from them. But as well as being trendy there are many sustainable brands creating beautiful cami/slip/apron dresses.

The slip is an all year-round one-piece item. That has to be good. All you need to do is pop a turtle neck underneath or a long cardi over the top and you are Autumnised!!

Look at the eyelet jumpsuit from Bare Bones in 100% GOTS certified organic hand woven cotton, Ovna Ovich’s beautiful bell dress in olive. Both are New Zealand sustainable fashion brands, as is Children of Promise, here with the creamy dreamy three days slip gown. From Australia, Bon The Label’s Cotton Sundress black is pretty too.

THREE: THE SCARF

A scarf never goes out of fashion. Why? Because of its versatility. A scarf can be pulled in on colder days or draped loosely as it warms up.

Trade Aid (the one pictured here is lovely, don’t you think?) and Eternal Creation have some warm cosy ones, as does my local op shop – in fact my last two scarves have both been pre-loved.

But I should also mention ReCreate has a lovely handwoven scarf, made from 100% natural handwoven cotton and dyed with organic, plant-based dye.

Their items are ethically created in Cambodia under excellent working conditions, providing fair employment and life-changing training opportunities. Nice one!

FOUR: A BACKPACK

That’s the thing about Autumn. It can be crisp and fresh one minute, warm and balmy the next.

You’ll need to carry layers! Duffle & Co, a young Kiwi brand, have a beautiful collection of B-Corp Certified, fairly-paid, hand-crafted duffle and tote bags, backpacks, satchels, sleeves and handbags.

They also support KiwiHarvest to help feed families in need and Million Metres, who plant trees to restore our waterways. That’s pretty special, I reckon. The Arbuckle backpack looks big enough! 

Finish it off with A HAT

I discovered Pachacuti panamas a couple of years ago, and love their style and finish. How silly of me not to get a fedora when I was in the UK recently.

Look at this classic fedora.

So, am I ready for Autumn?

Close – now to just decide! And probably by the time I am, it’ll be winter, as it’s not far off here in NZ.

But that’s the great thing about A: autumn clothing – it works for winter too, and B: dressing yourself with a slow fashion model using sustainable brands – these will all last through to multiple autumns in terms of style and substance. Are you?