A couple of years ago, I started researching sustainability and slow fashion. As I was diving deeper into ethical choices we can make towards fashion, my eyes were opened to the opportunity I had to make better choices when it came to purchasing clothing.
When we hear about the waste that is associated with fast fashion, and the clothing industry as a whole, it can feel overwhelming. Something that has been helpful for me is taking small baby steps, with one of the simplest being starting with my own closet. I started to look at myself and my own wardrobe, and then choosing a sustainable wardrobe suddenly felt a lot less overwhelming.
A MINIMAL WARDROBE
We have probably all hear of the word "minimalism", which can be defined as a style or technique that is characterized by extreme simplicity (Merriam Webster Dictionary). This word can sound intimidating at first, but I've found that we don't need to go to extreme measures as we begin to embrace a more sustainable wardrobe. If minimalism feels overwhelming, just focus on the word "simplicity".
What does simplicity have to do with sustainability? How does a minimal wardrobe support sustainable fashion?
I've discovered that one of the root causes of the fast fashion industry is the constant demand for new – new styles, new trends, new everything. Because of the non-ethical practices that are used, items are often created poorly. What does this result in? The need for newer pieces.
When we choose to have a more simplified wardrobe that is curated around our lifestyle and filled with pieces we love, we will ultimately need less. This slows down the fast fashion cycle, one closet a a time.
START BY DECLUTTERING YOUR WARDROBE
Step 1: Go through your current closet.
This step is the most important one! Some methods would require you to pull absolutely everything out of your closet, but I found that this can actually feel more overwhelming as I stare at all my clothes laid out on the floor. An easy way to start is by pulling your favorite items – these would be pieces that you reach for everyday, or ones that you choose over and over again. This is not the time to grab a piece that you admire, but never actually wear. Once you have those items pulled out, lay or fold them somewhere you can easily access.
Step 2: Find a theme for your wardrobe.
As you look over the items you pulled out, what three words best describe your chosen pieces? What is the overarching theme? This is a good time to process what these pieces mean to you. You may come up with themes like "casual", "romantic", "elevated", "classic", or "vintage", and once you select these three to four words, you can define your own personal style. As you add to your wardrobe in the future, make sure you reference these words you've used to create your wardrobe theme. This step has helped me to curate my closet more intentionally and had me buying less, which led me to feel more empowered in the pieces that I already own.
Step 3: Sort the rest of your closet.
Now that you have successfully determined what items you wear most from your closet and what your theme is, it is not time to tackle the rest of your closet! I recommend that you sort the rest of your items into piles by using a category system:
- No (anythings that’s a hard no!)
- Need to be altered/repaired.
- Storage/save for later.
- Special occasion items.
- Downgrade. (e.g. for nightwear or house work)
- Love but how do I wear it? (items you love but never wear)
Step 4: Final check-in.
Now that you have organized your closet into multiple piles by category, it is time to make some final decisions. The "no" pile? Find an ethical way to donate those pieces or give them away. The "special occasions" pieces? Choose to keep the ones that make you feel beautiful and that fit your lifestyle.
Once you finish evaluating your piles, you can now start filling up your wardrobe with all your "yes" items! Color coordinating my clothes in my closet is one of my favorite ways to organize because it makes it so easy to find the pieces I want to wear each day.
Step 5: Evaluate where there are holes in your wardrobe.
As you have completed the decluttering process, did you find any holes in your wardrobe? During my decluttering, I found that I was missing a few basic staples and layering pieces and a couple of seasonal tops. As you navigate your closet and find that you need a couple of new items, make sure to reference your style identity words. Do they fit into your everyday lifestyle? Are they made from quality materials? Do you already have something similar? These questions will help you stay on track with your future purchasing decisions.
When I found myself at the end of my decluttering process, I saw that my personal style became more defined, and my closet ended up being filled with quality pieces that I absolutely love. While decluttering and creating a more sustainable wardrobe can feel overwhelming at first, I now feel the relief of having a simplified wardrobe – and you can too.
