No longer should the words ‘ethical clothing’ bring to mind a hippy in an itchy looking kaftan; fair-trade and environmentally friendly fashion has changed. You wouldn’t believe what they can do with natural materials these days; the top below is 95% hemp!

Green Fashion has been picking up speed over the last few years, and the Estethica eco sustainable initiative exhibition at London Fashion Week is now in its 7th season. All Estethica designers have to adhere to at least one of the three Esthetica principles; fair trade and ethical practices, organic and recycled materials or ethical credentials. The focus is not only on the source of the materials, but the sustainability of the materials. Clothes that will last longer reduce consumption in the long run and therefore benefit the environment.

Recycled clothing offers you a whole new level of ethical brownie points, because you are making something new out of something that would be otherwise be thrown out or never used. The brilliant website Threadbanger offers tutorials on how to make a pair of old man trousers into a ‘slack dress’ and even how to turn an unwanted pillow case into a new top. Even big corporate players Nike have jumped on the recycling bandwagon; their ‘ReUse a Shoe’ programme recycles all makes of trainers and uses them to make running tracks and basketball courts.

Stella McCartney has been an advocate for green clothing for years and she wants to prove that fashion can be fair without sacrificing style. She doesn’t use any leather or furs in her collections and she is currently integrating organic materials into her designs. Ethical clothing is not just about the saving the environment and protecting animals, it is about people. Fair trade clothing makes sure that people are not being exploited for fashion.

Eco Clothing is infiltrating all areas of fashion, and you can even find it on the high street. There are many benefits to investing in some ‘green’ clothes as they are designed to last longer, and they really do make a difference by helping the fashion world to become fairer and less exploitative.

They are beautiful and they are ridiculous and I want them. These four inch high Givenchy crocodile print beauties are on sale for £865 (sigh). I must remind myself while I stare longingly at them that realistically, if I ever had the unbelievable fortune to wear these magnificent shoes I would a) probably take half an hour to put them on due to all the straps and b) probably severely injure myself due to their constrictive nature and my lack of balance. I think I would be able to suffer through the pain though.

On first look you may think that this is just a very elaborate boxers robe, (is it called a robe or a dressing gown?) but it has nothing to do with boxing. It is Alexander McQueen’s £7360 Hooded Sequin Dress, and it is amazing. Unfortunately I don’t have any award ceremonies or world premieres lined up in the near future, or £7000, but I have never wanted to resemble a spangly over-dressed boxer so much in my life.

This will be the winter of the Snood, well the first winter of the Snood since the 1980s ended anyway. This Cashmere rib- knit Michael Kors number will make you stand out on any wintery street. Sadly it’s £740. I know what you’re thinking, but please do not sacrifice you gas and electricity allowance this winter and buy this Snood instead. It will keep your neck/head area warm but it will not heat your whole house, unfortunately.

I love this Bottega Veneta silver ball pendant and I think it’s because it reminds me of a disco ball. It would perk up any outfit and make anything look edgy and elegant. Look how beautiful the chain is too. And it can be yours for £740. If you buy it though, will you let me borrow it please?

The danger with this Valentino ponyskin hobo bag is that the second I saw it I started thinking of the outfits I own that it would go with… which I decided was all the outfits I own. I think I could even pull this bag off in my pyjamas. The Italian fashion royalty are using it in their current advertising campaign; no surprise there as it’s so eye catching and gorgeous. Guess how much it is… £1500. I honestly don’t know why I even look at these things, it’s just torture.

This week’s top 3 freebies and competitions we’ve found online – add your own in the comments below!

Win £1,000 of jewellery from Brasilian designer Carla Amorim by signing up to the Guardian’s fashion newsletter.

Shop at Mango and receive a free animal print tote with this Glamour voucher.

Vote for your favourite shops in Company’s Fashion Awards 2009 and win a shopping spree and weekend in London for 2 worth over £1,000.