Gone are the days when smart shopping meant bagging the latest Chloe-inspired dress for a fiver at Primark. Consumers are questioning the serious social and environmental issues involved in 'throwaway fashion'

We present to you our favourite ethical brands that have injected a whole heap of sex appeal into the green plight.

'As consumers we have a powerful voice that can change the ways of conventional retailers,' says Safia Minney, founder of People Tree. 'We want products that are made without exploiting workers or the environment, and we want big business to get the message.'

And 'Planet Fashion' finally appears to be cottoning on. We've seen Bono's (Product) RED, the Anya Hindmarch bag frenzy and a sustainable fashion initiative at London Fashion Week.

From designer catwalk shows to organic cotton tee-shirts, the fashion conscious have finally found a conscience. And as Tamsin Blanchard says in Green is the new Black, her new book on ethical fashion: 'It's perfectly possible to combine high principles with high fashion.' Our ethical fashion guide shows you how...

Our favourite ethical brands

1. Katharine Hamnett
It's impossible to talk about ethical fashion without mentioning Katharine Hamnett. Referred to by Vogue as 'The Queen of Green', the legendary designer has been campaigning for ethical fashion and a more environmentally friendly clothing industry since the late eighties.

'People are finally realising what we consume decides the future of the planet,' says Hamnett, who has reissued her iconic slogan tee-shirts.

2. People Tree
Ethical fashion pioneer Safia Minney founded People Tree in the early nineties. 'We've spent years building up relationships with our producers and creating a whole Fairtrade process,' she explains.

'Most large companies' top priority is to make the maximum profit. Our mission is to use fashion to improve people's lives.' With their Topshop collaboration and celebrity fan club, People Tree has definitely improved our lives.

3. Marks & Spencer
The world's biggest retailer of Fairtrade cotton has come up with an eco plan to 'tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our business and our world.'

They also signed Lily Cole. 'I see my role in the fashion industry as a natural opportunity to support various ethical causes,' says the model and undergraduate. 'I can use my position to raise awareness of certain issues.' That's our M&S!

4. Noir
'We want to be known as the first brand to turn corporate, social responsibility sexy,' says Peter Ingwersen, founder of high fashion label NOIR.

The Danish company supports sustainable business processes in Africa, has created its own certified organic cotton fabric brand and is one of the few ethical fashion labels to appear on the catwalk circuit. Proof indeed that it is possible to combine high principles with high fashion.

5. Green Knickers
'Small things, even knickers can make a difference,' says Sarah Lucy Smith, one of the co-founders of Green Knickers, the first underwear brand to be awarded the Fairtrade mark.

The lingerie company make half their goods in the UK and half with Fairtrade co-ops overseas. Imported undies are shipped by sea, and carbon emissions are offset. So small can be ethically beautiful, then.

For more eco smalls check out:

• www.marksandspencer.com (has a new eco lingerie range launching this spring)
• www.ciel.ltd.uk (beautiful lingerie in super soft organic cotton)

6. Adili
A one-stop shop for all your ethical needs, Adili (the Swahili word for 'ethical and just') sells a wide range of clothing, accessories and beauty products.

'By starting off with something small, we hope that customers will think about what they buy and consider a more ethical lifestyle,' says Simone Ruffin, PR manager.

This philosophy seems to be working. Launched in 2006, 'the site of outstanding natural beauty, fashion and lifestyle' saw sales for Christmas 2007 go up 388 per cent on their first year.

And don't forget to recycle...

7. Junky Styling
Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager founded Junky Styling in 1997. They'd seen a lot of recycling and resourcefulness on a round-the-world tour and decided to have a go themselves.

Deconstructing and reconstructing good quality second-hand clothes became a thriving business, and the team now show at London Fashion Week. All Junky Styling garments are made in-house or carefully outsourced locally, so no international flights are required.

If you like the idea of recycling, check out the following:

• www.fromsomewhere.co.uk - Waste material from the Italian fashion industry (off-cuts, end of rolls or damaged fabric) is used to produce beautiful clothes.
• www.be-a-fashionista.co.uk - Hire the latest 'it' bag without having to buy it.
• www.freecycle.org - Reduce waste by giving unwanted goods as gifts.

Expert tips on ethical dressing

1. Don't throw away unwanted clothes. Give them to a charity shop or hold a clothes swap party with your friends. Safia Minney, People Tree
2. Think quality not quantity. Don't buy lots of cheap, disposable items. Save up for one really special ethically produced piece instead Sarah Lucy Smith, Green Knickers
3. Recycling and re-using second-hand clothes shows individuality. There is nothing worse than being in the same place and same dress as someone else! Junky Styling
4. Invest in a fold-up shopper bag and keep it in your handbag. This will reduce the need to use plastic bags and you'll be doing your bit to improve the environment. Simone Ruffin, Adili