My fairdare goal for the year is to forget about clothes for long stretches of time...and to make/buy fewer pieces of clothing. I want to add clothes seldomly + purposefully. Ultimately, I am working toward building a beautiful, functional, simple, well-curated, small, fair collection of clothing. 

This last statement makes me think about if I already have all of that. To some extent I know that I do. There are enough clothes to cover my body in my closet...but the goal is to motivate myself to stick with this challenge all year. I like thinking about style + keeping an eye on what ethical designers are doing. If I tried to tell myself not to look at clothes or that I couldn't buy anything...the challenge would feel like drudgery + deprivation. I think that all of this is very personal. It helps to know ourselves. The frenzy of want can cloud our knowledge of ourselves...so taking steps to remove that is definitely helpful in the pursuit of said knowledge. There is so much value in taking "buy nothing" months or even a full year.

In January, I worked toward this goal, by committing to adding nothing to my wardrobe other than the quilted jacket I already had in progress. I tried to think about why I liked the clothes that I wore (especially when I felt tired of them). We are deep into the cold months here...which means lots of leggings + layers for me. What do I like about them? I like the comfort + warmth + ease of movement that my clothes offered me this month. 

The fun thing I did this month was to take a look at my simple wardrobe as a whole, to see all that is good in it + to dream of what I'd like to add in the year to come. What pieces would complement what is already there...what would be versatile...what do I know I will love wearing until it falls apart (there are those pieces that I just know)...what will be comfortable on the body + in the world...what would feel like "me"?

I wrote down a piece or two that I would like to add for each of the four seasons. There may also be an occasional replacement needed or treasure found...but I will not be on a constant search for an ambiguous "something". I will be free to live in a state of contentment. It's funny how happy it made me to see just a handful of pieces that I can look forward to choosing or making. The list makes me feel like I'm in control of the situation + my budget. It feels manageable, and I can see how my wardrobe will move closer to that beautiful, functional, simple, well-curated, small, fair collection of clothing I envision.

For accountability's sake: (January)
-wardrobe additions: a handmade, scrappy jacket

Love,
Jane

P.S. A few more sparks for personal fairdare challenges.

A quieter look in my closet was one goal of my recent closet reshuffle...limits was another. Four designated drawers create limits. For example, I have one drawer for my tees. I could easily fold all of my tees + tanks to fit here...summer + winter. I haven't decided if I want to do that, but it would work. I'm sticking with 5 summer tees/tanks total + 5 long-sleeved layering tees for colder months. In addition I have a few layering tanks that I wear under things year round. It's enough + it keeps replacement manageable.

In the drawer for layers, I have 3 sweaters + 2 sweatshirts. Nothing more will fit, so if I want another piece one will have to go. I really like what I have, so that will motivate me to avoid falling in love with a piece that I don't need.  :)

Limits...they're a good thing.

Love,
Jane

When I read or listen to the words of others talking about engaging in + maintaining habits like minimalism or healthy eating or zero-waste or sticking to a budget...they often offer motivations like the desire to travel* more or to lose x number of pounds or to fit their trash into a jar or to pay off loads of credit card debt. These motivations are concrete + measurable. They can be accomplished + lived. 

I hear these messages + wonder: What is my motivation? Am I at a point where I am just trying to maintain...to stay out of debt (other than our mortgage), to keep my wardrobe small, my purchases as fair as possible + my home free from the unnecessary? Yes, there is that. But should I be basing my life on experiences or making it a goal to travel more? Should I make a bucket list? Should I always be looking for the next thing?

I've struggled to think of what my motivation could be. I love things like experiences + travel. They just don't totally speak to me as a major motivation right now. 

I've finally worked out what my motivation is for myself through writing. I wrote + wrote until my mind came around to recognizing my personal motivation...compassion. It feels silly to have struggled so long...once I reached this conclusion. It's right there in the description of this space. Compassion motivates me to consider my tribe, my body, fellow humans, farmers, garment workers + the planet in my choices. It just seems a bit out of step with the motivations others offer as their own perfectly wonderful examples. 

Sometimes motivation is easy to recognize. Maybe our goals provide their own motivation. Maybe zero debt is the motivation. Maybe setting up a simple life in order to work a job that engages a passion is the motivation. Motivation might be a little bit harder to label once the debt is paid off + the job is landed. Maybe we pursue contentment or gratitude in the life we worked toward + now inhabit. Maybe we can pursue growth or awareness right where we find ourselves. Maybe faith or open hands or generosity or service is our motivation. 

Motivation can be the talisman that refocuses...the crutch that helps us take another step...the grit pushes us to persevere. Motivations come in so many different forms. Taking the time to find the right one for right now can be so helpful moving forward into a new year full of possibility + hope. 

* various motivators are in italics

Love, 
Jane

A new year means a new notebook for me! It's exciting to have a whole blank book of possibility, but I don't want to forget about all the discoveries recorded in the full notebook about to be set aside. I like to go through the full one + pick out the things worth bringing forward.

I learned a lot about my simple wardrobe in 2018. I tried some new things, wrote down lots of thoughts, made lots of mistakes + learned from all of it. A few of my findings:
​
::I loved the experience of traveling with only what fit in my (not too large) backpack! It helped that our destination was warm + lightweight fabrics packed small...but I loved what I had to wear. I took only my favorite things + really wore them instead of trying to keep them from harm. The limited number of pieces allowed me to really experience each piece ...from cool mornings + evenings...to sweaty hikes...to wanting to look presentable in museums + shops. I had the opportunity to see how these few pieces could adapt + partner in a variety of ways. Happy success.  :)

::I thought about what I really want to wear. My clothes need to function for the life I'm living. (I work from home.) Summer: I found shorts that I liked + comfy sandals too. One of each was enough, but one more pair of shorts would not be too many. Winter: I'm embracing the leggings + found footwear that works with them. In any season, a few pairs of fitted pants easily level up my look + go with the same tops I wear every day.

::I stuck with the fairdare, but I bought most of the clothing that I added to my wardrobe. There were a few good secondhand finds + a couple of successful makes, but I'd like to stretch my creativity through making a little more of what I might need in the year to come. It could help the budget as well.

::Getting things worn is one of the biggest priorities for me in regards to clothing. Patches were added to the seats of a couple of my favorite pairs of pants. Stains were carefully worked out. Hand-washing keeps a few things (like summer pajamas + my short jumpsuit) in heavy rotation. I'd like to choose well enough in the first place + have few enough pieces to wear...that I truly wear out more of my clothing.

::I spent time thinking about versatility + how each new addition must work with lots of the existing pieces. I don't need pieces that are too precious or situation specific to wear often. Each piece must earn its spot. I bought a pair of pants that was fun + fair...but also pricey, didn't work with many of my tops, felt quite casual...but also precious (that price) + bothered me just the smallest bit feel-wise. I was able to get them worn through a charity auction. The purchase was a pricey mistake. It wasn't the only one. I learned from each one.

::My most successful wardrobe additions were (unsurprisingly) the most basic ones. I am quite picky about proportions, fit + fabric...so finding just the right whatever-it-is is an event to be celebrated (with a lot of wear + use + appreciation + care + gratitude!). My favorite wardrobe additions this year are:
-a cozy, just the right amount of oversized, oat cashmere pullover
-a pair of not too low rise, just the right amount of figure hugging, creamy white jeans
-a versatile, breezy, honey-colored, hand block printed blouse

::I realized that my style has remained surprisingly stable. I like pale denim, white, block prints, overalls + soft, natural fabrics. These things make me happy. Hot pink does too, but I can enjoy it on others for the moment.  :) I already have happy!  :)

::Less, but enough.
Style, but my own.
Always fair.

It feels good to celebrate what went right in my simple wardrobe this year! That recognition goes a long way toward that elusive "enough" + contentment.

Love,
Jane

Autumn passed in the blink of an eye. Snow flew early this year + stayed...which means that winter temperatures settled in with the snow. In the past few years, November offered at least a couple of weeks worth of autumn...but this year we've transitioned to the woolies + said goodbye to the short-sleeves with confidence.

Above is a little of the type of winter wardrobe I'd like to be channeling with my pieces...and here is what I'll be wearing this winter:

A few notes:
-I wanted oat colored + black pullovers. Last year I could only locate a grey one, so I'm keeping the grey one, but ideally might choose a cardigan instead. 
-I'm keeping my sweatshirts out for now for variety, but it is usually too cold for them.
-I'm open to adding a piece or two.
-I do like black for the colder months, but am considering moving toward lighter natural tones with replacements. 

That's it. When I'm looking ahead, I often overestimate how many pieces + how much variety I'll want. I really need to keep this in mind moving forward!

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

blouse + short jumpsuit + sandals + baseball cap
for canyon exploring + beach walking

Eight days in October in California with only the things that fit into a backpack...were amazing! In short...I didn't miss a thing + felt prepared for all that we did. Thirteen pieces of clothing (including shoes) were more than enough.

I loved that I had just a few choices that layered + mixed well. I could change a bottom or layer a top for different activities, temperatures + locations.

Once we arrived (+ it was only 10am), I changed out of my sweater, tee, jeans + trainers (it was a record low at home)...and into my short jumpsuit, block print voile top + sandals. The temperatures were in the low 70s F to mid 80s F during the days + dipped into the 60s F in the mornings + evenings. There were a couple of mornings that were cool enough to wear jeans with my blouse before changing into shorts, but most days I just wore a lightweight, loose blouse over my shorts jumpsuit with sandals. I washed the jumpsuit in the sink + hung it to dry overnight once. (It helped to bring lightweight fabrics that I knew line dried quickly.)

I bought a swingy jumpsuit that I wore one hot day. It was cool + breezy during the day and layered well under my tied up long-sleeved tee for an evening spent watching the sunset on the beach. I also bought a hat (which was on my list) on our first day there + it came in very handy. My cashmere sweater was the most (unexpectedly) perfect layer even over shorts at the beach in the evening.

When we hiked or worked out, I could wear my tee, leggings + trainers. I changed out of the leggings + into my block print pants post-hike. The tee + tank were easy to wash + hang dry. The tank could be worn as pajamas + with leggings for lounging. I wore the tank, shorts + long-sleeved tee to the beach the day we headed home. Closer to departure, I traded the shorts/sandals for jeans/trainers + added my sweater.

I don't know how easy that is to follow, but it gives a little peek into how I was able to happily wear thirteen pieces so many ways + for all situations. No regrets!  :)

Love,
Jane

A trip often offers the perfect opportunity to try out dressing with less. I've always preferred to pack lightly. It might come from long camping trips with my family of six growing up. There wasn't room to take a whole lot along...but we always had plenty to do + enough to wear. For some reason, I just never want to have too much to keep track of...and I'd most always prefer a little more space rather than more stuff. 

Anyway...we are planning a trip to California + decided to just take backpacks. For me, it's probably a sort of exercise in minimalism...but it turned out to be less of a challenge than expected. We will be hiking, beach going, museum visiting, sightseeing, pool + balcony sitting, shopping + eating (lots). It will be warmer during the day in the city and cooler by the ocean + in the mornings + evenings.

Here's what I'm taking for 8 days in Los Angeles in October:
-3 breezy blouses- that work well with jeans + jumpsuit
-shorts jumpsuit- works as shorts + swimsuit coverup
-long-sleeved tee
-leggings- for hikes + workout + relaxing
-tank- for sleep + workout 
-soft pants
-sandals
-underwear 
-swimsuit
-purse, sunglasses, keys, wallet
-water bottle + reusable bag
-journal + pen
-phone + charger
-toothbrush, toothpaste, conditioner, comb, hairspray, deodorant, face cream, lip balm, hair ties, vitamins, allergy pills, advil, bandaids
-book + magazine
-all packed in a 12.7 in x 15.6 in x 5 in backpack  :)

I'm wearing my bulkiest clothing which will work well, since it'll be colder here when we leave. I'll be wearing:
-tee
-jeans
-sweater
-trainers

Most of my things can be hand-washed + hung to dry overnight, if necessary. I'll pick up sunscreen + maybe a baseball cap there.

Love,
Jane

Today I got to thinking about what the most basic, functional, good clothing would be for me. ("Good" is such an underrated word.) What would those pieces be, if I were to have to start over from scratch (because of a house fire or natural disaster...like so many have)...if I were to be on a very tight budget (which I am)...or if I wanted to just exist in the most basic, functional, good space (which I usually do). What pieces would do their job + make me feel good day to day + all year long?

This may be a good way to start thinking through our wardrobes...whether we are simply doing a clean out...a curation...or a reassessment. Even if we don't want to live with such a small number of basics, this could be a good jumping off point for adding in other pieces + personalized touches. I like the idea of a small wardrobe because it helps me to live within my means, to consume what I need rather than over-consuming, to produce less waste that ends up in the landfill, and to choose fair when I need to consume.

It was surprisingly easy to come up with a sort of system for these pieces. My everyday outfit would consist of: pale, soft jeans + an oversized, oat-colored pullover. In order to help these pieces function in any weather I'd add a long-sleeved tee, sweatshirt, short-sleeved tee, + tank. All of these additional pieces would be white or cream.

My outfit that would function well in the more formal settings I find myself in (but also for everyday) would be: black pants, black silky tank, black pullover + flats. In order to allow these pieces to function in a broader range of circumstances, I'd add a short-sleeved tee, sweatshirt + long-sleeved tee. All of these pieces would be black accept for the shoes.

Lounging would call for black leggings or soft shorts + the above tops. All of the pieces could mix + match. Chosen with care, these pieces could function as athletic wear (leggings + tank) + sleepwear (soft shorts + tank) as well.

My basic, functional, good pieces ::
-pale jeans
-black pants
-leggings
-soft shorts
-pullovers: oat + black
-sweatshirts: cream+ black
-long-sleeved tees: black + white
-short-sleeved tees: black + white
-tanks: black + white
-footwear: flats, trainers, boots, sandals

Add some socks, underwear, a jacket, a tote bag and I imagine that these pieces would see me through most situation year round. I'd need to work up to having all of these pieces, if I were truly starting over. Seasons would spread out purchases + multiples could be put off. In theory, this could work. In practice...my mind + finding exactly what I want could get in the way. 

We are transformed through the renewal of the mind. I'm working at it.  :)

What would your most basic, functional, good pieces be?

Love,
Jane

Struggle is a common word in this space. It's an honest word when it comes to parts of my journey toward simple, fair, compassionate living. One of the main things I've kept in mind from the beginning is that moving toward "fair" simply involves one choice at a time. I don't need to tackle an entire shift all at once...I move toward a fair wardrobe one choice at a time. I move toward zero-waste one choice at a time.

It is in these choices that I sometimes encounter struggle. As I address needs in my wardrobe, for example, the choices are not always black + white. Sometimes I can't find a fair + affordable version of exactly what I'm looking for. Sometimes one piece can't address fit, comfort, presentability, uniqueness, affordability, + longevity all at once...and I have to prioritize. Sometimes my desire for clothing to mask my imperfections + to say something about me too is just too much to ask.

This summer I struggled to assemble a collection of clothing that consistently felt like enough + like "me"...was presentable + appropriate + comfortable...wasn't too many pieces. It's been a couple of a years since I've felt such unrest in this area.

Learned :: Where there is struggle...the path to rest often involves some sort of surrender.

In regards to my clothing, one or more of the following could be surrendered:
1. want...I can't have everything
2. the desire to look a certain way...thin, young, hip...
3. less...I might need a few more pieces
4. the perfect fit
5. the idea of the perfect piece
6. dollars
7. style...I could just choose to give in to what can be found thrifting
8. the fairdare...I might not be able to find a completely fair version of something I need
9. materials...I might find that plastic fibers work best right now for some items
10. the desire for the perfect, simple collection of pieces
11. "need"...maybe I can uncomfortably do without

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide what to surrender...but I've found that at least sometimes it must be something. My values (fairdare, natural materials, budget, less) definitely provide some guidance. This summer after struggling to "fix" my wardrobe, I opted for somewhat uncomfortably doing without. 

The dress above was one I carefully planned to purchase. When it arrived, I just felt unsettled. Yes, I think it's fair...and it's fun (+ I am worthy of some fun). It felt like the perfect thing to wear the day it arrived + on an upcoming vacation. But I couldn't think of a way I'd like to wear it as the temperatures dip...I wasn't completely convinced that it was flattering on me...and it's quite an investment piece. But I love the colors + the weight of the fabric... + it's fun! 

Today I packed it back up to return + I instantly felt more at peace than I had the entire day before. Surrendering my "right" to own that beautiful dress + returning it was the right decision for today. The peace of mind confirmed it.

Also :: Perfect is the enemy of good. Perfection is always a good candidate for surrender.  :)

Love,
​Jane

It seems like we often gravitate toward simpler + simpler shapes + colors as we move toward simpler wardrobes. People who share their small wardrobes online often recommend a collection of black, white + grey pieces in classic shapes...a few tees (one striped), a couple of button-down shirts, a sweater, a jacket, black pants, jeans, a black dress, trainers, flats, heels. There is ample opportunity even within this formula to choose individual shapes + fit. It's a great basic collection that would serve almost any daily situation, + we seem to tire of these simple shapes + colors less quickly. 

Some simple wardrobe wearers inject a signature color or two for each season. This approach also requires restraint. Different people like different things, however, + I'm sure many have found their ways to more colorful, simple collections. I'm interested in exploring the possibility of building a small collection of a little bit more adventurous pieces...and to observe the speed of tiring of these pieces. Autumn colors invoke feelings of cozy rather than dread of the cold that is to come. ​They always call my name, so no doubt that has something to do with these thoughts...but not everything. I imagine that I'm not alone, as a wardrobe of paired down basics can get a little bland for some.

So anyway...here's a little collection of pieces that I imagine could make me quite happy in the season to come. I know that I often say something like that in a post like this. I'm aware that part of that comes from the fact that all of these pieces would be new to me...and I don't think that buying all new pieces each season is at all ethical or sustainable. So...obviously simply adding a less ordinary piece or two to my existing wardrobe is what I've really been exploring lately. What I'm struggling with a little bit is that I'm not used to seeing myself in pieces that aren't a bit more on the quiet side...and I'm wondering what's really "me"...or what I really want to wear. I'm still deciding.  :)

Love,
Jane