In the previous two blogs, we have explored how to have peace of mind with your wardrobe, enjoying your clothes and fashion without guilt for over-consumption and climate crisis. We have clearly established being conscious and powerful in our own consumption and relationship with clothes. A key solution is to develop your own methodology for a sustainable wardrobe. So, how do we do this?
Last week, we explored my initial four points and here are the next three key points for making this happen. Some of these are areas and actions I have discovered for myself and seen other climate and sustainably-conscious friends also adopt.
5. Challenge yourself to wear your old clothes. Invent new outfits, be creative and enjoy yourself.
6. Swap clothes with others.
7. Buy from your beloved brands, those you love and identify with - those you will wear for many years and then gift.
Point 5 - Challenge yourself to wear your old clothes. Invent new outfits, be creative and enjoy yourself.
Many of us have a lot of clothes in our wardrobes. However, it is estimated we wear only around 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. This indicates that we own far more clothes than we need. We habitually reach for the same few outfits and wear them until we are bored with them and buy something new. This is very much a trend-focused way of dressing, not what we are committed to when pursuing a sustainable wardrobe. As a way forward, commit to wearing all of your clothes. Take time to build outfits, combine your older and less worn pieces with cooler, newer or stand-out accessories and pop-colour shoes. Apply other strategies, including allowing items to remain unworn for six months; if it is not worn for six months, you are not going to wear it, then discard it. You can also limit the number of items you own, which will then make you focus on the items you will wear repeatedly. My dear friend Gemma Metheringham IG: @the_elephant_in_my_wardrobe has beautifully documented her journey to no-buying and wearing the same 200 pieces of clothing. However you do this, the commitment is to revisit those older, less-worn pieces and wear them with greater frequency. Make it fun by creating a goal of wearing three outfits incorporating a piece every week. You will certainly discover something about yourself and your personal style.
Point 6 - Swap clothes with others.
Discarding clothes needs to be done responsibly. These once cherished and so precious items of clothing can quickly become old, dated and unwanted, ultimately discarded. Swapping clothing can be a great way to prolong their lives and allow others to enjoy your pieces for longer. You can create a Swap Party and make a fun event by sharing your clothes. Gifting and swapping gives new life to no longer wanted clothes.
Point 7 - Buy from your beloved brands, those you love and identify with - those you will wear for many years and then gift.
Everyone has brands they love, ones they feel are their most beloved. For me, I have a few - Missoni, For Restless Sleepers, Eres, and Sharon Wauchob, among others. For some of these Brands, I have pieces I have owned and worn for 20 years. I bought my first Missoni dress around 20 years ago, which I wore extensively and have since had it upcycled to prolong its life. Knowing how much this label is evocative of my style, I have added to what I consider my “Missoni Collection”. Those items are treasured, cared for and worn while carefully preserving their lives. Treating these beloved clothes with care and attention is important. The same goes for “For Restless Sleepers” - I take them away on trips, wear them on many occasions, and always look to add pieces to the collection. As these brands are very suited to your lifestyle, it makes for a more capsule wardrobe, as your other clothes and accessories complement the mood and image you have so thoughtfully curated and developed.
However you follow these conscious wardrobe creation steps, they provide a thought process for considering how to build and further develop a conscious and sustainable wardrobe while still having fun with fashion.
As always - have fun; love life.
Kind regards,
Kate
Kate Padget-Koh