Slow fashion is about so much more than shopping second hand or buying from sustainable fashion brands. For me it's always been first and formost about loving and wearing what you have. So today I decided to take a classic black slipdress that I bought for my sister's wedding about three years ago from a non-sustainable brand and style it in 3 different ways, for 3 different occasions.

Winter 2020 Capsule wardrobe

Welcome to my wardrobe for Winter 2020!

Yes, I am aware that we're already a month deep in the season, but I never got round to doing this post in december and I was missing my capsule after a season of limitless wardrobe use. I just feel like limiting myself to a capsule gives more of a sense of direction to my style and I do like that feeling.

So, what have I included in my winter wardrobe?

• 7 coats/jackets
• 5 sweaters/cardigans
• 7 tops/blouses
• 4 trousers
• 4 skirts
• 3 dresses
• 5 pairs of shoes

Which brings us to a total amount of 35 pieces. I also added some bags and accessories to the collage for fun, but I don't neccesarily have to limit myself to these. I did not include into the count: tops that I only wear for layering underneath sweaters, loungewear, sportswear and underwear. 



Outerwear

The first thing you might notice is the exhuberant amount of coats, bazers and jackets. What can I say? I'm jacket obsessed and I couldn't choose! It was already hard limiting myself down to just 7. This meant not including my long brown leather coat nor my biker jacket, both will be missed for sure, but I figured they both get loads of wears during spring and fall already, so I really focussed on my more wintery pieces, like my long checked coat that I bought at a fast fashion retailer 4 years ago, and that hasn't gotten nearly enough wears lately.

There a few new-to-me pieces in here as well, like the leather parka I thrifted for no more than €3 a few months ago. It's also got a fur trimmed removable hood which isn't depicted here. It has been such a faithful friend on rainy days that I can say with my hand on my heart: best €3 ever spent!

The teddy jacket was a preloved online purchase from Zara's previous winter collection. I felt a bit bad buying this, since I just felt like sponsoring a fast fashion addict to continue her current behavior. But I'll admit, I have very much enjoyed wearing this piece already. It's surprisingly warm and makes me feel very cute and cuddly.

Knitwear

I included almost every single piece of knitwear I own, except for some knits that are too thin to keep me warm these days and my camel coloured oversized jumper. Most of these are 3 to 5 years old already and they still look sooooo pretty. Which really proves that investing in good qualty wool knitwear and washing these as least as possible really does pay off!


Tops

Yes, that is correct, I included two leopard print tops in my capsule! And why the heck not? One has a shirt collar and the other one is a wrap blouse and I just felt I coudn't miss either of them. Furthermore we have two pink numbers here, one floral blouse and one marroon coloured blouse from Armed Angels that I got for free at work to wear as a uniform (I work at a sustainable fashion store), but I happen to like pretty much, so decided to add it to my personal wardrobe.

Trousers
 
Nothing much to add here, just my all time favourite 4 years old H&M jeans and then some extra pairs of trousers I'll harldy wear, because my faves hardly ever leave my legs. No just kidding, but yeah, basically, no really!

Skirts

Four skirts, 2 of them thrifted, one 8 year old Zara skirt and an Armed Angels denim skirt I bought last summer, but looks really cute with black nylons and my patent croco boots too!

Dresses

I'm honestly quite surprised myself to have no less than 4 skirts and 3 dresses in my capsule, since I always considered myself more of a pants person. Don't be fooled though, my jeans will definitely get the most wear out of them, but dresses and skirts are always fun for more styling options and versatality on the ol' Instagram feed!

Shoes

This must be the first time in like ever that I didn't add any sneakers to my capsule and that cn only be so because I have found THE most comfy AND elegant lace-up booties everrrrr known to human kind. I swear I could live in those shoes, but of course my croco embossed calf high boots are also very cute and I love my "hiking" boots for a more tuff gal look.


Well, I do believe we have discussed everything at lenght now. Kudos to you if you're been reading ;).

35 items.
2 months and 7 days.
I for one can't wait to see all the different combo's I'll be able to come up with. Be sure to follow along on the gram!



psssst: Wanna start your own capsule, but have no idea how? Check out my previous posts on moodboards, finding your key items, best combo's and capsuling!

How to find your closet essentials.

Getting started with a capsule closet is not easy. There are so many methods and different types of capsule challenges (like Project 333, the 10x10 wardrobe challenge, the classic 37 pieces wardrobe) and probably also many misconceptions or clichés that you've got on your mind (such as: every capsule needs a breton striped top and a beige trench coat, because those are classic pieces!) that are scaring you off or holding you back.

It has taken me years of actively analyzing my own clothes and style and what I liked on other people, to finally come up with a closet that feels coherent, practical, full of items that I actually love and mainly very much like "me".

And you wanna know what the good part is? I don't put any limitations on how many pieces I include in my wardrobe! If I buy something new, I don't have to toss two items out, because I love every item in my closet and I don't want to part with any of it! I haven't adapted the typical "neutral" colour scheme, but simply stick to a colour palette that I chose because I love it (of course it involves a lot of  pink). And I certainly don't abide to any rules about "classic, essential staples", but rather I have taken the time to figure out my own essentials!

Wanna find out how to get a wardrobe like that of your own?

Sustainable Shopping Guide: TD Leather Boots

A pair of Dutch brand TD Leather Boots' most stunning, sturdy shoes. That's what I want for my birthday this year - yes, I am already dreaming of birthday presents, even though it's not until 3 months that I'll be gettng any. But seriously though, these boots, made in a joint effort with local designers and shoemakers in Ethiopia, look like a somewhat more elegant and more unique version of Dr. Martin's to me. I mean, thats what dreams are made of right?!

And even better, TD Leather Boots ensures that their bootmakers work in a proper factory, in good conditions and that they get payed a fair price for their craftsmanship. They want to create sustainable employment for their workers and they've also embarked on a mission to help improve the socio-economic situation in the local communities in Ethiopia. In 2018 for instance, they've helped the school of the village of Ocha, by providing a full school year's worth of materials to 600 students!

Spring 2019 capsule closet

Spring is around the corner, and y'all know what that means: time for a new capsule closet! But before we have a look at what I picked out, let me break down my capsule wardrobe guidelines. First of all, for me, capsules are not about keeping yourself on a tight leash of 37 items, which must include the so-called classics, such as a trenchcoat, a striped top and a black blazer.

Nor is it about carefully selecting 37 items, wearing 'em for 1 season and then locking 'em up for storage for the rest of eternity. I use and re-use a lot of the same items over different seasons and you will notice that I've taken a lot of my winter capsule pieces with me into spring.

Why even bother making them, then? Well, I just like to use this tool as a way of adding some intention into getting dressed. It also gives me the opportunity to keep myself occupied with the topic clothes and fashion in a less harmless way than, let's say, going on shopping sprees. It's just one of those many ways to help you learn define your own style and to help you love what you already have, which is so important in a sustainable lifestyle.

But enough of that now. Let's have a look, shall we?