Recently, I have been thinking a lot about the “future of the wardrobe”.
How we will shop and dress in the future. I constantly think about clothes, how to dress, and how to look more beautiful and stylish. This is my admission to all of you. I feel I should be more highbrow, less affected by looks, and more concerned with no more new clothes and sustainable ways to approach Fashion. I wonder why…?
I recently watched two videos from THE CHIC LEAGUE on YouTube. The channel focused on the connection between personality types (stated as Myers-Briggs) and the way characters in “Sex and the City” dressed; how the needs or confidence of each character was expressed in their ways of dressing. For example, Carrie constantly needs to be the centre of attention with her witty, fashionable, quirky looks. While Charlotte is quietly confident and traditional in her classic, preppy (quiet luxury) looks. Is this something you see for yourself?
Do you dress to align with your personality, or are you covering up what you consider are your weaknesses? These theories had me reflect on my ways of dressing over the years and how they have evolved due to where I am personally, professionally and locationally. I am not totally trend-driven, but I am very aware of the trends. I will always “feel” a style or movement without knowing why, only to find it is an upcoming trend. We could call it “peripheral awareness”.
There is a constant pull between loving Fashion and being Sustainably responsible. For example, a recent trip to Dubai shocked me with the amount of Hermes Orans and Birkins everywhere. The Fashion there is visible and very branded. Yet clearly, the need for Sustainable responsibility is increasingly important. Many of us face the steady pull between these two polarities, and I am constantly looking at how to balance this. However, as a Fashion and Sustainability Industry Expert, it is my responsibility to go beyond my musings and create a set of possible solutions or methodologies.
As always, we learn from solving our own challenges; here are what I see as solutions:
Consider why you are buying something.
Is it a real need; are you filling a void or feeling you need to keep up with others?
Will you want to wear this for a long time to come?
Can you repurpose or resell it after you have finished with it?
Are you at ease with where this came from; is the Brand Sustainable, Compliant and Responsible?
Is this aligned with who you are or want to be?
Does it make you smile?
A lot of questions to consider here. After all, we are all committed to creating a better world for all, and Fashion is an excellent place to start.
Best regards
Kate Padget-Koh