Topshop dress - alternative here
Ok, let's kick right off with possibly the biggest learning - Less is More. I have found that less stuff does actually mean more life. One of my goals this year was to reduce my consumption (in fairness - lockdown did play a hand in this). So far I've halved the amount of clothing I purchased last year. I started properly experimenting with a capsule wardrobe during winter 2019. Winter is an excellent time to trial a capsule because if you are anything like me you will likely have some kind of uniform that maybe goes a little bit like this - jeans, chunky sweaters and boots with a nice coat. With my lifestyle winter doesn't allow for a lot else so no wonder that with my first attempt at a capsule I felt like I'd got it off to a tee! But it's a learning curve and each season comes with it's challenges. I have to say though that this autumn having less to choose from has made getting dressed a bit more spontaneous which has really taken the drama out of choosing an outfit - a game-changer if you have a deadline time you need to be out by the mornings. It's a win-win as I've found I have more time to do the things I think I never have time to do! It's actually helped me achieve a couple of my other goals for 2020 as well. One such target was cutting down my scrolling time. Now that my wardrobe is smaller it's more cohesive and it all works together so I no longer feel the need to continually trawl through Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. I don't want to be lured into buying stuff I don't really need. Which is great because I'm not lured by the new season temptations! I have enough. I am enough. No more chasing that next must-have thing. I am finally buying with intention - another goal I can check off!
Biker jacket, past season - alternative here
H&M dress, recent but sold out online - alternative here
Preloved M&S mac - alternative here
Joseph shirt, past season - alternative here
Gap jeans, ancient - alternative here
I love your blog, so refreshing to see someone thinking about what they actually need. I stopped buying clothes from October to May this last year and haven't missed it. I spend evenings making up new outfits out of what I've already got. Thanks for your inspiration
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely comment Gill. It's totally inspirational to me that you stopped buying for 10 months!! #lowbuygoals It is fun to create new outfits out of what you already own isn't it!
DeleteExcellent words Michelle, I am sick of people posting all their gifts whereas with just a little thought you can create many outfits from a capsule wardrobe. Lockdown has made us realise hopefully you don’t need so much stuff
ReplyDeleteThank you France. I did actually get very caught up in that world of influencing and it did actually fill me with anxiety to the point that it literally did make me sick! It was just so out of alignment with my values. It was a really hard cycle to break. However we grow through what we grow through and I definitely feel I'm on the right track now. My lovely friend Jenny has encouraged me to write about my experience as an influencer which I think would be great therapy......I may well share that on the blog too!
DeleteSorry Frances!
DeleteThis is so well written Michelle and I totally agree with your message; it's so easy to allow ourselves to get sucked into buying the latest 'must have' even when our wardrobes are already jam packed. Lockdown has definitely brought me to the conclusion that I should make more effort to use clothes I already have. Thank you for such a great post x
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie. I've just watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix and it was pretty shocking as to how much the algorithm is manipulating everything we see online! The advertisers now exactly what to show us and how to keep us engaged. No wonder we get so sucked in! You are spot on though - we should all be making more of an effort to make the best of what we've got and I do hope that becomes a long term effect of lockdown and the majority don't revert back to their usual shopping habits x
DeleteFantastic post with excellent points!
ReplyDeleteThanks Celina :0)
DeleteI loved reading this entry and was inspired by it that I have started taking notes on a capsule wardrobe. I buy far too many clothes especially since I started Instagram. I don't need them and don't wear a lot of them so a capsule wardrobe is a great idea. I would love you to expand on this if possible. When you say 30-40 items that's everything right for all seasons? xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Lovely to hear that you are thinking about trying a capsule wardrobe. I am still testing out the capsule and playing around with the amount of items. It's quite a challenge with the weather in the UK! I did an interim transitional summer to autumn for about 6 weeks and I will be carrying over some of those pieces into autumn The temperature has really dropped in the last week so some warmer clothing is needed. I'll change over a few more pieces mid-November for a winter capsule which I'll likely be in until March 2021. It's just about keeping the choices down - I store the pieces I'm not using until I'm ready to wear them again so I can actually see the woods from the trees in my wardrobe if that makes sense! xx
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ReplyDeleteAnother excellent blog Michelle, very thought provoking and achievable. You’ve come so far since your influencer/instagram break and it really shows that you are enjoying writing this blog and sharing your advice to help others. You’ve got a great mindset when it come to clothes/style and we are very lucky that you like to share!
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