Wardrobe Edit - What I’ve Learned In The Past Year of Conscious Shopping

Wardrobe Edit - What I’ve Learned In The Past Year of Conscious Clothing Shopping

1/15/2020

Bear with me here...
I’m a little bit proud of myself. In the past year I have only made conscious clothing purchases. I know, I know. Whoopdy-do! (how do you spell that?) But seriously. This has been an accomplishment. I generally do not buy all that much, but still this has taken a mindset shift and a lot of self control, planning, and patience. Last year:

I purchased a couple specific handmade items from small shop owners on etsy. Ethical labor/fair wages. I don’t know all the details about the fabric sourcing, though. (progress, not perfection) Still way better than big box stores.
Other than that I have purchased only from ethical/sustainable/transparent brands. Primarily encircled and a few things from Everlane as well. (I know there is some controversy around Everlane atm, but that's not the point of this post)
I’ve also discovered some other really cool slow fashion brands to keep my eye on when I have a wardrobe gap!

I have learned a few things over the past year...

I like the small(er) brands.

If I had to choose between buying a similar item from a smaller brand like encircled or the much larger Everlane, I would rather shop encircled. It just feels more like supporting a friend. I know that’s what any brand is hoping you say because if they get you involved in the brand then you’re more likely to be a loyal customer. And it’s true. But it really feels that way with encircled. A smaller brand can have better connection with customers. Encircled does cool things with their customers. They really take feedback to heart and if they bring an item back the next season you can be sure it is improved based on that information. They run awesome pop-ups with other conscious brands. They do customer photo shoots and so many more things. Encircled's CEO Kristi Soomer also hosts an insightful business podcast brave + boss that you shouldn’t miss.

Of course, no brand is perfect. You will not like or need every design. And that’s okay!

While I generally would rather support the smaller brand, there are times when you need what the other brands offer. Everlane, for instance, has a huge variety of products and many of them are at a pretty great price point (here is where the controversy comes in.). But when I ordered from Everlane I didn’t get quite the same feeling of contributing to a real person’s dream as I do when I order from encircled. In fact, Everlane cranks out so many items that in the short time I was browsing for a few staple items to try, I started to feel overwhelmed.

You will not like or need every design.
...
And that's okay!

Encircled Clothing Reviews

You can like something and it still not be right for you

Sometimes you can see a product and it looks great in the product images. It looks great on the people wearing it. You think “that’s not normally my style, but everyone is raving about it. Maybe I should try it?” It can be exhilarating to reach outside of your comfort zone to try a new style and you may find out that you love it. But I’ve also learned that sometimes I know better. I know me. I know my lifestyle. I know what I feel comfortable and confident in. I have learned that you can like something on someone else while at the same time acknowledging that it's just not right for you. It’s not something you need in your curated closet. 2 examples:

You can like something on someone else while at the same time acknowledging that it's just not right for YOU.

Encircled Revolve Dress Worn As A Tunic | photo ©encircled

1. The revolve dress. I mentioned in an earlier review that it’s too light and clingy and a bit too short for me to wear as a dress. I also don’t love the (intentional) bias cut on my body. But I do like it as a top/tunic. Still, I have barely worn it. Why? The drape. I love how the drape looks on everyone else, but on my petite upper frame I find the neck too wide [ie bra straps always showing] and the drape too low. So I usually wear it backwards. The drape positioned at the back looks beautiful and classy. Still, I feel limited on how many ways I can wear this item and feel confident and comfortable. Purchased to be worn as a dress front and backwards, tunic front and backwards and a top front and backwards = 6 ways, but I’m only wearing it as a top or tunic backwards = 2 ways. So that limits my value. I am considering passing it on or having it tailored so the neckline is a bit more narrow at least. We’ll see if I wear it any more this winter!

Encircled Dressy Sweatsuit - Dress Sweatshirt and Dressy Sweatpants | photo ©encircled

2. The dressy sweatsuit - AKA the dressy sweatpants and the dressy sweatshirt.
(Update: I tried the dressy sweatpants version 2.0 - review coming soon)

I love the comfy look of it in the product pictures and tons of travel bloggers swear by Encircled's dressy sweatpants. Unfortunately, I ordered the pants too large on a Black Friday sale. I should have read reviews more carefully and sized down at least 1 if not 2 sizes. Currently, I wear them around the house only. :( But I keep meaning to take them to a tailor. Honestly, though, I just don’t usually wear pants like this out. Even with a better fit, I’m not sure if I’ll wear them as much as I convinced myself (Does anyone else do this?) I would when I bought them. Be real with yourself. I love running around in a comfy skirt or dress or stretchy skinny jeans. Call me weird. It’s fine.

The other half of the dressy sweatsuit is the dressy sweatshirt. I ordered the smallest size available and I’m clearly too petite. It looks crazy on me, way too loose at the top and if I pull the front higher to be warmer then the back billows open and lets in a draft. Not ideal for a sweater...I also didn’t realize that the fabric is different than the pants so the blues are not a perfect match anyways. My fault for not reading fabric details more carefully. Another great lesson learned! I do wear this sweatshirt around the house and I have taken it traveling so I am still getting use out of it, but mainly because I already have it and not as much because I love the fit on me. I wonder also if I had the neckline tailored if I would like it more?

So I have learned that I love drapey necklines, but not on myself. I’ve learned that I prefer fitted bottoms with a flowy top or flowy/loose bottoms with a fitted top. If I wear 2 comfy, flowy items like the dressy sweatsuit, it does nothing for my petite frame but make me look frumpy while other people look comfy-chic.

I can like it, but I don’t have to own it.

I love the comfort of luxe sustainable fabrics like modal, but realistically, I’m never going to wear bottoms made of it out in public unless my rear is fully covered by a tunic or long sweater or cardigan. Or if it’s a dress or skirt I have to wear slip shorts (does anyone know of a more sustainable version of these?) at the minimum to feel comfortable. That’s just me.

I can like it,
but I don't have to own it

What I’ve learned about color

Nothing is grosser than dingy white bottoms.

I’ve learned that my favorite “neutral” colors are Black and Navy. I rarely lean toward a tan or gray option.
I also learned that I love color. Well, I already knew that. But more specifically, I love bright, saturated colors on myself.

I see really pretty pastel colors and now I don’t even think about buying them.

Why?

I don’t like how they look on me. (not my color season?) Thus I wont wear it so no point in buying it. They don’t match my other clothes anymore as I’ve removed clothing styles and colors that I don’t feel confident in. Leave the pastels for someone else. Leave the tan and gray basics for someone else. I’ll get the Black and Blue. The Pink and Green. The Red and Royal Blue.

I prefer brights or darks. I rarely wear white or any other light, tan, taupe shade.

I quite like white and taupe, buuuut I’m realistic with myself. I can’t keep that clean. One drop of anything and I’ll look like a slob all day. lol. Plus I’ll be fussing about show-through on light colored tops. I don’t want to be bothered. That being said, I do still own a taupe top and a white one. I don’t wear them often, but I still have them, "just incase" ;).

I decided long ago that no matter how chic white bottoms can look, I will never wear them again. Nothing is grosser than dingy white bottoms. I’ll stick with the jeans or skirts or leggings if I’m chilling.

I like facts

As you curate your wardrobe and pass clothing on to friends and family, swap it, or donate it, there may still be some lingering items you just can’t seem to let go of. Facts can help. I’ve been using the Stylebook App to log my outfits. I can see closet stats like cost per wear (check out my encircled CPW here) , what colors I’m wearing most, which items I wear frequently and.. inversely... which items I never wear.

If you go 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or more and not wear an item at all.... it's safe to let it go, my friend.

Guilt free.

Clear the space in your closet and simultaneously clear your head of one more item to sort through and any guilt you have for not wearing it. Let it go!

Let it go
...
Guilt Free!

I’m keeping a shopping list

Research suitable, sustainable replacements
...
don't give in to the temptation to buy something cheaper, more convenient, and less ethical / sustainable

Growing up we used to wander malls and big stores with huge discounts at least once a week as something fun to do. It was weird to come home and not buy SOMETHING. There had to be something for 90% off you could snag. Years later I stopped shopping in stores besides every once in a great while. I would buy a few things online, but largely was working to scale down my closet. Now I’m working to make my closet truly mine. Adding pieces I know I will love (at least that’s the aim) and replacing well used pieces as needed.

Last winter some of my sweaters were getting really worn. Very pilled, armpits getting bare.. etc. So I put that on my list and was able to snag 2 Everlane cashmere sweaters in previous season’s colors for 50% off with their "name what you pay" sale. (See review here)

This is my new goal. Add items I need to replace. Research suitable, sustainable replacements, and not give in to the temptation to buy something cheaper, more convenient and less ethical/sustainable.

It's a work in progress, but I feel good about the progress I've made so far.

Thanks for letting me share what I have learned in my first year of conscious shopping.

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