I’ve never really made a new year resolution post, I’m also a little delayed but I thought it might be a good idea to share at least one goal I’d like to achieve in the next 12 months. Maybe posting this blog and chatting about it on Insta will help me to stay accountable, but we’ll see.

Here goes…

This year I plan to take part in #nothingnew2019. I’ve thought about it for a while and I’d like to challenge myself and not buy any new items of clothing, shoes and accessories for a whole year (maybe longer). So this means that if I need or want something I either sew it myself, thrift it, repair it, or jazz up an item I already have.

First of all, I have to admit that my challenge will actually be the rest of 2019 plus 5 days of 2020 because I had to buy a beanie out of desperation after dropping it in a puddle while exploring Stockholm! A cold and wet head wasn’t really on my list of “must try” things in the beautiful Swedish city. I also had to purchase two long sleeve tops to wear under my clothes because you know, European winter. I did actually plan to make my last purchase sensible and well thought out, and hoped to include underwear too but for some reason that just slipped my mind and now I’ll just have to learn to sew them (thrifting undies isn’t really my thing).

I’ve read about ethical, sustainable and slow fashion and followed some women on Instagram who began their journey by completing the “Nothing New” challenge. As I followed these women I began to feel inspired to join the tribe and do my best to make a small yet possibly great (depending on how you look at it) impact on humanity and our environment. I’m aware that there are countless people in some parts of our world that are underpaid and forced to work in terrible conditions to make the clothes that we so often wear once, forget we even own, or throw away even when it’s still wearable. Not to mention all the clothing that goes to waste in the fast fashion industry once it’s not in “style” anymore. How much of that clothing goes to the ones that need it most? And how much goes into landfill? It just doesn’t sit right with me knowing this and so for a while now when I spend my money on clothing I find myself wondering who made it and how is their work environment. I also wonder if I actually need the item or if I could make it myself. Maybe I’ve become a little more aware because I also know how much time and effort can go into making one piece of clothing.

Looking at it on a brighter side, how fortunate are we to even have clothing and shoes? I know right now I’m beyond grateful for my winter clothes. For me the process of making a piece of clothing, choosing fabric, taking my time, making mistakes, finishing a step and finally trying it on and seeing that it actually fits, is such a proud and satisfying moment and I love it!

So this is it! It’s happening! I’m not going to be too hard on myself but these are the general rules…

– Make my own clothes

– Thrift

– Repair

– Jazz up an old piece of clothing

– Swap

– The only new clothing items that can be purchased include: Homemade/handmade items from markets, creative friends or Etsy goers- I’ll support someone’s dream any day!

– And fabric to make clothing: I’m not going to be too strict with my fabric purchases. If it’s new and I adore the pattern, then I’ll make it even better by sewing a dress. I’ll also buy fabric from flea markets and up-cycle different materials where I can.

Join me if you’re up for the challenge starting today, tomorrow or yesterday. You may have already started this year by accident but haven’t realised yet- great! Let’s go!