Better late than never, right?? Today Caroline and I go through the week two discussion prompts of Slow Fashion October. Feel free to join in the comment section below!
What is the oldest or the most treasured thing in your closet?
Caroline:
The most treasured items in my closet are my grandmother’s old dresses from the 60s. There’s one dress in particular that my grandmother wore to my father’s bar mitzvah in the 60s. It’s a beautiful white to purple ombré, chiffon, a-line dress, with long sheer sleeves, and beautiful French knot buttons. Purple is not usually my favorite color, but the way this fabric was dyed is just so elegant. I’ve not had a chance to actually wear this dress yet because it just does not fit me. My grandmother had a very trim waistline in the 60s, and now I suppose I’ll have to wait until my waistline at least returns to its previous size. But I do like to just look at it in my closet, taking up the smallest bit of space, but adding maximum style.
Ashley:
I have to go grandma too with this one. Jewelry, fur stoles, hand-sewn and hand-knit items from when I was a child, this list goes on. Almost all of the previously stated items are kept in a small treasure chest in my closet, but I wonder if I should figure out a good way to display them. When I finally stop daydreaming and get serious about a closet remodel, I will make that a priority haha. I do use them though!
What is the item you wear the most? Why?
Caroline:
I think the item I wear the most of are Madewell courier shirts. They’re at least my favorite things to wear. I like them because they’re stylish button-up shirts that fit well, but also offer plenty of flow. As my style evolves, I realize more and more that I like a flow-ier, yet fitted and put together look and these shirts offer just that. I think basically, my goal is to just wear versions of blankets all of the time, and Madewell Courier shirts are just a shirt version of that.
Ashley:
Definitely these black high-waisted “running shorts” with a pleather trim. They add the perfect sporty or girly vibe to whatever outfit I include them in, PLUS elastic waistband RAISE UP!
Are there any investment pieces? How did that work out?
Caroline:
Yes. Fine, I really, really try to make it a point to wear the clothes I buy regardless of price, but the same principle applies to the investment pieces. That being said, with investment pieces, I do find that it’s more difficult to wear them more often: care, style, etc.
Ashley:
I have a huge white leather Gucci bag that I bought at a sample sale my first year in NYC. I wore the HELL out of that bag, it held all of my things and it was S T U N N I N G. I say “was” because it needs to be taken to the cleaners haha, but I’m happy I’ve gotten so many uses out of it so far! My grandma on my dads side always had the nicest things, and they remained so nice because they stayed in their plastics, papers and cardboards in a dark closet. I mean, my sister and I benefit because we now have pristine vintage, but I was always bummed she didn’t flaunt her stuff like she should’ve!
Does anything still have the tags on it? Why?
Caroline:
Nope! Per my previous comment, I really do try to make an effort to wear everything I purchase or make. It’s important to me to use the things I have. This doesn’t mean wear them out or not take care of them, but what’s the point of having a beautiful dress or top in your closet that you’re not going to wear? I might not wear it all of the time, but all of my garments should make the rounds at some point.
Ashley:
I do, one item. It’s a dress my mother bought me that is really so darling but makes me look like a sack of potatoes. The tag is on only because I’ve been meaning to donate it to my favorite thrift store and they may gain some value with the tag knowing that it’s not been worn? I dont know if thats true or not lol
How much is handmade, hand-me-down, or has some other personal meaning?
Caroline:
I’m proud to say that a small but mighty part of my wardrobe is handmade. I have a few sweaters and many, many scarves that I’ve made for myself that I wear regularly and that I love. I hope that these items, and the items I have on my needles, will always be a part of my closet.
Ashley:
Probably 70% of my closet is handmade, hand me down or has sentimental value. One of my favorite hobbies (when I had time to do this) was to slice up and restructure old clothes I stopped wearing due to style. Most clothes just need a slight tweak to make new and fresh again, it’s pretty great! Whatever I didn’t restructure, I would donate or salvage for material if the quality was good.
How does what’s in your closet align with the mood board you made about how you would actually like to dress? In what ways are they the same/different?
Caroline:
I think I do a good job of emulating my moodboard, or Pinterest boards. There might be more heels and dresses in my moodboard. I think I can start being better about more consistently incorporating the heels and dresses I have into my work and weekend rotation.
Ashley:
Totally agree with Caroline. I feel pretty aligned with my board, it’s more like a shopping inspiration list and is SUPER helpful with I’m overwhelmed at a yarn or fabric store haha
How do the colors align with the color palette you made?
Caroline:
I tend to like neutrals with a pop of color here and there, so those are the items I include on my mood board and tend to gravitate towards in practice.
Ashley:
See above!
How do your clothes align with your lifestyle and climate?
Caroline:
I love sweaters. So when it comes to aligning with climate, it doesn’t always work out. I also love “blankets” which are a bit easier to incorporate in LA. Generally, my clothes are very fitting for my lifestyle – they tend to be able to be worn to work and out to dinner with friends, or on the weekends. This is why I need to start working on incorporating the heels…
Ashley:
Yeaaaaaaaaaah LA doesn’t really work for my lifestyle. Just like Caroline, I like to wear sweaters and blankets and so very rarely get to do that out here. Luckily wearing tents still works out here so, at least I have my favorite shape available to me
What percentage of your closet feels like YOU?
Caroline:
I would say that 100% of my closet feels like me. That doesn’t necessarily mean I wear 100% of the clothes in there, but it does mean that I have at least worn the item, or used to wear it and it no longer fits into wear my style has evolved. As I get older, and as I’ve been more aware, I can start to tell when my style starts to evolve or change. A big evolution happened in my mid-20s and another one started in the past year or so. However, that’s definitely a style change. I definitely wore most of the clothes that are in my closet at one point or another. It’s kind of neat to see an evolution of self through clothes – and also means it’s time to do a big purge!
Ashley:
100% agree with Caroline!
TINY STITCHERS 