Styling for Budget and Planet Conscious Times
My Slow Fashion Formula
Introduction
The theme here is about how this simple outfit / small capsule aims to consider budgeting given most of us are currently facing some challenging economic times. The outfit also pays consideration to the impact the fashion industry currently has on the planet. I love the quote from the great lady Vivienne Westwood “Buy less, choose well, make it last.”
Here’s a little exercise around the whole look and its variations, and what I came up with.
Talking Through the Look
The Mini Style Challenges
I set myself some mini challenges for the make up of the outfit. You can do something similar or use the examples here if you like. There are no rules, your ‘investment’ piece does not have to be new, either. Anything goes! The important thing is to have some fun!
1. An investment piece that has true longevity.
The smart tailored denim blazer by Fairfax & Favor, now in its 2nd year of use.
I really love pieces like this. Pieces that I know I’ll keep on wearing because they’re just such good quality. For me, that’s the goal and consequently, the cost per wear ends up really low. I can dress it up or down. It works during shoulder seasons, is a great colour to team with summer neutrals or whites, and it works everywhere - from an office to a racecourse to a country fair or county show. It is the very essence of a true investment garment.
2. A 'shop my closet' session for very old, but high-end, high quality designer pieces that never fail - enough to elevate any look.
The Chanel silk scarf and Louis Vuitton sunglasses.
Accessories can work really hard to elevate an outfit, and high end designer items, although initially expensive, are great options that will add that touch of class and keep on delivering way into the future for such times as this – when we are conscious of budget and impact upon the planet. Because these items are near on 20 years old, their cost per wear is very low. Such quality items will really serve you well if you look after them. Because I’ve owned them from new, they are well looked after and in excellent condition. The Chanel scarf is a large size, so it can also be repurposed to wear as a summer halter-neck top! True versatility!
3. A new item bought for less.
The Fairfax & Favor navy suede belt, purchased in a sale.
If you’re not too hung up on having the latest of everything tomorrow, then sales are a fantastic opportunity to purchase what you want with some good discounts. A word of caution though. Don’t be drawn into a purchase just because its cheaper, it has to be something you’d truly want, even if you had to pay full price, in order to give you a good return on investment.
Looking towards more high-end? I have purchased both Burberry and Chanel in sales – their sales offering a whopping 40% off straight away! I purchased both a Chanel dress and a Burberry leather trench with such discounts in the past. While some designers don’t offer items on sale, those that do, usually have good discounts, with the big sales occurring in January and June.
4. Bargains from charity shops at rock bottom prices to build the look.
The Zara blouse, the Louis Vuitton mini bag and the 100% merino wool tank.
The bag is historic, from a time where you could find the odd article in a charity shop. They do exist, because I’ve donated items myself in the distant past (Moschino, Ralph Lauren, Escada, Mondi). Nowadays of course, shop staff and managers, fuelled by the power of the internet, have caught on to what these items are, and how much they are worth. They’re also conscious of the fact that some items are purchased to go straight onto Ebay for a profit – pushing up prices for us all, unfortunately.
Aside that, there are probably less donations these days due to the rise in online selling on platforms such as Vinted and Ebay over the last 10 years.
The tank top I believe is a steal, because I have seen the same item on Ebay for over £40 and I only paid £10. Merino is a good sustainable material and is temperature regulating. The blouse I adore, and I can’t find another that’s anything like it in terms of the texture of the material and the shape of the collar.
5. Support to the high street and small business retailers with a purpose.
The linen/cotton Atelier Reve high waisted trousers from the local sustainable lifestyle store.
I’ve said it lots of times, but I really do like supporting the high street. There is something good about browsing and handling items for real, while soaking up the buzz of a bustling street when the farmers market is on. I’m lucky to live not too far away from a good high street – even if it is in the next county!
I love supporting the local sustainable lifestyle store - B Corp Certified, who always have an excellent range of hidden gems of clothing as well as the odd cashmere sale. I bought these trousers last year and they really do offer up so much versatility and are so easy to style. They work with a more formal outfit and shoes, as well as loaning themselves to a casual look when paired with sneakers or sandals.
6. A versatile handbag that just seems to go with everything - one that I always reach for.
The Buckingham bag in chocolate suede by Fairfax & Favor.
It’s small, but holds enough. It’s cross body - great for everyday use and its suede and leather combo gives it an element of lux. It just seems to work so well with most of my wardrobe. It’s super easy to pick up and wear and its structure gives it that touch of class. I just find myself reaching for it time and time again.
7. Unwanted items, fashion mistakes?
Donate, donate, donate!
I tend to donate any previously bought charity shop items and other goods – anything that isn’t major high-end designer basically, to the PDSA and/or Blue Cross charity shops - I love supporting animal charities. The cycle, then, continues!
High end items I mostly keep (apart from those given away in the distant past). If I don’t keep them, I will normally pass them to other family members.
8. An item you can turn to when you injure your feet?
Ecco footbed sandals! Durable, high quality!
The perfect rescue remedy. Everybody needs one at some point! I needed these right now. It does not have to be about sore feet, though, it can be anything. What’s your rescue remedy? And what would it be for?
I actually don’t mind these sandals at all, and I’ve worn them many times over the years and they are great on longer beach walks in summer.
Final Notes
Also, in this look, I utilise some very old Prada items (over 30 years) – a pair of shoes and a handbag that I bought in the early nineties. The Tula bag shown in my video was bought a few years ago and was actually £3 and not what I quoted in the video!
I talk about ‘budgeting’ a lot. This does not mean that everything has to be cheap (although it can be if you want it to be).
What I’m doing here is using old items that may once have come in expensive (although certainly not as expensive as they would be today), but I’m now seeing them as ‘budget’ items. That’s because no purchase is involved at this time, and the items have lasted so long and are still in use, that their cost per wear is very low. This to me makes ‘budgeting’ sense! Don’t forget, there are many different ways to budget.
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