Maternity clothes

If you have a little one on the way, and you want to dress in eco-friendly clothes, head to www.organicbaby.co.nz. They have a range of Womama organic cotton maternity clothes (including the Fruity Mama Wrap Dress $72.50, pictured), and Bamboo Body bamboo maternity clothes. They are all currently 50% off, except for the Womama birthing wraps, which are 10% off. There are also a number of pre-loved maternity clothes listed for sale on the website.

Womama also has a range of bras lined with organic cotton. The nursing bra, available in either Rosie or Daisy comes in sizes 10C – 18F and is $50, and the balcony nursing bra in Lily comes in sizes 10B – 18DD, and is $45. Matching maternity briefs in each pattern with organic cotton gussets are $29.95. Buy them at www.womama.co.nz. Another option for an eco-friendly bra is La Leche League International bamboo unpadded maternity bra from www.zodee.co.nz, $34.47 (or $32.73 for Zodee members).

www.wombinbloom.co.nz has some organic cotton maternity clothes. The website was set up by a mother and daughter who have sourced clothes aimed at tall and plus-size women, but there are a variety of sizes of clothing available on the website.

A lot of eco maternity clothes, both new and pre-loved, can be bought at www.trademe.co.nz. Another option is have a clothes swap with other mums and mums-to-be.

Starfish

Starfish is a New Zealand designer women’s fashion label, founded by Wellingtonian Laurie Foon in 1993. All Starfish clothes are made in New Zealand, often using sustainable fabrics such as merino, tencel (made from the natural cellulose that is found in wood pulp), recycled fibres, silk, hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton. Where they can, they also use recycled buttons and buckles. They use paper bags with vegetable-based dye and chlorine-free tissue, and they recycle all card, plastic, and paper products, as well as asking customers to return clothes hangers and garment bags. Starfish works to reduce their carbon emissions by using an energy-efficient power supplier.

In 2007, Starfish became the first fashion label to win a New Zealand Sustainable Business award, winning the Emerging Sustainable Business Leaders (SME) category. Starfish constantly looks for new opportunities to source sustainable services and products like fabrics, textile treatments, consumables, and printing.

Starfish stores are located in Wellington and Christchurch (see www.starfish.co.nz for stockists). As well as the Starfish label, the stores also stock clothes and accessories by several other ethical, sustainable brands. The website The Thread Loop, www.thethreadloop.com, sells a range of Starfish clothing.