Sorry, I haven't put out a Friday Five for the last couple of weeks or anything at that. I guess I wasn't in blog mode. It happens but hey, I'm here again so let's go.
Friday Five (1 of 5) The long and Winding Road to Fashion Consciousness and Sustainability.
Kate in one of her own creations. @art_fashion_life
I read Kate's IG post a little while back and thought, she's said what I want to say but couldn't quite voice. It's more the path I can tread rather than the one I should follow. I can't find everything secondhand and fit and quality is still paramount to me because of my size and how I want to present myself. And ultimately, I do love fashion and shopping. So all I can do is hopefully concentrate my purchases more around things I really like and I want to wear and keep and enjoy for longer than an Instagram post. I'm not stopping buying, but I hope to buy a little less and buy a little wiser. That's my step.
Friday Five (2 of 5) Wellness
Pyjamas in store.
Following on .... have you seen the Wellness collection in Primark? I spotted it this week when I went in. You can't miss it because it looks totally different from the rest of the displays in the store.
Worth a look.
To quote Primark, "Created using organic cotton, recycled and sustainable materials, the Primark Wellness range has been designed with an environmentally friendly focus as part of our commitment as a responsible retailer." The most interesting thing was they did take on the issue of reducing plastic goods by utilising cardboard hangers - so I applaud them for this one step. You can dis them for everything else but one step is still one step and also helps to assuage my guilt for shopping there. Anyway, they did do those lovely seersucker pyjamas which I brought home with me but sadly I'm not keeping as they are designed for tall people. I settled on one of their plain cream organic cotton sweatshirts instead (first pic).
Friday Five (3 of 5) Keeping Warm
To misquote Adam Ant "I don't drink, I don't smoke, what do I do?" I do "fashion" that's what I do and it's the main focus of this blog at the end of the day. Without the fashion, I don't think I have that much to wax silly about. However, I don't do fashion in hey there "look at me in the latest and fanciest", I like to think I do fashion in I like something nice and put together and works for my lifestyle. And with that introduction, I lead you on to my latest consideration. A fleece. Yep, I did say "fleece". "Fleece, fleece, fleece". There I said it three times so you know I'm serious. Basically, when I get home, I change out of the socially acceptable clothes and don a fleece. Not a good looking fleece even, just a fleece which I'm comfortable in and keeps me warm. And now I want to take that fleece thing outside of the home and into the big outdoors. It will be cricket season soon and I always like to have something warm on stand by when it gets a bit nippy after a couple of hours outside standing or sitting around. And this year, I'm thinking a nice cosy fleece which I can throw over a dress or my usual uniform of jeans and jumper.
4. Topshop Pink Bag (it's tiny but cute)
I tried the H&M dark grey fleece on in store in the XS and you can go a size down or take your normal size depending on the look you want. It's definitely more a jacket weight rather than a lighter throw on one which the camel coloured one is. Both have their merits and the camel coloured one does have that nice dipped back detail which makes it feel like it's more fashion rather than ready to tackle the Dales. The green nylon bag and the pink one - I just like these little bags to throw on cross body - I find they can really lift an outfit and look, don't they go well with those Adidas Tempur Run trainers? The colours on those are just fabulous and I love how it feels a little "dragon" with the side decal details. It's probably just my imagination but I see what I see and I see dragon. For a slightly less sporty vibe, try something like the Whistles leopard bag (seen on Insta friends Kathy and Melissa) with your trainers of choice. I've included Golden Goose here because they are my weakness and the one thing I can say is they are the one expensive item I have absolutely no regrets over as I have worn mine so much - I've had one pair re-heeled before they wore down to make sure they last. They're definitely my go to trainer and the Ball Star style is my favourite style out of them all. Last but not least - the H&M Vintage straight jeans - these are a new love affair item. I rarely see the interesting denim styles in H&M stores but for once they actually had the vintage straight ones so I had to try. And I'm so glad I did. I think they are true to size with proper hold you in properties but I do think they have just enough give so they will relax a little but still retain enough shape. I would have preferred them in a mid-rise being short but I can forgive the high rise as the leg shape is flattering and you're more likely to look at those than my tum which I will be hiding away anyway. They're also a conscious cotton but feel good and firm - not overly stretchy and are a thicker denim than some of the thin overly lycra'ed stretchy denim out there. If you haven't worked it out yet, I really like them. They give a nice skimming fit over the calves rather than the wider straight fits - very French. 😉
Friday Five (4 of 5) All White.
Navy spot shirt old but similar here from M&S
I'm all white. You all white? My loafers are all white. I tried some gold ones a while back, lusted after the Jonak ones and I finally settled on these white Grenson Clara dupes from ASOS. I liked the not overly chunky platform sole - I need to balance those legs of mine with slightly chunky shoes with a flash of ankle which somehow makes me feel a little more feminine and dainty. I've tried them on with jeans and even a couple of skirts and I'm liking the freshness they give to my outfits. They're just a nice alternative to my usual white trainer look. And the outfit is mainly old. I follow Martha Ward on IG and on one of her stories, she was at the airport in a simple navy and white spot shirt and jeans. She looked fabulous and put together and not in your face. I have that very combo in my wardrobe and it was lovely to pull it out and try it on again with the loafers which freshened up the look no end. You can still find the Grenson's here but I'm very impressed with the ASOS leather ones.
Friday Five (5 of 5) Weirdo
George (10) came home from school and I noticed that he only had one sock on.
"George - where's your other sock - you've only been home one minute and you've taken one sock off!"
"There wasn't another sock in the sock ball when I undid it this morning".
"So are you saying you went to school with only one sock?"
"Yes".
Couldn't make it up if you tried.
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Last Note :
- I read and finished Lauren Bravo's book "How to break up with Fast Fashion" and I have to say she pitched it at exactly the right level for someone who doesn't like the hard facts in your face. It's not patronising, it's relatable and I found myself nodding many a time and finding sensible reasoning on lots of different issues. One of the things I remember is her mentioning that some of the more expensive elitist brands are less accountable than the big ones which have the media spotlight on them a whole lot more on sustainability issues and consequently are doing more of the right things. Food for thought. Food for thought.
Fab blog Sue x
ReplyDeleteHi Chantel! Thanks for popping by. x
DeleteI hear you Sue, on the secondhand front... I have “issues” with certain items and honestly... an even smaller pool to buy from given “tiny sizing”
ReplyDeleteBut... just doing slow fashion season last summer really brought home to me my own wasteful, fickleness and how I can make do with A LOT less and still feel great.
I’m pleased to hear you liked the book... it’s all about progress, not perfection as they say. If only I could remember that instead of being so bl00dy harsh on myself all the time!