The topic of sustainable fashion has been on everyone's lips over the past year and It's thanks to the gorgeous Ben Peachy and his slow fashion month, that really got me to thinking more about the way I shop. I'll be the first to admit that in the past I have paid no attention to the items of clothing that I have bought. I would buy an item of clothing or a pair of shoes based on simply if I like it or if it was on trend, which looking back was completely the wrong thing to do! Nine times out of ten I would only wear the item once or it would hand in my wardrobe for months without been worn and the label still inside.
So since January, I've been a lot more selective with what I buy, I now only buy what I need or what needs replacing. I always buy new white t-shirts every year as after over 100 washes they start to lose their whiteness and look a little dirty. This year I've gone for the basic t-shirts for M&S as at £4.50 they are great value for great comfort and quality.
I have of course bought a few new dresses and two pairs of trousers especially for summer, but as I've worn them all at least three times since buying, they are defiantly pieces I will wear every year. I've only bought three pair of shoes so far this year, mainly because I wear my black Gucci loafers every day for work and I'm happy with the selection of shoes I have in my wardrobe at the moment. Yes, I need a new pair of tan sandals, but I will wait till next year to get them or at the end of summer in the sale as I just can't justify paying full price when I know they will eventually be reduced by 50%.
Over the past 6 months I've fallen more in love and feel very comfortable with my style. I have built a capsule wardrobe that consists of jeans, t-shits, shirts, blazers, skirts and dresses that I can wear day after day without getting board. I'm still on the look out for a few linen pieces to add to the wardrobe but I'm getting there.
Not following trends also helps me a lot, i don't feel pressured to constantly updated my wardrobe and if I'm reading through my weekly copy of Grazia or monthly Vogue and Elle magazine I always think about how I can use items of clothing already in my wardrobe to get a certain look that I think would work for me. Lets face it you're never going to see me wear a mini skirt/dress or cycling shorts anytime soon.
If I see an item of clothing, pair of shoes or accessories that I like and know I will get a lot of wear out of i think about my decisions and after a month or two if I'm still thinking about it or know it will go with more than 6 items in my wardrobe its OK to head to the check out and buy. I shop my wardrobe and not the Internet for inspiration. Take this outfit for example; all of these pieces were bought last year, and because I love polka dot and these pieces were probably the best purchases of last year and I will continue to wear until I'm 90, (hopefully).
Trousers: River Island | Top: New Look | Sandals: Ancient Greek | Sunglasses: Chloe | Bag: Zara | Earrings: Missoma
