The new series of posts on The Closet Journal blog
So, a while back, I stumbled upon an article about conscious fashion that featured a graphic titled "What do people think about sustainable fashion vs. what sustainable fashion actually is?" I found it very interesting because it perfectly illustrated all the mistakes I had made for many years in trying to build a thoughtful, intentional closet.
In the past, my wardrobe was way bigger than it is today, mainly filled with clothes from popular fast fashion brands. As someone who did not pay much attention to mindful shopping, I always found an excuse to spend money on another unnecessary clothing item—a bad day at work, social pressure, or that annoying ad with a discount code that popped up on Instagram. But, about five years ago, I started to get bored and tired of thinking about clothes and constantly chasing trends. I also felt overwhelmed by all the fashion hauls that kept popping up on my Instagram and YouTube pages. That is when I realized I needed to make a change. The more I read about the capsule wardrobe concept, the more I thought it could be my ticket to feeling great about my personal style again while diving into sustainability in fashion.
My first step towards more sustainable choices was to buy clothes made of more natural fibers and those from conscious collections. But then, I started educating myself about greenwashing, fast fashion, and its environmental damage and realized essential facts. A sustainable approach to fashion and style is not limited to buying clothes made of recycled materials or those from conscious collections with a green label. It is also about being mindful of the environment, climate change, animals, and people when producing clothes. And let's not forget—it is all about having a smart approach to our shopping habits. We should be investing in quality pieces, only buying what we really need, and taking good care of our clothes so they last for years. Sure, it is easy to say all this on the blog, but putting those habits into practice can be challenging, especially since so many fashion brands seem to be jumping on the sustainability bandwagon these days, treating it like just another marketing trick. All of that results in the fact that instead of buying less and more carefully, we still buy too much and collect more and more stuff in our wardrobes.
Sweaters - Francis Stories (model Reese), Jeans - Outland Denim
Jumper - Francis Stories (Louise), Trench - Sanna NY, Bag - Ameli Zurich
As you may remember, one of my goals for 2022 was to move away entirely from fast-fashion shopping. To this day, I still don't know if I will be able to stick to this resolution, but I am glad I decided to take a break from my old shopping habits because it helped me understand what sustainability in fashion truly means. The last few months have also reminded me of why I started The Closet Journal in the first place.
First, I created this little corner of the internet as a creative space to share my journey toward slow, intentional living. Secondly, regarding fashion specifically, besides chatting about capsule wardrobes, I wanted to highlight women's brands that are honest and transparent. That is why I am super excited to kick off a new series of posts here on my blog! This series will feature interviews with inspiring women— entrepreneurs, founders, and co-founders of quality brands, slow fashion bloggers, and content creators. We'll dive into topics like ethical fashion, minimalism, simple, intentional living, and the important role of women in business.
The idea behind these posts is all about empowering women-owned companies, sharing experiences, and inspiring each other to build a curated wardrobe, create personal brands, and make those little positive changes in our everyday lives that lead to a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle.
You can read the first post in this new series—an interview with Sonia Mota, co-founder, designer, and creative mind behind the Francis Stories brand—by clicking here. I hope you will find it inspiring! :)