Fashion is a strange beast. My mom can recall a time when hemlines were dictated, and needles + thread came out in homes around the globe each season. Two interesting points jump out at me in that statement. #1: There was a particular style + if it was not followed, the wearer could be deemed out of fashion. #2: A new hemline did not equal a new skirt. There was a commitment to the pieces in one's closet.

Today one can wear skinny jeans or flares...a pencil skirt or a swingy one...style is quite individual + objective. (I guess I'm not talking about middle school here.)  :) It's fun to express ourselves with our clothing + to leave those ideas of what is "in style" + what is "out" behind. One can feel earthy one day + tough the next...and portray each with his or her clothing. There is so much to love about this liberation. I do think that fast fashion has something to do with it, however. This week the collection may be all black + white + shiny + mod. Next week it could be pastel florals + sheer + flowy. They have to keep their customers buying week upon week. Attachment to a look or a piece is never formed. It's all disposable...because it's cheap + it doesn't need to last...because there is always something new (+ cheap) to buy.

What I've been experiencing lately is that I've apparently lived long enough in this fast paced style changing world to have worn most of what is coming out before. I've worn non-stretch denim + I know that it is not comfortable after a big meal...or during a certain time of the month. I've worn joggers + know that I don't like the bubble knees that form after a bit of sitting. Strapless dresses involve constant attention + adjusting. It's hard to layer a sweater or coat over dolman sleeves. Synthetic sweaters make me sweaty + my hair full of static electricity.

I've been thinking about my twin (incompatible) desires: a simple wardrobe consisting of basic seasonal uniforms...and a wardrobe full of pieces that allow for a variety of looks + keeps me from getting bored. I'm questioning my entire relationship with fashion. Have I come to a point where I'm moving toward seeing clothing as more functional than fun? Does variety + personality come only from my clothing? Obviously not...but is there a little room for finding some variety + personality in my small wardrobe?

I have worn quite a variety of styles over the years. A new silhouette invigorates me...but I'm not sure how many more options fashion has to offer.

​I've narrowed down the styles that I truly love to quite a small list of pieces. It's sort of weird for me to realize that one of the most ubiquitous pieces of clothing...the t-shirt...does not serve me well where I live. Probably 95% of the time it is either cold enough to wear a cashmere sweater or hot enough to prefer a tank top. When I put a t-shirt on, I most often find myself wearing a sweater over it or sweating. Desiring a small wardrobe makes me look at each of my pieces with that sort of intensely critical eye. If I only have x number of tops, I need each one to serve me more than a few days per year.

I've been making a list of my personal basics. Looking at this list, I realize that these pieces are my style. The combination of these pieces are what feel somewhat unique to me. I am happy to wear them again + again. I always feel good in them. I feel comfortable. I don't feel like I'm wearing a costume. I feel like me. 

I'm not ready to disengage from the world of fashion, because I do think of it as a creative outlet...but that's the thing...it's my creative outlet + I won't be dictated to.  :)

Love,
​Jane

Above is one iteration of what I thought my simple summer wardrobe could look like. My thoughts were: comfy shapes...comfy shoes. Layer the tanks over the short jumpsuits + wear those same tanks with the sarouelles. That or one + done dressing with a jumpsuit. Enough.

I've been searching thrift stores + resale sites + using sales to assemble the pieces...but it hasn't all worked out quite like I planned. There were some fit issues...some is-that-really-what-I-want-to-wear reconsiderations...and now I'm back to trying to figure it out.

I was all set for this post to be about having my magical simple summer wardrobe all set, but decided that this space is as much about the figuring it out...the process...as anything. I don't have tons of money...and I don't have sponsors throwing stuff at me. (I've never wanted this space to be an advertisement...rather a resource. If I couldn't/wouldn't buy it with my own money, it's not real.) I'm trying to wear what I have, but I can (responsibly) switch out a piece or three a couple of times per year. I don't have tons of stellar, well-curated, local thrift stores to shop. I'm not a size 0, who fits into anything + everything. I'm not complaining...just saying that I'm pretty regular (?).  :) 

A few things that I have learned/am trying to deepen my understanding of:
-I'm happy wearing a few pieces that I love over + over. For me, this is desirable because it means I am using less resources + will get closer to using pieces up before moving on to something new. 
-I can keep shopping to about twice per year (spring + autumn). I want to have rest periods where I am just content with what I have + not searching for more.
-I want my clothing to be proportioned + colored to flatter me. I'm not personally interested in less simply for the sake of less.
-There is nothing simpler than one-piece dressing.
-I value comfort and want to look put together in public.
-Keeping the numbers of my clothes few can present the challenge of needing everything to mix with everything else...on my body...and for all situations. 
-Uniform dressing is appealing, but I'm afraid I would get tired of a true uniform quickly. My sort of uniform dressing seems to be choosing a silhouette or two or three + wearing them on repeat. Explore further.
-A benefit of buying name brand clothing is that it can be sold (responsibly passed on) + usually retains much of its value (but it is usually expensive)...vs. the benefit of buying thrifted pieces is that I am reusing (but it may be hard to resell)...vs. the benefit of making my own clothing is that I know someone in a sweat-shop didn't make it (but it may not turn out to fit/flatter). The best is being lucky enough to find a used, brand name piece of clothing in my size (unicorn!).

Under the utmost of consideration at the moment:
-Could I simply wear a couple/few pieces that I love on repeat? A couple to wear out of the house + a couple of older ones to wear more as loungewear? Could this be a clothing "system" to implement?

All photos via links (unlinked photo: mine).

Love,
​Jane

I love simplicity, + I'm often on the lookout for the simplest way to do something. This is a step in that direction...one warm weather piece of sleepwear. I've found that Liberty of London fabric is lightweight, cool, durable, + quick drying. This dark fabric is also opaque. The Bantam pattern produces a loose fitting garment with a higher neckline that I like for sleeping. I wash the darks most often, so I have ample opportunity to wash this piece. All of our clothing is hung to dry + this piece...hung on a hanger in my bathroom, dries by bedtime, no problem.

One is enough!

Pattern :: Bantam (lengthened to dress length) from Merchant & Mills Workbook
Fabric :: Liberty of London made into a dress once before, picked apart + sewn again  :)

Love,
Jane

Spring! It's still a bit cold here...but the days are longer. I haven't put away my sweater coat yet...but I'm ready. A few weeks ago, I put together a small work wardrobe on a whim...to figure out how it might look for me. I learned that not only could this wardrobe be useful for work...it could work for my life as it is! The one key lesson I took away was this: A small wardrobe benefits from choosing pieces that are not too dressy + not too casual. By choosing pieces that could be worn to make yogurt and to make a presentation...outfits that could be just as comfy while reading a book at home as they would be going to the ballet...less can do it all!

I didn't set out to make a shopping list, but I did keep coming back to that little collection as I was thinking about what I'd be wearing this spring. Too casual might be the current issue in my closet...so the linen jacket stood out as a comfy piece that could dress up an outfit in a way that would still feel like me. I was able to locate the exact jacket on ebay for $30 (second hand). The jeans felt like a silhouette missing from my wardrobe, in a color that I don't think I've tried before, and again they would elevate my pieces just a bit. (Hopefully, I can keep them clean!)

So here are the pieces that I'm wearing this spring:

tops ::
cream sweatshirt
black sweatshirt
olive button down shirt
navy tee
human tank*

bottoms ::
tan sarouelles 
cream jeans* 

one-piece ::
jumpsuit 

layer ::
linen jacket* 

footwear:
flats
trainers
clogs

possibly/probably also:
pact tanks
indigo long-sleeved tee 
striped 3/4 sleeved tee
denim jacket
olive pants
​leggings

*new pieces in 2018 
​
Notes ::
-Temperatures vary during these months, so fabric weights + styles vary as well.
​ (sweatshirt + jeans + trainers = warmer. tank + sarouelles + clogs = cooler.)
-Layers. In the transition months, I'll often start the day with a layer on + want bare arms as   the day goes on. My long sleeved tops can work as layers with a tank underneath.
-I only have one short sleeved top, because it goes from being cold enough for a sweatshirt   to warm enough for a tank quickly. Tanks layer well + are useful all summer long. (This   might be different if I spent my days in a more temperature controlled space.) 
-Long sleeved tees are on trial. If they don't layer well under and over...they probably don't   earn their spots in my simple wardrobe. 
-Shoes are important in the small wardrobe. They switch the vibe of an outfit effectively.   (jumpsuit + tank + trainers = casual. jumpsuit + linen jacket + flats = a bit more dressy)

Love,
Jane

Photos via links (if no link- mine).

Courtney Carver recently wrote about being a proud member of the outfit repeaters club. I am one too. My first full time job out of college involved being the school nurse to four different Head Start schools. I would work out of a different school each day. We didn't have a lot of money, but I had one pair of jeans that felt great. Since the same people didn't often see me two days in a row, I just let myself wear that pair of jeans every day. After a while, it didn't really occur to me that I should wear something different each day.

On the other hand, I know the moment when my consciousness of there being some "rules" around repeating outfits started. Some time around third grade, a classmate asked me why I was wearing the same thing I wore the day before. Well, at my house that was the system. I had three outfits + I would wear them for two days each on repeat. At that moment I became aware of a new norm.

As time went on, I surmised that what may have happened was that this classmate had wanted to wear her favorite shirt two days in a row...her had mom objected + told her that that would be inappropriate. She noticed that I had broken this "rule" + wanted to know why.

I'm guessing that this mama was operating in accordance with the perceived "rules" + was trying to avoid judgement of both herself + her child. In this way, adults pass these "rules" and judgements onto their children. If we desire to break this cycle (even if only to promote compassion for other children), it's important to communicate to our children that different people have different preferences (not rules) about these things. Maybe at our house we cheer for the Broncos + at someone else's house they prefer the Packers. Everyone has different preferences, + that is ok. An exploration of why we hold a preference might be useful, and that explanation may be offered if helpful.

When I started my small monthly wardrobes, I decided to only include one Sunday outfit for the colder months. It felt a bit weird, because I mostly only see those people on Sundays. I went ahead anyway, because when I looked at the big picture it made sense. If I had even just two Sunday outfits, I'd only wear them twice a month for a few months...maybe only ten times per year. Silly + wasteful (to me).  :)

Some tools proud members of the wardrobe repeaters club use: 
-We find a few pairs of great shoes. A change of shoes can change the vibe of an outfit.
-We decide what we like, what fits + flatters us.
-We might try a uniform of sorts...a few varied white shirts + a few varied dark bottoms...or always a dress...or always a fitted top + wide bottom...
-We take comfort (not shlumpiness) seriously.
-We wear our favorite clothes every day.
-We recognize that we get to set our own norms + that there are no rules.
-We don't take ourselves very seriously. The goal is not necessarily to have no one notice...it's to not really care (totally possible).  :)

Today I would welcome a conversation about why I wear the same things over + over. My compassion for farmers, garment workers + the environment...along with my confidence in it being ok to cover my body in the same pieces that I love day after day...just might offer someone else another option! I see this way of thinking as freedom + why wouldn't I welcome the opportunity to share it!?

Any + all are welcome in the outfit repeaters club!

Love,
Jane

Photos via link (+ the article shows lots more repeat/uniform dressing).

A well-thought out collection of clothes makes it possible to live with less. The same can be said for workout clothing. Of course the way to really do with less is to wear the same clothes for everyday + working out. In my case, however, I like to have a few things that I can get really sweaty in + wash frequently. With a little variety, I have just what I need for anything from sweltering, summer morning walks to frigid, winter evening yoga classes. My collection consists of a tank, a tee, leggings, shorts, + a layer. I thought I'd share a few dreamy options for small, fair, natural fiber workout collections. (A little background on why I'm avoiding plastic fibers.)

Semi-local mini workout collection (above) : these pieces have origins closer to home ::
tank :: Richer Poorer : organic cotton : made in Los Angeles, California
tee :: Pansy : Texas grown + North Carolina milled organic cotton : rubber/cotton elastic made in South Carolina : sewn in San Leandro, California 15 minutes from the designer's home : completely compostable
leggings :: LVR : organic cotton : made in Los Angeles, California
shorts :: Conscious Clothing : hemp + organic cotton : made in Rockford, Michigan
​sweatshirt :: Jungmaven : hemp + organic cotton : made in USA

In the UK try :: Know the Origins :: From
In Canada try :: Free Label
In Europe try :: Base Range
In Australia try :: Shift to Nature

I'm not a super athletic person, so bear with my attempts to clothe one.  :) If specialty clothing is necessary, substituting accordingly. I imagine that these pieces could provide useful for lots of activities...from snowboarding (base layer), to beach volleyball...hiking...yoga... 

Outdoor sports mini workout collection::
tank :: United by Blue : organic cotton : made in USA
tee :: Patagonia : organic cotton : fair-trade certified : (there are some organic + fair-trade tanks as well)
​leggings :: Tasc Performance : organic cotton + bamboo : made in a Tasc-devoted factory in India with 90% renewable energy : closed loop fabric manufacturing + dying : responsibly sourced fibers
shorts :: Prana : organic cotton : fair-trade certified
long-sleeved top :: Tasc Performance : merino wool + bamboo : made in a Tasc-devoted factory in India with 90% renewable energy : closed loop fabric manufacturing + dying : responsibly sourced fibers

I am currently a stay-at-home mama, so my wardrobe is a little different than it would be, if I was going to work five days per week. I wanted to think about what a small, fair work wardrobe might look like for me...so I gave it a try. I think that these pieces could actually work just as well for my life now...but would be enough for a work-away-from- home/weekend life as well. I am so in love with this little wardrobe! It's not even for me (in reality), but it seriously made me so happy just thinking about it + knowing that it is possible to have such variety from such a small number of pieces!

Here are some of the ways that I would happily wear these pieces:
-that linen jacket with either of the pants or over the dress...so cute...and that jacket is secondhand!
-the black jacket would look cool over the dress + could swing from casual to quite dressy depending on shoes + whether the v-neckline was worn to the front or to the back
-the black jacket with a black tee + the white jeans...an all black pant suit...or either of the pants with the white top + the black jacket...so many different looks
-the navy dress could be worn alone as a dress...or could be worn buttoned up over pants...or it could be worn as a duster over the dress or either of the pants + tee...roll-up the sleeves or not...unbutton the sides or not
-the navy top could be worn with the dress or either of the pants + the black jacket could be worn over top too
-either of the pants could be worn with the tee or button down
-the button down could be tied or worn open over the dress
-a tee could be worn over or under the dress
-and then...switch out the shoes with any of these combinations + that can change the style in a instant too!

I think it would take quite a long time for me to tire of these 12 pieces!

A few things that I kept in mind as I gathered the pieces:
-each piece needs to work with most of the others
-comfort is a value of mine whether I'm at work or not
-basic colors are not boring...and I do not tire of them as easily as more "exciting" colors
-layers can add interest + work for different seasons + levels of heat/air-conditioning
-shoes can change the entire feel of basic pieces...choose them wisely 
-vary the price points...thrift as much as possible (I would look for each of the new pieces second-hand before buying them new)
-use what is already in the closet- most of us already have a couple of tees, a pair of black pants, a button-down, etc...this is just inspiration

A little can go a very long way, if chosen well!

Love,
Jane

All of the photos of these gorgeous pieces via links.

Winter dressing is not my forte. Real winter only really lasts for about 4 months where we live, but we do experience stretches of days with temperatures in the single digits (F) + some snow. I guess I can't really just deny the existence of winter or my need to dress for it. In theory, I like the idea of cozy layers...but in reality, I am not entirely good at it. I haven't perfected the whole socks + boots thing (even though I grew up in Michigan)...like the sock weight has to be consistent + the boots need to be a just-the-right-amount bigger than my normal shoe size. I like my pant length to be a bit cropped...and that creates a bit too much bare skin to cover without a taller boot (or sock). I finally gave in to the fact that the boots I thrifted this summer (while wearing no socks) are too small to wear with socks after a lengthy search for well-fitting, thin, warm (not ugly) socks. Now that I'm looking for them, the boots that I might like to own are all sold out in my size. So...that's my confession right up front.  :)

I have been staying warm (staying inside + wearing thick wool socks helps).  :) Here are the pieces that I'm wearing now + have been since late November. 

tops ::
-cream sweatshirt
-black sweatshirt
-grey cashmere pullover
-black wool zip-up 
​-tan wool cardigan

under layers ::
-long-sleeved tees (2 black + 2 white)
-tanks (1 black + 1 white)

bottoms ::
-leggings
-vintage army pants
​-black jumpsuit

footwear ::
-trainers

outerwear ::
-blanket coat
-puffer
-gloves
-wellies

Seeing the pieces all laid out above actually invigorates my resolve. It has honestly been flagging a tiny bit of late + has me dreaming of a little something new. I think that a good pair of suitable boots would help, but since I can't find what I'm looking for (thrifted or fair, affordable, my size, my style), I'll do without for now. Trading out one sweatshirt for a tan cashmere sweater (because...warmer) is also a note for next year. For now, I always have something that I like + is appropriate to wear. 

My current favorite combinations are:

at home ::
-cashmere sweater + long-sleeved white tee + leggings + wool socks
-wool zip-up + long-sleeved black tee + leggings + wool socks

out + about ::
-sweatshirt + tank + army pants + trainers + blanket coat
-black long-sleeved tee + leggings + trainers (or wellies, if it's wet) + puffer
-cream sweatshirt + jumpsuit + blanket coat + trainers

dressier ::
-black long-sleeved tee + jumpsuit + blanket coat + flats

Stay warm. Spring is on its way.  :)

Lots of love,
Jane
 
All photos via links.

P.S. If anyone is interested, my sweet, vintage boots might be just the right size for you!  ;)

In trying to clean up the landing zone in my closet this week, I decided to put a bracelet that I really only wear in the summer in with the rest of my jewelry. A small box of jewelry resides in the box of off-season clothing on the top shelf of my closet. I don't wear that jewelry every day...or very often at all. Mostly it is a box of pieces that trigger memories of certain periods in my life or of money spent.

I'm not one of those people who minimizes all at once. I've gone through my jewelry many times, letting a few pieces go each time. This time felt a little different. I haven't accessorized much for quite a few years. This feels like quite an established preference (though of course, I can change always my mind).  :) Curently, I wear three rings + glasses + (rarely) a watch. 

Here's what happened this time:
-A small selection of the sweet pieces that my girls made + gave me over the years were placed into the memory boxes that I keep next to that box of off-season clothes. I keep notes + drawings they've made me, books they've written, + special little bits from over the years there...one for each of them.
-I put a watch that I bought when I was 17 + want to keep (because it does still work + I like it) into the keepsake box that I have for things from my pre-marriage years.
-Lots of pieces were tarnished. They can surely be cleaned, but the tarnish made me realize that these things hold little value or immediate wearability, if I do not wear them often or spend time caring for them. I'm going to let someone else find joy in doing both.
-Some pieces are no longer my style + hanging onto them is simply unnecessary.
-I offered the things I'd purged to my girls, pointing out a couple of special pieces that I thought they might like. Each accepted a silver ring. I didn't want to obligate them to keeping anything by placing my own meaning onto the pieces...that would just pass the burden on to them. If they liked or wanted something...great! If not, that's great too!
-This reminded Julia about the tiny collection of jewelry she has + to consider wearing it. It sparked Jo to go through her collection in order to see if she had anything to pass on. Jo mentioned feeling a little sad about letting a necklace go that she distinctly remembers receiving when she was in first grade (she's a senior in college now). She knows she will never wear it again. We mentioned putting it away as a memory or taking a picture of it before letting it go...but in the end she decided to keep the chain + let the charm go.

I don't have any experience reselling jewelry, but did find this article that seems helpful + reliable. I don't feel that any of my pieces are worth the effort, so they will simply be donated.

All of my pieces were lovely + good, but I don't need to own everything that is lovely + good. This realization goes a long way into recognizing enough + being able to stop over-purchasing as well. I am perpetually enrolled in "enough" training.  :)

My little collection is really quite small now...a pair of earrings, a couple of hair clips, a necklace that symbolizes the preciousness of our little tribe, the leather bracelet that set off this cleanse, + two colorful, handmade bracelets. Along with the pieces I wear every day...the volume of this collection feels authentic + offers the possibility of dressing up just enough. And my overall feeling? Relief.  :)

Love,
Jane

When I learned about the plastic fibers being found in drinking water, I decided to sell my thrifted Patagonia Better Sweater. (More on my thinking here.) I replaced it with a 100% wool Ibex zip-up (Shak Traverse style). I shared the information with my tribe + soon I was offered no less than 6 fleece jackets to rehome!

Two of the jackets were worn daily + needed to be replaced. I spent some time searching online for 100% natural fiber, second hand replacements...and then I had a thought...did Julia still have that hand-me-down jacket from Jo? I was able to immediately locate it in Julia's closet. It's the perfect fit, the perfect weight, + looks better than any of the jackets that were surrendered! Jo had let go of her excess...which allowed Julia to let go of hers. With the sales from all of those jackets, we were able to purchase a new 100% wool Ibex jacket for Mr. Tribe (because I couldn't locate any used ones). After all the postage + fees were paid, there was $10 left over. 

I know that trust in "enough" is a bit more of a leap for some in this tribe, so it's pretty cool when the numbers validate this trust. I'm grateful for what those jackets provided for us, both in previous wear + in replacement costs. It is amazing to see our trust turned into just what we need.

Out of our excess...a much more appropriate "enough".

Love,
Jane