How to buy clothes intentionally and build a long-term closet.
How many times have you bought a piece of clothing that you never wore? How many clothes do you have in your closet that you don’t put on anymore? Buying clothes intentionally creates peace of mind and - why not dare saying - brings you a step closer to happiness. It's undoubtedly a challenging task, but isn't it true that anything important in life requires some degree of effort? So, how can you start buying clothes intentionally?
- Look into your current lifestyle - subjectively. This might be the hardest and most important thing to do. Where do you spend your days during the week and on the weekends? Is it at the office, home, nature, gym, cafes, bars, playgrounds, driving, walking, running, gardening? What do the different seasons look like in the country/ place you live in? Then create a number of outfits per activity and per season. Office outfits, sporty and casual outfits for home, gym, playground, driving, walking, running and evening wear outfits for going out.
- Define your personal style and aesthetic preferences - doesn't feel right to wear something that’s against your personal taste after all. Do you enjoy wearing dresses, two-piece outfits, athletic pants, tights, jeans, trousers, crop tops? Do you like high or low waisted trousers, mini, midi or maxi dresses, tight or loose trousers, crop tops or longer shirts, romantic or cool, statement or quiet pieces?
- Find your fashion brands - a process you need to invest time on, whether you prefer to visit the actual shops or order online. However, after finding your brands, the shopping experience becomes so much easier and more enjoyable. Slow fashion brands and high quality garments are your best choice when building your long-term closet.
At IREN&STAV we make clothes with the mission to be a part of sustainable wardrobes around the world - whether it’s linen mix&match outfits - like the I&S Citali top the I&S Oneida skirt - or the I&S Nita silk and cotton dress.
In addition to selecting timeless pieces, caring for your garments properly is essential for building a long-term closet. This means following care instructions, repairing items when needed, and adopting sustainable laundry practices to prolong the lifespan of your clothing. By treating your garments with care and respect, you can ensure that they remain in good condition for years to come.
Investing some of your time, energy and money to build a sustainable wardrobe that represents you is totally worth it. And remember, there is no need to do it fast, it can be a gradual and enjoyable process. By understanding what truly resonates with you and your lifestyle, you can avoid impulse purchases and build a wardrobe that reflects your authentic self.
With much Love,
I&S