Listen: Slow Fashion Shows Consumers What It's Made Of  on NPR

handmade / living with less / quality over quantity / capsule wardrobe / indie fashion / small-batch makers / sustainability

Handmade: Since knitting has been my main "making" activity over the past couple of decades, and because I'm rather selfish with my limited knitting time, I have a few sweaters and a pretty good number of shawls among my handmades. I've knit a reasonable amount of tiny things, too, for my nephews and my grandchildren. I've been given a few pairs of handknit socks, but can't think of any other articles of clothing in my wardrobe made by another's hand.

Living with Less: I am a KonMari believer! I have done some magical tidying, and there is still quite a bit to do. As important as the tidying/clean-out, I've found that I am acquiring less than ever. Recreational shopping is a thing of the past!

Quality over quantity: Preaching to the choir. I learned this at an early age. As a single mother of five and a full-time nursing student who received assistance and food stamps, my mother still bought quality clothing for herself and for us. We had fewer pieces of clothing than most of our peers, and my sisters and I had more than one fight (per week) over underwear and socks, but it was good quality clothing and it lasted -- often to be shared and/or handed down, but just as often to be loved and worn to tatters.

Capsule wardrobe: I have briefly thought about making an effort at this. Truthfully, though, my closet/clothing storage space is so tiny that it naturally keeps the size of my wardrobe small and manageable.

Indie fashion/Small-batch makers: I guess most of my forays into indie fashion have been supporting indie pattern makers. My budget just doesn't allow for clothing made by anyone's hands but my own!

Sustainability: This is where my eyes always begin to glaze over. Whether we're talking food, yarn, clothing, or whatever. I know it's important and one of the big reasons why #slowfashionoctober is even a thing. I try to buy responsibly, reasonably, with an awareness of origin... whaa, whaa, whaa. I try not to feel guilty/bad about not being MORE aware/caring/passionate/responsible. I'm in with those who do what they can.

Tuesday:

• My favorite handmade (and also mended) shirt, sewn in and inspired by the Alabama Chanin  style, and made from a men's thrifted overstock/new 4X t-shirt.
• A Talbots cardigan, which I've had for a few years, purchased at a thrift store.
• The Eileen Fisher organic cotton cropped pants that became such a part of my uniform over the past few months that I bought a second pair; I am seeking styling tips to keep wearing them in cooler weather.
• My beloved and years-old Wolky sandals that were just picked up from the shoe/leather repair shop, having had new leather insoles cut and applied for $25.