Buy Less Choose Well .... and a more sustainable approach to my wardrobe

I know I have too many clothes, well probably too much of a lot of things but especially clothes!  I've been thinking about it a lot more just recently.  Sustainable fashion is more than just the buzzword of the moment, it isn't going away and we are starting to see many more ethical brands and initiatives which can only be a good thing.  I recently attended an event with Aspiga and learnt about their approach which was so enlightening (see this post if you missed it).

Cotton sundress from Monsoon (last summer) and a classic that will be in my wardrobe for years to come.

Chatting to friends and getting involved in the insta-chats there seems to be a few discussions going on including:
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• Selling our unwanted clothes.
• Buying from charity shops or pre-loved boutiques.
• Donating our excess to charity shops.
• Shopping our wardrobes.
• Finding brands with a clearer environmental policy.
• Recycling clothes that are no longer wearable.
• Dressmaking.
• And then may be the more obvious - simply buy less (but choose well).

Now whilst I am pretty bad at being enticed to buy online after browsing Instagram, I do also have a lot of classic, quality items in my wardrobe that come out year after year.  I think my biggest problem is the mistake buys.  When I really should return something as I know it isn't quite right or surplus to requirements but I hang onto it 'just in case' it might 'come in handy'.  And then it doesn't get worn.  I didn't love it quite enough and if I am honest with myself I knew that but the 28 days have passed and it is now too late.

I have a small walk-in wardrobe in my bedroom (I dream of a whole room) and then I store out of season clothes in my log cabin.  Problem is that now we are using clothes across several seasons - summer skirt in winter with boots for example, and our seasons are so flexible there isn't really a clear line and we need more than one wardrobe swap so I end up getting in a bit of a muddle.

And I forget what I have!  I ordered two new cami tops recently - one of those items I decided were an essential basic.  Then when they arrived I thought, hang on I am pretty sure I already have a black and a cream cami hidden somewhere.  I found them!  They don't get worn enough to ever wear out so were perfectly good.  I returned the new purchases obviously.

Above: one of two Boden dresses that come out every year for my summer holidays in the sun! Below: One of two Boden vests that I've had forever, and right my denim jacket that will probably never need to be replaced!

​Back in the spring I had a bit of a house declutter with help from Jo at Less is More (based in Maidenhead) - see my post here.  But a few weeks ago I was trying to sort out my summer wardrobe and thought this is ridiculous, I have way too much stuff.  So I have booked Jo in to come back for two days in July and we are going to tackle both my wardrobe in the house and my clothes storage in the log cabin.  

I am hoping with Jo's help to really have a good sort out, address where the issues lie, is it storage, is it not wanting to get rid of stuff because I feel I really should wear it.

I also met through Jo, Diana who runs a small business called Diana's Wardrobe, which started because of her shopping (dare I say ... problem and buying too much)! She now sells both online and from her home a selection of high end high street fashion.  She works on a commission basis so the price achieved is split between her and the seller.

Looking back at my list of ideas (above) - I do donate a lot to charity but I am really not a charity shop buyer although I do love looking in the nearly new boutique in Marlow (My Boudoir) and have found a few fabulous items.  But realistically for me I do need to simply buy less (and be really mindful of making sensible choices when I do buy).

Cost per wear is another buzzword that I have used before but I honestly do think it is really relevant.  Primark isn't for me (I've tried on numerous occasions), my favourite shops are Hobbs, Boden, Hush, Whistles, Karen Millen and Jigsaw) and I can honestly say that when I buy from them, that item can be in my wardrobe for years.  I have two halter neck summer holiday dresses from Boden that I get out year after year, they never date and the quality is fantastic.  I also have a few Karen Millen dresses that are simply classics and I will continue to wear - I can put on a Karen Millen size 10 dress and it fits perfectly.  This was an interesting article in the Daily Mail recently, I personally think the capsule wardrobe she talks about is too limited but she does make some really good points - read it here.

My actions:

• Think twice about pressing order online!  Do I really need it?
• If I don't love it then return it within 28 days - my trick for this is if I don't rush to wear it then it probably isn't right for me!
• Sell more unwanted items (eBay and Diana's Wardrobe).
• Buy quality over quantity.

I have been working recently with Jo Haley (The Positive Image Consultant), discussing colour and style.  There is a huge benefit to seeing an expert - you really do start to make better wardrobe decisions and stop making mistakes (thus saving money as well as clutter).  I will be writing about my work with Jo in the coming weeks so look out for some good tips.

Interestingly I wrote about this back in January 2017 - you can see the post here - and looking back I can see that I have made some changes and improvements and that it is clearly something that has been bothering me for a while.  Definitely still a work in progress but Rome wasn't built in a day!

What do you think?  Are you tackling a similar dilemma?  I'd love to hear from you especially if you have successfully cut back!

Love
Michelle xx

I have several Karen Millen dresses that remain classics and will never wear out!

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