My quest for an ethical wedding suit: Mission Impossible?

I'm in the market for an ethical suit for my wedding. So far, I've tried charity shops (wrong sizes, dubious styles), a good ten minutes of Googling and looking on blogs for Fairtrade and/or organic suits (nothing for men in the UK), and - today - a trip to M&S's flagship Marble Arch store. To say the M&S experience was disappointing is an understatement. Things started badly with a senior-seeming tailor who didn't have any interest or knowledge of Fairtrade or organic suits and ended - after I'd decided a practical suit that I could wear for lots of occasions might be the most ethical thing I could get - in a farce over misinformation on sizes for my Mr Puniverse 36 inch chest. I came away empty-handed. Now, I'm at a loose end and I need your suggestions. I've just seen Green Union recommend Junky Styling, so I'll try their Brick Lane store, but that's about my only hope right now. Ethical Weddings' forum is ominously silent on the notion of 'green grooms'. Help!

Comments

[Proops]

What about King & Allen? http://www.kingandallen.co.uk/
Their bespoke suits are vegan...

[Katie]

I know, Adam, where are all the green grooms?! Talk to us if you're out there - and perhaps you could be the one to start the top tip swapping in the Ethical Weddings Forum?

Definitely worth giving Junky Styling a go for something a bit different. You could also try Bamford & Sons who have an organic section - might be good to have a chat with them see what they can do? http://www.bamfordandsons.com

I have had the discussion with many designers though that organic ethical FORMAL (there's plenty of casual stuff for men out there) menswear is as yet an almost untapped ethical goldmine...what are they waiting for?!

Katie
www.ethicalweddings.com

[Adam Vaughan]

Thanks both - I'll check out Bamford&Sons and King&Allen and let you know how I get on! Ditto, will add any success to the forum.

[suit wearing penguin]

hess-natur.de have some blazers and trousers that might be something... Can't say it's the uk, but they do postal orders. Look under 'für ihn' and bring your german dictionary, just in case.

[nathan]

I just bought a suit for my self and vests and pants for my grooms men from an online store called Rawganique. It seems slightly overpriced, but it does seem to be a good company. The suits are 100% organic hemp, fair trade from a company in the Balkins I believe.

Here is their website for wedding clothes for men and women.
http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm

[Adam Vaughan]

So, the update - a couple of weeks back I ordered a recycled made-to-fit suit from Junky Styling, and will be getting it back next Monday, a few days before the wedding.

It's blue, which is kinda outlandish, and wool, which I'm slightly worried will be too warm, but, hey, I'll see. Will post an update once I've got the thing.

[jo sennitt]

junky styling are great, i highly recommend them. You will have a suit to your exact size and specification, they are highly skilled tailors and best of all - it's recycled. i bought 1 piece from them and have been back ever since, unable to stop spending! - they also offer a service called Wardrobe Surgery so all the sorry items hanging at the back of my cupboards have been reconstructed and given a new lease of life.

[Taylor]

Have you checked in the list of formal wear shops on http://www.gatheringguide.com/ec/formal_wear_tuxes.html? There are always new people signing up, so I feel like it gets more and more likely to find someone you can trust to be sustainable and ecologically responsible. Tell me if you find someone good, because I'm looking too. Thanks!

[savile row tailors]

I found a beautiful Savile Row dress suit in a second hand store in Walcot Street in Bath when I was a student. It was from Anderson and Sheppard. It didn't fit great but my girlfriend made some changes and it was perfect. The suit has lasted much longer than that relattionship!

I wonder if I contact them they could tell me how bought the suit first time - it could be someone famous !