Recently I came to the conclusion that my sleepwear is a category of my clothing that needs some attention. The tanks I've been wearing are more than a decade old. They are worn, holey + no longer fit. I'm sure we all have different opinions on what we prefer to sleep in. This is as it should be. The specifics of my thought process will probably be useful to no one but me. It's the process of thinking this through (or maybe even just the fact that it's something worthy of thought) that might have a kernel of relevance. :)
My thoughts on sleepwear led me to consider not only my preferences + circumstances, but also the number of pieces necessary, the frequency + amount of laundry (water + energy usage) I'm committing to doing + the possibility of these pieces being able to serve multiple purposes (like workout wear + everyday wear).
One option is to have three muscle tanks. These tanks could serve as sleepwear, workout wear + everyday wear. They need to be washed often as they get sweaty + lose their shape quickly. (Three pieces that double as workout tops. More laundry.)
Another option that I've employed in the past would be to have one lightweight cotton, sleeveless, short nightgown. I could sleep in this several nights in a row before washing it. When I did wash it, it would hang dry before bedtime. (One piece. Less laundry. Need separate workout tanks.)
The third option is to have a maybe four fitted tanks that can also add a layer of warmth under a button up or sweatshirt during the colder months. These tanks are the most comfortable to sleep in. On lazy mornings, I can add a pair of shorts or pajama pants + be in-the-house presentable without needing to add a bra. I could add leggings + do yoga. These tanks need to be washed often. (More pieces. More laundry. Still need some workout tanks.)
It felt really helpful to make notes on all of these things before deciding how I wanted to move forward. I pulled out the three muscle tanks that I use in the warmer months for working out. Two of them have words on the front of them that are scratchy to sleep in. I also went through my sewing patterns + scrap fabric to see if I could make anything from what I have. I found no real winners.
I looked for thrifted + new nightgowns + muscle tanks. In the end, I've decided to purchase a few new, organic cotton, fair-trade tank tops. I'm choosing black ones, because they don't show stains + we do the darks load of laundry most often. I hope this will make them longer lasting + allow me to have less of them, since they will have more opportunity to get clean.
I could make do with what I have, but I don't feel that opting out of consuming is the choice I want to make this time. I plan to wear these new tanks like I did the ones they will replace...for more than a decade...every day...until they are all used up.
Love,
Jane
My thoughts on sleepwear led me to consider not only my preferences + circumstances, but also the number of pieces necessary, the frequency + amount of laundry (water + energy usage) I'm committing to doing + the possibility of these pieces being able to serve multiple purposes (like workout wear + everyday wear).
One option is to have three muscle tanks. These tanks could serve as sleepwear, workout wear + everyday wear. They need to be washed often as they get sweaty + lose their shape quickly. (Three pieces that double as workout tops. More laundry.)
Another option that I've employed in the past would be to have one lightweight cotton, sleeveless, short nightgown. I could sleep in this several nights in a row before washing it. When I did wash it, it would hang dry before bedtime. (One piece. Less laundry. Need separate workout tanks.)
The third option is to have a maybe four fitted tanks that can also add a layer of warmth under a button up or sweatshirt during the colder months. These tanks are the most comfortable to sleep in. On lazy mornings, I can add a pair of shorts or pajama pants + be in-the-house presentable without needing to add a bra. I could add leggings + do yoga. These tanks need to be washed often. (More pieces. More laundry. Still need some workout tanks.)
It felt really helpful to make notes on all of these things before deciding how I wanted to move forward. I pulled out the three muscle tanks that I use in the warmer months for working out. Two of them have words on the front of them that are scratchy to sleep in. I also went through my sewing patterns + scrap fabric to see if I could make anything from what I have. I found no real winners.
I looked for thrifted + new nightgowns + muscle tanks. In the end, I've decided to purchase a few new, organic cotton, fair-trade tank tops. I'm choosing black ones, because they don't show stains + we do the darks load of laundry most often. I hope this will make them longer lasting + allow me to have less of them, since they will have more opportunity to get clean.
I could make do with what I have, but I don't feel that opting out of consuming is the choice I want to make this time. I plan to wear these new tanks like I did the ones they will replace...for more than a decade...every day...until they are all used up.
Love,
Jane
