The Forever Wardrobe | Mending My Clothes

My work is far from perfect, but I cannot remember a time in the past few months when I had felt as accomplished as I did after mending my clothes this past Sunday. Considering I graduated from University in December, this is what I would describe as a dramatic-yet-true statement.

One of the most sustainable things you can do with your wardrobe is cultivate an intimate relationship with it. I’ve written about this concept before, but I’ll revisit it here because it feels perfectly in sync. When you shop with the idea in mind that this is a long term commitment you’re making to a garment, you’re shopping with the most sustainable mindset. This is how we all need the think. The flip side of that is shopping with a throwaway mindset, in which clothes become as disposable as a flimsy blue medical mask. This notion not only damages the planet, but plays into the corrupt business models of the fast fashion industry in which constantly changing trends and over consumption perpetuate the horrific working conditions of garment factory workers. Faster, faster, faster - more, more more. These increasing desires for something new and inexpensive is the fuel for all the fires of the fashion industry.

Bringing this back to little ‘ol me, mending away. I truly had fun taking on this new challenge, with the help of my mom who’s knowledge I knew was coming straight from the mouth of my Nana, sewing away up in Heaven. I’ve finally learned a new skill in the pandemic and cleared the growing pile of chewed and ripped clothes from my window sill. I am committed to live a stylish life, while still having a puppy, after-all.

This act is about committing to my clothes. Whether it’s the two year old TopShop jeans that fit me like a damn glove, or the saggy vintage Calvin Klein tee I wear to dance class, by fixing the little holes and tears I’m keeping something out of a landfill, extending the lifecycle of the product, ensuring my ability to continuously wear and adore the garment, and most importantly I’m furthering my relationship with my clothes. 

Let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever tried to mend your clothes, and how you’ve cultivated an intimate, special, lasting relationship with your wardrobe. Maybe you don’t feel as though you have at this point. I assure you, this is new to me too, and there’s no better time to start.

Thanks for reading.

Em