The 10-Item Sustainable Spring Wardrobe

Wednesday was no ordinary hump day for me!  It started off with a great segment on Breakfast TV with the Savvy Do Gooder talking all about a “sustainable spring wardrobe.”

What exactly is a sustainable spring wardrobe?  Nadine explains it best on her blog post found here.   Basically, today’s mainstream fashion industry has some very bad implications – environmentally and for people all over the world.  Slaves are literally dying so that we can have cheap fast fashion with new pieces in stores every day.  Here is a powerful video about The True Cost of fast fashion.    I know you care.  How could you not?!   It is time to show you care by taking action to combat the fast fashion movement, namely:  donate the clothing you’re done with and shop secondhand and/or sustainable clothing stores like Lucid Lifestyle and Workhall Studio.  These are local Edmonton stores but if you’re not from around these parts, Google “sustainable clothing” and you will find something near you or on line.  And, there are thrift shops everywhere, from small local charity shops to international chains like Goodwill, Salvation Army and Value Village.  Maybe you aren’t ready to go full-monty-thrift (I made up that term, like it?), but one step in the right direction counts.  If you’re not convinced, watch the BTE segment and see Nadine’s perfect-condition “new” thrifted spring wardrobe that she scored for $57!

If the sustainability and savings aren’t convincing enough, how about the trend factor!  Thrifting is a great way to try current trends like the chambray dress I wore on BTE – it is in perfect condition and was FOUR DOLLARS!

This dress is part of my Spring 10-Item Wardrobe, but before I explain that, let me share how I concluded my Wednesday – I went to The Local Good Green Drinks event on Green Fashion!  This great event brought together all kinds of people interested in green fashion AND there was a clothing swap!  So much fun!  Clothing swaps are another way to build a sustainable wardrobe even cheaper than thrifting!  I went to the event dressed as Hamburglar but no one seemed to notice…

If you’re not already connected with The Local Good, sign up for their email newsletters – there will be more events on green fashion and more clothing swaps coming soon!

NOW, allow me to introduce April’s fashion challenge: the 10-Item Wardrobe!  I was inspired by Nadine and by Jennifer L. Scott, author of The Daily Connoisseur and Madame Chic books.  Having a small wardrobe is another way to be more sustainable just by consuming less!  Jennifer explains her 10-item wardrobe here.  I wanted to add to the challenge by thrifting my ten pieces!  If you’ve been reading The Spirited Thrifter for a while, you know that you can find quality pieces though thrifting!    The 10-Item Wardrobe consists of 10 core pieces + extras (including tees, sweaters, cardigans and blazers).  Footwear, outerwear and accessories are not included in the 10 items THANK GOD.  I considered my options at length and finally settled on the following 10 core items:

I followed Jennifer’s guidelines for extras to avoid the temptation of making everything else in my closet an extra!

If you’re keeping track, that is a total of 23 items…

The total cost of my 10 pieces (not including the JBrand) = $36.40

The total cost of my extras (not including the white tee) = $60.90

Total cost of my 10-Item Wardrobe = $97.30

That is amazing AND it includes brands like Theory, Chico’s, Kenneth Cole and J Crew to name a few!  Jennifer and Nadine wear their 10-item wardrobes for a season, but I am proposing a month (at least to start with)!  I am looking forward to mixing and matching, getting creative with my accessories and shoes!  Throughout April, I will share more on how to choose pieces for your 10-Item wardrobe, how to thrift for them and how to style them!  Despite the limited wardrobe, April will be an exciting month!

Now, who’s with me?!!  The 10-Item Wardrobe challenge is your chance to take a step towards sustainable fashion!