It's difficult to find a consensus on how many pieces of clothing the average American buys each year, but it seems to be somewhere between 55-70! A study in the UK showed that women wear a piece of clothing an average of seven times. And the average yearly amount of clothing waste that each American is expected to send to the landfill is 81 pounds. I don't often mention these numbers, because they are everywhere and they set the bar very, very low. After finishing the post that follows, however, I wanted a little perspective...because talking about numbers always makes me uncomfortable. Adding any number of pieces to one's wardrobe reeks of privilege. The comparisons should not just be made to the average American...but to the average garment worker. The numbers for how many pieces of clothing the average garment worker adds to his or her wardrobe are just not available. I'm just saying that up front.

One of the ways that I approached my fairdare commitment at the beginning of 2019 was by taking a look at my wardrobe as a whole + making a list of three pieces that I imagined adding (or switching out) for each season. There was also a list of things to consider selling, gifting or donating during each season. This plan was an attempt to take control of my desire, keep my wardrobe simple, plan ahead, save money + maintain focus. 

A few of my observations about this exercise ::
-considering my wardrobe as a whole (rather than solely by season) was very helpful
-but considering what I will wear season by season is important too  :)
-three well-chosen pieces per season did not feel too restrictive
-planning these purchases ahead of time alleviated the guilt of spending money on them...I felt more in control of my spending
-each piece felt necessary +/or useful...which made them feel special
-choosing versatile pieces is great...but many of my pieces are not multi-seasonal 
-I am a sort of serial uniform wearer
-as long as I have an option or two for dressier occasions in each type of weather, I'm set
-I still "shopped" a lot...looking for the perfect piece (I'd really like to have some go-to pieces, but women's brands don't often do consistent pieces from season to season)
-plans don't always work out (one of the pieces that I really thought would come through for me had such wonky measurements from website to actual garment...that I had to abandon the plan)  :(
-preferences change (I really don't know if I want to wear pants or dresses or jumpsuits from year to year...it's ok for style to evolve back + forth...that's where variety comes into the small wardrobe...and I don't think that it would be bad to have a few of each of these on standby from year to year)
-while I love the idea of a handmade pieces, I love the ability to try on + return pieces that don't suit (for a $refund$) even better in many cases. (I do, however, have a few tried + true sewing patterns that I will make over + over)
-I think that I probably bought smarter pieces + fewer pieces than I would have if I hadn't made the plan
-my simple wardrobe stayed simple

This post isn't to assert the right amount of pieces to add or have in a wardrobe. Many will think that these numbers are excessive + others will think they are unrealistically paltry. I will simply say that this exercise furthered my understanding of enough.

My main take-away? I will definitely be making a list for 2020!

Love,
Jane

The other day, I mentioned a simple system that I can imagine using for my everyday clothing going forward. Outerwear, sleepwear, intimates + athletic wear are the other categories of clothing that I need in my life. It's nice to have a system for them as well, so that I know when I have what I need + what needs to be replaced rather than just shopping for things that are cute.

Figuring out what I truly need was my first step in the direction of simple. There was one specific moment that I remember reading the passage in the Bible when John the Baptist tells his followers that if they have two coats they should give one to someone who needs one (Luke 3:11). I had read this passage many times before, but this time I heard it literally. What did I think it meant before? I'm not sure...but on that day, I went down to our coat closet + saw that I had two warm coats. I chose one to keep + one to give. 

Today I have three coats (hmm) that keep me comfortable in various stages of cold + precipitation (rain/snow). I have wellies that keep my feet clean when I plant potatoes...and warm + dry (paired with some wool socks that double as my slippers) in the snow. I have one winter hat, scarf + pair of gloves. A sunhat acts as decor + shades me from the sun. These are the same pieces that I've had for years. ​

For exercise, I have a pair of leggings, a pair of shorts, two tanks, a warmer layer, socks + trainers. I get really sweaty, so I find it necessary to have clothing set aside for this purpose.  :)

I think the numbers in the intimates category have a lot to do with one's laundry schedule. I will say that I've found that one nude + one black bra are enough for everyday. I use an older one for the gym (so 3 total). 

These days, I don't have separate sleepwear. I wear one of my layering tanks to bed year round (not the same one).  :) I also have a robe that I don't wear often, so...we'll see how long that lasts in my closet.

I'm not trying to be as minimal as possible, but I also try not to hold more than my share. These pieces are enough. The system is simply to wear + maintain this set number of items that works for me. When an item is used up, then I can choose a new-to-me one. I feel very fortunate to have so many things that serve their purposes well + that allow me to feel prepared + content. 

Love,
Jane

In the warmer months, I will wear:
-dresses + jumpsuit
-tees + tanks
-softs pants + shorts
-sandals + tennies

A few benefits that I've found to using a wardrobe like this:
-I know how much is enough + don't get anxious about not having enough at the beginning of each season.
-I can look at what I already have at the beginning of each season + easily make a small shopping or making list (or none at all).
-Less resources go into the making of less clothing.
-My clothes get used up.
-Clothing becomes much more multi-use. I don't save pieces for rare occasions.
-All of my clothes are getting worn regularly at some point during the year. I don't have any clothing sitting unused. No extra resources are being held from others.
-Replacement is more manageable, when there is less to "need".
-The need to replace keeps better time with my changing desires. Things do wear out with more regular use, and my tastes change slightly over time.
-I chose things carefully so that I can put together outfits for different uses (a pair of silky pants can be worn with a silky tank or cashmere sweater + flats for a nicer occasion...but can also be worn with a cotton tank + sandals on any warm day). I feel more prepared + have actually done less special occasion shopping since having a smaller wardrobe.
​-One new item can make a big impact.
-I don't make as many impulse purchases...which saves money.

As always, I feel the immense amount of privilege that is inherent in a post like this. "Enough" can be defined in a vast number of ways. I am fortunate to even have the ability to consider "less" + what it might mean to me. This brings me to one more huge benefit of my simple (to me) wardrobe...it allows me to consider generosity with joy + freedom. I don't simply mean in an initial clothing-donation-generosity sort of way (which is a whole other discussion)...but in a continual open-handed way. I have freed up my budget a little bit more, so that rather than searching for another thing to buy...I can search for another way to give. And that truly shines quite a bit more joy into my life!

All lovely photos via links. Unlinked photo mine. They are representations of some of the pieces I own, not necessarily the pieces.

A few words on my other, more specialized clothing.

Love,
Jane

hannah henderson :: vintage denim

I've been intrigued by the concept of uniforms for a while. When we moved to London from the states, Jo + Julia were both required to wear uniforms to school for the first time. I was harboring visions of Rory Gilmore...but when Jo + I were taken to buy uniforms we were told to buy a blazer that was a couple of sizes too big (for growing into)...boys' shirts instead of girls' (can't remember the reasoning for that one)...and bobby socks instead of knee socks (although it was freezing + raining every day) (I did not bend on that one). My point is that I believe the idea of a uniform is only appealing if it is an outfit that we like.  :)

There are a few women whose style really speaks to me. Hannah Henderson + Jen Garrido both have that California casual look that I love. Neither of these amazing women may classify their looks as a uniform, but there are certain elements that I think of when I think of their styles. Hannah's vintage denim always looks perfectly soft + worn in. It's that perfect shade of pale that pairs so well with white. I think of checked slip-on Vans + those perfectly cropped, straight leg jeans, when I think of Jen. I feel like each of these ladies knows just what to put on when they want to feel most like themselves.

A few of the benefits of wearing a uniform that appeal to me:
-We'd always have the perfect thing to wear. (Because it's been well-thought out + versatile.)
-Our decision making energy can be spent on other things.
-Less. Less clothing. Less to maintain. Less to replace. Less laundry. Less thinking about clothes. Less shopping. Less storage space. Less luggage. Less stress.
-One outfit at a time. It could be cool to just wear, say, black pants + a white top...forevermore. But...when one set of uniforms wears out...it could be replaced with a whole new one...like say navy jumpsuits.
-So easy to get dressed every day.
-Being an individual. It's funny, because many people would probably think that a uniform makes one boring + predictable...but I imagine that it could make one intriguing + mysterious...independent + aspirational.  :)
-Bucking the consumerist machine. Triumph! (to some extent...because one would still be wearing clothes.)  :)
-All of the budget goes toward one outfit (in as many duplicates as necessary). Quality. Fair. Maybe it would be justifiable (within reason, of course) to get exactly what one wanted.
-Having a signature look. ​

jen garrido :: straight cropped jeans

What to observe:
-How do/did I feel? Did that change over the course of the experiment?
-What do I love about wearing a uniform?
-What do I not love about wearing a uniform?
-Did I get tired of wearing the same thing? If so, at what point(s)? Could that be remedied in some way? (like switching shoes or layers)
-Did I pick the right uniform? If not, what could I change in order to make it the right one?
-Did the weather affect my feelings? Did events affect my feelings? How could I address that?
-Would it help to make specific uniforms for specific areas of my life...instead of just one uniform? ...or for seasons?
-Could I apply some of my findings to my everyday life going forward? 
-Do I want to keep wearing my uniform?

Have fun with this. Choose a uniform that appeals to you + your sensibilities. Set a time period...30 days might be a good place to start. Make it bold + bright or keep it classic + quiet. Enjoy the process. Be mindful of feelings, comments or lack of comment. Let your personality speak louder than your outfit. I personally feel that one of the main goals of this experiment is to tune into enough. The fashion industry's impact on the planet has most to do with the volume of its output. We can curb that by knowing "enough" in our own closets...by forming relationships with our clothing...by really wearing what we have. Uniform dressing is one way to put our values into action.

Fairdare mini-challenges 01, 02 + 03.  :)

All lovely images via links.

Love,
Jane

A little outfit formula for those of us who work from home + also want to look presentable for out-of-the-house encounters. These are also outfits for weekends that involve a mix of cozying up at home, running errands + enjoying time with friends. 

My existing formula involves wearing something on top that works just as well with leggings as it does with jeans or nicer pants. That way I can switch pants back + forth as needed throughout the day. That works, but this new formula results in outfits that bypass the switches. 

This season I'm all about monochromatic dressing. I feel like this approach elevates these more casual pieces a bit. Obviously the pieces could be worn with other pieces in one's simple wardrobe as well. I've purposely chosen bottoms here that are not leggings (which I do love) in order to possibly deviate a bit from athleisure (which I also appreciate). Throwing on a jacket + a pair of shoes or boots would take me from cross legged on the couch to presentable out in the world...and back again.  :)

This look could be achieved by wearing existing wardrobe pieces of the same color together...or by adding a bottom to match an existing top. The comfy basics can adapt with the choice of jacket (sweater coat, denim jacket, oversized suit jacket, moto jacket) + footwear (fur-lined boots, trainers, heeled boots, birks, loafers)...resulting in an outfit that is comfy + as casual or cool as desired.  :)

Love,
Jane

above images via 

...an oat-colored layer, comfy leggings...

...a pale sweatshirt, an oversized pullover + pale soft pants.

Silhouettes I'm wearing ::
-tee or button-down + jeans 
-leggings + any top
-sweatshirt + any pants
-oversized pullover + soft pants 
(all + a cozy layer as necessary)

Pieces ::
-cream tee
-chambray button-down
-sweatshirt
-pullover
-pale jeans
-cream jeans
-soft pants
-leggings
-oat layer
-quilted jacket
-clogs 
​-boots 

Simple!  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Autumn seems like a natural time to consider color...and I love these nature inspired tones. These lovely pieces could mix + match + layer for lots of lovely outfit options. We obviously don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe's worth of pieces, in order to consider color in our own collections.

One way I've been considering color is by choosing pieces in white + natural tones.  :) I choose white tones not only because I like them...but also because I'm thinking about longevity. I am anticipating extending the usefulness + my own love for these pieces by dying them with natural dyes as necessary or desired. Dyes are a great way to add a little color to a thrifted, stained or existing piece in one's wardrobe! I love indigo dye + am looking forward to trying some of EarthHues natural dyes too.

Another way I like to add a little oomph to my regular outfit lineup is by mixing colors in unconventional ways. A few of my outfit dreams using the pieces above include...

I'm actually wearing this combination right now. It doesn't seem like it would work (one of those unconventional color combinations mentioned above), but I think it does.  :) It's one of my favorite cozy at home looks.

I like the idea of sliding a heavier, cozy layer over a simple, sleeveless jumpsuit. The ease of two piece dressing feels like a luxury as temperatures dip. I'd really like to see these different tones of green together, but I have a similar grey jumpsuit already in my closet that would benefit from a cozy layer like this.

These colors are an autumn dream...and that green cardigan above could take this pairing into cooler days. Let the leaves fly!  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Another quick installment of the get-it-worn chronicles. Appearance-wise, I like this top best as it was originally made. In reality, however, I was just not wearing it. Even though the fabric is very lightweight, the sleeves make it too hot for my lifestyle. The removed sleeves offer fabric for bias binding, and now I think I will actually wear this top. It'll be breezy on the hottest of days with shorts, and on cooler days it can be layered easily under a sweater with jeans. 

Sometimes it can be a bit painful to mess with a good thing, but the results may just be a bit better for getting it worn...which is the point, really.  :)

Love,
​Jane

Last week I pulled all of my summer clothes out + reevaluated what got worn, what works + what might work better for someone else. My focus on "enough" has made this a welcome process, rather than one that I dread. It probably sounds a bit silly, but I do enjoy learning from this process. 

Some preferences shift + change...and some stay the same. A couple of summer preferences that I really do need to trust + embrace:
-I like sleeveless tops, dresses + jumpsuits in the hot months. My daily circumstances are rarely such that I will be comfortable even in short sleeves all day. I love the look of breezy blouses, but they are too hot most days...for me. I don't work in an air-conditioned environment right now + try to keep our AC running as little as possible. Sleeveless pieces are easiest to layer. Plus...sun-kissed shoulders are nice.  ;)

-I really like soft fabrics. Stiff fabrics really don't see much use in my wardrobe. If I dressed the way that is most attractive to me, I would wear soft, pale jeans + a soft white tee every day. In reality I wear soft tanks, soft shorts/pants + jumpsuits/overalls most. Might as well embrace it.

So...I let go of a few lovely pieces that really do feel like me. This can feel a bit sad, but I know they will be more useful in someone else's wardrobe. I don't have to own every lovely thing. It can also make me feel guilt over the money spent. This is where it is good to sell something before it loses more of its value (I'll recover most of the money spent)...and...where it's important to make note of + learn from the mistake. I really try to focus in on the reasons that a particular piece doesn't work for me + I try to make notes for next warm/hot season.

Notes:
-I like white tops.
-Swingy, lightweight, elastic waisted shorts are great. Esprit pattern or maybe Pietra.
-Favorite summer fabrics: lightweight rayon, cotton, linen + voile
-Sandals that don't flip or flop + have a little arch support are most comfortable

What I'm left with for the summer months:
-6 tanks
-short rayon jumpsuit (that I wear as shorts with a tank over top)
-soft pants
-linen overalls
-2 dresses
-at-home shorts
-sandals

I always feel lighter + happier at the end of this process. I know that I have what I need + that I'm not holding things from others. One planet...limited resources...gratitude... generosity...compassion...love.

Love, 
Jane