Fashion Handbook: Trick or Treat

Anyone planning on attending a grown-up Halloween party might like to treat themselves to this fabulous combo from the (oh-so-good-at-the-moment) Zara. Loving the lilac drape, cinched waist and high-rise boots. Carve a jack o’lantern clutch for finishing touch.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Cambridge based company the Original Satchel Store is changing its entire production to making vegan bags and accessories from pineapple leaves. Robust, easy to work with, sustainable and environmentally friendly, the material called Pinatex is derived from the juicy fruit and, after a year of looking closely at various vegan and environmentally-friendly options, the Original Satchel Store team is preparing for change.

“The material comes from the pineapple farmers in the Philippines who would usually discard the leaves as they had no value. Now they sell the leaves to a co-operative which sells them on to companies wanting to work with this new material. The farmers now have an additional income stream to supplement their basic income – from beginning to end, it works,” says Steve Greenhalgh, a director of the company that manufactures its bags and accessories in the UK. “This is an alternative to leather that allows customers to be in the vanguard of fashion without it costing the earth or raising serious ethical dilemmas.”

See originalsatchelstore.co.uk

Less is More

Diary date for students. On Wednesday 9 October Grand Arcade is holding a Student Night when sixth form, college and university students can enjoy discounts across 40 brands (remember to bring student ID, folks). Lola Lo will be in the centre mixing up drinks, with its resident DJ playing tunes in the main Atrium. Some stores offer free goodies, games and drinks so make haste. Highlights include 20 per cent discounts at Topshop/Topman, Mango, Vans, Ted Baker and Hollister, and 30 per cent at Levi’s. Grand Arcade Student Night runs from 3pm to 8pm. Enjoy.

Colour me Beautiful

Sahara, the family-run business with stores in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds, has worked its magic with beautiful colour combinations this season. Relaxed and wearable shapes come in cosy and tactile textures and pieces are designed to combine to create a look that is easy, stylish and a pleasure to wear. Accessories are winners too.

See the full collection at Sahara, St Mary’s Passage, Cambridge and 8 The Traverse, Bury Saint Edmunds. See saharalondon.com

Happy Anniversary

British fashion and lifestyle brand Joules has turned 30. The company, which started out selling clothes at country show stalls, has grown into an international brand and locally has stores in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. A new Joules 30th Anniversary Collection is now available featuring the brand’s hand-drawn Cambridge floral print across tops, dresses, homeware and childrenswear. Joules is on Sidney Street, Cambridge, and at Arc Shopping Centre, Bury St Edmunds. See joules.com.

POP

Swedish and sustainable, Polarn O. Pyret has been making clothes for children since the 1970s – and they’re very good at it. PO.P’s waterproof clothing really does keep the rain out and the thermal layers ensure littlies are snug-as-a-bug warm. As well as performing well the designs are just lovely, colourful and robust. Impressively 80 per cent of the entire range is sustainably made from organic, cotton and recycled materials – the water and windproof fleece jackets made from recycled plastic bottles. The Cambridge shop, at Grand Arcade, has recently reopened following a new-look refit as bright and breezy as the clothes.