Thursday 13 June 2019

Choose Used - It's Slow Fashion Season


 Have you heard about Slow Fashion Season? The idea is that 10000 people commit to not buying new clothes from 21st June - 21st September with the idea of raising awareness of the problems with fast fashion. As you're doubtlessly aware, I rarely buy new clothes and there's just six items in my wardrobe that were bought new from British retailers, but I'm sure that out of the 35,000 who view my blog every month there must a handful of readers who might have a bit of a fast fashion habit so I've added my signature to the cause and if I can convert just one person to the joys of shopping secondhand first I'll be thrilled.



Why?
Our clothing has a life cycle: from design, raw material and production, to distribution, wear and waste. With Slow Fashion Season, the aim is to make this circular by not buying any new clothes for 3 months and instead thrift, repair, swap and upcycle. Every time we #chooseused and tell a friend about the challenge, it brings us a step closer to making the fashion industry more sustainable and less polluting. For example, if 10,000 people commit to our project, then we will save up to 360 million litres of water and prevent 1,4 kg CO2 emission that would otherwise go into the life cycle of our new clothes.

There are only 8 days left to join the movement and more members are needed to reach the target. Are you with us? If so then sign up HERE - you don't need to be on Instagram, write a blog or even have a Facebook account - just by adding your name , supporting the cause and spreading the word to friends, family, workmates or just random people in the street (like I do!) you really could make a difference.


Even the Glastonbury Festival is on board (HERE), urging festival goers to shun the new and buy vintage and secondhand clothing from the stalls on site - that's great news for Kinky Melon!! 

You can follow Slow Fashion Season on Instagram HERE or join the Facebook community HERE.


Its been a bit grim here in the UK this week what with torrential rain, temperatures barely getting above 10°C and numerous flood alerts and severe weather warnings up and down the country but looking on the bright side at least I've been able to wear the suede coat I won on eBay the other day, I didn't expect it to see the light of day until the Autumn.



One of the reasons I don't publish a blog post every day is that I often wear my clothes on repeat and (shock, horror!) don't even wash them between wears. Pictured above was both Tuesday and Wednesday's outfit; my 1960s Indian Imports of Rhode Island block print maxi dress (rather appropriate for this wet week as it's decorated with fish), the 1970s suede & sheepskin jacket, a vintage wool felt hat, green velvet boots & 1970s Indian screen printed silk scarf (which were all charity shop finds). 



The thing that puzzles me is why would anyone need to buy cheap fast fashion when there's so much quality secondhand treasure out there? By Tuesday I'd already acquired a vintage Phool dress, an Anokhi bag and a pair of green velvet ankle boots, all with at least one previous owner and so what? They're mine now!


In my opinion, a successful wardrobe is one that contains clothes suitable for any occasion, so there's never any need to rush out at the last minute and compromise by buying something cheap in a mad panic. Having learnt my lesson 20 years ago when out of season I was reduced to buying a not particularly attractive bikini for a winter holiday, I now look out for swimwear all year round. Lots of people buy new claiming that there's nothing available in charity shops but at the beginning of the summer you'll often find unworn swimwear bought for last years' holiday but donated to charity as they're no longer on-trend (I hate that expression!) Today I found this rather glam tropical one-piece from H&M's Conscious Collection, still with the hygiene strip and store tags attached. It's the perfect match with the 1980s Italian-made fold up beach hat I bought from the charity clearance shop yesterday. Now I'm Greek beach ready and at £3.50 the outfit didn't cost the earth in both senses of the word.


Today I'm "shopping from my wardrobe" and wearing the block printed cotton Peshwaz dress I bought new (!) from Anokhi in Jaipur back in January along with this week's charity shopped velvet boots (originally from River Island) and Ebayed Anokhi bag, an Aldo trilby hat bought from a charity shop back in 2016 and a vintage cotton velvet pixie jacket made in India by Devi which I found in the charity clearance shop last year. My bra, waist slip and socks were all charity shopped and my Marks & Spencer knickers are over ten years old.


Can you last three months without caving into temptation from the high street? Go on, give it a try, it's easier than you think!

SOURCE

See you soon!

65 comments:

  1. I did. I registered. I am from France.
    I have been reading your blog for some years, but never left a comment so, it's a first for me. I am a 66's girl as well.
    I really enjoy reading all your blog post because I do like the way you are, you live, you wear your clothes.
    It reminds me of my elder sisters and the 70's which were great. I do remember the cheese clothes we used to wear: I still have one, cream, with the bottom arms starting to fray unfortunately. Here in France second hand shop, charity shop do not exist, or not to that extent and wearing second hand is not really that spread.
    Except the flea market to where I used to shop a lot when I was younger.
    But there are some website where one can sell and buy used clothes, which I do for quite some years now, along with Ebay. Although I just can't find any dress from the 70' that are not too expensive and that fit me. And I dream to find again an afghan coat. But, as I said, France is not really the best market for this kind of clothes.

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    1. Bonjour and lovely to meet you! Thank you for joining Slow Fashion Season.
      One day you will find your dream Afghan coat and some affordable 1970s dresses, they are out there, they're just hiding! xxx

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  2. Signed up #6846 :) Seeing as how 90% of my wardrobe comes from the thrifts I don't see this as a hardship - I just placed my order for 2 new bras, one of the few items I have to buy new due to size/support issues. I've never seen decent socks at the thrifts but would snap them up if I did. I seem to have difficulty finding decent swimsuits but have recently taken to looking them over in the thrift store as that winter holiday is already booked to Mexico and I need at least another one. I hate all the packaging/bags that buying new causes. Canada will ban single use plastic by 2021 based on one of our politician's promises, I hope that happens as many towns have already embraced it but it would be great if it was the whole country

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    1. Yay! It isn't really a challenge for the likes of us but if every who signs up manages to change just one person's shopping habits we'll have done something brilliant!
      Canada banning single use plastic made the news here, isn't it brilliant? xxx

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  3. guess I'm ahead of this: between Dec and April I bought a used H & M shawl, a used dress and a pair of socks. It' s a good idea not to over do it on buying stuff.

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  4. Signed up! Not that it will be any hardship, mind you! Apart from the negative environment and social impact of fast fashion, it's so much more fun shopping second hand, and not looking like everyone else. Your weather looks absolutely horrendous and even if it allowed you to wear that fabulous suede coat, I'm hoping that it's just a blip and will get better soon. Very soon! It's good to hear I'm not the only one wearing my clothes on repeat, without washing them between wears. I just hang them up to air after one wear, then hang them back in my wardrobe with the hanger turned, so that I know I already wore it once. Love all your finds. That swimsuit is fab! xxx

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    1. Great stuff, the more the merrier! The weather - dare I say it - has warmed up a bit over the last couple of days. Still having torrential rain but it's been short blasts as opposed to endless downpours. The sun always shines on bloggers! xxx

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  5. Yes I've signed up! I think it will be easy-peasy not to buy retail for 3 months - I hope I don't have to eat my words!

    Loved all your gorgeous maxis; jackets and hats. What a fab bag is the Anokhi bag and as for green velvet boots - yes please!

    I buy both bras (not so easy to find as I'm a 36F/G!)and waist slips from charity shops although I now have waist slips in all colours and lengths and probably don't need anymore. Some were my mum's. I have several new to me swim suits and am on the look out for a new to me one as I'm bored with my old ones - all more than 5 years old.

    Hopefully the weather will perk up for the weekend - have a good one!
    xxxx

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    1. Yes!! I had a good hard look at my wardrobe and the only thing I needed was welly socks - which I managed to find in Age UK & Cancer Research on Tuesday.
      Maybe if there is anything we're struggling to find we could put a shout out and some of our fellow charity shoppers could keep a look out. xxx

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  6. I can - easily for the next 3 years....or more.
    I swoon over all your outfits here - this colors, proportions and details. And the super cool Bikini and matching hat!
    Even in my rural part of the world i do find some 2.hand gems - imagin nobody would buy retail for 3 month!
    xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! It isn't really a challenge, is it but if we can change the doubters minds then we've done something great! xxx

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  7. I just signed up; I can easily go many months without purchasing new clothing; we have several gently used / thrift stores here locally with great selections of clothing so I am IN. I did use some bonus points I had earned toward a new pair of sandals but I did that yesterday, lol. I could do with some new underpants but I can make do for 3 months if necessary and wait until October or so. I bought 2 bras last summer and would like 1 more but again, that can wait several months. I had gone 5 years without buying any bras so a few more months no problem!!!

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    1. Thanks, Dawn! I had a good look to see if I needed anything and managed to get some festival socks from the charity shop. You sound like me with regard to bras, I bought a couple in 2017 and the last new one I'd purchased was in 2006! xxx

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  8. I'm signed up - I am sure I can manage till the end of September EASILY. I love this! I constantly promote buying second-hand within my office (I'm taking one of my colleague's teenage daughter shopping next weekend!). I'll link up to you in tonight's post, Vix.

    I don't understand why people would buy such crap when there are so many fabulous things out there that are pre-loved (and often brand new, like your stunning bathing suit!). I hear "I don't have time" but they certainly had time to go shopping! Gah. Don't get me started on this!

    I love your outfits - those velvet boots and that pixie jacket really ring my bells. I often don't wash my clothes after a wear - many of my dresses/skirts/jackets never get washed. It's not like I'm getting them filthy in one wearing!

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    1. Yay! Welcome aboard, Sheila. I'm like you and bang on about buying secondhand, taking the unconvinced shopping with me and challenging them to rethink their habits. Anyone who works with you should be convinced by now looking at the amazing secondhand stuff you wear every day!
      Hooray for not washing clothes after one, two, three...ten wears. Like you so wisely say, it's not like we're dirty when we get dressed. xxx

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  9. I joined in two! 3 months without shopping doesn't sound terribly difficult especially if we are allowed to shop second hand. I did a year without shopping once and a few times I did half a year without shopping. Shopping bans are a great way to get more creative with our outfits and get the most out of our wardrobe. I love both of the maxi dresses you're wearing. You always look fab. The print on both is simply perfect and I like how you styled them. Your swimsuit is dazzling as well.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana! I agree, as we're allowed to shop secondhand there really is no hardship involved and it might open people's eyes to 1) What they already own and 2) the great stuff available secondhand. xxx

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  10. One of the worst things we can do for the environment and our clothes is washing them when they don't need it. Outer wear in cooler climates does not need washing after one wear (or two or three). Underwear I wash after one wear but the rest I do not wash until they need it, like when I spilled soup all down the front of my velvet jacket the other night... :(

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    1. Yes, yes, yes!! All this constant washing is causing all kinds of havoc on our oceans with the amount of plastics that leach out of synthetic clothes via the washing machine. We need to start doing what our grandparents did - air our clothes after each wear, visibly inspecting them for dirt and spot cleaning before washing anything outright - it saves the planet and it makes clothes last for years -I'm sure that's why there's so many vintage clothes around, they weren't washed to death.
      Oh dear, hope that soup comes out of the velvet jacket! xxx

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  11. Done :) No hardship as I usually buy from charity shops...Means I can justify going to more of them!

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  12. As a present, I picked up a half yard of new fabric for my husband, for father's day (hey, having a dog counts). I bought a spool of rainbow thread to go with it. The intention was to give him a cool new fabric for when I patch his jeans. It's super-hero fabric. Someone in the store mentioned he could just buy new jeans. What a stupid concept! I think his Marvel/Avenger patched pants will be much cooler...

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    1. I love that - what a brilliant idea for a gift. Mending is cool! xxx

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  13. I'll register in bit. I would say 75% or more of my clothing is from Thrift store. I saw an interesting documentary on clothing and how there just end up in land fields. But what I understand since lot of fabrics are of a mixture that we don't know how to break it all down.
    At this time I am making locker trivet out of medical scrubs which I got out of a thrift store.
    Coffee is on

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    1. Thanks, Dora! That's so true, we don't know how many hundreds of years it'll take for these synthetics to rot down and what will it do to the earth when they finally do - that's if we have a planet left! xxx

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  14. Eh, I love slow fashion - but finding ANY fashion to accomodate a 50 inch bust is difficult enough already.
    Still, love your looks!
    xox

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  15. Signed! I feel like I'm cheating a bit as I'd already put myself on a six month nothing new buying ban but happy to swell the numbers!
    Xx

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    1. Every signature helps! A six month ban, that's brilliant. Keep up the good work. x

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  16. Have also signed, though feel like a bit of a cheat as I rarely buy clothes that aren't second-hand - still, every signature counts. Love your new-to-you Anokhi clothes (and bag), they look wonderful on you. There used to be Anokhi shops in both Bristol and Bath - not sure if they're still there as I rarely venture into either city centre. Hope you have a fabulous time trading at Glastonbury - fingers' crossed this blasted weather improves by next week.

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    1. Hello Elizabeth - thanks for swelling the numbers! it turns out that the lady i bought the Anokhi bag from is a follower of my blog - how fab is that? There are a couple of Anokhi suppliers in the UK, both in your neck of the woods. The dress I bought in Jaipur is £100 more than I paid for it! xxx

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  17. Those figures are astounding! 360 million litres of water, 1,4 kg CO2 emissions?
    I do buy the occasional high street item, but I think I can go for three months without.
    xx

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    1. Staggering, isn't it? Thanks so much for coming aboard. xxx

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  18. i signed up! as i've been making my own clothes including underwear for years, and only buy shoes and socks new, it's really easy :)
    and as usual, your style is perfect and dresses you find are all beautiful! (too bad that here in Poland there are no good vintage shops -because of messed up history: if you had anything pretty/good quality you wore it until it fell apart- and secondhand shops are all importing modern fast fashion trash from The West, and also cool psychedelic prints are not "trendy" enough to appear in fabric shops :(

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    1. Hello Igorina. How interesting about the lack of vintage in Poland. We've got a very large Polish community where I live and car boot sales are really popular with them - both as buyers and sellers, no wonder if there's not such a great choice of secondhand stuff at home.
      I'd love to make my own underwear, I've been procrastinating about doing it for years.
      Lovely to hear from you. xx

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  19. have a great weekend! fingers crossed for sunny weather.

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  20. Arg. I would sign up, but I've promised to make a shirt for Pete and that means I already know I'm going to be buying fabric in the next three months. (He's fussy, so the chances of me finding what he wants secondhand are very slim.) Signing up and then making new things seems a bit cheaty!

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    1. I'm happy you've signed up. Men are fussier than women...fact! xxx

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  21. I’m so glad you’ve done this post Vix and used your blog as a platform.
    I can’t understand why people get so sniffy about buying secondhand. Why don’t they think about the good they can do by recycling and by supporting charities.
    Rant over.
    Lynn xxx

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    1. They're daft, aren't they? It makes me laugh when they go on about wearing other people's stuff. How many times have new clothes in proper shops been tried on by sweaty shoppers? xxx

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  24. Vix, you're such a great promoter of slow fashion and introducing people to the joys of secondhand shopping. Years ago, when I first started reading your blog, I was just getting into vintage fashion and you introduced me to secondhand shopping, and I haven't looked back.
    I think I'll join in this slow fashion cause too. X

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    1. Thanks so much, Jess! I'm thrilled my blog has helped you embrace vintage. Do join in if you can, let's make a positive change! xxx

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  25. I just signed up. It's a challenge I regularly set for myself anyway and I love upcycling so I'm happy to put my name to it.
    I wanted a new bag recently and I love to support small businesses that make handmade, I was very happy to find a lady who makes them from recycled leather and canvas. With a bit of thought even new things can help to support the climate and also small business, win win!
    Cheers to you for highlighting this challenge xxx

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    1. Your new bag sounds gorgeous. Hopefully with people not buying new they've got three months to research and save for fair trade and handmade alternatives to cheap high street tat. xxx

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  26. Sorry you needed it so soon; however, the suede coat looks as good on you as it appeared in the stock photo!
    It's been years since I purchased new clothing, excepting undies and shoes. And, like you, over the years I've assembled a stock wardrobe for the roles I play in life. My focus now is on discarding the unneeded duplicates -- or the costumes for parts/jobs no longer in my repertoire. The payoff for downsizing is more space!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I'm hoping it can be safely put away till Autumn although with our weather there's never a guarantee!
      I think, like you, I'm ready for any eventuality life throws at me wardrobe-wise, I just buy vintage that tugs at my heart strings (and I can always sell it on in the future!) xxx

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  28. Isn't that last graphic wonderful and so true?

    I'll back any movement that is about saving the environment.

    LOVE your last outfit. The colour and textures are so rich.

    Have fun and sell loads at your festival!

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. I loved that last graphic. There's some wonderful thought provoking stuff on the Slow fashion Season Instagram and Facebook pages, not preachy or scary, just good commonsense quotes.
      I'd never thought of wearing that wine red with olive green before, I loved the finished look! xxx

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  29. Signed!, and actually I believe that you're making such a difference by blogging about vintage and secondhand! more than one people could change their mind!
    And I also wear my clothes in repeat, twice in a row or more! and nothing happens, particularly if they are so fabulous clothes as you wear. Love your dresses!, love their delightful prints and colors and how you styled them with lots of coolness!!
    And you totally rock in your bikini!. Gorgeous!
    besos

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    1. Yay! Each time I share my finds I hope that it makes at least one person reconsider their retail habits.
      Yes, nothing wrong in wearing the same stuff on repeat, I don't get this hygiene obsession - air it overnight and any marks can be spot cleaned - easy! xxx

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  30. Baby steps for me ... have to be realistic here so will promise to search out preloved before resorting to buying off the high street, and only buy new if it's a really genuine need and NOT just an 'I want'. all good things come to he who waits....

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    1. Secondhand first is the best pledge you can make. You're doing brilliant and have found some gorgeous stuff on your eBay searches. Don't forget, the less you spend now the more you'll have to splurge in Anokhi in India (there's a good one in Cochin!) xxx

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  31. I seldom buy new. But when I do I try to buy from smaller companies and/or made in US, which tends to be pricier. But then I know it's not "Fast" fashion. Of course my choice is vintage or pre-owned first. I always love your outfits, but the dresses in this post are really taking my breath away. The prints are gorgeous. Sorry your weather has been horrible. I can relate as it has been the same here in New England the whole (non-existent) spring.

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    1. Same here, Theresa, I wait till I'm in India and can afford to buy artisan produced fair trade clothes (the Anokhi dress I'm wearing in the blog post costs £100 more in the UK!)
      Sorry that we're sharing such rubbish weather. I'm glad I've booked a Greek getaway in Autumn, I miss the sun so much! xxx

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  32. Signed up last week! I see the 10000 has been reached. Earlier in the week a programme was describing how fibres from plastic clothes were polluting the air, the oceans and our food. Washing clothes causes huge amounts of pollution. What is wrong with us? Why do we constantly need to wash clothes despite being told it's unnecessary? People should have the confidencee in themselves to trust their own judgement and make decisions based on their assessment of what is dirty, what looks good and what they buy instead of being led by big companies who manipulate us to boost profits. You, on the other hand must be their bete noir! You are a strong and independent thinker who ploughs her own furrow so hats off, charity shopped of course, to you Farmer Vix🤣Xx

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    1. Excellent stuff, Shelagh! Farmer Vix made me giggle! I saw that Hugh & Anita programme on Monday night, wasn't it shocking? The constant washing of clothes has always been a puzzle to me, I wasn't brought up to stick everything (other than knickers and socks) in the laundry basket after each wear and certainly don't now. It's the same with those household disinfecting wipes - absolute waste of time and money. No wonder there's so many allergies, people are living in an anti-bacterial bubble! xxx

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  33. These are beautiful and soulful outfits, dear Vix! I'm typically not a joiner, but here I am in - I sure do not need new clothes, I just had a lot of fun buying. I'm sure I can have fun combining the clothes I already have for 3 months, and probably much longer than that, to tell the truth. Thank goodness I just restocked with new panties though! Haha!

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    1. Thanks so much, Natalia! I'm delighted that you've added your voice to the campaign. I'm not much of a joiner-in either but this cause is far too important not to support. Hooray for restocking your knicker drawer - I double checked, too! xxx

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  34. I've always been a promoter of "Shop Secondhand First" on my blog, but I also believe it's important to support local small businesses, and I have friends that own a clothing store that carries pieces from European designers. I love the styles they carry, so even though most of my clothing comes from consignment and thrift stores, I treat myself to one or two new pieces from their store each season. It's a struggle to stay in business in our downtown right now with ongoing construction, and people choosing to shop in malls rather than support the small business owners downtown. I definitely do not support fast fashion chains!

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  35. What a lovely trip with friends. I see Ann has your style as well.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix