Creating a Conscious Closet
If you know me, you know that I have long loved fashion as a form of art, expression and feel-good accessorizing. Yet, over the years, I found myself amassing fashion pieces that – in the spirit of thriftiness – were cheap in both price and quality, resulting in a revolving closet door of pieces. That realization, combined with my growing consciousness of the dark side of the fashion industry (shoutout to FASHION REVOLUTION’s amazing work!), led me to dig deeper into the Conscious Closet philosophy.
Thus, since 2018, I have been very intentional about my fashion choices – what I buy, where I buy from and how much I consume. I now assess my purchases primarily through two lenses: 1) How and where is this item made? (synthetic materials that are not recycled are a hard no) and 2) Will I wear this in a year? (the lifetime value of a piece is ultimately in its cost-per-wear). And nothing comes into my closet unless something comes out (either donated, gifted or resold on Poshmark).
While I’m by no means perfect, my thoughtful practice has led me to create a more minimal, timeless and conscious closet that, in the words of Marie Kondo, “sparks joy” and actually reflects me much more closely than previous closets ever did. The result is an array of quality, sustainably made, classic mix-and-match pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down with the right accessories.
Cultivating a closet I love has taken me a few years (and I’m still working through replacing some pieces as we speak; water-resistant trench coat, I’m looking at you!), but it has paid off in more ways than one. No more on-the-fly purchases, one-and-done outfits, last-minute purchases for trips or – quite frankly – staring blankly at a full closet without a clue as to what to wear. That’s the beauty of a well-curated closet: it limits your options and makes every option one that looks and feels good. Not to mention, it has allowed me to truly hone in on my style – what pieces I like best, which work best for me time after time and what kind of items I keep reaching for. Knowing myself stylistically ensures my closet outlasts a season and fully reflects me – no short-lived trends, opinions or ill-fitting fads here!
It’s true that well- and sustainably made, high-quality fashion can be expensive (and especially so when compared to readily available items at big-box retailers). Figuring out that cheap, fast fashion comes at a not-so-cheap cost, however, isn’t rocket science (think wages, working conditions, environmental impact, etc.). Considering the total cost of an item has not only made me extremely discerning of fast-fashion items, it has also made me deeply appreciate the cost of those higher-ticket items and brands that put sustainability at the core of their business.
Much like food, knowing where my clothes and accessories come from is an important part of my consumption and makes me a more informed consumer. That’s really what this journey has been about for me: how much do I really need? How do my actions impact the whole chain? What small steps can I take toward helping guide the industry’s long-term evolution? What makes me feel best?
I may not be able to afford all of the pieces I love, but you bet I’d rather save up for a recycled wool coat or a pair of Italian leather shoes than buy a “cheaper” version on a whim. The lifetime wear of the more expensive items makes them more affordable over time (no having to replace or toss them after a few months).
As is the case for most rules, there are exceptions to mine (and to creating a conscious closet overall). I’m by no means a perfect consumer, but I have learned quite a bit on this journey and am excited to pass some of those learnings along.
Less is more. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to get distracted by all of the fashion “noise” out there, particularly during the change of seasons and with the influx of ever-changing “trends.” Personally, I keep a “Closet Hunt List,” where I regularly jot down pieces I need (based on things that might be missing from my closet); it keeps me honest about what I actually am on the market for and less susceptible to snagging something simply because it was cute (or because I have a trip coming up, etc.). Before you add that new piece to your cart, ask yourself, “Will I wear this in a year?” “How many outfits can I get out of this with other pieces in my closet?” “Is it well and thoughtfully made?”
Pay attention to your fabrics. Becoming hyper-aware of fabrics has drastically curbed the items I go for. As a rule of thumb, stay away from synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, acrylics). Opt for recycled alternatives instead (Patagonia and Everlane are masters at this) or for eco-friendly fabrics like lyocell and tencel, which are biodegradable. In doubt? You can’t ever go wrong with tried-and-true 100% cotton (especially if organic and/or recycled).
Reach for what works best for you. Don’t try to copy someone else’s style. No two bodies are the same (nor two aesthetics, for that matter), so only you know what works best for you. Steering away from that will only result in frustration and into a revolving closet door. Then, go back to rule #1 and remember that less is more. Curating a closet of pieces you genuinely love and love seeing on yourself will also allow you to stick to that “less is more” rule – a win-win!
Invest in a good tailor. Because no two bodies are alike, sizing can sometimes get tricky – embrace it! As someone with a curvier fit around both the chest and the hips, I’m used to having to size up on some pieces that then need to be taken in elsewhere. When you really, really love a piece of clothing, you’ll make it work for you so that it can work for years to come. Don’t love the fit? Get yourself a trusty tailor! Investing anywhere from $10 to $30, I’ve taken blazers, dresses and pants from “meh” to perfectly tailor-made – lengthening their lifetime wear and making me feel like a million bucks every time I wear them.
Don’t overwash your clothes. As a laundry fiend, this one took me a bit longer to understand, but handwashing and/or air-drying clothing, particularly cotton items, has extended the like-new quality of pieces (especially shirts) and prevented certain items made of recycled fabrics like polyester from shrinking. I can’t emphasize this enough, but when you care about the pieces in your closet, you’ll take better care of them – making you reach for them more often and making you less susceptible to “replacing” them simply because they’re older than that shirt on the sale rack.
Making conscious choices doesn’t have to be expensive. Not quite a rule but definitely a sentiment worth emphasizing! While high-quality, responsibly made items do inevitably cost more, curating a conscious closet need not be extremely cost-prohibitive. First of all, start small – consider thrifting or buying from resellers like Poshmark or The RealReal. Big-box retailers are also stepping up their game. At Target, look for “Better Cotton Initiative” labels on items. Walmart’s Free Assembly line features a beautiful and thoughtful capsule collection every season. Express’s Conscious Edit line also has some phenomenal options for less.
I realize that creating a conscious closet isn’t appealing or even feasible for everyone, but it’s a philosophy I have treasured incorporating into my daily practices. It also makes me feel good to know the brand(s) I support are doing things in a way that aligns with my values when it comes to quality, responsibility and sustainability. Over the past four years, I’ve amassed a short-and-sweet list of favorite brands I feel great about investing in and can always trust to deliver on both fit and fabulousness. These include ABLE, ba&sh, Cuyana, Everlane, Madewell, Mango (“Committed” ), Nisolo, Park Clay, Sezane and, most recently, Sarah Flint*. That’s why when Sarah Flint herself asked if I’d join her brand as an ambassador, I was honored to say yes. Beauty, style, consciousness, femininity, commitment, strength, comfort and zero compromise. Sarah has built a timeless brand that truly delivers on its mission – and it’s one I’m delighted to be connected to.
Curating the closet of my dreams is still a long way away, but every step has led me a bit closer. I hope this brief snippet of my “conscious closet” philosophy has encouraged you to consider yours. If nothing else, I hope you’re inspired to revisit your favorite pieces (and brands) and have a whole lot of fun unearthing your own style.
And, of course, if you have any tips, practices or brands to share, please send them my way!
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If you decide to treat yourself to a pair of Sarah Flint shoes, use my code (SARAHFLINT-BAVALERIAL) to receive $50 OFF your first pair!