HEY - HEY FASHION BLOGGERS!

Excuse me --

I have a challenge for you.

I want you to (and I know you can do it) put together an outfit, a really fabulous outfit, that will help change the future.

You might know, or you may not, about the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen that will take place this month. You might , or you may not, have heard that the weekend surrounding the 12th of December (as the conference is happening) is going to be the date of international activism, dedicated to showing the world leaders in attendance that The People of the world care about it's future and encourage world powers to commit to actions that will stop, or slow, carbon emissions and climate change. 350.org is serving as a HQ of sorts for protest-based action.

Now, we're fashion bloggers. There's not much expectation that comes with this, and what stereotyping there is isn't, perhaps, so positive. But you and I know that that's bunkum. We're awesome! We care!

We care about living, and we care about living in a world where there's opportunity for frivolity and expression.

So my challenge to you is this:

On Friday the eleventh or Saturday the twelfth of December (that's the weekend after the one coming) I challenge you to turn your indoor heating off, or down. I challenge you to put together a marvelous, stylish outfit that will make you look just as good as usual, but that will keep you warm without the need for power or electricity. Lets show the world that we not only care, but that we're willing to find a positive side to cutting carbon emissions and to enjoy keeping our world safe.

Let's be honest, after all - how often do you get to wear your full vintage set of matching hat-scarf-gloves-purse? How often can you wear your '50s fur coat, or those two chunky cardigans that you know would look so good layered together, but just cause you to overheat when you try? I know that I only wear my green-blue suede gloves and hand-stitched woolen hat in the two minutes that it takes to get from my Dad's car to the building where we work. Four minutes in a day? Is that really all these garments deserve?

This is a challenge. It might not sound easy; dressing with warmth at the forefront of one's mind can bring thoughts of practicality over attraction, it's true. But it IS possible. Are you going to say you can't look good warm?

Turn your heating off, or down, all day of for an hour or two. 11th/12th December. That's all. Document what you wore and send it to claire@illustratorclaire.co.uk; everyone who takes part will be linked to and their picture featured here in a masterpost at BSB. A collage will go up on the 350.org website. I'm also offering ten small, mystery prizes to those who take part. You won't know what they are or how you can win them until after the 13th, but I can promise you that they won't be things I think are shit!

Make a stylish difference. We can do it! Are you in?

EDIT: If you're planning to take part, or if you feel it's a worthy cause, please add this banner to your blog!

Copy and paste this code to wear it on your blog, too...

<a href="http://ukstylebloggers.onsugar.com/6481305" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/effgeevee/350logob.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Right then. I said I'd be up for summing up/deconstructing the look of some famous (historical or current) Brit/someone important to British culture somehow, with suggestions of how to do a tribute or homage outfit whilst fitting modern fashion conventions. And that's what I'm gonna do. I wondered who I'd start with, and in the end I decided I was running out of time so I'd go with my gut (hurr hurr) The Full Breakfast. It goes by many names (English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh..)! And according to the almighty Wikipedia, the "traditional" English (as I know it) is mostly a twentieth century invention. Does that make it untraditional? No! It's older than most of us, I'd wager, and it's an iconic foodstuff shared throughout Britain and the UK. That's important - what do we have otherwise? The English have Le Rosbif, Scotland has the Haggis, Wales has rarebit, Ireland has Guinness and stew, and there are local, regional specialities throughout. Of course we all eat a whole lot in general that's similar. But the breakfast is something that each country (or piece of country, begging your pardon Republic of Ireland) recognises as Traditional. Who cares if it's new? It's a bond. So what's in a breakfast and why do I think you can wear one? Wear one on purpose, that is, not just the stains of morning-meal carelessness. (Click the pictures to visit the buy-page!) Toast

Bacon & Eggs

Mushrooms

Tomato (ketchup!)

Sausage

Hash browns Wondering how it occurred to me to say "dress like food, guys!"? I answer with the final piece of the breakfast puzzle and my accidental cosplay: Baked Beans