The first step was coming up with a rough list for what I NEEDED vs. what I WANTED. I used Tan Frances list and suggestions from the Cladwell app to come up with what I felt like a was good place to start. I spent time looking at my inspirations, mixing and matching on Cladwell to see just how many outfits each item might lend it’s self to, and thinking about where/when I would wear it.
The NEED list: PJs, Lounge wear, Plain T shirts, a striped T-shirt, Power Suit, wide leg pants, THE SWEATER, nice button ups, and a black loafer.
The WANT list: Doc Martins, A new perfect piece of outerwear, and a nude low heal.
As the goal of this IS to end up with less in my closet than I currently have and as I am still figuring out what will be perfect and what won’t, I decided to stick to my NEED List. I revisited my list of describing words and my mood board. Then I thought about what if any other criteria would make something a perfect piece.
Price and Quality. Both important not just in life, but especially when you are trying to create a more long lasting, sustainable wardrobe. Unfortunately they are also often at odds with each other. I also wanted to make sure that I was supporting brands I love and as many ethical and sustainable brands as possible. This is a hard circle to square.
So I set a 3 month budget for clothing purchases. I decided that I would spend at least 60% of that budget at more sustainable, ethical, and inclusive brands, that I would buy at least one of the items second hand, and that I would make sure the suit, sweater, and pants were also of high quality so they will last me as long as possible. I used the Good On You app to help me double check the how sustainable and ethical different brands are.
The PJs I got from Mate the Label, which I must say is absolutely lovely. I feel like I’ve already gushed to you about this one, but not only are their clothes more size inclusive than most and wonderfully soft, but they have an over all Great rating with Good on You. I grabbed a few new loungewear items from Girlfriend Collective, including some much needed sports bras. Girlfriend Collective is another Great rated place. Neither of these stores are cheap… but they don’t break the bank and I’m really glad that I was able to support them.
They haven’t arrived yet, but I got the wide leg denim secondhand through a really neat instagram account I talked about in my #secondhandseptember resources post. I found an amazing suit jacket on clearance for a great price. I have a pair of pants that will go well with it. I’m not sure that as a set they are the power suit I’m looking for, but I’ll let you know. At the very least its a great diverse jacket and I will keep searching for those perfect suit pants.
I ordered two button downs and the striped button downs from Madewell, which has a Not Good Enough rating. So in addition to sending them a message about my feeling on their lack of transparency and morals, I decided that even though I do really love their stuff, this will be my last purchase from them for the time being. ‘THE SWEATER’ was found on a weird old man clothes website, from a brand that I’m not even sure exists anymore…
All in all, this shopping was easier than some. I knew what I was looking for and felt less distracted. I’m still looking for a good pair of black loafers and a pair of black joggers for my workout/lounge wear, but I think we’re in a good place, so other than those pieces, I won’t be purchasing anything new for the next 3 months.
Next, I’ll start pairing down my closet. Donating some, storing seasonal stuff, until I have my capsule challenge wardrobe. Which I will use for 6 weeks, and then revisit. I am most definitely sure as I finish this up… that it’s a bit long and rambling, but hopefully it’s helpful.
Coffee & Conundrums 