My minimalist heart loves the idea of a two-piece option that just so happens to double as an "everyday necessity". It's all in the perspective, right?
beklina |
All lovely photos via links.
Love,
Jane
Would you consider a cotton "swimsuit"? I grew up in a beach town going to the beach a lot more often than I do these days. I've had a couple cotton swimsuits, and I don't remember the cotton being too much of an issue (not that I swim a ton)...so...yes. Yes, I am considering wearing a cotton swimsuit on our beach vacation this summer. :) My minimalist heart loves the idea of a two-piece option that just so happens to double as an "everyday necessity". It's all in the perspective, right? My perspective is greatly helped along by seeing these types of items worn in the beach-like spots. :) (Thank you, Pansy.)
The reviews of this Beklina suit are pretty convincing. Their one-piece suit looking great as a top offers some (more) minimal vacation-packing inspiration. ARQ's leotard has a similar vibe. Ok, I'm excited for summer now. (The sunshine + warm breezes help too.)
All lovely photos via links. Love, Jane
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I've been using period underwear for years as a replacement for disposable liners. Recently, I wanted to add a couple to my collection. I like the ones that I have, but that exact pair is no longer available. And so...the search began again. I prefer natural fibers to synthetic fibers...and organic cotton to tencel. The brand I had landed on during my previous search (Lunapads) rebranded to Aisle + now uses a tencel/organic cotton blend rather than organic cotton. This is still preferable to the vast majority of other period underwear brands who use synthetic materials, but it prompted me to do a little bit more investigating. Not only are synthetic fabrics oil derived, they do not biodegrade. Synthetic fibers produce plastic microfibers that end up in oceans, air, fish, drinking water + even in our blood. Years ago, when synthetic period underwear were the only option, I tried some + found the synthetic fabrics too compressing for my crampy periods...and sweaty too. Period has some organic cotton offerings, but the absorbency level I wanted did not have a corresponding natural fiber option. When I asked about the working conditions of their garment workers, I received a very polite response that they did not know...but should maybe look into that. I gently encouraged them to do so, especially since period products are inherently connected to women + most garment workers are women. I decided to try Modibodi. They are made from bamboo viscose rather than organic cotton + come from Australia, but are less expensive than Aisle. Modibodi has some statements about fair wages in their factories + work they are currently doing to trace their supply chain. Modibodi offers an almost completely biodegradable pair (just cut off the waistband before composting). They just aren't my preferred absorbency or color.
I really like the ones I bought. I've used the first one I purchased for a month + would truly wear them any day of the month. They are that comfortable + work as I depend on them to do too. I would love to have found some completely compostable, comfortable, effective, leak-proof underwear priced + sized for everyone...and made from American-grown, organic cotton, spun + sewn close to the farm...with all those involved in the supply chain receiving fair wages + healthy working conditions. As usual, I'm doing the best I can for now. If you decide Modibodi is something you'd like to try, you can click through the links here to receive $15 off your purchase. I would receive $15 off a future purchase too. Thank you so much! Love, Jane Once upon a time I had a pair of vintage army pants that felt like my unicorn pants (trousers to some). :) Over the past year, my weight changed + our relationship wasn't quite the same any more. I found a new to me vintage pair that fit pretty well. Every time I put them on, however, I didn't like the fact that I could grab a handful of fabric at each hip...so I would take them off again.
I found another pair of olive pants that were made in a fair-trade certified factory that fit like a glove. I bought them, because I just wasn't wearing that vintage pair. For some reason, I would take these off again each time I put them on too. I just wasn't sure about them. This week, I finally found the courage to take the vintage pair in hand + start seam ripping. There is just so much about these vintage pants to love. There is really nothing like the worn-in color, texture, softness + durability of the vintage fabric of these pants. The exaggeratedly high waistline is my favorite. They are exceedingly comfortable and have been around for a long time. I'm not sure I altered them the way a tailor would, but they fit just like I'd like them to now. I picked the outside seams from hem to the middle of the pocket and then moved the seam over onto the back of the pants...overlapping more than it had done before. The seams were pinned in place, so that I could try them on for fit. I readjusted them, tried them on again + sewed the seam in place. I can return the other pants + get on with wearing these now...often + for a long time. All it took was courage + time. I'm glad I found both. Love, Jane I like to do this exercise where I try to figure out the smallest number of clothing pieces that would offer something to wear in all the foreseeable situations + weather in which I might find myself.
My current list :
This covers situations + weather as follows: work (colder) :: tee + jeans + trainers + sweatshirt work (warmer) :: tee + jeans + trainers home (colder) :: tee + leggings + pullover or sweatshirt home (warmer) :: tee + soft pants out (colder) :: pullover + jeans + boots out (warmer) :: tee + soft pants + sandals athletic wear :: tee + leggings + trainers + sweatshirt pajamas :: tee + soft pants formal-ish (colder) :: pullover + soft pants + boots formal-ish (warmer) :: woven tee + soft pants + sandals This exercise feels liberating. It feels like possibility. It lets me feel like a vacation with just a backpack is possible. It feels like security. It lets me feel like starting over (if we had to) might not be completely impossible. It feels like adventure. It lets me feel like living in a tiny house or van could work. Less is the best way, in my opinion, to set ourselves up to be able to value farmers, garment workers + the planet by using less resources, using up our clothing, and making less waste. I like to do this exercise at different points in time with my current preferences in mind. It's not an excuse to change everything in my wardrobe, but it is fun to apply some of my current favorites to the list. If I'm getting by without something on this list, I can probably wait to buy an item until the predicted situation arises. (I haven't gone anywhere that requires more formal attire in the past couple of years, for example.) With this list in front of me, I can easily see that the pieces I already have are indeed enough. What a gift! All lovely photos via links. Love, Jane A few weeks ago, I wrote about recognizing one outfit in particular that I feel I could wear every day. It feels like me. When I wear it, I don't feel conscious of any part of my body. It feels comfortable + appropriate. I can wear this top + pants with different shoes which change the look + feel of the outfit.
I was writing about this outfit in particular. It's not exceptionally exciting, but it's the one right now. It makes me feel the way I want to feel most days: easy going, windblown, casual. I like more adventurous shapes, but the classic-ness of these pieces allow me to feel like it could be worn over + over without notice. Knowing this outfit is in my closet allows me to feel like I have enough. It is good. It is rest. It's less about my specific pieces than it is about finding the ones that feel personally good (but here they are anyway): :)
Love, Jane Since the first(?) mention of personal basics here, I feel like the pieces on my list have become more specific. This list pretty much encompasses my entire wardrobe now. At this point in time, I am feeling very comfortable with less. I am recognizing with clarity the things that feel like me, serve me well + endure. It's just that simple. :) My current personal basics include:
These pieces just work for me + my life right now. The end. :) Love, Jane I'm on a constant mission to redefine my relationship with things...my wantiness...my desires. I want to live in appropriate relationship with others + the planet. I know that I cannot live without impact, so I long for my impact to be as minimal as possible, to be collaborative + to promote further flourishing. This is a highly aspirational introduction to my evolving thoughts on personal basics, but I believe that it provides a goal to work toward. :)
In the past, I've approached the idea of my simple wardrobe by thinking through silhouettes I want to embrace. Maybe this goes along with that, but I feel that my thinking has evolved. I am understanding with more clarity what I feel good wearing + what works for my life. Maybe I am just settling into being satisfied with what that means for me. Anyway...I am feeling differently these days. I've noticed two things in particular that have moved me toward these feelings:
These two realizations may not seem like much, but they bring me so much peace + comfort. They feel like a resting place in my quest to know "enough". I want to own less + to wear what I have until it wears out. I have found that this means I don't need much. The more I have, the less I wear each piece...and chances are that I will tire of a piece before it is worn out. It is best to have a few versatile pieces that I want to wear over + over. The pieces I have landed on are probably the least important part of this. The point is for each of us to personalize our own basics. A few questions that might be helpful:
I truly feel that love is the key to sustainability. Once we establish where our true values lie (for me that's with people, planet, plant + animal life), we can put other desires (maybe personal style + fun) in their rightful places. All photos via links. Love, Jane
The leaves are turning, the sun is lower in the sky + the air is crisp. Colder weather is here + cozy is the goal for my wardrobe. I like keeping my wardrobe simple. It keeps my shopping list small + keeps me in touch with "enough".
When I get home from work, I change out of my jeans + into leggings. Comfy + simple. A couple of sweatshirts, a couple of pullover sweaters + a few pairs of leggings allows me to make a number of combinations which keeps things interesting. This uniform can accommodate almost all of the things I like to do after work...anything from doing yoga, to taking a walk, to lounging on the couch, to jaunting out into the world. In order to carry this outfit out of the house, I'm considering adding this wool sweater coat along with some birks (with socks) or sneakers. As it gets colder, boots will up the warmth factor. Here are a few details on my simple, cold weather (not work) uniform:
All photos via links. Love, Jane The temperatures are dipping, and I'm experiencing just how cold it's going to be during these colder months where I work. I have only worn my work uniform to work for months + months...and I like it. :)
I've been adding my wool Ibex jacket on colder days lately. It's a good layer to take on + off as needed throughout the day. I think a sweatshirt or two will be nice to have as well. It is very nice to know exactly what I'm going to wear every day. Once I'm dressed, I don't think about my outfit at all. It just works. A few of the ways I've thought through my choices:
Here's what I'm wearing to work five days a week:
I've had most of these pieces for a while + will continue to enjoy wearing them over + over for a long time. Glorious "enough". :) All photos via links. Love, Jane |
on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
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