Curating Your Wardrobe Sustainably

Are you looking to change your wardrobe habits and stuck on where to start? We will be writing a series of editions to help you perfect your sustainable wardrobe. This first one is the first step we believe you need to take to get started: analysing your wardrobe.

Your clothes should be pretty easy to split into 3 categories:

> Regular wear (at least once a week);

> Occasional wear (your go to - special occasion wear);

> Never wear (you just… never wear it).

For regular wear and occasional wear, it’s easy --- keep wearing them :) 

Don’t worry if you have many more ‘never wear’ items than you were expecting. The best thing to do is to understand why, and try not to buy more clothes that will fit into that category.

What is it about your regular wear items that is so much better than those you never wear? Are there materials that you prefer? Or are there certain colours, patterns or textures that you think suit you more than others?

Write down what your favourite cuts, fabrics and colours are-- so you remember to focus on those for your future purchases.

When I started doing this exercise, I cleaned out my cupboard before moving abroad. I noticed the clothes I didn’t wear often were mainly those that didn’t fit well (and hadn’t from the start), and also those that were made out of polyester or materials that felt cheap. More recently when I’ve done this exercise, I have turned my least favourite jumper into my most favourite by giving it to one of our designers to upcycle. I couldn’t be more happy!

There may also be some items that don’t fit you anymore- don’t worry. Being sustainable is about giving these clothes a new life. This will not only mean that they don’t end up in the rubbish, but if someone else can make use of them, that is one less thing they need to buy in future. 

Do you have a friend they will look great on? If you combined two pieces together could they actually turn out to be your new favourite item? Do you know a designer that upcycles pieces and would be dying to turn something from your pile to turn into something really cool?

One of our designers works with upcycling denim. Your denim ‘trash’ could be her ‘gold’, and she is not the only one. Find someone who will see value in your old things. 

Try to repeat this process each season. It will have the great effect of helping you understand what’s in your wardrobe - so you can wear it all more, and ensuring you’re not buying things you are not going to wear. Most importantly it will keep that circular economy loop spinning. Give it a go!