In May we held our first workshop on the theme ‘Building a Regenerative Wardrobe’ learning about our own style and those garments which bring us joy. This knowledge is a crucial first step in avoiding overconsumption and to ensure we are filling our wardrobes only with clothing which we will wear, love and care for, especially when we bear in mind that 26% of the average UK adult’s wardrobe has been unworn for at least a year (WRAP 2022).
We looked at some ways of carrying out a responsible wardrobe detox of those garments that no longer serve us, and have now held two clothing swaps with The Local Folk at the Brazier café in Tonedale as one way to enable this.
Here are some questions to consider when looking at garments in your own wardrobe:
- How often have I worn it?
- Using my own style knowledge, is it in my colour and your style?
- Honestly, does it fit?
- Does it feel comfortable?
- Does it hold positive emotional connections?
- Could I do anything to it which would make me wear it more often?
- Could I wear it in a different way or pair it together with something I wouldn’t normally choose?
When considering some of the pieces we already own but don’t wear, one interesting discussion arose on changing garment colours with natural dyes. This will lead us perfectly into our next workshop to be held on July 16th in collaboration with Jordan from Salt Textiles.
Jordan pairs a reverence for nature with an evolving absorption of traditional crafts, exploring our relationship to the everyday through natural materials and slow processes. Her workshop will cover the basics of dyeing fibres using the natural resources we have around us, with lots of practical skill learning and joyful play. Participants will return home with their own naturally dyed samples and organic scarf.
To learn more about carrying out a responsible wardrobe detox and adopting a more circular approach to fashion, an e-workbook is available at www.oliveandrosy.com/product-page/building-a-regenerative-wardrobe-ebook
For more about the Slow and Circular series and the Natural Dyes workshop see www.thelocalfolk.co.uk/workshops-community-events/p/slow-and-circular-workshop-series-workshop-2-natural-fibres-and-colours