Tote-ally stylish ethical bags.

Demi bag in mist, with lining made from 100% recycled nylon

Bags. We all use them, we all need them, so why not choose some that are super stylish AND sustainable?


Here are some of my faves from brands perfectly balancing ethics, sustainability, looks and functionality.

Matt and Nat

Instagram: @matt_and_nat

Matt and Nat were founded on ethics and sustainability, and are constantly experimenting with recycled materials - think rubber, cork, cardboard, nylons and even recycled bike tyres.  

They are also vegan, committed to not using any animal-based materials in their gorgeous bags.

July backpack by vegan brand Matt and Nat 

Percio bag in black (can also be a nappy bag!)

Freedom of Animals

Instagram: @freedomofanimals

One word: Be-aut-i-ful!

It's hard to believe Freedom of Animals use post-consumer polyurethane to produce soft-as-leather bags without the use of any animal products.

To top that off, each bag's lining is made from organic cotton and recycled plastic water bottles, with each zip made from recycled metals.

Freedom of animals Boromo Circle Bags

Nikki Reed has partnered with Freedom of Animals for their recent collection.
Pictured with the Nikki Bucket Bag

Harlequin Belle

Instagram: @harlequin_belle

Ethical handbags, wallets and shoes, all wrapped up in one Aussie brand - dee-lightful! 

Harlequin Belle produce what they dub "forever fashion", which is what the whole shift is really about.

Harlequin Belle The Origins Bag

Cityscape Bag in midnight blue by Australian label Harlequin Belle

Butcher Byrd

Instagram: @thebutcherbyrd

These classic leather bags are all designed, drafted, cut, sewn and finished by Adelaide-based maker Sasha Carroll in a converted old butcher shop.

You can see the range of beautiful bags on Etsy.

The Shopping Bag in mottled white-grey

The Retro Satchel in tan leather by The Butcher Byrd -
great for the guys too!

Tribe Alive

Instagram: @tribealive

It's all about the little guys for me when it comes to what to choose from online ethical fashion store Tribe Alive.

Their Mini Bucket Bag, Geo Pocket Pouch Wallet and the Geo Envelope Clutch are my picks, all handmade and fair trade using vegetable-tanned leather.

Veggie-tanned Geo Pocket Pouch Wallet from Tribe Alive

Mini Bucket Bags - too cute!

The Dharma Door

Instagram: @thedharmadoor

I think it's the nostalgia of summer, weekend markets and beach days that keep me coming back to the hemp string bags by Aussie brand The Dharma Door.

Hemp is an awesome - and in my opinion, totally under-used! - fabric that is strong and sustainable, needing no chemicals and much less water than cotton to grow.

You could even just leave one of these string beauties hanging around the house, they're so good looking!

The Dharma Door hemp string bag in natural

The Dharma Door hemp string bag, indigo

Kon-Dor

Instagram: @kondorofficial

Kon-Dor is a very recent discovery of mine, and they instantly caught my eye. I'm a lover of basic, black backpacks, and these guys have nailed it, with a social conscience to boot.

Kon-Dor Anku backpack

Anku backpack in action