SHIRTS FOR EVERY OCCASION
Shirts. I only ever worked in the corporate space in my late teens and early twenties, where a shopping spree in the Dorothy Perkins and Wallis sales (shops that no longer exist now!) during the ‘90s meant that I was office-appropriate and felt very grown-up. Since then I’ve had a love-hate relationship with shirts. They inevitably meant needing to get the iron out, white ones I could never keep clean and fitted ones just never suited my body shape — gaping at the chest, even with smallish boobs, and poor fit on the armpits was an ongoing problem. These days, with the on-trend oversized, pattern clashing, loud as you like (all my favourites), I’ve fallen back in love with shirts for both engagements where I need to be a bit more put together and casual everyday dressing. Here are three favourites, which hail from sustainable labels big and small from around the world.
Orange shirt
Print Garden is a Crystal Palace-based gem, which I found when I moved to Kent a few years ago. The owner, Sade, is now a friend of mine. She creates unique pieces using beautiful printed fabrics mostly from Nigeria. I’ve picked up some incredible pieces from the shop over the years, not just in terms of the fabulous pattern and colour available but also her wonderful eye for style and detail. On seeing this orange shirt, which has a ‘70’s vibe to it and reminds me of warmer days, I snapped it up. AND I got a matching scrap fabric scrunchie to go with it!
Riley striped shirt
Riley create gender-free essentials, suitable for anyone and for years to come, in an effort to reduce the consumer culture that is so harmful to our planet. Each garment is made using organic and waste materials, with innovation and recycling at the forefront. This super-comfy striped shirt is my version of the oversized men’s white shirt that's less susceptible to food marks, even more so now I have a weaning baby! Simple navy, almost black, and white goes with everything, plain or patterned.
Simone shirt
A self-proclaimed slow fashion brand, Monica Nera create elevated basics in their Warsaw atelier, using sustainable materials (especially eco cotton) and methods. They ensure safe working conditions and good living wages for their entire team, and are entirely made-to-order, with an aim to reduce waste as much as possible. This is quite a chic shirt or perhaps blouse, with no buttons to deal with, in a neutral taupe brought to life with black trim bows, great with blue jeans or equally good with a floral skirt or printed trousers.