The more I continue on this path to building a sustainable closet for myself while sourcing pieces for grupomancin, the more I am on the search to learn. Learn about what a circular fashion model looks like, learn how to wholeheartedly support sustainable living (through fashion and every other facet possible), and learn how to build a conscious closet that my customers and myself can be proud of wearing while feeling confident and empowered. 

It’s no surprise that I absolutely love and am pretty obsessed with Elizabeth L. Cline’s book The Conscious Closet. If you haven't yet read it, I highly recommend it as a great starting point for sustainable fashion! I learned so many new things about conscious fashion and was intrigued with the idea of reconnecting with my personal style by a wardrobe challenge. I will admit, I had heard of wardrobe challenges but I was intimidated to try to limit 10 days of outfits to only 10 pieces in my closet, let alone try to document the daily process. 

But with 2020 being all about the unknown, trying new things and it never being too late, here we are - My first 10 x 10 Wardrobe Challenge. 

My 10 x 10 Wardrobe Challenge Pieces

- Black Jumpsuit from grupomancin
- Destroyed straight leg denim from Boyish Jeans
- Black Midi Dress from grupomancin
- Secondhand White Bodysuit from Goodwill
- Secondhand Crocheted Yellow Crop Sweater from Goodwill
- Tan Maxi Skirt from grupomancin
- Deadstock Crop White Tee from grupomancin
- Denim Button Shirt from former life in luxury fashion
- Black Knit Short Sleeve
- Destroyed Denim Shorts (which I had to mend during the challenge ♻)

My 10 x 10 Wardrobe Challenge Looks

5 Things I learned with a Wardrobe Challenge

When picking your pieces, look for the pieces in your wardrobe that you love but that are also versatile. Being able to dress up and down your pieces will help you get the most out of your wardrobe and the ability to create many different looks.

The great thing with a wardrobe challenge is that you don’t have to include your accessories and shoes in your piece count (Mad props to the real pros who do count their shoes!) When you styling your outfits, make sure to mix up your accessories and footwear. Even small styling techniues as in knotting the bottom your shirt, folding your sleeves, or cuffing your pants can completely change an outfit.

Jeans are always my go so I might be bias, but making sure you have at least 1 or 2 denim pieces in your mix is a must. And if you haven’t heard, Canadian Tuxedos are in, so be sure to venture and try out some denim on denim looks. I love to mix different shades of blue and even pair destroyed pieces with clean crisp pieces.

Its easy to associate basic with being boring, however when it comes to building a conscious wardrobe, that couldn’t be further from the truth. When you look for basics, look for upgraded versions. For example, for a white tee, I had two options. I picked a secondhand deep vneck bodysuit and a deadstock crop white tshirt from the 80s. Both pieces are pretty basic, but neither is boring. Both pieces support sustainable fashion and exude the right amount of sex appeal.

Colors and patterns can easily refresh a wardrobe. When you are trying to get the most out of your wardrobe with versatile basic pieces, you might feel its a little stale. Keep your wardrobe interesting with seasonal colors and patterns that you love.

The Next Wardrobe Challenge

I loved this wardrobe challenge way more than I was expecting. I found it fun and exciting to get dressed every single day, and in 2020 that is HUGE. I also found that I was more motivated from the start of each day and more productive overall. But what is even more exciting than the surge of motivation, is that I am finally feeling like I am building the sustainable conscious closet that I have dreamt of having. A wardrobe that fits the new me, the woman me, the entreprenuer me and mom me. 

If you are new to sustainable fashion, or feel your wardrobe needs a makeover, I challenge you try a wardrobe challenge to jumpstart your journey.

Will You Accept the Challenge? 

Living a sustainable lifestyle goes far beyond just recycling or eating organic. We can make better choices in nearly every area of our lives, from our everyday diet to our personal care habits to what we wear.

When I first set out to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, I never realized that the way I cared for my clothes actually had an impact on the environment. But it totally does! Around 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions from clothing actually occur during the consumer use stage. So, regardless of the clothing we already have in our closets or what we choose to buy, we have a lot of control over the environmental impact of our wardrobes.

In the past year, as I’ve tried to be more eco-conscious, I’ve made a lot of simple changes that have really helped me minimize my carbon footprint -- without inconveniencing my life at all. In fact, they’ve even made my clothes last longer and feel better. Here are a few quick fixes you can start implementing today to care for your clothes more sustainably.

1. Wear your clothes more than once before washing
   

   Of course, I’m not suggesting that you need to wear stinky, dirty clothes in order to save the planet. But the truth is, you’re probably washing your clothes more than you need to. In particular, jeans can be worn many times between washes. Bras can also be worn multiple times before you need to wash them, and overwashing usually just makes them wear out faster.
   
   There are also plenty of machineless alternatives to make your clothes feel fresher for longer. Airing your clothing on a hanger outside can eliminate odors pretty well. Freezing clothing is also a very effective way to kill bacteria and odors caused by it. (Though I recommend giving your clothes plenty of time to thaw out and warm up before you put them on again!)
   
   Each time you wash your clothes, your garments shed microfibers that ultimately end up polluting oceans. Plus, your washing machine emits harmful CO2 into the air and uses large amounts of water. Washing your clothes less frequently is better for the environment and makes your clothes last longer.
   
   

2. Wash your clothes in cold water
   

   When you do wash your clothes in the washing machine, be sure to use cold water. Again, it’s easier on both the planet and your clothes! Turning the temperature down on your washing machine can eliminate a hundred grams of CO2 emissions each time you wash, and it keeps colors brighter and the shape of your garments more intact.
   
   

3. Hang your clothes out to dry
   

   While washing your clothes less frequently and at a lower temperature can minimize your carbon footprint significantly, drying your clothes by machine is the main emissions culprit. Clothes dryers are one of the largest energy users in a home, usually using as much as a refrigerator, a dishwasher, and a clothes washer combined. A household running a dryer 200 times per year could save nearly half a ton of CO2 emissions simply by switching to hang drying!
   
   If you live somewhere with a balcony and warm weather, hang your clothes on a line outside to dry. But if not, using a drying rack inside is a great option as well!

Every change you make to live a more sustainable life counts. It’s small, conscious decisions like these that really add up and put less of a strain on precious environmental resources. As you start being more conscious about the impact each decision you make has on the environment, you take better care of the planet, yourself, and those who come after you.

When I first started being mindful of the impact my personal consumption had on the environment, I relied a lot on labels to tell me what was good and what was bad. If a shirt said “eco-friendly” or “green” in the description, I was all there for it. If it didn’t, I assumed it was the enemy and I needed to stay away. But I wasn’t exactly sure why some fabrics were good and others were bad.

Here’s what I learned from a lot of thoughtful research on what exactly makes different fabrics and fibers better for the environment, and why so many common synthetic fabrics are problematic. As you shop for new clothing, keep an eye for these high-quality environmentally-friendly fabrics. Try out a few of them to figure out what you like best!

Natural Eco-Friendly Fabric Options:

Organic Cotton

All the well-known benefits of regular cotton, without any of the drawbacks. Nowadays, organic cotton is increasingly common, in small-scale shops and department stores alike. Organic cotton is breathable, durable, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, fair-trade, and always pesticide-free. It adheres to a rigid set of standards, guaranteeing it’s always made ethically and sustainably.

Since it’s made without pesticides, it requires significantly fewer resources and less land to produce, making it better for the environment and for farmers. Conventional cotton, on the other hand, uses more pesticides than any other crop. Its production releases harmful greenhouse gases and chemical runoff into waterways.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing woody tree that, when processed, can be turned into a sustainable, high-quality fabric. Unlike organic cotton, it requires energy input in order to be converted from wood pulp to a soft fiber for clothing. Still, that process uses no harmful chemicals and produces only minimal waste. Eucalyptus fabric is also biodegradable, soft, lightweight, and pesticide-free. Eucalyptus fabric is usually called TENCEL, so keep an eye out for that on labels.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable plant. Technically a type of grass, it grows from its roots -- so when it’s cut down, it quickly grows back, without requiring any pesticides, irrigation, or replanting.

The production process of bamboo fabric is similar to that of eucalyptus, with bamboo pulp being dissolved and then spun into viscose fibers. Bamboo fabric is chemical-free, hypoallergenic, and very soft. It’s also naturally antibacterial and offers great temperature control.

Hemp

If you’re unfamiliar with hemp fabric like I was, you might imagine it to be coarse, scratchy, and a little lumpy. In fact, hemp fabric is soft, comfortable, and totally eco-friendly. It’s a renewable resource that grows remarkably quickly without pesticides and requires only minimal water. It’s also hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and super durable. Hemp can be converted into a fabric with a sustainable, non-chemical process, though some companies produce it with chemicals and dyes that can have a worse environmental impact.

Recycled & Upcycled Eco-Friendly Fabric Options:

Recycled Cotton

Commonly referred to as reclaimed cotton or regenerated cotton, recycled cotton is another eco-friendly fabric option. It’s made primarily of pre-consumer cotton scraps, though it can be made of post-consumer cotton waste as well. Since recycled cotton most often is created from manufactured cotton that would otherwise be thrown away, it helps to reduce waste. It also doesn’t require the use of any additional cultivation, pesticides, or chemicals.

Upcycled Denim

Upcycling goes a step beyond traditional recycling. While recycling usually results in a lower grade fabric or plastic, upcycling converts waste or useless materials into new materials or better-quality products. It refashions materials rather than breaking them down. This process is highly sustainable. It eliminates waste, saves water, and prevents tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

Recycled Plastic

Many top brands have started creating clothing from recycled plastics found in oceans in an attempt to be more sustainable. It’s a noble effort -- turning terrible waste and pollution into wearable, recyclable clothing. However, many have criticized recycled plastic clothing, saying it may actually do more harm than good. Research has found that microfibers may be the biggest source of plastic in the ocean -- which end up in the ocean as a result of washing synthetic clothing in washing machines. Use your best judgment when it comes to purchasing recycled plastic clothing (and maybe wash it sparingly!)

Remember: while it’s important to make smarter, more sustainable purchases going forward, that doesn’t mean you have to throw out everything in your closet that isn’t as eco-friendly. Making the most of what you have now is just another way to minimize your waste and your personal environmental impact.

But now that you know better, you can make informed decisions about the fibers you’ll wear and the like-minded businesses you’ll support. As you seek out clothing made with natural, environmentally-friendly fabrics, you’ll do your part to take care of the planet and support others striving to do the same -- all without sacrificing your personal style.

Managing a family of 7 while incorporating sustainable fashion into our lives has not been an easy task, but below are some tricks I practice to help me stay sane, maintain a minimalist wardrobe and more importantly, look put together!

3 Simple Tips to Creating a Sustainable Wardrobe

Staples

I can’t stress purchasing staples enough. Most people are drawn to the statement pieces, the pieces that stand out, and add a little excitement to your look with a tiny bit of extra flare. But if you only purchase statement pieces, you will find yourself always feeling like you have nothing to wear. When shopping, imagine the lifecycle of the piece you are considering. Is it something you want to buy to have now, right now - or is it a piece that you can see wearing season after season? Visualize outfits with your desired piece with other items you already own in your wardrobe. If you have nothing to wear it with, put it down and walk away.

Click here to shop our current staples

Neutrals

When you purchase neutrals you are instantly alleviating the stress of matching loud/bold colors and/or patterns. But remember, neutral doesn’t just mean white, grey and black. You can use nudes (my favorite nudes have a hint of rose), olive greens, and even deep blues as neutrals. Neutrals are also seasonless and can be worn during any month. These colors are easy to pair together and therefore allow you to mix and match all the pieces in your wardrobe effortlessly. And when all else fails, you can easily put together a monogramatic look!

Versatility

I want to be able to achieve different looks while being comfortable for everything on my calendar.  I try to look for pieces that offer a lot of versatility and can be worn different ways. I love a nice jumpsuit or dress that can easily be dressed up or down just by changing shoes and accessories and seamlessly take you from day to night. Right now, my favorite piece is our V-neckline Jumpsuit. I wear it with minimalist jewelry and simple sandals for a daytime look and dress it up with dangle earrings and heels for a night out. 

I may not have had time to do my hair (which I definitely need some tips on how to tame hair while mombossing) and I may have forgotten my daughter’s shoes to my niece's graduation, but having a versatile jumpsuit made getting dress stress-free. And who isn't up for one less thing to stress about?

I hope these tips help you. And remember, always try to have fun! Having style doesn't mean having to buy new things, it’s more about how you put your outfits together, from your top to bottom, your accessories and your shoes to how you wear the piece. Practice different combinations, give yourself a break and most importantly, have fun!