Going through my 3 hat-boxes of bras, knickers and hosiery took at least an hour and I unearthed items which I have no recollection of buying, plus six bras I no longer need and a strapless wonderbra which is torturous to wear for a whole day. Oxfam has revealed that British women have nearly 1.2 billion pounds worth of unused bras languishing in their drawers (as a whole, not each, though I'd not fancy adding up everything I've spent on lingerie) and that we each own an average of 9, with 3 of these unworn. I probably have more like 20 in total, and I did indeed have 3 that don't fit, plus 3 nursing bras which I will be glad to see the back of.
photo: Oxfam
Oxfam launched their 'great bra hunt' in April and are sending many of those collected to Senegal where they can be sorted and sold by social enterprise Frip Ethique, providing an income and job security for the local women who work there. British made bras are particularly sought after in Senegal, as there are few businesses able to make good quality underwear. They're still collecting - so I'm planning to take mine in this week. Why don't you have a look through your own underwear drawer? I bet there's at least one which you never wear, and a good clear out is doubly satisfying if your unwanted items can benefit someone else. You can find your nearest branch of Oxfam here.
As an alternative, Breast Talk are collecting bras which are then bought by a textile company for £1 per kilo. The bras are again sold to traders in West Africa, and the money paid by the textile company goes directly to the charity Breast Cancer Campaign. Over £8,000 has already been raised, and if you'd like to get involved this way then send your bras - washed and checked for rips or dodgy clasps - in a jiffy bag to the following address:
Breast Talk.co.uk - bra appealPO Box 71Craven ArmsShropshireSY7 0WZ
They specify nothing too sexy or see-through please, and if the bra is brand new, please say so.
*******
So, have you been prancing about with a great outfit over your undies? Or are you a legend in your own lingerie in the crafting stakes? Bought, cooked or achieved something brilliant? Link up all your posts worthy of a ta-dah in the linky below as usual. I really recommend trying to check out some other participants' blogs if you can - there are great ideas every week.
Hello also to new followers and to everyone who has left a comment recently, thank you. I'll try to get around to visiting soon. Did you see I announced the winner of the Gemmipop Designs Giveaway?
Lakota x