I don’t always have this conversation with clients overtly, but it’s basically a core pillar of our work together. You may call it creating a more mindful wardrobe. Or getting dressed on purpose. Or being more deliberate with what you choose & how you wear it. But the overall idea is rooted in intention - making intentional choices about what you buy, what you wear & how you care for it. Which naturally evolves into the idea of sustainable & slow fashion.
Sustainable & slow fashion are two different concepts, but they intermix & intertwine. As a general distinction - sustainable fashion is more about reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. While slow fashion is more about minimizing waste with a focus on longevity & durability (essentially the antithesis of fast fashion). And they both support the overarching anti-capitalist goal of decreasing the demand for new clothes.
At this point in the conversation, people often get overwhelmed. And you may wonder what you can do (as one consumer) to impact the global fashion industry. First, you can be aware of the brands you shop & their stance on sustainability. But that might feel overwhelming, too. Because you may not have the time or knowledge to research every brand you shop from. Which is why I’m focusing on something different in this article.
I’m focusing on simple steps that you can take every single day to minimize the impact of your wardrobe on the environment. And stop creating a constant need for new clothes. So, check out these hacks (that all come from conversations with my clients) & let me know what you’re already doing vs. what’s new news to you.
A selection of items from a client’s closet that I used to create the outfits in the cover image.
1 - Wear what you own. The most common knee-jerk reaction to having a hard time getting dressed is shopping. So, the next time you have the urge to shop - take that energy & spend some time in your closet.
2 - Look for inspiration (so you don’t get bored). If you just took my advice to spend time in your closet - but you have no idea what to do - look for style inspiration. And get into the habit of doing it regularly.
3 - Shop with intent. ← Those are three words that I could write a book about. But the general idea is creating a running list of needs, so that you’re shopping to fill gaps in your wardrobe (and not just grabbing things that catch your eye).
4 - Focus on versatility (no ‘one hit wonders’). If you’ve been around here for a while, you already know that you should be able to wear everything in your closet at least three different ways. If you can’t - don’t buy it. If you already own it - refer to point number 2…
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