Warehouse launches recycled silk range

High street fashion favourite Warehouse has been saving its eco trump card until now, with the December release of a range made from recycled silk fabric. Lucy Pavia reports

When I think about recycled clothing, the default image which pings into my head is of a newspaper dress I made in a game at my 9th birthday party: unflattering, horrid pattern and definitely unreliable in a rain shower.

Luckily, we’re a long way from 1995, and recycled clothing is no longer child’s play; nor is it purely the domain of smaller eco brands, as Warehouse demonstrated this year with the launch of Warehouse Cares.

The high street heavyweight first proved its green credentials earlier in the year by introducing a selection of 100% naturally grown cotton tees and vests. But it seems to have been saving the real eco trump card until now, with the December release of a range made from recycled silk fabric.

This sounds like a fiddly business, as the fabrics are gently worked together so the colour is removed and re-spun into new silks. These silks then find their trendy reincarnation in a range which includes a jumpsuit, camisole, bubble hem dress and – my favourite – some harem trousers. The ruffle front designs are ideal for a little yuletide flamboyance in the impending party season, and all without compromising your eco-conscience.

As far as the greenmystyle.com mantra goes, I think Warehouse have pulled a blinder here. Aside from anything else, I’ve forgotten entirely about the newspaper dress.