Olive You Long Time: #30WearCampaign
I’ve had this olive green plus-size Bobeau tunic for three years, I can’t believe I’ve never featured it on the blog! It’s older than the blog! And I usually wear it over black leggings and under a black duster length cardi (shocker. what don’t I wear under a black duster length cardi??)
I broke up all the black with my cognac espadrilles. Up til this summer I’ve worn this outfit with black flats, so I’ve branched out a little. I’m loving the richness of cognac with black. It warms up the darker color and adds a little interest without being too in your face. It’s just a gentle accent vs. a POP of color.
I’ve been looking for a cross-body bag in a similar color. Like this or this.
Here I am with my rare coffee! Ha, didn’t I just say I only drink 1-3 coffees a week? I really only got this one as an excuse to go into Starbucks twice to change outfits in their bathroom. Technically, they now have to let you in whether you’re a paying customer or not but I didn’t mind getting a cold drink on that hot day.
I’ve been thinking more and more about sustainable fashion, “slow” fashion. I’m not ready to jump in with both feet, but it is on my mind and I do feel ready to put a toe in the water. It’s definitely a thin line to walk, being a fashion blogger and trying to limit your clothing purchasing while increasing the lifespan of the pieces in your wardrobe. But I think it can be done.
Have you heard of the 30-Wear Campaign?? The premise is, rather than purchasing items that you only wear a few times (The Daily Mail UK states that “…almost 2,000 women found that the majority of fashion purchases see the light of day just seven times.”), that you ask yourself these questions before making a purchase:
* Will I wear this at least 30 times?
* Is this a high-quality piece?
* Will it last at least 30 washes?
* Will I still want to wear this in 6 months time?
* Will I still want to wear this in a years time?
The principal is selecting clothing you will keep and wear for a long time, specifically, at least 30 times. That may not sound like a lot, but if you wear Item A once a week…it will take you over seven months to wear it 30 times. And most items, due to weather variations during the different seasons, are not in your closet for seven months at a stretch, so you would be asking yourself if you will be content wearing it throughout this summer (for example) and again next summer. And not only would you be content wearing it, but will it hold up for that many wearings…and the commensurate cleanings? This could rule out a number of lower-priced, fast fashion items, as they were just not made to last season after season. I’m not saying they never do, but in general, cheaply made, lower quality fabric content pieces, will not last as long as more well-made items.
Of course, that’s the rub to starting to build a slow fashion, sustainable wardrobe. It’s expensive. But remember you’re not trying to fill your closet with a hundred (or however many you have now) articles of clothing. You’re just looking to buy what you need. I can speak for myself here that I know I have more clothes than I need…and I know I have lot less than many people. So the goal for me might be to just add 1 new item each season…a high-quality item that has timeless appeal for me and that I will want to have in my wardrobe for a long time to come. Okay, maybe 2 new items! Ha. Remember, just my TOE is going in right now. It’s a big concept to wrap your head around.
And to bring it full circle, this is my olive green tunic’s 3rd summer with me…and it won’t be its last.
Want some more inspo on this topic?
We’ll talk more about this in the future…but I’d love to know your thoughts about this. Discuss 🙂
On a different topic…UK-based plus size retailer Simply Be has shared a blog post with quotes about body positivity from some well-known bloggers in the plus size community…and I’m included! I feel like I’m up on the Oscars stage all “Win or lose, I feel honored to just be in the company of these amazing actresses!” Seriously though, I’m proud to have been offered the opportunity to share my voice on this subject. Take a look (I’m mumble mumble down at the bottom)…discuss!
What I’m Wearing:
- Bobeau olive green lace-up tunic, size 3x. Old. Comparable here and here in plus size and here and here in straight size.
- Old Navy black duster length cardigan, size 2x. Out of stock (gasp!). Comparable here and here in plus size and here and here in straight size.
- Black Faded Glory knit leggings, size 3x. Out of stock. Comparable here and here in plus size.
- Aldo cognac espadrilles
Note: I feel a little hypocritical preaching fashion sustainability then giving you links to Buy! More! Clothes! But no one is saying “don’t buy clothes,” we all need clothes…I’m just saying I for one could be more mindful with my purchasing.
I’m linking up with Tina of Tina’s Pink Friday linkup!
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
Susan Marinelli
I can’t see the simply be blog. I get this:
The owner of simplyme-blog.com has configured their website improperly. To protect your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this website.
Learn more…
Fashion Schlub
Yeah, I emailed them that people are having difficulty getting to the site. They said it should be resolved within a few days. I’ll send the link again when it’s fixed.
Ashley
I am such a fan of olive green- love this tunic! And I totally have things that have been around in my closet for ages that have never made it to the blog- I love rediscovering them + styling them for shoots!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Nancy
I love black and cognac too, preferably with a denim jacket! Good topic done I just recently geek in love with thrift shopping and be more conscious about what I’m buying! Love the tunic, great colour!
Fashion Schlub
Thrift shopping is great for giving an item a second life! Good on you!
Susan Marinelli
Okay, first of all, the “headline” made me chuckle. Olive you long time. Good one, Bettye!
The sustainable fashion thing is a great idea. Unfortunately for me, it’s just a theory. I am easily attracted by many things…oooh, shiny!…and I want all the shoes on the planet to march themselves over here. Blue and white or blue and yellow color combinations also sorely try me and my besieged wallet. That being said, I do strive for sustainable fashion. I have a denim jacket I bought at Sears in 1994 (used my Mom’s employee discount for 20% off too) that I still wear, and if I amortize cost per wearing, that jacket should be paying me by this time.
Now to the outfit–you look great! Love the tunic and the entire outfit, in particular those cognac espadrilles! Very chic. Who cares if you wear your black sweater a lot? ITS YOURS! Plus, if you keep wearing it, you will get your total amortization down, therefore allowing you to buy more trendy pieces! Oops! my bad.
Fashion Schlub
“Olive you long time. Good one, Bettye!” I got a million of ’em! Ha.
Sounds like your blue&white and blue&yellow is my black and white stripes! I want them all. Now I really want a RED and white striped top…and a red white and BLUE striped top….but I have comfort in my coveting because I know that for me, wanting and GETTING are two very different things!
Ooh, nice old vintage denim jacket!
Susan Marinelli
BTW, love the sunnies. And Congrats on your Oscar!
Fashion Schlub
I’d like to thank the Academy….
Kelly Thompson
This top is so pretty!
Kelly | https://lizado.com/
Fashion Schlub
Thanks, Kelly!
Into The Eco
I LOVE everything about this post! Thank you so much for writing a piece inspired by sustainability and linking to our article. It is conversations like this that we live for. Huge congrats on the feature on simply be! That is very exciting! xxx
Into The Eco
Ps. Olive green is one of my total fav colours, this top looks great on you.
Fashion Schlub
Thanks!
Fashion Schlub
Thank YOU for being inspirational!
Samantha Blair
Most of my clothes are “old” Bettye and have seen well over 30 wears and washes.
I tend to donate lots to friends and charity so the stuff I only wear a few times gets another home and a second chance.
I’m all for slow fashion but it’s not easy and brands don’t make clothes like they used to…. oop I feel a rant coming on about being ripped off so I’ll reign it in!!
You look cool in olive… one of my favourite colours.
XXX
Samantha
Fashion Schlub
Oh my gosh, Samantha! When I first read this I thought you said most of your clothes had seen well over 30 YEARS! I was like WOW, WOMAN! I have a shirt I still wear around that I’ve had for…(doing calculation)…33 years (!!!). Somehow it has seen me through multiple weight losses and gains of 100 pounds…and while I wouldn’t say it’s still “going strong,” it’s still one of my favorite things to wear around the house in the winter. It’s also the last piece of clothing (besides my wedding dress) my mother ever bought me (before she passed away). So.
And you’re right, slow fashion isn’t easy. That’s why I keep “dipping a toe” and haven’t ever gotten much further than that! But I try to be increasingly mindful before I spend money on things – do I think this is a love for the ages…or just a fling?
Iris
WOW, first congratulations on being included on the SimplyMe blog – I’m impressed.
The 30 thing is a really great idea – can I do it is a totally different thing (this after I just went shopping with my DIL and bought clothes I don’t really need but….
Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Fashion Schlub
Thanks about the SimplyMe blog. I feel like such a little blip on the blogging world, I’m always surprised when someone new notices me here 🙂
Debbie from Illinois
Well, now you’ve given me something to think about. Thanks Bettye. 😁