From 1810 to 1820, dresses became slightly more structured with padded hems and firmer fabrics, just like twills and even taffeta. Sleeves began to grow fuller at the shoulder and high waists continued throughout this period but lowered slightly as the years went by. Iconic fashion figure, Marie Antoinette, embodies the decadence of the time. Notice, fashion in the years preceding the French Revolution was characterized by great abundance, elaboration and intricacy in clothing designs. I let go of a bunch of the pressure to have more clothes when I realized how frequently the men in my office rewear their clothes without selfconsciousness or unease.
I decided that for me to feel like I needed to do anything differently was bullshit, and anyone who felt the need to have an opinion on how frequently I wear things needs to butt out.
Still, look, there’re other things that I am able to add to my closet.
Here, a few tips for affording my version of a minimalist wardrobe. Certainly, when I was little my mom used to take us to a consignment store in a fancy wn close to where we lived to find designer children’s clothes at huge discounts. You can likely grow your wardrobe for a fraction of what you’d otherwise pay without compromising on quality, Therefore if you do some sleuthing and identify a solid shop. It’s a well-known fact that the good news is that when you’re doing best in order to fill your wardrobe largely with timeless staples, last season’s navy doesn’t feel particularly outdated. Secondhand shopping requires some percentage of sticktoitiveness. Let me tell you something. Follow your favorite designers on social media.
There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of the promotions that they’re able to offer when they do, while I try my best to also support desigers by buying ‘fullprice’ items.
Shop secondhand.
Between consignment shopping and my own friends’ cast offs, To be honest I don’t think I owned more than a handful of brandnew clothes until I was in high school. More than once, I was able to take advantage of an end of season sale to buy items that I would have felt were unaffordable at full price. One of the things that’s certain is that fast fashion chains have found ways to produce huge numbers of clothes cheaply through a reliance on underpaid workers, cheap fabrics, and shoddy construction to name only the most common infractions. It’s not hyperbole to write that US consumers enjoy a false economy whenit gets to the clothes for sale in the majority of our largest stores. You can set up alerts on ebay as specific as you look for -so I get an email only when someone is selling a shirt that’s the brand, price, size, and color I look for -and I can even add whether it’ll send me used, new without tags or only new with tags.
You can get phenomenal deals, It’s a slower process.
For most items I spend less than $ If you don’t know your size in many brands, get a tape measure and email sellers to ask for measurements, or dip your es in by buying from sellers that accept returns.
You probably know what size you wear in certain brands/certain cuts, Therefore in case you have a fairly uniform office wardrobe. Furthermore, I also work in a semiformal office, and I do almost all of my shopping on ebay. Yes, that’s right! Dozens of factors go into the cost of clothes. By the way, the price of a particular shirt can vary widely relying upon country of manufacture, brand name, mark up, time of year, and point of sale. Is its high cost pure marketing? Now let me ask you something. Is its low cost being that it was produced in a sweatshop, or just as it was bought after its prime season?
Oh, the perils of Capitalism, my friends.
The materials used, the elements of the design process, the human beings behind a blouse,or a scarf, or abutton up, the cost begins to make sense, when I learn about the care that went into making something.
Look, there’re designers who do tell the story of their goods. I think there’s hope. It’s often difficult to determine why a particular article of clothing is priced the way it’s.. Is it higher quality fabric? Third, or fourth sweater of a similar style, when I feel perfectly satisfied wearing really similar favorite pair of jeans and beautiful sweater day in and day out swapping only clean underwear and a fresh t shirt any morning I don’t feel as much of a need for a second.
It’s a well-known fact that the fact is, that the more that I actively like my clothes, the less of them I need.
Annoyed that I’ve already spent precious resources on clothes that haven’t worked out, I can become wary and unwilling to invest still more.
I’m more gonna reach for less expensive clothes, when I’ve found myself in this rut. It’s when I only feel lukewarm about a particular sweater that I cast a wandering eye and add a special one to the mix. Over and over again, I’ve found that more begets more. Buying many inexpensive sweaters that I only feel lukewarm about finishes by being more expensive than buying one expensive sweater that I really love. Now this post is wonderful. I’ve got a lot of progress still to make, I’m gradually moving in the direction of a better quality, some more expensive items wardrobe. With that said, hundreds of the responsible companies don’t ship to Canada.
I’m stuck with a choice between cheap, irresponsible clothes or expensive, irresponsible clothes.
I agree completely with your sentiments.
It’s very almost impossible to put them into practice living in Canada. By the way, the things I do buy, though not always the most environmentally/socially best choice, are p choice for me and I know that I’ll wear them again and again and again. Hell, it’s hard for me to even find clothes in my size in a physical store. Then, I’m considered plus size and so it gets hard for me to find clothing from companies I really like and seek for to support. Whenever I feel guilty about that, I have to buy online a bunch of the time, To be honest I just think, at least I’m only buying one jeans pair, not four.
Love the last line you’re right, it’s not about being perfect.
I even copied this post into my evernote to be able to come back to this over and over again.
Reading this was like reading my own thoughts. Glad I found you for the first time this morning! Let me tell you something. I was slowly transforming myself to this, I used to be an avid sale shopper at HM, Banana and JCrew and been doing best in order to move myself away from this and more wards organic better fitting clothes. Love this post and agree wholeheartedly. With that said, thank you for sharing. With all that said… Mostly there’re minimalists who are avid shoppers sample sale pilgrims and website combers while other minimalists’ slim wardrobes exist mostly as long as it’s the act of shopping itself that’s repellent. Now regarding the aforementioned fact… Some minimalist wardrobes are born from a great love of clothes. Considering the above said. Others are born from a complete lack of interest in clothes. With that said, this post was very helpful! As a result, in my efforts to transition to a more thoughtfully sourced, minimalist wardrobe I have definitely gotten bogged down by cost. Anyway, therefore I pull myself back to realize it doesn’t have to happen at once and when I can afford the pieces, they must last longer allowing me to spend less finally.
Really enjoyed this.
I make it a part of my monthly budget, and plan for everything I look for or need.
Making it a priority when first starting out on the journey to a minimalist wardrobe is so important. Little by little I will add more ‘high quality’ pieces, look, there’re and similar. Consequently, I’m gradually moving ward a minimalist or capsule wardrobe, and continually remind myself that affordability doesn’t need to mean cheap clothes. Certainly not FMoney ain’t a serious issue for us, yet I don’t know how to put across the idea that this might be an investment wards clothes that express me and that look more sophisticated. I actually am instead aiming for things that are decently constructed at affordable costs. Erin, thank you for your thoughtful response!
I did see your article about your nursing wardrobe, and embarrassingly your statement that the interesting part is the jeans, not you, had me overly emotional.
Maybe my timing is just off.
I’m thinking a trip to my local Buffalo Exchange is in order though? Thank you for reminding me to stick it out and cut myself some slack it’s so hard! Of course, maybe this ethically curated wardrobe will just have to wait a bit and I can go get some Old Navy jeans for the for a while being that even the Everlane tees are rough on our budget, when I referenced wearing identical thing nearly any day I meant literally similar tee every single day. You should take this seriously. How true -the times I have gone mad spending on clothing and footwear instead of concentrating on the necessities. Did you hear of something like this before? The items donated to charity -what a wonderful feeling that gives me, My wardrobe gets pared down twice a year. Downside is the internet, where I tend to have splurges -thankfully not as bad these days. I do mostly trawl around charity/thrift shops though, as I get more for my money and keep to a couple of cheaper ones which always have a sale rail.
Love the comments about keeping dinner on the table and buying groceries.
They are an invaluable resource if you’re like me and a) like shopping, and b) try to be fiscally/environmentally conscious, as a city dweller I’m sure I have more of them at my disposal than others do.
Therefore a solid Crossroads or Buffalo Exchange has all the fast fashion your little heart desires at an even lower price and with the knowledge that your pennies ate preparing to a less dubious source. There’s always a slew of ‘higherend’ stuff if you look for clothes that actually last, original tags attached. I think people sometimes underestimate the power of a perfect consignment shop/thrift store.
Really great food for thought, and a bunch of things I have thought about myself.
I shop at thrift stores often, and find loads of great, quality clothing and my closet is stuffed.
It makes me sigh just thinking about it. It is I don’t love having a lot stuff, I’m quite sure I love clothes. While lasting staples, ve often fantasized about a seriously brutal purge, and after that working ward those few, super lovable. There is more information about this stuff on this website. Come to think of it, it was stuffed since I was a little girl.
I really enjoyed this post.
Lovely post.
Thank you for writing this post -and all the other growing a minimalist wardrobe, as I’m really enjoying them. I am struggling to put quite similar thoughts into words, as ethics and quality in clothing has always played on my mind, thanks to my parents. Anyway, elizabeth, I believe this article is an interesting read regarding office wardrobe! To be honest I don’t have the answer on ethical sourcing but I am able to wear somewhat varied outfits without owning loads of clothes, I posted above with an office dilemma. I loved the Harpers Bazaar article and while an uniform not necessarily practical for a couple of us it bolstered my desire to stand up to the pressure you reference above.
When I buy ps I only buy ones can I wear professionally and casually, I re wear skirts and pants in the course of the week, I’m quite sure I have nice base cardigans and I have a few scarves and earrings that I rotate. I really don’t mind wearing basically identical work outfits over and over and I don’t really think people notice or care. In any circumstances please do not fret! Therefore, try an eye catching gold party dress or a flowy oneshouldered dress for an elegant, Grecian inspired look. Let me tell you something. Attending a formal event? FIND YOUR PERFECT PARTY DRESS A special event has arrived, and the grand question arises -What do I wear? Of course we have hundreds of cute party dresses for any occasion. Therefore, fIND YOUR PERFECT PARTY DRESS A special event has arrived, and the grand question arises -What do I wear? Choose from endless cuts and styles, similar to a halter dress, strapless dress, or collared dress. This is the case. Attending a formal event?
Style your party dress with statement jewelry and peep e pumps to complement your darling party ensemble.
We have hundreds of cute party dresses for any occasion.
Be sure to take a look at our vintageinspired party dresses, if you’re envisioning a classic look. Add a pop of color to your hair accessories, jewelry, and shoes to suit your look for whatever the occasion can be!Finding an unique party dress for a special event is now something to look forward to! Make sure you do not fret! You’re sure to find one you love, with our amazing selection of cute party dresses. You should take it into account. Try an eyecatching gold party dress or a flowy one shouldered dress for an elegant, Grecianinspired look. Accessorize your stylish party dress with a jewel ned clutch and metallic heels to complete your formal ensemble!If you’re heading to a more casual celebration, sport one of our ruffled, tiered, or mini party dresses for a fun and feminine look. Our bright colors and unique prints are sure to keep all eyes on you! Have you heard about something like that before? You would say you are happy with the everlane cardigans?
I have spent what seems like a significant amount on a pair of cardigans, meant to be worn everyday, only to have them pill on the sleeves within a couple months.
Neither does high price guarantee that clothes was made in a way that’s particularly admirable.
I know that the expense of clothes does not for agesevity, with intention to be sure. I love that you share brands that are all of those things, it helps me make decisions on items of clothing with my small budget. On p of that, I’ve had Overdressed on my list of books to buy for a few months now and this post makes me look for to read it even more. Important to focus on quality over quantity, and try to ensure that quality means ethical as well as durable. Love this post -thanks for sharing.
I LOVE your blog.so inspiring on many levels!
Thanks a lot!
Therefore, I LOVE your bracelets in this post. You see, thank you! Can you share where you purchased them from? I’m sure you heard about this. I’ve got a coworker who will only buy cheap and she never seems happy with her choices. Known I don’t mind spending a bit more, I keep my clothes for years. Did you hear of something like that before? I’ve found my favorite clothes are the ones I’ve paid a bit more for. I agree also. Nonetheless, they seem to fit better and last a huge for any longerer. I imagine like me many readers are single women on a tiny budget supporting themselves.
Eco sustainable idea is great for those with disposal income but not realistic for quite a few us as its all so prominent on here. My current tee shirts,PJ’s, shorts, jeans and undies are from Penny’s, all 6 years old and look like new. As such I do shop JC Penny where I buy all my clothing. I only shop for clothing almost any 3=4 years and when I do so I stock up at Penny’s who serves my budget. I have Penny’s clothing primary in my closet and its been washed hundreds of times and looks great. As a result, quite a few your choices are out of my price range and therefore can not be considered My jeans are under 20 or they are not bought.
I like for ages being that they are an old American company and they recognize that many shoppers need a perfect product for a low price point.
Thank you for your wonderful posts about this!
I will wait until I visit my sister in Brooklyn, save up for some Madewell jeans thence go and actually try them on since I hate returning things in the mail. So it is my favorite post yet. I love the minimalist wardrobe idea, especially since I dislike a cluttered closet. I have to also reiterate that I am using thredup, I know it was mentioned already. Win win. Buying used, whether on ebay, thredup, buffalo exchange, wasteland and similar, or having a Naked Ladies Party and doing a clothing swap with your friends, or getting handmedowns -it can save boatloads.
So that’s especially for ages being that I work in an industry that is very judgmental, and full of’fashionforward’ and stylish people And so it’s difficult to keep pace.
Thredup has like new clothing I’ve had success ordering making returns simply a certain amount my Like New clothing that I just never wore, and got ‘storecredit’ in exchange. Able to purge things that never quite fit, and get credit for it to buy things that are tailored better. Have never been able to afford, most of us are aware that there are items that I’ve drooled over in the past. Of course are you still with me? Notice that definitely more important than exactly how many clothes I have in my closet is making sure that what I do have I actually put to good use.
With a few happy accidents that stand as exceptions to the rule, the clothes that I put to best use are the clothes that I’ve first admired from a distance.
Wondering about your thoughts on applying this philosophy for office life.
Thanks! Essentially, working in an office 5 days a week, I’m almost sure I do feel a little pressure to have plenty of clothes despite the fact that I should love to be able to wear identical few tops/pants/etc every week. Nevertheless, hi Erin -lovely post and great pic! Any advice for a whileer in an area where I can shop professional quality consignment regularly, that I’ve found to be a solitary way I can actually find items I need. Considering the above said. While cleaning products, transportation, are not, clothes are a far more challenging issue for me, in a way other choices like food. Not casual if you need to be taken seriously, It’s a professional need -I work a 40+ hour week in a relatively formal office -not suits. Will love to know how other office workers have figured this out! Even if repairs are equal to the original purchase price, at the moment I just try to reduce volume -buy little. So take care of what I have.