By Sophia Smith
There’s no need to wait for the next New Year’s resolutions list, or for the spring, for that matter. When it comes to making the right decisions, it’s never too late or too early to switch to the light side. For example, we’ve all felt that shopaholic need to binge-buy when the latest collections come in, and we’ve all spent more hours browsing online catalogues than we’d planned, but that is no reason to forget the dream of a purpose-driven wardrobe!
In fact, this is your opportunity to truly detox your style from all the dresses you’ve never once worn, the tees that are so old they are literally transparent, and the jeans that are far beyond the notion of distressed. This is your step-by-step guide to restructure your style for the sake of smarter, eco-friendlier, and more sustainable shopping decisions!
Decluttering is a team effort
Emotions play a huge role when choosing between things to discard and things to keep. That is why you need a steady hand, and a keen eye of a close friend who will be the judge and jury along your side once the time comes to ditch or keep your wardrobe essentials.
First step includes emptying out your entire wardrobe. By wardrobe we mean all your wearables, including your accessories, footwear, and clothes. After all, how can you abandon a single pair of shoes if they are the only ones that go well with your favorite royal blue dress? And if you do wear the dress regularly, then you have all the right reasons to keep it. Be critical and ruthless when the time comes to finally relinquish some of your least fashionable items and replace them with better fashion specimens.
Think about your style needs
Now that you have only your “yes” pile in front of you, it’s time to go through yet another detox filter. Which of those things are actually adequate for your everyday needs, special occasions, as well as your personal preferences? If you’re anything like other passionate fashionistas, you probably have at least several picks in your wardrobe that you have never put on because they were an impulse buy.
While there are certain wardrobe staples such as a little black dress, a white shirt, and black pumps, every single one of us has a different lifestyle. If it has a purpose, keep it. If it doesn’t, let it go, and make sure that you either donate, give, or sell it online so that you can make room for the pieces that you’ll actually enjoy wearing.
Plan your buys
A major step in your detox plan should deal with how you make your shopping decisions. Since trends change regularly, and new collections arrive with each new season, you will constantly be tempted to buy all the cool, new things you come across. However, you should focus your purchases on the things you need, love, and actually wear, but also on the ones that suit your figure, and that you can match to other items in your wardrobe.
Plan to buy from more sustainable labels, and go for natural materials, especially when you’re shopping for underwear, as you need breathable, skin-friendly materials, such as bamboo clothing and organic cotton, along with other healthy and eco-friendly choices that modern brands use. This means that you should do your research, learn about each brand, make smarter decisions, and plan each shopping spree to a tee.
A matter of joy
Some of the fiercest challenges are easier to face when you put on the right clothes, right? We all have that lucky pair of shoes, our favorite hoodie, or a worn-out t-shirt that will always have a special place in our hearts. That, my fellow fashionistas, is what style is all about – joy! Look at it as a crucial factor in your detox process, as everything you own should bring you joy and make you feel stunning every time you wear it
There’s no room in your wardrobe for those items which just make you go “meh” once you put them on and see yourself in the mirror. Even if it’s something you rarely wear, because it should truly be kept for special occasions, make sure it stays in good shape, and store it safely alongside you other, everyday garments. Its time will come!
Repurpose, recycle, reuse
Make way for more mindful style options by reframing your own mindset. Once a dress, always a dress? Not necessarily, if you can cut and sew in all the right places to turn it into a fun tunic or an interesting t-shirt. Maybe you’re tired of an old pair of jeans, go and turn them into a stunning denim shorts in a matter of moments.
Keep an open mind when it comes to your wardrobe as well as your style, and you’ll have much more fun picking out the right garments while letting go of the old ones will no longer feel difficult.
Author BIO:
Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Carousel, Viva Glam Magazine, Cause Artist, She is Fierce HQ, Mother Earth Living, How to Simplify and Eco Warrior Princess.
You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook Twitter Google +