As we move into a new decade where the issue of sustainability is the biggest challenge the fashion industry will face in 2020 and beyond ‘buy less, buy better’ is a much-coined phrase currently … the premise being that we all need to be more mindful in our purchases and how we dress. And it’s a great sentiment both from the point of view of loving and looking after what you already have and also really thinking about how you shop.
But how do you ‘actually’ do that? Does it involve spending a hefty sum on every new purchase for example to ensure you are indeed buying better’? Does it mean you need to curb your sudden yearning for a gold sequined dress/rainbow platform sandal/bright pink sweater that goes with nothing else in your wardrobe? Should you be looking to buy only sustainable fashion brands and eschew all others in order to really do your bit. Answer to all of these b.t.w is no though should definitely be questions at the forefront of your mind. Quality over quantity being the general idea. But instead of looking it from a standpoint of rules and must do’s, how about seeing it is as a moment to really explore how you dress and an opportunity to take a deep dive into your own personal style. A chance to look at how you wear what you wear rather than a focus on who or what you are wearing. An opportunity in other words to develop ‘brand you’.
So good place to start on this journey would be undertaking an ‘inventory’ of what you already have in your wardrobe and identifying the pieces you really can’t live without. I started out with a ‘Desert Island Dozen’ idea in mind when looking at mine but full disclosure I couldn’t seem to get below 15 … so let’s just call them VIPs (very important pieces) and be done with In essence it’s those hero items that help you navigate life feeling put together/good about yourself/powerful and so forth. Here are mine in no particular order. Black belted coat (Chalayan); khaki military jacket (Junya Watanabe); black midi skirt (Gabriela Hearst), black tux jacket (Racil); black high waisted pants and cream fitted sweater (both Jacquemus); classic indigo jeans (Khaite); black dress (Prada), black fitted turtleneck (Raey), black silk blouse (Arket); Wide leg pants in navy (Stella); two trench coats one beige, one navy (APC), navy cashmere sweater (Uniqlo) and a mens blue shirt (Thomas Pink). So, a varied mix of brands, price points and sustainability credentials but all pieces that I currently wear on constant rotation and some of which have had for a number of years.
