No ears and no tails!

Today I am a big (5’2″ is big in the grand scale of things, OK?) ball of lub. Lub lub lub.

You see my sister has just gone into labour. Her husband called to say the plug had ‘come out’ (I’m not sure what this ‘plug’ is but I have a feeling I really don’t want to know. Sounds icky). So, with the arrival of my first niece imminent, obviously anything fashion related in proportions small enough for a sprog is getting me whipped up into a right ole frenzy. Tis the bringing together of two of my greatest lubs. Lubs lubs lubs.

So, as you can imagine, I was especially excited when a lovely box containing this landed on my desk this evening:

Anything that isn’t an anti-aging product (frankly, I’m starting to find it insulting. Are people trying to tell me something?) or boring press release about bikinis is a very welcome change. But a sample relating to bambinas, well, what with sis about to explode, it’s guaranteed to get me all riled up (in a good way of course). Ohhhh, the squeal of delight I made when opening the box and discovering this ‘orange’ hat was audible all around the building.

Now, a friend of mine once said to me that her friend (I promise you this story isn’t going to end in an urban myth type tale where everybody dies and the killer licks your foot whilst pretending to be your pet dog and then writes a chilling message on your wall) had a rule about clothing for her children. Nothing with ears or tails was permitted. Now, I think this is a RIDICULOUS rule. Where is the fun in your friends and family having children if you can’t put them in comedy outfits and convince them they are the very animals that they are dressed as? I have very fond memories of a friend’s kid who on being presented with suitable attire became convinced that he was a monkey. He proceeded to howl in such a manner for over a week, even whilst at school. It was comedy gold.

Anyway, in the event that my sister decides to adopt this ‘no ears and tail’ rule, it’s no biggie. I can be down with that thanks to the good people of Cob Web Knits. Now, these hats could be perceived as a leetle bit freaky in a cabbage patch doll kinda way, but they are also veh veh cute. I can already envisage my niece rocking the lemon hat (yellow is sooooo this season dontcha know) this summer. And it is something delightfully different to present to my sister that isn’t the standard gift-voucher, baby grow or a bib (that says something hilarious and equivalent to ‘I’m a boob man’). Buying one of these is securing my place in the baby’s memorable gift hall of fame. And isn’t that what we all secretly want? To gain/buy the unquestionable love and admiration of another’s child so that we can teach them naughty words and gestures and in doing so annoy the shit out of their parents? HELL. YEAH.

Edith

Cob Web Knits is a family run business based in rural Dorset, which means that they get the Some Like It Fashion sustainable seal of approval!

Which came first? Ethical fashion or plain ugly?

I keep reading that ethical fashion is about to get really good. This pleases me. I like a lot of people these days want to buy ethically. I refuse to do so at the compromise of good design though. And there in lies the problem. Because, at the moment sustainable fashion seems to be synonymous with naff cotton smock tops. And quite frankly, I’ve seen enough of them to last two life times. Seriously, is there a reason for this baaaaad design? Like, some technical reason? Like if you produce environmentally friendly cotton, it is only possible to stitch it into sacks? I’m fairly sure none of my fashion lecturers mentioned it in class, but I can’t think of any other reason that the clothes in this sector are still so boring. Sure, People Tree tries, but if we’re honest; it is still a bit shit, isn’t it? Howies is great for basics, but there isn’t anything that’s going to make you slip off your chair in pure delight. And Stella, well, who can afford to dress in McCartney all the time? (If you can afford to you must be rich, do you want to go out with me?)

If you are now reading this, squirming with anticipation thinking I am about to enlighten you with some new fangled brand that will change all of this… You are wrong. However, I have stumbled across something ‘ethical’ that I think has the potential to be a slow-burning soul mate kinda fashion love (as opposed to a quick fumble down a back alley kinda fashion lust). For example: You know those shoes that you HAD to HAVE or you would DIE but then you wore them twice and forgot about them? It’s not like that. But, remember the skirt that you didn’t hate but you weren’t really feelin but your friend convinced you to buy it anyway and it turns out she was right because you have lived in it ever since? You with me?! It’s like that!

Elizabeth Lau has launched a summer collection of eco knits and cardigans, made from a mix of biodegradable bamboo fibres and cotton. *Jazz hands*

Now see, they don’t have me whipped up into the kinda frenzy where I’d knock out a granny to grab the last one, but; I can see them working in so many ways with oh so many things I already own. You can see it to, can’t you? Jeans, skirts, dresses… It just makes sense.Check out the website to find stockist details. Prices start from £135. That may seem steep, but you’ll be able to tell your grand kids you were there, at the start of the sustainable revolution. And you just can’t put a price on that kinda pride.

Edith

How to… Shop in a charity shop (and not look like a hobo)

We’ve all been lulled into our local charity shop under the guise of eco-shopping and the promise of finding a real vintage treat. A sixties dress? A 70s jacket? An 80s jumpsuit? The excitement! It doesn’t happen. The scouts for retro shops nearly always buy them before they are even on the shop floor, fuckers.*

Fear not though, there are treats to be had that you will find in even the most dire of charity shops. You know, the ones you walk into and just think “WHY AM I HERE, SWEET JESUS?”. Seriously! Here’s a list of 6 things to look out for:

1. Mens shirts: Every second hand place has a multitude of these bad boys. Avoid anything that isn’t 100% cotton and check to make sure there are no pit stains and dirt on the collar. These look great worn belted over short skirts for that St Trinian vibe and tucked into jeans teamed with a blazer for that androgenous look. Expect to pay between £3 – £6.

2. Mens formal accessories: Don’t head out of the men’s department just yet, it’s a great place to pick up things that add an element of fun to your wardrobe. Look for ties, braces and cummerbunds. All of these, when teamed with the right thing look great. Think about a bright tie with a fitted shirt: a perfect work look. Braces with jeans and trainers: casual weekend frolicks. A clashing colour cummerbund with a t-shirt and heels: an evening out. The important thing to remember here is that these things must be in good condition. As eye-catching items, if they don’t look smart, your whole look will be perceived as scruffy. Prices range from £0.50 – £5.00

3. Womens tailored jackets: You can pick up some real gems in the jacket and coat section of a charity shop. People tend to tire of these items long before they are ready for the rag-bag. Be sure to check the linings, especially near the armholes. Make sure buttonholes and zips are secure. Classic colours like navy are always a wise purchase but when shopping second-hand you can afford to be more adventurous and go for something in hot pink. You get what you pay for here, so be prepared to part with up to £30.

4. Costume Jewellery: Most of my jewellery has been amassed from places like the Salvation Army, Cancer Research and Scope. You can find amazing statement necklaces, brooches and often vintage clip-on earrings and watches from the 50s and 60s. Clip-ons are making a come back so these are definitely worth looking out for. Usually, prices start at around £1 for earrings and go up to £10 for a watch.

5. Silk Scarves: Rummage around in the scarf bin, often you can find some pretty pieces, that if not Hermes certainly looks like it. Pounce on anything 100% silk. Square shaped scarfs are great to recreate this season’s looks. Hold them to the light to check for any flaws and to make sure they are not fraying. For a silk scarf you will be looking at paying around £4.

6. Hats: Old laydees tend to donate them (especially the pillar-box variety, which is hot hot hot right now) and they cost a fraction of the price they do new. Great for the wedding season which is almost upon us. A run of the mill pillar-box should be around the £2.50 mark but expect to pay up to £7 for something a bit jazzy.

Things to avoid, pants (euuuwwww, need I say more?), shoes (nearly always scuffed and stretched) and t-shirts (often washed out and mis-shapen).

Finally, before I send you on your way (via Oxfam of course), remember when going charity shopping, take your old bras for donation. Because one woman’s trash is another woman’s over the shoulder boulder holder.

Edith

* with the exception of traid, some of their stores specialise in vintage fashion and usually have an excellent retro stock.

Please note that prices are rough guides and will vary from area to area.