How to Slow Down Your Closet and 3 Steps to Help
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Slow fashion. A concept I’ve heard of but to be honest, haven’t given it enough time or attention to make any changes in my wardrobe. So what exactly is it? In a nutshell, slow fashion is:
Made from high quality, sustainable materials
Often in smaller (local) stores rather than huge chain enterprises
Locally sourced, produced and sold garments
Few, specific styles per collection, which are released twice or maximum three times per year.
I’ll be the first one to say, it’s hard to skip the ease of popping into H&M for a quick outfit refresh. The conscious choice of slowing down enough to thoughtfully purchase each item in your closet can seem daunting, especially in a fast pace environment like Los Angeles. But after reading publications like The Good Trade, who have started the conversation and continue to educate their readers, I’ve slowly been able to open up more space for the conversation. Here is their take on how to ‘slow down’ your closet:
1) Create a love story. Look through your closet and recount the history of some of your favorite pieces. This can be as simple as remembering the time you spilled spaghetti on (and then saved!) your white t-shirt, or as grand as holding space for a piece of clothing passed down by a loved one. Put life back into your closet!
2) Build a capsule wardrobe. This wardrobe method requires you to get real about what clothing actually makes sense for your lifestyle. Only a select amount of items can make up a capsule wardrobe. Your clothes must be as practical as they are stylish.
3) Make thoughtful purchases. Begin by giving up the urge to impulse buy. Phone a friend before splurging on a new pair of shoes, or consult your current wardrobe before purchasing an item that won’t work with anything you own.
4) Look to expert guides. Here are a few to get you started: Ethical & Sustainable Clothing Brands, Ethical Shoes, Affordable (Ethical) Clothing Brands, & Organic Clothing Brands.
5) Do some research. In the inevitable situation that you discover a new slow fashion brand, take time to vet the company, and ensure that you're investing your dollars wisely. Poke around the company’s website for specifics about the design process. Is it slow, sustainable, and ethical for everyone involved? Does the brand disclose how and where the clothes are made? How many collections a year does the brand produce? Answering these and like-minded questions will illuminate whether or not a company practices what it preaches.
So you may be starting from scratch. Maybe you’ve unconsciously been feeding the fast fashion machine for longer than you can remember. It may take some time and a little more effort to minimize your closet, so here are a few steps to help you get started:
Step One - Purge
As much as you create a love story around the pieces of clothing you own and love, also take note of any clothing that brings back bad memories. Maybe the shabby chic oversized sweater that is a little more shabby than chic and you remember feeling awful in it after an awkward interaction with a potential love spark. Don’t be afraid to let go of these pieces. You’re just making room for new pieces and new memories.
Step Two - Staple Items
After your purge, get to the staple items. Here is idea of what you can keep to make sure you’ve got all the basic.s
Crisp White T-shirt.
Button up shirt
Wrap Dress.
Little Black Dress.
Flattering Jeans.
Knee-length Skirt.
Black Slacks.
Heels
Simple Flats
Ankle Boots
Knit Sweater
Jean Jacket
Step 3 - Capsule Closet
From here you can really begin capsuling your closet. Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe" in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that do not go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces. This idea was popularized by American designer Donna Karan, who, in 1985, released an influential capsule collection of seven interchangeable work-wear pieces.
It may take you some time to adjust to this new way of your expressing yourself and the end of the day, it’s ok if this is not the direction you want to take with your closet and fashion. The end goal may not be an actual capsule closet but incorporating more thoughtfulness around your clothing purchases. Whatever the goal may be, enjoy the process of slowing down your closet and really owning what you wear.
Slow Fashion brands to Check Out