Tiffanie Darke is the former fashion editor who launched the Rule of 5, the slow style campaign that has taken the fashion world by storm. By signing up, you agree to buy only 5 new fashion items in one year. As the founder of the Rule of 5, we asked Tiffanie to name 5 sustainable products she can’t live without and she came back with 6. So we’re renaming our series 6 Sustainable Staples, because it sounds better anyway.

Could you get through a year buying only 5 new fashion items? Former Fashion Editor, Tiffanie Darke decided to give it a go during the pandemic, shared the idea on social media and, lo, a movement was born. It turned out the idea struck a chord with thousands of women. Now, many of the UK’s best dressed women are signing up to the Rule of 5.

Darke credits it with getting her off the fast-fashion carousel and into a whole new world of slow fashion. Her latest project, Agora, a new kind of shop weaving together luxury and sustainability, opened in 2021 in the Six Senses in Ibiza. The resort, dedicated to sustainability, has quickly become the go-to destination for the fast set, with Alexa Chung, Lily Cole, Liya Kebede, Kate Moss and Sadie Frost, all visitors. Who knows you may spot one of them there choosing one of their 5 fashion items for the year.

So what are the sustainable staples that Tiffanie can’t live without? Our founder, Lucy, caught up with her to find out.

Save My Wardrobe

One of the new generation of indispensable apps that do everything from darn moth eaten sweaters, clean sneakers, alter hemlines, tailor dresses, embroider over stains - you name it! The most sustainable piece of clothing is the one you already own and this app keeps those items going for far longer. I have resurrected so many forgotten wardrobe goodies with this app.

Mother of Pearl

The fashion brand showing the rest of the industry how it’s done. If you haven’t watched Creative Director Amy Powney's film yet - Fashion Reimagined - do it now. What’s best about Mother of Pearl is how well designed and desirable every item they produce is. Shop here to your heart's content knowing every single piece has been thought through with ultimate respect to supply chain.

Oddbox

Every week, without fail, we get a wonderful cardboard box delivered direct to our door full of delicious veg. Its a distribution network for odd looking veg farmers can’t sell to supermarkets and you get it super cheap. It also tends to be restaurant ready product too, so the quality is amazing. Best of all - there’s absolutely no plastic packaging.

Polestar

OK, I can dream. This electric car brand has an ambition to produce the first net zero car by 2030. The entire company is oriented around it and their design first approach is inspiring. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the new coupé coming out this summer!

Sbtrct Skincare

A new find this year. Solid skincare bars that come in refillable bamboo pots. I was getting so depressed by all the plastic bottles in my cabinet. I love a bar - Centred do amazing shampoo bars - so now I can have one for exfoliating, moisturising, cleansing and a Vit C boost. The best bit is the quality - the ingredients are truly impressive.

AGORA

The best sustainable fashion store in the world. Fact! (I co-founded it, so I should know). Find it in the north of Ibiza in the Mediterranean's most beautiful spot: Xarraca Bay.

Check out Tiffainie’s Substack here to find out more about the Rule of 5. And look out for her new book “What to Wear and Why: Your Guilt-Free Guide to Sustainable Fashion” due out in September 2024.

For more green goods, check out our Directory.

We vet each brand for their commitment to sustainability but we are not a certification body, nor are we auditors, and we have taken the approach that we trust brands to tell the truth about their sustainability policies, practices and plans.

Please note: Brands mentioned by our guests in the Sustainability Series are not always vetted by Green Salon and so we can not vouch for their eco-credentials.

Affiliate disclaimer: ❀ indicates affiliate links with brands to help fund the Directory so that we can research further sustainable brands. This does not affect the price you pay.

Tiffanie Darke’s 6 favourite sustainable staples