simple wardrobe :: beginnings

my quest for a simple wardrobe began with a kick in the pants:
-two moves overseas
-a family of four + two dogs
-no storage units or shipping crates
-in two and a half years
i'm not sure, but that might qualify as 4 kicks in the pants at least.  funny thing is, i kind of liked it!

in order to follow our clear call overseas, i had to find new homes for most of our things.   we decided not to indulge in a storage unit, because we wanted to be able to clearly hear what God wanted for our future without obligation to our stuff back in the states.  i had to look at every singe item and decide if we needed it. we kept relatively little.  when we got to our new home, we had a car and mattresses and school uniforms to buy.  essentials took priority over just-for-fun clothing purchases.  i was learning that i could be happy with less in all areas, but especially with my clothing.

i do love fashion.  i bought my first bazaar magazine when i was twelve.  i like to express myself with my clothing.  i just found out that i don't need a lot of pieces to do that.  

at this same time i was learning and becoming passionate about:
-the working conditions of the people who make the clothing i buy and wear
-the chemicals involved in cotton growth, fabric manufacture, dying, etc.
-the emissions created by the process of moving the pieces of the clothing from field to shop rack

the combination of being happy with less and concern about my clothing's history really changed the way i looked at my wardrobe.  my desire for clothing lessened and i was able to step back and see the bounty i already possessed instead of the holes i needed to fill with more.

and that's the beginning!

what's your story?

love, jane