Styling the items - 3

I had intended to do several posts this week of various outfits - but the lockdown has had a demotivating effect. So today is the last day - and three quick pictures of some of the other options, I have worn.


The People Tree black jumper with SKFK skirt and a chunky necklace and the black jumper with Monkee Genes jeans. I confess to cheating and counting a waistcoat as an accessory rather than an item of clothing, to make a change!


Then the other outfit is the Nomads print shirt with the SKFK skirt. I think I have worn this combination at different times with both red and blue tights.

It's been interesting - and I still like all the items, but am looking forward to a bit more choice again! Easter Sunday can have something bright!

Keeping up with washing has been the hardest - though I do now wonder if more generally we wash items more than we need to.

If anyone would still like to sponsor me, then please do go to Lent Clothing Fast. Thank you!

Styling the items - 2

It has been interesting to discover that my black overshirt is sufficiently long to wear as a dress - though that has meant I can't wear it with my SKFK skirt as it would show underneath! But it has been fun to style it with scarves and tights that match, or pick out a colour in the scarf - such as the green wavy lines in the turquoise one bought for my by a friend with words of comfort on it.






And today my red scarf-necklace came out to be worn with red tights.









Early on in the challenge was a meal out in a very classy restaurant for my husband's birthday so I decided my Chinese silk jacket counted as outerwear (which is unlimited) for this purpose!

Styling the items - 1

I am actually into the last week of the challenge - and have generally had much less need to worry about shoes with being confined to home! My slippers are a bit dog-chewed so I shan't be sharing them, but do have a look at The Small Home.

I'll put up some of the 'looks' during this last week, so to start with the Nomads print shirt and Monkee Genes jeans. Nomads have recently been showing some of their looks pictured in this way - so I stole the idea from them!

Here they are matched with my red Conker shoes, which I have had for years and a 'skinny stitch belt' from Elvis and Kresse which I was chuffed to have found in a sale. The latter is made from recycled fire hose and wears really well - no sign of the surface rubbing or marking with the buckle as tends to have happened with my leather belts.

Items 4, 5 and 6

So to the tops - and a choice of three.

Firstly I chose a People Tree black roll-neck top, as this goes with everything, and could be worn under a shirt as an extra layer - though I haven't needed to do that yet!



Then I chose a print shirt from Nomads containing colours that would work with all the 'bottoms'. It is still available in their sale! And finally a black overshirt that also originally came from People Tree.

Item 3

I nearly gave up last week: being at work meant needing to wash clothes and shower on my return to remove risk of carrying Coronavirus. However I ironed a short the following morning so am persevering.

While I do enjoy my 6 pieces, I think it will be nice to choose something different to wear for Easter Day! In my initial planning I decided that wearing only one 'bottom' for work was difficult, due to the risk in winter of trying to get that item washed during non-work days, so added a second item - my bright red corduroy Thought pinafore dress. A lovely happy piece of clothing!

Originating in Australia as Braintree, the company moved to England in 2002; the name change followed in 2017. Still a small business - about 30 people share the vision that contemporary fashion and sustainability go hand in hand.

Item 2

A number of previous bloggers undertaking the  6 items for 6 weeks challenge talked of choosing black items as these mix and match easily.

I was not sure I'd enjoy wearing black for 6 weeks - even with purple hair! However one item I did choose was my 'more interesting than straight black' SkunkFunk skirt.

A Spanish company, Skunkfunk have recently rebranded as SKFK, with a strong ethical foundation. I came across them having bought a second-hand summer dress and doing some research, and have managed to buy a couple of skirts (including this one) from a UK online retailer, but as yet they have no shops here. I visited a store while in Barcelona and bought a couple of items - they have a strong commitment to timeless pieces but with interesting twists, such as the waist of this skirt.

Item 1

A week and half into the 6 items challenge and I am still wearing combinations of the same 6 items, though I have additionally needed a thick jumper and a coat in this horrendous UK weather.

Before embarking on the challenge I searched on the net for people having tried this - one blogger said she had found her initial 6 choices unsuitable and changed the majority of them after a couple of weeks. Unfortunately she did not say what she had chosen and what made them unsuitable - so no assistance gained there!

However I decided a 'must' was a pair of my favourite Monkee Genes, which I often 'live in' on days off. Sustainable in all sorts for ways - and often with good sales - they are a must for the jeans-wearing ethical shopper!

If you feel like supporting me - either join in the challenge or sponsor me!

Lent clothing fast

Blogging again - after a long break!
I have decided to take part in the Labour Behind the Label 6 items challenge this Lent - 6 items of clothing for the 6 weeks. Apparently it doesn't include underwear, accessories or outerwear and you are allowed sports clothing and uniform. I therefore reckon a clerical shirt should be additional to my 6 items, but will choose the black and red one as that goes with the other items chosen - though if I get called on to conduct a funeral I may have to allow lee-way. I think my walking trousers and a rugby shirt to walk the dog is the closest I will get to 'sport'! And having lived in Africa for long enough to never feel warm again in Britain I might query how many layers constitute 'outerwear' and allow a jumper or sweatshirt as well as a coat!
I will introduce you to my 6 items and the combination outfits over the next 6 weeks - there is no rush, all outfits are going to have to be worn more than once!