We recently bought a condo in downtown Portland and have since been decorating – there are so. many. options. It’s the first place that both Chris and I have been able to decorate and curate from the ground up. We spent a solid hour at our condo looking at different fabrics for blinds which eventually dissolved into blinds? Or curtains? Or both? Needless to say there was no resolution and the evening dissolved into wine and small plates at Mediterranean Exploration.
Yesterday was also the first streak of unseasonably warm weather {not complaining…} so I got to dress in one layer vs. fifteen. I’ve been doing a bit of a closet overhaul – tossing some of those pieces from high school and college that are gathering dust, things that don’t fit me anymore and items that just aren’t me. I’ve definitely found myself gravitating towards minimal styles with lots of neutrals and timeless designs. Jeans, a simple sweater and a blazer are more or less becoming a staple in my wardrobe.
Simultaneously I’ve been pushing myself to be more mindful in what I buy and wear. I’ve been trying to buy less fast fashion and instead invest in quality pieces that will last a while and/or clothes that are made in more sustainable and ethical ways. Oddly enough, my husband introduced me to Venroy (sweater) when we were in Australia (they have a dedicated fabric mill that they work with and own their own factory in which they produce all of their clothes) and Sezane (blazer) committed to several sustainable initiatives at the beginning of this year.
Slowly but surely I’m revamping my wardrobe with pieces that I love and will stand the test of time {and fashion trends} without harming the environment or other people. It’s a principal of mine that I have had with food, personal care and house hold cleaners for almost a decade that has spilled over into fashion and home decor. I’ll admit, I did not not fully realize the impact that our fashion system had on our world and the environment until I started educating myself {highly recommend The True Cost on Netflix}. It makes sense though, our skin is our largest organ – we eat organic food, why wouldn’t we wear organic cotton? We preach about the harmful effects of food coloring’s and additives, why do we then use chemical dyes in our clothes that wash into our water system?
I’ve built a bit of a Rolodex (not literally) of sustainable fashion brands and companies, but I’m always look to add to it. What are some of your favorites?
xx
-S
