July is here and the promise of sunshine has us all excited at Lora GENE HQ. The joy of a sustainable capsule wardrobe is versatility- meaning pieces in your winter wardrobe shouldn’t be packed away so quickly!

We’ve compiled 3 top tips with a collection of the perfect hero pieces to help you set your summer looks alight.

  1. Know Your Budget

The first step in curating any capsule wardrobe is to take a moment to look at what you already have and think about your budget before buying anything new regardless of whether it's from a sustainable clothing brand. Taking some time out to reflect on how much we spend on clothing month-to-month can be the first step towards changing our habits and mindset. There is a misconception about sustainable clothing- that it has to ‘break the bank’, which isn’t necessarily true. Simply ask yourself, ‘What are my shopping habits?’ and ‘What things do I replace most often and why?’ This will give you an idea of the drivers behind how much you're currently spending. When you truly reflect on how you spend, the cheaper option often ends up as the pricier one over time, when having to frequently replace things that are not made sustainably.

The Essential Silk Tee

The essential crisp white tee can take you from the school run to sangria with friends. Nothing beats this simple style statement, paired with bold earrings and palazzo pants, or jeans and simple flats. The simplicity of the design always gives us a shape we love.

The essential crisp white tee can take you from the school run to sangria with friends. Nothing beats this simple style statement, paired with bold earrings and palazzo pants, or jeans and simple flats. The simplicity of the design always gives us a shape we love.othing beats this simple style statement, paired with bold earrings and palazzo pants, or jeans and simple flats. The simplicity of the design always gives us a shape we love.

 

2. Choose Trans-seasonal Designs

Ask most women, and they will have a favourite item or accessory that takes them from day-to-night, or spring to summer effortlessly, which is probably what made it a steadfast piece, to begin with. What we lack most, maybe the inspiration to reinvent that item into new looks- making it work across any season. Pinterest is a great source of creativity; helping us to look at our wardrobe with fresh eyes. It’s also a helpful way to silence that inner voice- telling us we can just find something new on the high street that isn’t necessarily organic or ethically made. Livia Firth from Eco Age talks about the 30x test. She advocates simply asking yourself if you will get 30 wears out of any item before you decide to buy it. If the answer is no, it’s probably not worth the investment anyway.

The All-Season Skirt

 

The elegance of a well-made skirt adds femininity and glamour to any outfit. Find the right skirt and you have something that will take you through all seasons. Pair it together with a simple camisole in summer, or with tights and boots as the months get colder.

3. Own Your Style

Knowing the type of 'look’ that works for you and how it makes you feel can help you build a style bible of your own. Pull out three of your favourite pieces and list the things that you love about them. Is there anything in common with how they fit, look and feel? Keep these words in mind when deciding on anything else in your wardrobe and if it isn’t fit for purpose anymore- donate it accordingly. The Power Jacket Thinking of the way your favourite clothes make you feel, is a good indication of what you should look for when trying to find anything new. A well-fitted blazer is a sure-fire way to quickly feel confident, and finding the right one can speak volumes about your personality! #savetheplanet Above all, repurposing what you already have is the ultimate action to save the planet. Stepping away from the repetitive wash and wear cycle, opting for lower wash temperatures, and steaming instead of ironing, can really preserve the life of our clothing. You can find guidance on the best ways to care for your loved pieces from Lora Gene here.