Building a Conscious Closet

A conscious closet is one created with intention, focusing on personal style while being mindful of sustainable practices. In this module I will be taking you through the steps of how you can build your own.

Step 1: Audit & Organise

For this step, you are going to make four separate piles of clothes:

• Plie 1: The Keep Pile — clothes that you love and wear often.
• Pile 2: The Repair Pile — clothes that are either missing buttons, have loose hems, or have minor stains. Book a 60-minute mend block this week.
• Pile 3: The Resell/Donate Pile — clothes that are in excellent to satisfactory condition but not your style or size. You can either donate these clothes to a local charity chop or resell them on your site of choice.

Step 2: Capsule closet basics

A capsule closet is a versatile set of pieces that can be mixed and matched across most settings.

• Starter capsule (20–30 pieces): 8 tops, 6 bottoms, dresses/jumpsuits, 3 knits, 2 outerwear, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 bags.
• Colour map: select 2–3 base colours, 2 accents, and one pop colour.
• Fabric focus: organic cotton, linen, hemp, Tencel, wool. Avoid fragile blends that pill. Use my guide on sustainable fabrics to help you.

Step 3: Quality & Construction

Here’s what you need to check for when shopping for good-quality items:

• Seams: should have even stitches and no skipped threads.
• Fabric weight: if you hold the item up to light and it appears too sheer, it may sag, which isn’t ideal for durability. For denim, aim for 11–14 oz for durability and 160–200 gsm for tops.
• Hardware: the zips should be smooth, spare buttons must be provided, and buttonholes must be tight.
• Care label: explicit fibre content must be provided, and the care for the item must be realistic. If you are online shopping and the care label is not available, that is a red flag.

Step 4: Plan before you buy

• Gap analysis: Before you buy something, ask yourself, “Can I create the outfit I want with what is currently in my wardrobe?” If the answer is no, then identify what it is you are missing.
• Buy list: Once you have identified what is missing, specify the fit you want the item/s to have, the fabric, the colour, your budget, and your CPW goal. Example: “Black wool blazer, RWS wool, £120 max, CPW ≤ £1, relaxed fit.”
• The Hunt: When looking for your new item/s do not forget to check the care label for the material composition and check Good on You for the brand’s sustainability score.

Happy shopping!