LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD Part 9: Step into your wardrobe
An inspiring series on developing a style that expresses who you are, an enjoyable relationship with your clothes, and the rewarding satisfaction of making sustainable fashion choices.
By Helen Redfern, founder and creative director of Green Heart Collective and manager of the Green Heart shop on Gateshead High Street. Helen combines her passion for clothes with a passion for the health of this wonderful world in which we live. Speaking from her personal experience of exploring her own style, Helen aims to inspire others to develop the confidence to express their identity and values through what they wear in a fun and affirming way.
Part 9: Step Into Your Wardrobe
Unless you’re like my friend Barbara who has just built herself a walk-in wardrobe that is currently her favourite room in her house, then I don’t literally mean ‘step in’. Just consider. Maybe your wardrobe is a place of frustration for you - there’s nothing to wear, nothing matches, it’s boring and drab - or maybe like me, your wardrobe is a place of joy, filled with treasures that make you smile.
I’m not one of these systematic people that will give you tips to create a capsule wardrobe or hanger management technique. I’ve said before: if I wear something and it brings me joy or someone else comments, then I’ll keep it. If I don’t feel good in an item of clothing, why would I wear it ever again?
There is some level of organisation: jackets, then dresses, then tops, trousers and skirts. And I do have a seasonal wardrobe - Autumn/Winter has just replaced Spring/Summer. But I don’t have planned out outfits or anything like that. And I do think that you shouldn’t feel pressured to get rid of clothes if you don’t want to. If you’ve got space for it, keep it if it makes you happy - even if it only makes you happy to look at it or feel it and never wear it!
Only buy what you love and makes you feel fab - that way, you’ll always have something to wear.
“Every piece of clothing you’ve gathered over the years reveals something about your customs, habits, identities and feelings. Your wardrobe contains pieces that tell stories of who you used to be and clothes that celebrate who you are today. Ultimately, it’s the place that connects your post to your present.” p132, ‘Big Dress Energy’ by Shakaila Forbes-Bell
That’s the goal, right there.
If you love your clothes, you’re going to take better care of them. The items you treasure will last longer because you will hang them up and not leave them on the floor; you’ll read the care label and wash them correctly; you’ll sew a button on when it falls off and mend minor repairs; you’ll alter the item to fit you as your body shape changes…if you have clothes that are over 5 years old, then congratulate yourself - you’re doing something right. Keep up the good work.
I firmly believe that if we could all develop a better relationship with our clothes, then the world would be a better place. Sounds crazy, right? But if we only bought what we really loved (and even better, only bought second hand), then the cycle of over consumption and mass production would be broken. We wouldn’t put up with the poor quality of the worst culprits in the fast fashion industry - how can anyone love the fit and fabric and finish of these items? My daughters buy from Shein etc and I hate it - the clothes they receive you can barely call clothes - it’s all very easy come, easy go, disposable clothes like disposable cups, discarded on the bedroom floor after a couple of wears. It makes me feel sick. If we really treasured our clothes, they would last longer. We would need to buy less items. We would not be throwing away so many items. Textile waste would cease to be a problem. We’d value more sustainable fabrics that would not take 200 years to decompose like polyester does.
I also firmly believe that if we could develop a better relationship with our clothes, then our personal world would be a better place. We would feel more confident in what we wear. Wearapy would work its magic. We’d feel more connected with the past and the future, with people and planet. We’d be set free to express ourselves through our clothing choices. We’d save money by buying less and buying better quality that lasts longer.
What I’m talking about is a win, win, win, win, win.
Look good, feel good, do good. That’s it.
ACTION POINT
Develop a positive relationship with your wardrobe. I don’t care how you do it. Just do it.
If you need tips and techniques, they’re easy to find out there on the internet or buy a copy of ‘Big Dress Energy’ which is such a good book.
Come to see that clothes matter. How we view clothes and treat clothes matters. Yes, it will take some thought and time and energy and potentially money to do this work. Curating a wardrobe of items you love doesn’t happen by chance. It takes work.
If you’ve followed this series with interest, it’s now time to move away from mindlessly reaching for the nearest, easiest, safest outfit. It’s time to make conscious choices.
You’ve got this.
Revisit our previous editions of Look Good Feel Good Do Good here:
