As I wrote about evaluating enough in my wardrobe recently, one sentence seemed to beg for a post of its own :

This idea holds so much meaning for me. My fairdare experiment has involved so much happy discovery + this one feels particularly rich + beautiful.

Changing styles often come down to pretty minimal shifts like skirt lengths​, pant widths + trendy colors. I don't come across much written about this, but I'm wondering if personal style might ultimately be made of similarly small preferences. One can read an article about the ten items needed to have french style or collect photos to inspire goth or normcore style. But that is more about a group aesthetic rather than personal style. Personal style might just be smaller than that.

Deciding that I want to experiment with "less" means that I've spent a bit of time evaluating what I want to wear. I've tried choosing one, closer-to-perfect version of an item rather than having five, imperfect-in-different-ways versions. Living through decades of shifting styles has allowed me to recognize what works on my body + what my eye prefers. Attentive reflection has allowed my time-tested, favorite aspects of clothing to come into focus.

Here are a few examples of my own small preferences:

• I wear high waisted jeans.
• There is a certain length at which I prefer my pants to fall.
• Certain colors do + don't look good around my face.
• I will never not like deep dark indigo blue.
• I like bracelet length sleeves.

• The presence of one lived-in + worn item makes most of my outfits look better.
• There are a few, specific pieces that will always be in my wardrobe.
• A long, loose braid is the hairstyle I've worn most days for the past couple years.

Autumn clothing collections are coming out, and the weather has shifted a bit this week too. I just realized that this is the fourth (!) autumn in a row that has found me with a different job description in a different environment. And so...I'm again thinking through what is enough when it comes to my wardrobe. 

If I don't tune into intention with my wardrobe, my excitement can carry me to acquire pieces I like without paying attention to what I need or what works most effectively with the pieces I already own. This can lead to "needing" to purchase additional pieces to match or being left with holes that make pieces "unwearable". (I'm adding quotation marks, because these statements are merely style + privilege driven.)

My motivation for recognizing "enough" is to consider my impact on farmers, garment workers, a warming planet + all my fellow humans. New clothing requires resources like fibers, land, water, waste, labor, transportation. Holding on to more than I need withholds from others + contributes to those around me feeling that more is necessary. (This is not an endorsement for repeated closet clean outs. It is hope for a movement toward recognizing the beauty of less.) 

A few things I've learned over the years I've been tuned into "enough" (most of it still really surprises me!):

• I care about style, and I can create style without needing a huge collection of clothing.
• Every single season, I realize that I need less than I thought I did at the beginning of the season.
• Rarely do I need more than three of something (work pants, sweatshirts, button ups).
• Mixing + matching offers a lot of variety.
• I know which pieces I like to wear over + over...what feels like me.
• No matter what work environment I find myself in, I usually already have enough to form a sort of work uniform.

I'm asking myself if I can find contentment + confidence in knowing + committing to my personal style...a set of styles, colors, pieces I feel best in.

And so, rather than starting by scrolling fall collections or assembling pinterest boards (both of which I love doing), I start in my own closet. I pull out pieces that I can wear in the next few months, put them together + see "enough". It really is that simple. I may add a top or two to create a bit more happiness + ease. My intention is not to be rigid, but there is no urgency or feeling of lack here either now.

Recognizing enough is like a muscle that I find the need to keep in shape...a practice I need to do repeatedly...thought processes I need to keep limber. And that's pretty exciting to experience!

Love,
​Jane

I'm a little late to it this year, but there is still lots of time for it to have its effect. This morning, I took a little time to go through my closet pulling out what I can + will actually wear for the next few weeks. 

Summer is in full effect. It's Hot...with a capital H...and that is not going to change for weeks. This means that there are pieces of clothing that I am not going to reach for for weeks. 

There are a few reasons that I find it helpful to curate my closet in this way:

• Having all of the clothing in my closet be wearable right now makes me feel more at ease. Even though there are fewer pieces, I feel like I have things to wear rather than seeing so many things that I can't wear. 
• When I do this curation, I have the opportunity to assess "enough". I can see that I have enough tops to mix + match with my bottoms. I can think through how many times I would wear those two dresses, if I wore one once a week. This usually stops me from feeling like I need to shop.
• I can put away something that doesn't have a match during this season. Now I don't feel like I need something to make those pants useful. I can just rest in enough elsewhere + get them out again in the autumn.
• My closet feels more spacious. I can put some pieces in a box on the top shelf + enjoy the breeziness of what remains.
• It feels more exciting to reconnect with pieces I haven't seen in a while, when I get them out later.

On second thought, this is the perfect time for me to do a closet weeding. It's been hot for a few weeks, and I actually know what I'm wearing now. What I plan to wear is usually a bit different than what I actually choose to wear.

The way I like to do this weeding is to pull everything out + put pieces into categories (tops, tees, tanks, jeans, pants, dresses, shorts, etc.). I pull out the pieces that I'm wearing right now + put them back into the closet. I can think through how I'm feeling enough-wise as I go. An adjustment can be made to add one more tee, because it helps with laundry. I might let a couple of last year's tees go, because they are too sheer or short. I can put a couple away, because I wear them more often under a sweater in cooler months.

I always find it so interesting that "less" makes me feel more satisfied...settled...content! Magic!

Love,
​Jane

I move into every season with an open mind toward what I will wear in the months ahead. It must say something about my personality that I do not really want to create rules for myself. I am ok with moving through the whole process of deciding what I want to wear + coming to a version of the same conclusion season after season. I embrace these now familiar discoveries with a sense of surprise each + every time.

There's no sense in drawing it out. I have embraced a sort of uniform yet again this summer. When I'm not at work, I'm most likely wearing a black tank top (made in a fair-trade certified factory) with a pair of shorts. These shorts are the same ones I've worn for the last few summers, though I did sell one pair + replaced them with a black pair. 

Why am I choosing to wear the same thing over + over this summer?

• It's enough. No need to use more resources.
• Less clothing to purchase, maintain + keep clean.
• It's my favorite outfit, so it's what I want to wear.  :)

Do I only wear this uniform when I'm not at work?

• No, but I do wear it probably 90% of the time.
• When I'm at home, I might wear a pair of pajama pants or linen pants that I've made with my tank.
• Sometimes I might wear a dress or army pants with my tank when I go out. 

What are you loving to wear this summer? Are you into uniforms? I'd love to hear!  :)

Love,
Jane

Recently I came to the conclusion that my sleepwear is a category of my clothing that needs some attention. The tanks I've been wearing are more than a decade old. They are worn, holey + no longer fit. I'm sure we all have different opinions on what we prefer to sleep in. This is as it should be. The specifics of my thought process will probably be useful to no one but me. It's the process of thinking this through (or maybe even just the fact that it's something worthy of thought) that might have a kernel of relevance.  :)

My thoughts on sleepwear led me to consider not only my preferences + circumstances, but also the number of pieces necessary, the frequency + amount of laundry (water + energy usage) I'm committing to doing + the possibility of these pieces being able to serve multiple purposes (like workout wear + everyday wear).

One option is to have three muscle tanks. These tanks could serve as sleepwear, workout wear + everyday wear. They need to be washed often as they get sweaty + lose their shape quickly. (Three pieces that double as workout tops. More laundry.)

Another option that I've employed in the past would be to have one lightweight cotton, sleeveless, short nightgown. I could sleep in this several nights in a row before washing it. When I did wash it, it would hang dry before bedtime. (One piece. Less laundry. Need separate workout tanks.)

The third option is to have a maybe four fitted tanks that can also add a layer of warmth under a button up or sweatshirt during the colder months. These tanks are the most comfortable to sleep in. On lazy mornings, I can add a pair of shorts or pajama pants + be in-the-house presentable without needing to add a bra. I could add leggings + do yoga. These tanks need to be washed often. (More pieces. More laundry. Still need some workout tanks.)

It felt really helpful to make notes on all of these things before deciding how I wanted to move forward. I pulled out the three muscle tanks that I use in the warmer months for working out. Two of them have words on the front of them that are scratchy to sleep in. I also went through my sewing patterns + scrap fabric to see if I could make anything from what I have. I found no real winners.

I looked for thrifted + new nightgowns + muscle tanks. In the end, I've decided to purchase a few new, organic cotton, fair-trade tank tops. I'm choosing black ones, because they don't show stains + we do the darks load of laundry most often. I hope this will make them longer lasting + allow me to have less of them, since they will have more opportunity to get clean.

​I could make do with what I have, but I don't feel that opting out of consuming is the choice I want to make this time. I plan to wear these new tanks like I did the ones they will replace...for more than a decade...every day...until they are all used up.

Love,
Jane

Thought I'd follow up my style exploration with a little progress report. I've been thinking about how I want to show up at work...and in regards to clothing, that involves figuring out what clothing is most appropriate for the temperature + level of exertion required. I'd tried wearing sweaters to work + found that they were often too hot + too delicate. Sweatshirts seem like a good option, but I hadn't found any that I liked enough to embrace wearing on repeat. I'd like to look put together, while still being comfortable doing physical work + being on my feet all day.

I find that embracing a style helps me focus the pieces I own in a certain direction + allows me to have less in the end. Less is great for the planet, farmers, garment workers, upkeep + my wallet. So here's where my thinking went next:

• I already have a couple pairs of jeans + some thrifted olive pants. That gives me some direction style-wise + is enough too. 
• A pair of mary janes could elevate casual outfits a bit...as long as I could find some that are comfy enough to walk in all day.
• A couple of blouses would serve that dreamy, romantic style, are comfy to wear + the appropriate weight for warmth.

My choice additions include:

• Exactly the Auntie Oti shirt I wanted + found second hand. I can roll up the sleeves or not...tuck it in or not...and layer it under a sweater or sweatshirt or not. I've worn it three times already + I love it so much! 
• A Doen blouse on deep, Black Friday discount. I just received this yesterday + it made me smile so big when I tried it on. It's going to get worn a ton!
• A pair of mary janes that are made of natural materials + feel really comfy on. I knew these were going to need to get worn in, so I've endured one blister...but know I'm going to get so much wear out of these with jeans, pants + dresses.

This brings me a few steps closer to feeling like my work wardrobe is appropriate, comfortable + enough! Progress for sure!

Love,
Jane

Like I said yesterday, I'm exploring a few of my favorite styles as I think through how I want to show up these days (especially at work). My days look a bit different lately, and this exercise is helping me process this shift in a visual way.  :) 

I'm calling this style dreamy romantic. My version is kinda dreamy on top + grounded on the bottom, since I still need it to perform some physical tasks. Doen is the brand that most inspires me in this direction. They are making some exciting changes by offering more pieces made with GOTS certified organic cotton, looking into regenerative cotton sourcing + offering onsite resale. 

What I'm focusing on with this style is the way a few beautiful tops can elevate blue, black or natural jeans while still giving an air of casual effortlessness. In terms of footwear, I'd add birks, blundstones, clogs or flats to these pairings. The only issue I have with this is style is that it might require the addition of just-the-right cardigan these days...not impossible...just something to consider (bunching sleeves + all). 

While Doen pieces are not inexpensive, it is possible to find them secondhand. They are also good inspiration for sewing tops like Roscoe or a vintage 70's sewing pattern. 

Top + jeans + footwear = simple (+ pretty). Nice.

All lovely photos via Doen.

Love,
Jane

I've been thinking through how I want to show up in my life...for people...and at work lately. There is so much to sort out in my mind, but one of the most enjoyable places to explore some of this is with clothing. Silly as that sounds, I feel that it's part of feeling settled in how I show up + the ease with which I can do so.

I've been able to focus in on my personal basics over the years...and with those pieces in place, it is relatively simple to make subtle shifts that feel significant. They might be shifts that no one but me notices...and maybe I like it that way.  :)

The shift from wearing a lightweight button down under a pullover rather than a tee...or wearing mary janes instead of boots with my jeans can change the whole feel of an outfit. It can change my outlook, my posture + my gait. It might provide a more polished option when I take off the sweater, because I'm heating up too.

I'm attracted to a few different styles that can come from some of the same basics. This first one I'm exploring is what I'm calling artistic minimalism. Some of my favorite inspiration in this style comes from Bon. They create the most artistic images...always with a touch of whimsy...out of the most basic shapes.

I think one of the secrets of this style is keeping it very simple. It's not really about layering or accessorizing. Solid colors sing + prints shine because of their rare appearances. An exquisitely cut white button up pairs beautifully with straight jeans and a pair of leather oxfords.  A shapely dress needs nothing more than a pair of simple flats or a red beret. Rennes also does this style particularly well.

The pieces on offer are artistically + fairly made, and the prices are not inexpensive. Often we have similar basics already in our wardrobes + it's more about wearing them with renewed vision + appreciation. Maybe we get the idea that one or two additions might elevate everything + search for a secondhand button up or a new pair of mary janes. (I think that idea is sticking with me.)  :) The lovely shapes can be great inspiration for sewing pieces like Bob pants, Heroine jeans or an Olya shirt too.

Simple always works for me! (It's fair too!)

​All beautiful images via Bon.

Love,
Jane

This week I'm starting a new adventure. Thinking through how I'm going to show up in a new way is often a useful part of these types of transitions...whether it involves beginning a new school, a new activity or a new season. 

When thinking through what clothing I will need in a new situation, it's very easy to get caught up in feeling that I don't have what I need or that I don't have enough. It's true that I may need to add pieces to my wardrobe. It's likely, however, that I have enough to see me through the first few days without adding anything just yet.

One exercise that has been very helpful to me, whether I'm beginning to attend yoga classes or moving to a new climate, is trying to think of just one good outfit to wear in that situation. (Notice that I didn't say "perfect". That's too much pressure.)  ;)

At first, I may think of dreamy pieces I've always imagined wearing or pieces in new collections of brands that epitomize this type of activity or locale in my mind. It's fun + exciting to imagine my days, feelings + interactions wearing these lovely pieces. I might try some things on...try mixing them with pieces already in my closet...layer them up...move in ways that are to come.

More often than not, I come back to the pieces I know that I love...my personal basics. Since I've chosen them with my daily life in mind (every day, season, activity + occasion), there are usually some pieces that will serve this new situation.

At this point, I may not be able to comprehend what I will wear every single day in my new situation. I may not feel confident knowing how much will be enough. But I am coming closer to thinking of one outfit that seems appropriate, comfortable and "me" enough to work on one single day in that new situation. I have found some direction, and that feels like a good start.

Love,
Jane

P.S. Just for fun...speaking of one good outfit...his.  :)