Give up Fast Fashion fixes for a month…
Why?… For workers in the garment industry ‘fast fashion’ is a millstone. The drive to increase profits and get products into our high street shops faster and faster to satisfy an insatiable desire for new trends; the drive to sell more, consume more, make more, waste more unfortunately doesn’t mean that workers are paid more for making our clothes.
How?… The Six Items Challenge is easy really! Just select 6 items of clothing from your wardrobe and pledge to wear only these every day for a whole month. You can have unlimited access to underwear, accessories and footwear. You’re even allowed to use your sportswear or performance gear. But your main items of clothing – dresses, trousers, tops, skirts, jumpers, shirts or cardis must remain the same throughout. Get creative with your combining… Think what you really love. What defines you? You might surprise yourself with your choices but remember to be practical too!
Check out the Blog page for the latest news about the challenge, including dairy entries, interviews with the participants, and our ideas and inspirations.
Garment workers don’t have the unlimited choices we have… £3, not much is it? The price of a sandwich, a copy of a fashion magazine or a cheap t-shirt in some of the UK’s leading high street stores: but this amount is double what many workers can earn in a day making clothes for the UK market. The reality is that UK brands want more and more from their suppliers while giving less and less. Long hours; daily overtime; poverty wages; unstable job contracts all hamper basic needs such as buying food, healthcare, education and accomodation. This is the norm for garment workers across the globe.
Labour Behind the Label don’t advocate boycotting brands as this often has a negative impact on workers, but it is so important to create an awareness of the current situation – consumption needs to slow down, the pressure on workers and the constant precariousness of jobs and wage levels needs to be addressed. By exploring this issue through the 6 Items Challenge and fundraising for Labour Behind the Label, you can play a vital part in contributing to the work we do in supporting real people in their struggle for better rights and working conditions.
I love the idea but can’t think how it would be possible for me. I wear 4 items every day (jeans, long sleeved top, short sleeved top and jumper/sweatshirt) and I don’t have a tumble dryer (not good for the environment anyway). If it was 8 pieces I might try, although that would mean wearing my work clothes all day every day – jeans and black tops. For me personally I couldn’t do 6 without smelling, freezing or buying new clothes (which would seem to defeat the purpose!). Intrigued to know how people get on though…
aha…ingenuity is the key – wrap scarves can give warmth instead of an extra jumper…and one extra jean/top might see you through… who knows. It’s difficult with work gear, true. Dresses are always a good solution, the original ‘onesie’!
Thats why I chose a dress! At first I found it hard with one cardigan but I soon got in to the habit of washing in the evening and hanging it up to dry over night.
If anyone near my shop (Southampton UK) is participating, please come in and choose any item up to £15 in value to use as one of your 6, or maybe an accessory that might help keep things amusing during the challenge. Yes – that’s FREE. I need to see your proof that you are participating of course! Slowing down the pace of clothing consumption is a passion of mine and lies at the heart of my interest in vintage fashion. HAVE FUN 6 ITEMERS!
What a lovely offer Catherine! Thanks so much for your encouragement for the challenge – I hope some sixers are in your area and able to come and find something for their capsule wardrobes!
Really inspiring idea guys – have blogged about it here: http://wp.me/p1jSek-vI Good luck with the challenge! x
i would like to try the challenge but i still go to to school do you think it would be alright to wear six items of clothing and my uniform
Hi Jemima,
yes, that would be fine… a uniform would count as ‘performance wear’ I think as it is needed for your school days… Also, we are running the next challenge in July which may fall in your school holidays; or the following one is September. If you are interested in signing up to hear more about getting involved then just fill in the form here: http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/support-us/item/1025-six-items-sign-up-form