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!

Dressember - Day 31

Final day! And as my visiting relative thought it was cheating to change into trousers to walk the dog, here I am in dress and walking boots - complete with aforementioned dog!

So here I am photographed on our return, having shed coat, hat, scarf and gloves, but not yet the boots. I am wearing a lovely Nomads green dress that combines different fabrics in the same shade and then has added hand-stitching and beads for embellishment. It is worn with a Dorothy Perkins black-watch tartan jacket that I have had for years - originally with both a matching skirt and matching trousers but my waist grew out of those!

Dressember - Day 30

I had to wear the Christmas elf hat today as lots of relatives were here for lunch!

Red pinafore dress again, but with a blue linen shirt made in Nepal. I do think this dress is going to be very versatile and useful in a variety of settings.

The painted leather earrings were put together for me on a craft stall in Barcelona, as those I liked on the stall were really too long.