These systems checks give me a chance to reevaluate + adjust  the systems I'm using in various areas of my life. Whether or not we consciously choose or construct our systems, we are employing them. And...even carefully constructed systems need maintenance. So, this time, I'm doing a little midsummer check in with my summer wardrobe.

I've tried to spell out my values when it comes to clothing with the fairdare. I value farmers, garment workers + the planet. One of the key ways I address these values is to tune in to "enough" in my closet. Over the years, I've experimented with less in order to find my "enough", and this summer is no different.

When I shared what I'm wearing this summer both at work + otherwise, I labeled it as a uniform. But I haven't actually spent much time thinking of it as an experiment in wearing a uniform...and maybe that is to save myself from noticing.  :) I have been intrigued by the thought of wearing a uniform, and this little collection of pieces comes pretty close to the concept. What it honestly feels like, however, is that I'm simply wearing what I like.

This summer I'm mainly wearing:
5 tees 
1 pair of jeans
2 shorts
birkenstocks
trainers

Midsummer thoughts ::

• A few additional peripheral pieces allow me to feel prepared for a few outlier situations, but for the most part the 10 pieces above are seeing me through these hot months.
• I found a couple of silhouettes that suit me, and I'm happy to wear them on repeat.
• I like having few pieces to maintain.
• It's nice to like everything in my closet. It really does cut down on feeling that I have nothing to wear (which can happen when I have to look past a bunch of pieces that I rarely choose, because they don't fit or feel or look quite right).
• It was helpful to think through the different situations I knew I'd find myself in during these months + to make sure I have at least one outfit to wear in each of them. I feel prepared, but didn't feel the need to prepare for every unknown. If I need a fancy dress, I can find or make one.
• It's nice to know exactly what I have to wear in each of those prepared for situations. 
• I can make a bunch of (slightly) different outfits with the pieces I have.  
• Less is enough.

Love,
Jane

These two looks are a pretty good representation of my current not-at-work war​drobe.

Change has been a theme around here lately. I've tried three jobs in the past three months (yikes), and have been settling into a good one for a few weeks now. I've settled into a sort of uniform too. These jeans from Madewell are fair-trade certified (yay, Madewell!), and I love them. I'm also really into these tees from It is well LA. They are designed + made in California from cotton + modal...and they work well under my apron. My Vejas are good for being on my feet for a big chunk of the day.

It's nice to not have to waste any of my limited decision making abilities getting dressed each day. I simply pick the next tee in the stack. I can wash my jeans + apron once per week + the tees (+ socks) along with the other laundry throughout the week. I like knowing that everything I have is getting worn + earning its place in my wardrobe. 

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

I've been revisiting some of these images for years + instead of letting that make me feel boring...I'm finding contentment + comfort there. It's perfectly fine for tastes to change over the years...to meander...to vacillate...to wander. But it's also lovely to find myself coming back to the same things again + again.

White tees...white shorts...black tanks...breezy pants...brown shoulders...a shady hat...messy hair...soft, pale denim...bare feet...these are my simple summer staples. There's no reason to complicate "enough".

All lovely images via links.

Love,
​Jane

I've been on the hunt for some good trainers for over a year now. My old trainers' soles are completely worn through in a number of places, so I feel good about replacing them. I tried a number of different pairs that just didn't work for a number of reasons. Finally, however, I've found my match. This new model from Veja is pretty great...so I thought I'd share.

I tried their previous trainers + they just didn't fit my foot very well. The knit uppers on these hug my feet better. They are comfy + supportive + of course they have all the eco-credentials + innovations Veja keeps coming through on. These shoes are mostly made from plant-based materials + recycled plastic bottles (in Brazil). 

I've replaced my completely worn through socks with these GOTS-certified, organic cotton, Pact socks. My old socks were the old version of these socks + they lasted for years. I really love these.

And...I am really enjoying these organic cotton, made-in-Los Angeles leggings from Mate. I have a pair of the shorts too. The weight of these is great for the warmer months + I've been wearing them happily + often both for exercising + for lounging. They are a great alternative to plastic leggings.  :)

Love,
​Jane

I recently started a new job. Suddenly I have a new situation to dress for, and I want to be sure that I'm prepared (at least wardrobe-wise). As I applied for different jobs, I considered what I would wear to each one. I would need to buy something new for a few of them, but I tried to keep my potential shopping list minimal even when I didn't have many things that fit the dress code. I reasoned that if I kept the pieces simple, repeated wearings would be less noticeable.

I was able to wear what I have for interviews, and I have a relatively simple dress code to follow at this job: solid (or simply patterned) tops + solid bottoms + comfy shoes. Two days in, I realized that I needed something warmer to wear + stopped at a shop on the way home. Almost as soon as I entered the store, I remembered something I'd already packed away for the season that would work. Out it came + nothing new was needed after all. 

The pieces I have feel more "like me" than most anything I could find quickly. They might not be the "perfect" thing to wear, but they work. I have time to add things later, if necessary. 

Each time I realize that I already have all that I need, it feels like a new triumph...not because shopping is bad...or because I feel that I should never add anything to my wardrobe. I just like to be quite thoughtful about new additions...and I also realize that "enough" feels pretty good.  :)

Love,
Jane

I'm on a constant mission to truly appreciate + rest in "enough". I'm a visual person + find curated collections of photos very inspiring. The images offered by well-curated shops + stylish people draw me right in. Here are a couple of ways that I'm curating images myself to aid my contentment with what I already have:

• After recently affirming my style, I made a pinterest board of outfits I can make with my own clothes. I didn't even need to go looking for new pins. The pins already on my other boards offered plenty of stock. Now I have a whole collection of images that highlights the beauty of the pieces I already have.
• I have a "desirables" pinterest board that I keep as a way to give myself some time to consider purchases before buying. It feels really good to delete items on that board, when the urge to own them has passed. This autumn, I decided to leave the things that I bought on this board as well. It's a good reminder that I have already aquired some good things this season + that they are the most desirable of all!

All inspiring images via links.
​
Love,
Jane

A lot of different people + shops + styles are inspiring to me. The ones that most inspire are often the ones that are quite distinct...defined by a tight color palette...a set of shapes...the feel of a decade or well-defined story. 

I can be completely drawn to worn denim + vintage, white tops + flowy dresses one day...and get completely enveloped in a colorful, vibrant world of woven prints the next.

My varied attractions sometimes overwhelm, because I also have a vision of a small collection of clothing that feels cohesive + that I wear over + over again for a long time.

Recently I decided to write out all of the styles (15) that I find most inspiring along with the pieces, silhouettes, fabrics + colors that I'm most drawn to within these styles. A list, for me, is often just an opportunity to empty my brain onto the page + see all the ideas in one place.

From there I could easily see what shapes + colors are repeated across various styles...what I'm drawn to repeatedly...what constitutes my style. I listed both pieces (not exact pieces or brands) + color palette on a new list. I could see the cohesion there + also a way to integrate an outlier or two. The best part? I already own a version of almost everything that I put on that list! It also brings into focus a couple of pieces that might round out my little collection...if I come across them.

For some reason, my mind needs periodic confirmation that I have my own version of style...and that I like it.  :) 

Love,
Jane

The other day, it happened. I bumped right into "enough". I was opening the door for another morning walk...just like I'd been doing for months...when it hit me.

It was the day that the weather changed. We'd need something warmer to wear on our walk. I pulled on my leggings + a long-sleeved layer and off we went. As I opened the door, I realized that I had everything I needed...even when the circumstances changed...and that felt really good.

When summer arrived, I'd tried to add another pair of workout shorts to my collection of one. I ruled out the ones made out of plastic, even though it was recycled plastic. No more microfibers, if I can help it. There was a pair with a waist band that was sure to twist + annoy...another pair that was so hot that I felt relief as soon as I removed it. Others were never restocked in my size. But, you know what happened? I hung my single pair of workout shorts over the doorknob on the back of my bedroom door every morning after my walk + washed them each weekend. And it was enough.

I rotated the three tank tops + three pairs of socks I had. Enough.

Taking note of that moment of clarity is important, because all of my feelings of not having enough...wanting just one more...come not from need but from boredom with what I have or fear of something that hasn't happened. I'm not saying that having more than one pair of workout shorts or leggings is bad. I just think that it is very useful to recognize "enough". Because I would get bored with two as well. Because I am more likely to use up every bit of one. Because resources are finite. 

And so, I smiled at "enough" + promised to remember that feeling...even when I'm not feeling it.

Love,
​Jane

Each of us can come to this exercise with a different goal in mind when answering this last question. Around here, we talk a bunch about "less", but that may not be everyone's goal. Maybe you want to be able to fit everything you own into your closet. One person might like to have quite a lot of variety to choose from. Another may want to embrace a specific uniform. Each of our ideas of "enough" is different. Great! Let's just get intentional with defining it a bit.  :)

With those questions answered:

1. Pull everything out onto the bed.                                                                                        It's always a good thing to see just how much clothing we own (perspective).   
2. Select the number of pieces you decided on for each category.                                      (Focus on work/school clothes first. Lounge/pajamas/athletic wear may be able to be selected from what's left over.)
3. Take stock.                                                                                                                            -Don't have as many pieces as you thought you needed?                                                     Maybe live with what you have for a while to learn if more is necessary.                    -Have lots left on your bed?  (We're talking in-season pieces now.)                                     Let them go or box some up + live with what's in your closet in order to see if you        need any of those hard-to-let-go-of pieces. Do set a date to decide, though. 
4. Address out-of-season clothing.                                                                                           -Let go of any pieces that didn't serve you this season or that are worn out.                 -Store the rest away (in your suitcase?).
5. Make a "shopping" list...but only address the major holes right away.                        (You'll refashion/swap/thrift/make/buy better after experiencing the season           a bit first.)

This post will be linked at the bottom of the fairdare page.

​Love,
​Jane