I love clothes. I love thinking about them and formulating outfits in my head. I love looking at them online and IRL. I love trying them on. I love buying them. I’m not alone – if you’re reading this it’s probably (hopefully) because you also love clothes.
But with the crippling cost-of-living crisis showing no signs of easing, plus our rising awareness about sustainability, we’ve all had to think twice about where and how we spend our money. And clothes –surplus, non-essential clothes – rightly come in pretty far towards the bottom of the list. So, this year I am challenging myself to buy only five new items of clothing or footwear.
I don’t need more clothes or shoes. A far more sensible challenge for me would be to buy zero new clothes or shoes this year. But, as hard as I could try, I just don’t think I could do that. Clothes bring me joy and I don’t have any other vices. So, I’m going to dramatically reduce my purchases instead of going cold turkey. Baby steps.
Why five? There’s a few reasons. Late last year a report from think tank The Hot or Cool Institute stated that consumers from the wealthiest G20 countries, of which the UK is one, need to reduce their carbon footprint from fashion consumption to align the fashion industry with the 1.5°C temperature target of the Paris Agreement. To do this, in the UK we shouldn’t buy more than nine new items per year, but in some G20 countries where emissions are higher this number should be no more than five.
This got me thinking about my wardrobe, what’s in it, what isn’t in it, what trends and pieces I have my eye on and am thinking of investing in over the next few seasons. I came to the conclusion that, if I was savvy, I could tailor what I want and need (for weddings, holidays etc) into a five-item edit.
I’m by no means a ‘shopaholic’ (do we even use that word anymore?!), but I do hope this challenge will reframe my attitude towards buying clothes and, most importantly, help my bank balance.
So, what am I going to buy and why? Read on to find out.
Chic clogs
I’ve lived in Birkenstock’s Arizona sandals for the last four summers. Then, last year, I finally gave in to the ubiquitous Boston clog style. I went for the taupe suede version. I ordered them, and they arrived. Then they languished in their box for a few weeks. Every day or so I would shuffle upstairs, unwrap them from their tissue paper and try them on. I decided they weren’t for me, so I returned them. A couple of weeks later I realised that actually, I really liked them and they would fill a fairly substantial hole in my shoe-drobe. Namely, the between-seasons period where neither a boot nor a sandal are quite right. So I ordered them again and we’ve co-habited happily ever since.
Sadly, due to constant wear they are now looking more than a little sad so I intend to invest in the new dark green suede colourway asap. They’re a wear-with-everything shade that will hopefully hide the scuffs and stains better than the taupe version. I think we’ll be very happy together.
A sleek slip dress
I have always been a sucker for a classic satin slip dress. I have one in my wardrobe at the moment – a long-sleeved black version bought from Weekday five years ago. I’ve worn it on holidays, to a black tie event, to a wedding and throughout two pregnancies.
The bias-cut style works really well for me and I find it super-easy to dress up or down. So, this year I want to invest in another. Ghost has recently released Ghost Archive, a curated collection of its most-loved silhouettes and I have fallen for the Mari dress in burnt sienna. I’m consciously trying to wear more colour, so it ticks that box. I’ve got a couple of weddings this year that it will be perfect for when paired with simple heels and accessories, as well as a holiday where it will be great for the evenings.
The joy-bringing knit
Last year, I bought a jumper in the Zara sale that has come to be the most-loved item in my wardrobe. It was a limited-edition design, a thick knit with wide sleeves, a patchwork-like intarsia pattern and some subtle embellishment. Not my usual ‘style’ but I was weirdly drawn to it and snapped it up when it went into the sale. I’ve since worn it countless times and if it wasn’t weird to do so, I’d happily wear it every day. It’s colourful and happy-making. The problem is it’s hand-wash only, so I have to be selective about when and where I wear it (i.e. not around my grubby children).
But it’s made me, someone who ordinarily opts for plain old navy or black, realise how invaluable a colourful piece of knitwear is in my wardrobe. That’s why I’m coveting Kitri’s Phoebe jumper. It has the same vibe but, crucially, can be washed on a cool, gentle cycle. It’s also a lighter knit, making it perfect for cooler summer days or evenings, something my beloved Zara version is too hefty for. I know I’ll wear it for years.
The dark summer dress
Though I’m trying to wear more colour, darker shades are my comfort blanket. I’ve been looking for a simple dark cotton summer dress for a few years but have struggled to find anything that ticked all the boxes, until I came across this number a couple of weeks ago.
Firstly, it has pockets. Enough said. Secondly, it’s a lovely length, hitting just above the ankle, and has a really good amount of coverage – something that’s always tricky to find with summer dresses. Thirdly, it’s a great price. I know I’ll wear this all summer long.
The It jeans
I live in jeans. I’ve spent years searching for the ‘perfect’ pair. I’ve tried various styles and washes but I always go back to a high-rise waist (the higher, the better) and a slim, not skinny, leg with a slight crop in a dark blue wash. I bought a pre-loved pair of Reformation’s Liza jeans on Depop a couple of years ago and have worn them to death. So, I’m going to invest in a new pair in a different wash because I know that I love them. Reformation’s jeans have a really decent amount of stretch that makes them super comfortable for everyday wear.
;
