What’s in my closet

This week’s theme of Slow Fashion October is Small; a prompt to think about what makes up a wardrobe. I must confess there are virtually no handmade, small batch or indie made clothes with an eye to sustainability in my closet. There are a few hand-me-ups from my sister and hand-me-downs I saved from my grandma and one hand-knitted sweater. I don’t consider myself to be all that stylish or “on trend”. I don’t replenish my wardrobe each season. I mainly buy utilitarian clothing on sale that fit pretty well and can be worn daily; clothes I don’t have worry about if grubby hands/feet/paws are smeared all over them. My hardest working pieces in my closet are jeans and a fleece hoodie.  That doesn’t mean I have few clothes in my closet. It means that I have lots of clothes that don’t fit that great and are pretty generic.

Over this past summer, I wanted to add a few more pieces to my wardrobe. Ones that I could wear often, that didn’t break the bank, felt good on and had style. I pretty much struck out and instead of buying the same old things, I didn’t buy anything. I’m a petite person, so clothes either need 3 inches more in the shoulder, stretch across the bust or the waist hits at my thighs. Most small batch/indie clothing are not made for my body type, let alone mainstream manufacturers. So, I made a decision to learn how to make my own useful clothing; to fill my closet with clothing that fits, I love and am proud to wear.

It’s a great idea but a lot harder to put in practice. I have limited sewing knowledge and there is a big learning curve and adjusting patterns for my body is still above my skill level. It would be so much easier to just go and buy a “good enough for now” top/dress/sweater. But I don’t want that anymore. I’d like a more selective wardrobe of hardworking, mostly handmade clothes. It won’t happen instantly, but I’m determined.