How to: sustainably curate your staple wardrobe

In the modern world of 2023, it is not only trendy to be up to date with trends, but to have a staple closet in which you can manipulate the pieces within it to fit the ever-evolving cycle of style.

However, to curate this collection of staple pieces, it is important to make sure we are sustainable in doing so.

So for my first blog post, I will be helping you to curate a capsule wardrobe whilst being mindful of its affect on our planet.

blazers

With the current "model off duty" aesthetic that is constantly propelling itself onto the social media pages we scroll, blazers are a very important staple to have in ones closet. Since the days of the sharp women’s jacket in the Dior "new look" of the 1950's, blazers have always been apart of fashion, and will continue to find their way into the outfits of women (and everyone) for years to come. A good thing about blazers is that you can find them almost anywhere, which makes them really easy to sustainably source. My favourite blazer was bought from a second hand store and I think it is safe to say that I wear it at least once a week.

So, my recommendation for the perfect, environmentally friendly blazer, is any that you find at your local op-shop, thrift store, or vintage store and is individual to you!

This is how I have recently styled my favourite vintage, black blazer:

Straight leg jeans

One of the most important things one can own, is a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly, make you feel comfortable, and are a versatile shape that you can dress up and down - the straight leg jean. My pair of straight leg jeans are the most worn item in my closet, so much so that I haven't bought a new pair of jeans since the start of last year - when I bought my pair of Levi 501's. Although not bought second hand, because I found a pair of jeans that fit me so perfectly, I have not fallen victim to the fast fashion websites in which constantly advertise their new "baggy", "ripped" or "two tone" jeans. So, having one pair of well fitting, classic jeans, means you can style them to match any aesthetic you may find yourself experimenting with.

Here are some of my favourite outfits wearing my Levi 501's:

a unique shoulder bag

My favourite piece in my closet, the "piece de résistance" of my closet if you will, is my Zadig & Voltaire, gold shoulder bag. This bag is relatively new to my wardrobe, but ever since its purchase, it has not left my arm - it is practically an extension of my body. I did not purchase this bag second hand, but I am a firm believer in the concept of forever pieces, and investing in things you know you will use for a lifetime. This bag, my beautiful gold bag, is just that. By buying a bag I am so in love with, a bag that can match any outfit, a bag that automatically makes any outfit a good one, I have no need to over consume, and purchase more bags than I have opportunities to wear them. So, investing in a bag that you truly love, even if it may hurt the bank a bit, is an investment in yourself, and the environment, in the long run and you will find you do not need to be constantly purchasing new, cheaper bags. Ultimately, this will save you money, and save the landfill from influxes of barely worn, poorly made, micro-trend bags. The best part about owning a unique shoulder bag, is that often the best ones are vintage! Even though my bag isn't vintage, I find online consignment stores such as; The Real Real, Vestiare, What Goes Around Comes Around, ReBag and ThredUP, are the best to find unique, authentic, luxury bags.

Considering this bag is my favourite piece, it obviously deserves the most love on this post - here are some outfits with my child *cough cough* Zadig & Voltaire bag:

So, with these three key pieces in your wardrobe + a few basic tops that can easily be bought second hand, you will have the perfect capsule closet that can act as a base to fit any vibe with a few additional individual pieces , or you can keep it "Sophia Richie" classic with just these.

<3 Mia