Eco Friendly Festivals

It’s time to festival. Here’s our favourite eco friendly festivals to enjoy this summer with a spot of vintage thrown in coz we can’t not.

eco friendly festivals in the UK

Our festival culture in the UK is big - we love a good party. What’s exciting to see is the new eco friendly focus on environment, minimising waste and sustainability. From banning plastic bottles to recycling schemes and lots of lovely water points to refill your reusable bottle.

Tyson Dudley

Here’s some of the best eco friendly festivals in the UK happening this summer…

Timber 5-7 July, National Forest

Latitude 18-21 July, Suffolk

The Green Gathering 1-4 August, Chepstow

Wilderness 1-4 August, Oxfordshire

Valley Fest 2-4 August, Bristol  

Sunrise 16-18 August, Hereford

Green Man 15-18 August, Brecon Beacons

River Cottage 24-25 August, Axminster

Shambala 25-29 August, Northamptonshire 

A vintage affair

It doesn’t get any more sustainable than vintage. Invest in joyous pieces from the past, reminisce and revel in the look, feel and sound of bygone eras with a vintage festival.

Oh and we’ll be popping up at the Nottingham Carnival and Vintage & Handmade in Shropshire so come on down and party with us!

Twinwood Bedford,  23-26 August

Vintage & Handmade RAF Shropshire 17-18 August

Vintage Carnival Nottingham, 31 August

Goodwood Revival Sussex, 13-15 September

what kit to pack

When packing up your festival kit, remember less is more and who needs to shower anyway?

Here’s how to be a little more eco friendly this season…

• Avoid plastic; don’t bring disposable plastic with you and refuse single-use plastic when there.

• Bring reusables; your cup and water bottle, cutlery, a container for food, a cloth napkin and a simple bar of soap and cloth for washing.

• A rain mac to avoid those nasty single-use ponchos for the inevitable downpour.

• If you simply must glitter, make it biodegradable.

• Avoid cheap festival sunnies that will end up in landfill. Bring your own sunglasses and the hard case to protect them. Better still invest in a frame chain - perfect for a little festival action.

• Travel light - just essentials and the spirit of the fiesta and car share where you can.

by Gilbert Beltran

woodstock baby

We can’t talk about festivals and not mention Woodstock. In August 1969, over half a million people came to New York for the iconic 3 day concert. America was knee deep in the Vietnam war and Woodstock Festival was an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a message of peace and unity.

“Woodstock 1969 was a reaction by the youth of its time and the conditions we faced,” Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang. “We proved that it is possible to live together in harmony and with compassion. Woodstock gave people around the world hope, which is why I think it remains relevant today.”

And they’re attempting to do it again this year, fifty years on. ‘For Woodstock 50, we’re supporting causes that represent the issues of our times… but our call to action is timeless. Stand with us. Make a difference. Help heal the planet and the people living on it’

We can’t disagree with that - read more here

Enjoy a planet friendly festival this summer..

Peace Out.

Jo

The history of sunglasses

It's International Sunglasses day and we think that's a day worth celebrating. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses…

Ocean vintage sunnies

Sunglasses or 'suncheaters' have a colourful history, from the Roman Emperor Nero who viewed gladiator matches through an emerald, to the Inuits ingenious snow goggles design, featuring small slits to limit the suns access and prevent snow blindness. 

Inuit wooden snow goggles

The Chinese were known to use pieces of smoky quartz as vision aids. Known as Ai Tai, meaning ‘dark clouds covering the sun’, the scrolls say they were worn in court to conceal their facial expressions during trials - handy!

The first tinted sunnies 'Goldoni Glasses' appeared in Venice, Italy in the late 18th century. Named after the famous playwright Carlo Goldoni, they were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of Venice. At the same time 'eye preservers' were popular in Britain with peeps that suffered from light sensitivity.

In the 1920s sunglasses were sold off the Atlantic City boardwalk by Sam Foster and became a fashion staple amongst the rich and famous. Actors and actresses loved them as they shielded their eyes from the blinding movie set lights. Off screen sunglasses were perfect for remaining incognito. 

During World War II, the military designed spectacles for pilots that would enhance vision and reduce glare at altitude. The US Army Air Corps enlisted the help of eyeglasses maker Bausch & Lomb, who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939. They went on to use ground breaking plastic molding technology in the 50’s and the Wayfarer was born.

In the 60s and 70s everything got supersized and we have Jackie O to thank for making oversized sunglasses a thing - and the rest as they say is history (of sunglasses).

Photo by Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Sunglasses are so important for blocking the sun's ultraviolet light. Exposure to light and UV radiation is linked to serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and cancerous growths of the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. Go for 100% every time. Although tiny 90s glasses are enjoying a revival, it's oversized or wraparound sunglasses that block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Stay safe and celebrate those sunnies!

Check out our latest summer styles here.

Jo
 

World Oceans Day

Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash

Make a splash and come celebrate WORLD OCEANS DAY with us. 

Our country is full of idyllic coastal resorts, made special by one thing.. our ocean. Being surrounded by water brings a sense of calm and wellbeing. I become more obsessed each year in my quest for the perfect alfresco sea view. It got me thinking about the need to to preserve this beauty and what we can do to #saveourseas

Photo by Alex Perez on Unsplash

save our seas from plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is becoming a serious problem for all our seas...

80% of all pollution in the ocean comes from people on land.

8 million tonnes of plastic per year ends up in the ocean, wreaking havoc on wildlife, fisheries and tourism.

Plastic pollution costs the lives of seabirds and marine mammals every year.

Fish eat plastic, and we eat the fish.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash.jpg

Healthy Oceans, Healthy Us

A healthy world ocean is critical to our survival. Every year, World Oceans Day provides a unique opportunity to honor, protect, and conserve our world’s shared ocean.

Our ocean is so important it...

Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
Helps feed us
Regulates our climate
Cleans the water we drink
Offers a pharmacopoeia of medicines
Provides limitless inspiration

Photo by Joel Vodell on Unsplash

change gonna come

It has to. So what can we do?

Ditch the plastic.

Use less and recycle the plastic you must use. 

Go for alternatives like glass and metal.

Go vintage - a little make-do-a-mend - they had to, but now we need to;

 reduce, reuse and recycle

Use these hashtags on social to spread the word and help clean up our ocean: #WorldOceansDay #TogetherWeCan

www.worldoceansday.org

Photo by Teddy Kelley on Unsplash

Summertime Shine

Summertime and we're all livin easy; whether exploring our beautiful Isles or jetting off to far flung shores. But it's not all palm trees and pineapples - we're talking sun protection and here's the lowdown from Peep before you go...

Use your threads

We're big fans of the straw hat, the bigger the better. They do a great job protecting our vulnerable areas; face, neck and ears.  Steer clear of wet t-shirt competitions - they offer nothing in the way of protection or a place in modern society.  

Loosely woven fabrics and light colours also offer little protection, so pass the sunscreen!

Eye Eye

In our glorious summer months, radiation is three times greater than in winter. The sun's ultraviolet light and exposure to UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and growths on the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without them.

It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that matters. Go for 100% every time. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Save Face

OK here's the science...

The two types of ultraviolet we know so well, UVA and UVB, both cause misery - UVA skin ageing and UVB causes sunburn and skin cancer. Mother nature takes care of UVC for us. UVA rays damage DNA and cause skin ageing  - wrinkles, collagen damage and liver spots... say what?

There's also the new kid on the block. IRA rays. These InfraRed rays may penetrate skin more deeply generating free radicals and causing mayhem... still with me?

Solution: choose a broad spectrum, high protection SPF with UVA 4* or 5* protection, one with antioxidants if you're feeling fancy. Apply liberally 15-30 mins before venturing out and reapply every 2 hours, especially after hitting the pool.

Don't leave your suncream baking in the sun - it stops working when stored above 25°C .  And yes, it has a shelf life - once expired it's not effective... so bin it... now. 

Don't panic! You'll still tan with SPF 30+ product. Yes it takes longer, but bonus, your tan lasts longer and you'll be saving your skin.  

Never let your skin burn - it's not the 80s - we all know better. Everyone's skin offers different levels of protection from the sun - if you're pale skinned you're more at risk.  Out with the baby oil and in with factor 50!

Seek out shade

Step out of the sun before you start to lobster - turning palest pink is a warning. Eleven until three pm is the danger zone when the sun is strongest - we recommend long lazy lunches under canopy.

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate

Keep well hydrated, as the temperature soars, it's easy to dehydrate and be left a little limp. Up the anti and add cucumber, mint, citrus and fruity ice cubes to water, or snack on strawberries, cucumber and melon to keep cool.

All Peep sunglasses give 100% UVA & UVB protection enhancing sun protection and reducing glare, to make the most of our beloved summer days.

School's out for summer kids... Enjoy!

Jo

Coral ... shades of summer

The sister of blush and part of the new neutrals family, coral slots right in amongst our wardrobe staples. Summer in a shade, this pretty colour casts pink overtones and orange undertones, calming down high energy colours and adding a pop to whites and denims.

We're loving the corals in this Algae Illustration by Miss Capricho

Easy to wear and flattering to almost every skin tone, coral looks perfect with sunkissed skin (from a bottle or with a dollop of UV protection of course) - it's our go-to for summer lips, nails and sunglasses.

Our version is a beautifully made, original late 60s sumptuous optyl frame, by Italian brand Correna. Oversize vintage style with delicate peaches and cream tones and sculpted detail.

Coral was crying out for peach tinted lenses, we've added an anti reflection coating to give a little extra in the UV department.  See them modelled by the delectable Caroline Jones from Knickers Models Own.

Best of all - now you can win your very own pair of vintage sunglasses in our competition to take home Coral - check out our Peep meets Knickers Competition and enter here.

Good luck peeps!

Jo

here comes the sun... doo doo doo doo

Nothing feels better than the sun on our skin... but in our eyes? 

Marc Johns

With warmer, brighter days peeping through, it's time to consider our eyewear. Is it up to scratch? Is it full of scratches?  Is it protecting our peepers?

The sun's ultraviolet light and exposure to UV radiation is linked to cataracts, skin cancer and growths on the eye.  In those glorious summer months, radiation is three times greater than in winter - yikes!

We're all lathering on the factor 50 and then leaving our shades on the windowsill, leaving our eyes to the mercy of the sun's harsh rays.

Quality eyewear is the only way to roll - protecting your peepers by investing in sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation.  The colour of the lenses doesn't matter - the percentage of UV protection does!

Make sure you go for 100% every time.  Oversized or wraparound frames block the most sun from all angles and let's face it who doesn't love an oversize frame?

If you're already a vintage lover make sure your lenses are up to the job - if they're over 30 years old, they may offer no UV protection at all or wear and tear might mean they don't offer enough.  You can get this checked at an Opticians or bring them bang up to date and have them re-glazed.  

Wearing sunglasses without UV protection is worse than not wearing any at all - the pupils relax and let in all that nasty unfiltered radiation, resulting in scorched eyes - no one can carry that look off #ProtectYourPeepers

Don't panic - just give us a shout and we can bring your beloved shades back to life with our re-glazing and polishing service. Talk to us about Polarising if you want to go the extra mile. 

All peep sunglasses give 100% UVA & UVB protection and we've popped a special anti reflection coating on the back, enhancing your sun protection and reducing glare on those lazy hazy summer days.

Here comes the sun and I say it's alright.  

Now where did I leave my pina colada?

Jo
 

we love...

Sunshine Illustration by Marc Johns

sweet like Candy

Cult brand Cazal makes killer eyewear. The iconic designer Cari Zalloni, created unique stand out designs to set and lead trends way ahead of their time. Works of art with handcrafted detail and adornments, produced investment pieces loved by fans and celebrities alike.

We can't get enough of millennial pink! Our original 80s style statement Candy, boasts pretty hues with white arm detail, set against gold metal accents.  

Made from a combination of acetate and metal, this German made frame (model 183) gloriously renamed Candy (by Peep), pays homage to the colour of the moment and effortlessly nails this trend.

We added rose-pink tinted lenses to these sunglasses to up the style stakes - why see life any other way?

shop Candy here

Jo
 

Peepo!

After months of planning we've added the finishing touches to the first collection of our beloved vintage pieces. There's been buffing, polishing, crafting and tweaking - the day is finally here. We've hit the button to go LIVE an exciting day at peep HQ.

Sourcing unique pieces from across the globe, we mix lost designs and quality of yesterday with today's modern lens. Reconditioning vintage frames and fitting them with new 100% UVA/UVB lenses, adding tints to suit current trends - all our frames have their own unique story to tell.

Let us know which is your fave and why, to be in with a chance of winning £100 towards your first pair!

The devil is in the detail, and what outfit is complete without accessorising with a pair of stylish shades! It’s not just about making a statement though. Year-round protection is what's needed to protect your peepers and not just on sunny days!  #ProtectYourPeepers

Peep loves being part of the slow fashion movement. We do our bit to keep the planet green, it's why we're into recycling and repurposing. 

We've decided to offer a free 'peep polish' with every purchase, so if your frames are looking a little tired - send them back and we'll give them the peep treatment.

We're constantly sourcing new pieces so keep your peepers open - better still sign up to receive updates, news and offers.

Happy shopping!

Jo