Mum’s The Word: Ethical Clothing Australia’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide is Filled With Goodies
Mums, grandmothers, mother figures – whoever you’re celebrating this Mother’s Day, they deserve a bit of, well, mothering! A thoughtful gift is a great place to start (as is serving breakfast in bed and taking care of the grocery run – just saying…). Whether it’s a cosy knit for early morning coffee runs, a beautifully crafted accessory, or just something that shows your mum that you really ‘get them’, Ethical Clothing Australia’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide is a treasure trove of meaningful, locally made finds that give back to both the recipient and the makers behind them.
The Peppermint team have handpicked some of our favourite locally made, ethically produced treats to help you find the perfect pressie in time for Mother’s Day on the 11th of May. All the brands are offering a special Ethical Clothing Australia Mother’s Day discount, too, so you can nab from 10% to 25% or $20 off, so make sure you check the Gift Guide to see what’s on offer before you start shopping. And look, even if you’re not a mum and feel like treating yourself to something special regardless… We say, you deserve it!
Humphrey Law Socks and Empowered Clothing
Mandy, Advertising & Partnership Manager
Yes, I’m asking for new socks for myself! And hopefully a shop at Humphrey Law will trump Murphy’s Law (or: the unfortunate condition of leaving sock shopping so late that all the pairs in my drawer have holes in them…). I’m especially coveting some sports socks, and also the nifty cycling socks to elevate my Spin classes (hint, hint), and their gorgeous Sun socks are sure to add some sunshine to my wardrobe as the weather cools down!
I’m a HUGE believer in affirmations and in the power of the words we speak to ourselves, so I can’t think of a better gift than some gorgeous activewear from Empowered Clothing. Such a perfect gift for my lovely mother-in-law to help enhance her pilates class, or to send good vibes to my gorgeous Mum on her daily walks with the family dog.
Waverley Mills and The Social Studio
Kelley, Publisher
My mum lives in Invercargill, New Zealand where it can be chilly most of the year, so I’m thinking a Waverley Mills wool throw would not go astray. Located in Launceston, Tasmania, they are the last mill of their kind in Australia, proudly still spinning, weaving and finishing their textiles onsite. I love their recycled wool range, where pure wool offcuts and ends are shredded, spun, and blended with Australian merino wool to make recycled yarn. I also have my eye on this recycled denim throw, where Waverley Mills has blended 30% post-consumer denim waste with new Australian wool, embodying a joint commitment to circularity and community.
For me? Linen all day every day, so this linen pinstripe shirt with hand embroidery from The Social Studio – a not-for-profit social enterprise that uses fashion and creativity as a cultural connector to create work and learning opportunities for Melbourne’s refugee and new migrant communities – ticks all of the boxes.
Juliette et Felicity and Otto & Spike
Donnay, Deputy Editor
Won’t lie – one of the main reasons I’d love to gift my mum a piece from Juliette et Felicity’s eco-conscious ‘Saffron Seas’ collection? Because I fully plan to borrow it. (Looking at you, ‘Mainsail’ dress.) These handcrafted pieces are a nice balance of creativity and comfort – much like my mum herself. The linens, silks, and cottons in muted jewel tones add just the right amount of luxe… which she tends to steer clear of, thanks to a rather practical, no-fuss mindset. But the thing is, she absolutely deserves a ‘just because’ dress – something gorgeous for all those poetry readings and special outings. And since she’s unlikely to treat herself, I’ll happily do it for her.
Cold hands and feet run in the women of our family, and we can’t get them warm enough in winter, frankly. (Ask our respective long-suffering partners – they know all about it.) But we’re also a very ‘handy’ bunch – typing, painting, gardening, playing musical instruments… So most pairs of gloves get their fingers chopped off before we can use them. Counterproductive. My mum would adore a pair of Otto & Spike fingerless mittens, knitted in their little East Brunswick factory – no finger-chopping needed, and soft and cosy enough to keep her mitts safe and warm. The red Marlene Beret just suits her offbeat personality to a tee, so I’ll be adding that in as an extra!
Knovus and Denimsmith
Laura, Sewing Manager
What do you get the mum who has (almost) everything? If that mum’s me, I’d say a CRUSH blanket from Knovus would do the trick! Everything about it appeals to my finely tuned sewist’s senses: it’s zero waste, 3D-knitted (cool technique!) from 100% Tasmanian Super Fine Merino Wool, and is all about embracing wabi-sabi: the beauty in imperfections. I love how their patterns are crafted by hand-crushing paper, blending traditional texture techniques with modern knitting tech. Oh, and it’s cosy and perfect to cuddle up in!
Something sweet from the folks at Denimsmith would be a great gift – I love these Melbourne makers’ passion for ethically produced denim, putting artistry in every stitch. Perhaps a nice pair of jeans – sturdy enough to wrangle my kiddos, but classy enough to just add a nice me-made top, some glittery, dangly earrings, and voila! Ready for date night. (Mother’s Day date night – can we make this a thing?).
Iole Lingerie and Citizen Wolf
Adjoa, Community Manager
As a young woman living through the rapid changes of social media and beauty trends, it’s not always so easy feeling confident in my own skin. Having beautifully made lingerie is something that always gives me that extra sense of self-assurance, and it’s a reminder that feeling beautiful in myself is what’s most important! A lovely sentiment that my mother shares and continues to instill in me as a young woman. Iole Lingerie suits all moods, from everyday comfort to something sweet for special occasions. (Or occasions you’d like to feel special – even just while chilling on the couch!) I think my mum would love it just as much as I do!
Core pieces never go out of style and I always find myself reaching for them in my own wardrobe – but it can be hard to find a perfect fit when you’re on the hunt for a basic. Citizen Wolf proves it’s possible: their ‘made to order’ ethos embraces circularity and flips the usual business model on its head. They only make what they sell, and to your specifications, too! It’s so fantastic to see an Aussie brand discouraging the production of micro-trending styles and focusing on long-lasting quality garments.
