Blog - Slow Shopping Challenge

So, I just now ordered my custom fabric. I'm hoping this photo will print nicely and not be fuzzy or pixellated.

Just as I hit the 'place order' button it occurred to me that perhaps I'll seem like a proper nut case wearing a huge image of my own child across my body. Especially if she's walking by my side. Hmmmm. Too late now.

I'll post a photo of the fabric when it comes (I ordered it from a US site so it may take a while), but if it isn't fabulous then plan B is to buy fabric - I'm feeling a black & white graphic - from one of Lewes' many fine haberdashers.

To be honest, just the process of thinking about this and working outside my comfort zone has reinvigorated my relationship with the humble garment. It's easy to forget that fashion is an art form, and our need to adorn ourselves, our love affair with beautiful things, our self-expression has absolutely nothing to do with spending money on the high street!

Well hello there and apols for the long blog absence. How was your Easter break? Yes, mine was lovely thanks. Had the chance to wear my new swim suit (see last blog post below), which, by the way, is literally the best bathing costume I’ve ever owned in my entire adult life. It feels as thought it’s been scientifically engineered to support and flatter the more (ahem) voluptuous female figure. I strongly recommend wearing one with an up-do and oversized sunnies.

Move over ladies, make room pour moi.

But enough about me, let’s talk about you. You’ve sent me some very sensible questions, for example: does the Slow Shopping Challenge include clothes for your kids? No is the answer, I’m just conducting a wee social experiment not sucking the joy out of life, besides all the best, cutest, most interesting designs are made for kids nowadays.

See? Space Cat leggings. I rest my case.

The lovely Lorna asked if charity shop shopping counts, which is quite a complex question really, I mean what about vintage? A very grey area is vintage. So I’ll explore that more in the next blog post!

And what about making your own clothes? Now that’s an interesting idea. I’d not thought of that. I suppose buying the fabric should count, but will making something feel like buying a new thing? Or will the sheer effort and foray outside the comfort zone cancel it out? Only one way to find out!

I’ll make my own Space Cat leggings!!

So I found a couple sites (Spoonflower based in US, and Bags of Love in London (pls email me if you know one in Lewes)) that will print your own designs or photos onto fabric and I’m going to try it. If the leggings prove too tricky then I think maybe an adult version of this sort of skirt:

I told you all the best stuff is for kids.

What if I get really good at making clothes and make myself a bunch of gorgeous things off these Folkwear patterns? You may find this hard to believe but I do not yet own my own Swing Suit or Tango Dress. I literally have nothing to tango in. Don't judge me.

Wish me luck. I’ll post photos of my humble efforts so keep checking in!

Despite London Fashion Week and the tail end of the sales, I haven’t been too tempted by anything during Feb. A combination of stimulus-overload and being a bit broke possibly. In any case, I’m glad I held out because we decided to fly away for Easter break to a land where the sun shines hot on the yellow sands and there's one serious issue I must troubleshoot.

I currently only have one old bathing suit and my tatties float right out the top when I’m submerged in water. And on dry land the top pushes them together to mould by baps into one all-powerful mono-boob.

Now, does the name Esther Williams ring a bell?

She was an uber fabulous star of pool and screen in 1940's Hollywood. Turns out that when she retired from showbiz she started designing bathing costumes. Who knew?

I'll be channeling Esther via this gorgeous polka dot number from For Luna Swimwear (£59.95 plus £3 postage).

I found the cherries, leopard print and emerald especially hard to decline. And, just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any more fabulous ... they come in plus sizes!!!

Like all good citizens I am entering the new year full of good intentions and armed with a schedule of every yoga class in town. Sadly, my yoga pants have the holes-of-depression (they’ve worn away at the crotch where my thighs rub together, sigh) so my January purchase must be new yoga trousers.

But given that this will be the only thing I buy all month, I'm gonna find me the best darn yoga wear I can get.

Gossypium are famous for their organic fair trade cotton clothes and they specialize in yoga wear. No brainer really. I chose these:

They are ridiculously comfortable! (I am wearing them as I write this, I'm addicted). The cotton is softer than soft and the wide fold-over waistband hugs the lower abs – just where you suck it in during yoga class – and they are really flattering. Not the cheapest on the market at £42 BUT the good people at the Gossypium shop altered them for free (free!). I am too short for my weight so I always need trousers hemmed. Now £42 for a pair of perfectly fitting extraordinarily comfy super soft organic fair trade locally made (just down the road actually) yoga trousers seems pretty fair. Especially as I find myself with extra cash in my account this month due to lack of frivolous spending.

This is exactly what I look like when I do yoga.

You can see more of Gossypium's products here.

I’m finding it surprisingly easy to avoid the sales this January. The awful weather is huge turn off and now that I give it some thought, I realise I don’t actually enjoy the physical act of shopping. It looks so fun in films, laughing happy people bonding and easily finding the perfect outfit, but in reality I find it really stressful. The best bit is the coffee break(s) when you’re allowed cake in order to build up your energy before hurling yourself back into the fray. But it turns out I’m an adult and I can have cake and coffee any time I want! Revelation!

Online shopping, however, has been slightly harder to resist. But resist I have. The hardest thing to say no to this month was this super sweet knitted tea dress from Lowie. Very on sale, and I need a tea dress for when I have tea. Don't I?