Shop Your Wardrobe

I’ve written about the growing popularity of a capsule wardrobe before – the idea of shopping less but focusing more on quality and for some, how ethically items are made too.

I think there is definitely something in this, and while I don’t think fast fashion will ever slow down, it’s important to be more conscious. While some high-street stores have been publicly shamed for their treatment and manufacturing methods, others have been praised for making more of an effort to focus on this aspect and making fashion not only fast, but ethical too.

Building a capsule wardrobe isn’t just about concentrating on the quality of fashion though, but about the wearability too. We are all guilty of having pieces in our wardrobe that we just don’t wear (although of course we will, one day, we just haven’t had the right occasion for it yet). While some pieces may hold sentimental value, others we have worn perhaps just a little too much. Sometimes, especially when a new season comes around, we become so intent on buying new, that we forget about the old. With shopping moving online, it’s become easier and easier to browse and buy that we don’t even need to leave the comfort of our sofas.

This autumn, I’ve decided to delve inside my wardrobe a little more to discover those lost and forgotten pieces that I can re-wear for the colder months ahead. With an array of cosy jumpers that I bought last year, a selection of blanket scarfs and quite the collection of faux fur coats safely tucked away, it’s made me realise that I certainly don’t need to go out and purchase a whole new autumn/winter wardrobe like we are so often led to believe. This is also where the capsule wardrobe concept comes in handy: buy good staple favourites that will see you through year after year. A good cable knit/fisherman jumper for example is a great investment and a timeless piece that will never go out of style.

By shopping your own wardrobe and trying pieces on that you may have forgotten about entirely, you’ll see that it’s almost like having a new one after all, you just need to get creative. Although there will be pieces you’re missing – I’m still after a wool long-line grey coat – you can always add those in time.

I will never stop shopping and I’m afraid, although I’m an advocate for it, nor could I restrict myself to a capsule wardrobe, but being more mindful and conscious of what you do add to your wardrobe is definitely something I could get on board with.