2019-09-01 In The Moment

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sustainable fashion

W

hen you stop to think

about it, pretty much

any activity can be

made into a more

mindful one. Taking

time out of our busy days to stop, breathe,

engage the senses and express gratitude for

the joy in our lives doesn’t have to be done in

a special class. Applying these principles to

everyday tasks – such as the simple act of

getting dressed – means you’re making

small, subtle changes on a regular basis.

Clothing holds real meaning in our lives.

It’s one of our key forms of communicating

with ourselves and the world around us;

combining form and function with fabrics,

textures and shapes. But over recent years,

our shopping habits have changed. Where

once we may have had fewer items, saved

for and treasured, we’ve now replaced them

with a multitude of one-off wears or maybe

just increased the sheer volume we own.

The trouble is, having so much to choose

from and pounding the seemingly relentless

‘trendmill’ of purchases can actually make it

more difficult to get dressed in the morning.

The first step on the path to change is

taken from where we already are. Being

truly honest with ourselves, how often does

opening up wardrobe doors or drawers fill

us with happiness? Rummaging through,

Investing in slow, ethical fashion and treasuring what we

already own can enhance our journey through life

Words: Sarah Gane

deciding what to wear, making sure it’s

ironed and checking it fits, all takes valuable

time out of our day. It can affect our mood,

often leaving us frustrated or overwhelmed.

“When I first started living on my own, six

years ago, I came to the realisation that my

consumeristic habits were getting the best

of me. I would always look towards a new

purchase – consumerism promised me

satisfaction, but I knew deep down, I was

miserable,” explains author and blogger

Christine Liu (simplybychristine.com).

This was one of the reasons she decided to

create a capsule wardrobe. “I’ve had [it] for

Sustainable style

Christine Liu shares

simple swaps in her book,

Sustainable Home.

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