Wardrobe Remix
I don’t want it to seem like I’m just jumping on the sustainable fashion wagon because it’s currently in vogue, but the truth is that reading about it and hearing about it over and over and over again has definitely put it more top of mind for me than it ever was before. In fact, I never thought about it at all before.
The years when I was vegan I learned how the beef industry is the largest consumer of water in the world. People talk about taking shorter showers or not leaving the faucet running while you’re brushing your teeth, but those things are a drop in the bucket compared to not using water for livestock or for watering the fields where their food is grown, etc.
I learned a lot about it at the time because I was interested in that. I’m just starting to learn about responsible fashion. And the challenge with all these “do things better for the environment“ things is that they usually mean us giving up something. Usually something we like. Like hamburgers or a new dress. Or having to pay higher prices for items so that garment workers can earn a living wage. BUT…that is all part of being a responsible consumer.
So I am trying to be more mindful of this while also creating a wardrobe that works for me. I do have a day job so I do need to have some changes of clothing (and now it’s your sounds like I’m rationalizing my irresponsible shopping behavior!) but this is the reality of my life.
As a plus size woman, it seems particularly unfair to finally be at a point in time when more brands are offering plus size options than ever before…at the same time that my conscience is being challenged with all these newly learned facts about fast fashion and over-consumption and irresponsible clothing manufacturing practices, etc.
But that is where we are.
This particular outfit made me think of all this because I’ve had this rust poncho sweater for two years and the blue chambray button-down underneath it for over three years. I feel pretty good about that. The jeans are new. But what this outfit really reminded me of was how much wardrobe remixing I can do out of my current closet.
Especially in the cold weather, I find I have far more basic staple pieces, neutral pieces, that mix and match with one another very nicely. In the summer I think I buy more unique, stand-alone tops and dresses that don’t need to mix and match with anything as I’m not focused on layering for warmth as in winter.
SO. You’re going to be seeing a lot of wardrobe remixing in the next few months while I make an effort to be really conscientious about how much purchasing I’m doing of new items.
There are a few things on a very short list – things that I do need for the winter – shoes, a coat. I’m not saying I’m not going to buy ANYTHING for the next few months but I think through January at least I’m going to try very very hard to not just browse the online shops recreationally and fall in love with items that then I feel I need to own. I’m going to try to just keep making new outfits from what I already have and I will reassess in January.
That said (and that was a lot of saying!) I’m really pleased with this outfit. Before this I’ve always tried to wear something under the poncho sweater that matched as closely as possible to that color so you didn’t really notice it. But I really like the combination of the faded blue chambray with the rusty chestnut color even though it’s a contrasting combo. And then I always have love for the white jeans. Honestly, almost more in the fall and winter with the rich shades of autumn than in the warm seasons with pastels.
Would you like me to share what I continue to learn about sustainable fashion?
What I’m Wearing
- Ellos chestnut poncho sweater, size 1x.
- Charlotte Russe Blue Tencel buttondown, size 3x. Old. Comparable here in plus and here in straight sizes.
- Old Navy White High-Waisted Secret-Slim Pockets + Waistband Power Slim Straight Plus-Size Jeans, size 24 short
- Aldo leather espadrilles. Old. Comparable here and here.
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jodie filogomo
I’ve been trying to be better about this too….my rationalization (which I’m really good at) is I like supporting the small businesses. LOL!!
I have to admit, I ADORE this combination with the chambray shirt!! It’s absolutely perfect here!!
XOXO
Jodie
bettyewp
Yeah, it’s HARD. ESPECIALLY as a blogger, trying to show different outfits all the time! Sometimes I feel hypocritical, trying to be less consumery, but then sharing links so people can buy more stuff! Plus, it’s so FUN to find new things! Ha. Sigh. A challenge for sure…but a worthwhile one to keep in mind.
Em
Just wore a 30-year old blazer over the weekend, so I guess I’m doing my part, haha.
Bettye, just wanted to say, I love the chambray addition to your outfit. I really need to get some collared blouses…they seem to make sweaters looks so much more polished. I have 1 collared blouse in my closet. A small black check….which i forget to wear until I see an outfit like this and see what a difference that collar makes.
Interesting about being fashion responsible…aside from child labor, I hadn’t given that much thought.
bettyewp
Yeah, most of my life I’ve thought “child labor” was the only issue. Not that that is a small thing! I think I didn’t really believe that was still going on…but I never actually researched it. But now I’m learning there are SO many other issues! I’m putting together a blog post of what all *I* have learned.
I didn’t have collared blouses for a LONG time. Big Busts and button-down tips just don’t work well together so I just stopped trying. I’m showing another one on Friday of this week! They’re a nice step up from tee shirts!
Sarah
Love this outfit and especially love the responsible fashion concept. I will say however that I have begun to feel resentful of all the responsibility being pushed down to the consumer level. If manufacturers produced products more sustainably, there’d be less impact. I think it’s tough to live in a highly consumer driven society where companies can act pretty irresponsibly and the consumers bear the weight of this. Just my $0.02.
bettyewp
That’s a valid point. Thanks for sharing your opinion!
I guess it can be looked at from either perspective. As long as people keep buying it, companies will keep selling it – using the cheapest, fastest methods they can (well, not ALL companies, but many). If companies all went to responsibly-derived and created garments, paying workers fair wages, etc., prices would go up…which does not make consumers happy. And I honestly feel that there will always be one company (and then two, and then three) who will try to undercut everyone else to get the sale. And eventually, it would devolve back to where we already are! (is “devolve back” redundant?) It’s hard, I guess, to find the fine line where both sides (consumer and producer) are equally happy (or equally unhappy!).
But the bottom line for me is “what can *I* do to help the situation?” And I’m going to write a full post on this, but things like, buying less, keeping things longer, repurposing things vs sending them to the landfill, buying secondhand to also keep things out of the landfill, trying to buy more environmentally-responsible fabrics – those are things I can do to not JUST be part of the problem…and even be part of the solution.
I do think both sides have a responsibility here. It’s a tough issue, for sure.
Shirley Horst
Love the outfit you have on today! I am anxious to see what else you do with your current wardrobe to make new outfits.
bettyewp
I’ve been making lists of combinations in my phone’s notes. SO many of them go like this, “black skinnies, white linen buttondown, grey cardi, WHAT SHOES?” OR “light wash jeans, grey tee, leopard cardi, cognac bag, WHAT SHOES?” There’s definitely a theme of I NEVER HAVE THE RIGHT SHOES!
bettyewp
It does help that we’re moving into cool weather. I was so over all my warm weather combinations!
Clover
Yes, please continue to share what you learn.
I shop almost exclusively resale and thrift, though I will throw down money for well made pieces that I can only find new, more often footwear than anything else.
And wow! Love this outfit remix! The blue, chestnut, and white play super well together! 👍🏾
bettyewp
Thanks, Clover!
For years, practically my entire wardrobe was thrifted. But I was smaller then and since I was selling clothing on ebay, I was in 5-10 thrift stores every week searching for inventory. Now I just don’t have the time to really hunt and they have very little in my size. There’s nothing worse than scanning down a rack in the XXXL section and spotting something that looks amazing…but when you get to it and check the tag, it’s like a size 2 just put in the wrong section, grrr.
Yeah, used footwear can be a little rough. Though I AM looking for a pair of used like prairie looking boots that lace up, but also have a zipper on the side. In a specific color. That don’t look gross, ha.
Nancy
If we want to make the world a better place, we should start at the huge compagnies! But we van be more aware. I love the color combination you are wearing and those jeans look great! Happy weekend Bettye!
bettyewp
I do think we can *all* start together. The big companies aren’t going to change things unless we MAKE them change things. And we vote for change with them by our dollars spent. If EVERYONE stopped shopping fast fashion (and I’m as guilty of this as the next person), the lack of revenue would MAKE them change. Or go out of business. But it’s very hard to convince people (consumers) to buy the $200 ethically-made, sustainably-sourced dress vs. the $20 irresponsibly-made, environmentally-unfriendly dress.
It’s a matter of quality vs. quantity. And I know that’s a hard one to come to terms with. In this day and age we’ve come to value variety and options. Before mass-produced clothing was a thing, people did not have closets crammed with clothes. And they managed just fine, going to jobs, living their lives. We’ve somehow come so far from that.
Anyway, this is not directed at you specifically, Nancy, your comment just got me thinking more. Which is good! Anything that can make us THINK about things that need to change, is GOOD.