This full length denim skirt by Mud Denim is from an award winning ethical online boutique called Gather & See. They work with a selection of designers all working in fairer, safer and more inclusive ways. It was started in 2014 by two best friends - Alicia and Steph - both mums to young children, Alicia lives in Leicester and Steph in Naoribi. They stock gorgeous brands, some of which I have never come across before like Em & Shi which is new to their site. It is a Jaipur, India based label where each piece is made to order to ensure minimum waste, it is also competitively priced. These trousers have particularly caught my eye!

I really love this outfit that mum is wearing. The long denim skirt with the Birkenstock clogs has a Scandinavian vibe to it. This is also an outfit that feels very ‘Sue’. It reminds me of outfits that she used to wear when I was little. The full length skirts and the loose fitting shirts, it’s come full circle as mum would say!

Mum is nearly 5.8” so you can see that the skirt comes up long. It was almost too long for me and I am 5.6”. You could have it taken up for sure but you would lose the raw hem (something that many of you might prefer anyway!).

These statement earrings by Deborah Blyth finish the look off. Go big and go bold with jewellery at the moment! Deborah’s pieces are an investment but they are absolutely worth it. Such gorgeous, slightly unusual pieces but ones that slot into everyday life. I don’t know if you have noticed but mum always wears a chunky silver bracelet with round charms. Each disc holds the name of one of her grandchildren on it. It is by Deborah.

The little piece of cream that you can see beneath my shirt is actually a crop top/bra by Pico. They are another great brand, taking responsibility for their mark on the world while producing excellent underwear. I have the crop top and the matching high-waisted pants and they are suuuuper comfy. Not only is the top comfortable but it serves as the perfect piece to wear under open neck shirts in the summer, when you want to have something at your cleavage but you don’t want to wear a vest top.

The trousers that I am wearing are by a small brand called LAW. Gill, the founder, started LAW when she was pregnant with her second daughter in 2019 (I was also pregnant with my second daughter at the same time). She had worked as a designer for the UK and US high street for the last decade and had become increasingly concerned with the fast throw away culture and lack of empathy or care for the people making our clothes. Gill was no longer interested in creating substandard clothing for companies who cared little for the environment that she was bringing her two girls into and LAW was born.

This week’s post has featured brands doing excellent things to reduce their long-term impact on our world. In stark contrast this bomber jacket is by Zara - a brand that takes little responsibility for their impact. As a consumer I am FAR from perfect, as many of us are. It is hard to reprogram our brains to buy less and buy better when fast fashion has been available for so long. What I do believe is that if we can educate ourselves to be aware of what we are consuming and our impact on the planet, then that is an excellent place to start.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX MOONEY

Sue wears…

Oxford shirt, £17.99, Zara

Denim skirt, £150, Mud Jeans at Gather & See

Clogs, £115, Birkenstocks

Belt, old Topshop

Earrings, £240, Deborah Blyth

Hannah wears…

Bomer jacket, Zara but sold out - similar here

Shirt, £115, Indi & Cold at Maze

Trousers, £165, Law Design

Cardigan (around shoulders), £325, Charl Knitwear

Pearl necklace, £350, Deborah Blyth

Gold chain, Hannah’s own

Chain with ball pendant, £310, Deborah Blyth

Ring, £165, Deborah Blyth

-STYLE EDIT-