The Elements of 'Slow Fashion' Country Inspired Style

Eight Quick and Easy Pointers To Help You Embrace Slow Fashion

If you’re keen to embrace the slow fashion movement, you’ll know that it’s all about making the right investments and thinking in terms of cost per wear, with the overall aim being to consume less. That said, everyone does slow fashion differently - there are numerous approaches you can take, all of which are entirely relevant and valid. With that in mind, it’s important to consider the approach that will work for you and your style goals.

In this blog, I discuss some of the key pointers that help me to curate a slow fashion inspired wardrobe of my own - country style! Take a peek at the video to see my specific examples.

Here I mix up vintage repurposed items such as the Louis Vuitton scarf and bag - all pushing 20 years old, with my recent charity shop buys under £15 - such as the vintage wool waistcoat, shirt and also the jeggings in a complementary colourway.

N.B You can read my article on how to bag a charity shop bargain - link below:

Alongside these items, there are some new long term investment pieces, including discounted new items. There’s budget buys such as the check trousers and belt too. This look offers versatility: trousers and boots are interchangeable, a blazer or long coat can be added, accessories can be swapped out, all of which would change the look up, making it appropriate for different scenarios and potentially working across autumn, winter and spring.

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Slow Fashion - Eight Quick and Easy Pointers

Hero Pieces

Think about your high quality investments - the ones you wish to style your look around. The pieces do not have to be expensive, like me, you might well have picked up some of your hero pieces from a charity shop, but, the general goal is that they are made from sustainable and high quality materials and give you a good foundation on which to build a variety of outfits.

For the example I’m using in this blog, I’m building the look around a high quality British made wool blazer (discounted purchase). It is a country classic.

Layering

Layering adds versatility and variety to your outfits and helps you to embrace the changing seasons and transition into another season. A gilet is perfect for this. Similarly, you can opt for waistcoats or cardigans. Another layer to consider is a longline coat, especially if the weather is cooler or you live in/are visiting colder climes. A wool based option offers up all the warmth you’ll need.

Vintage Accessories

You can really change up the vibe of a look by swapping out your accessories. Vintage accessories are a good way to go as they’ll enable you to add that dash of individuality to your outfit, without actually having to make a ‘new’ purchase. Shop your closet and see what combinations you can come up with.

Iconic Boots

High quality and functional boots have always been a mainstay in the classic countryside wardrobe. There are many options to choose from. You may go for more practical and functional styles, to more dressy styles with a classic equestrian look. Whichever you go for, you can be assured that they will stand the test of time and should team up with many of your looks.

Find Balance

Investing in higher end pieces, appropriate to your budget, is always recommended. The idea is that they are well made, from good sustainable materials and will last many seasons, bringing down that cost per wear we often talk about.

You can team such pieces, and balance out your budget, with some charity shop or pre-loved buys. Because items in the charity shop are often older, you can make finds that are perhaps difficult to pin down in the new clothing market, due trends or whatever. You can find good products for less if you look hard and take time to seek out those items that will really finish your imagined look off. I’ve often gone for good fitting jeggings in those hard to find, or out of trend colours.

Statement Bag

A statement bag is a tried and tested way to complete a look. If you’re hoarding a really old, but quite unusual one, like me, then even better - repurposing is a great way to support slow fashion initiatives. Dig out those forgotten about items and give them a new lease of life!

Versatility

Aim for versatility. Layering pieces will of course give you options while helping to keep outfits versatile. Look at how many ways you can use an item. How much of your wardrobe does it work with? Can it be used cross-seasonally? Can you dress it up as well as down? Is it easy to wear?

Keep it Classic

A good country inspired lookbook will always embrace a classic style. Avoiding anything trendy isn’t a bad idea, given that some of the very ‘trend driven’ pieces can look very dated very quickly, meaning that you might not get that longevity out of them that you so desire. In this instance, cost per wear becomes high.

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Is Slow Fashion for You?

Embracing slow fashion can be great for those who want to make mindful purchases and generally consume less. Actually having less ‘clutter’ around has been proven to improve mental health too and helps us to feel less ‘chaotic’.

It’s also a common philosophy for those on a budget - if you purchase less, you spend less, and if you source second hand, you potentially get some great quality items and unique pieces at a fraction of the original cost. If you purchase mindfully, you don’t need to purchase again, either because you got in wrong, or your original choice doesn’t offer up enough versatility by working seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe.

It goes without saying that you’re also helping contribute to better and environmentally conscious practices, so if that’s your thing, it’s a win win.

You can read more about environmental impacts and sustainable fashion in a previous article - link below: