Overhauling my wardrobe

CW: talking about body changes

It seems fitting to write about this now as it’s very much on theme with making my way to a handmade wardrobe, which is my ultimate goal.

Recently I went on a few decluttering sprees. One of these involved tackling my clothing. I own a lot of clothing, not least because my body measurements fluctuate frequently, so I have a reasonable wardrobe of garments to fit each of those different measurements. The problem is this adds up to a LOT of clothes!

Over the course of the pandemic and my illness’s relapse, my measurements have fluctuated again and I realised that the clothes I was wearing most were my handmade clothes. A little bit of this is that those are more meaningful items, but a large part is that those are the items that are most comfortable and fit me the best. Items that feel tight, restrict my movement, or weigh me down have been put to one side.

So I tackled my wardrobe and donated what I knew I wouldn’t wear anymore, and put into storage the things I loved for another day, in case my body fluctuates again and they fit in future. I removed everything that doesn’t currently fit me.

That left me with very little; it left most of my handmade garments, a couple of pairs of RTW leggings, and a couple of RTW t-shirts and tanks. You might think this makes dressing difficult, but I’ve kept everything I’ve been wearing recently – it’s just that I had been cycling the same few garments over and over.

I choose to see this as a rare opportunity to start my wardrobe from scratch. To remove the white noise and baggage of garments that I’m not wearing, whatever the reason, and to take a streamlined look at what I have and what I need. To focus my sewing.

As a result, I’ve identified some things I want to make, and some of those have a higher priority because they’re staples.

Here’s my list so far:

1) Some t-shirts. I want a couple of Muna and Broad Tarlee t-shirts with a 3/4 sleeve to take me through autumn and winter. I’ve picked a yellow viscose jersey and a striped rib knit. I’ve also been toiling the Sew Over It Audrey top and I’d like to be able to have one or two of these in my wardrobe.

2) Some trousers. Right now I don’t have any beside joggers/loungewear! I’m planning a pair of Helen’s Closet Winslow culottes (maybe 3/4 length); a pair of Style Arc Barry trousers; and I want to knock together a pair of trousers for when I’m back at work in person – I’m thinking Muna and Broad Glebe, Willandra or Sculthorpe trousers. I also purchased the Helen’s Closet Arden pants in their recent sale as I’d love some woven joggers.

3) A light woven jacket. I’m currently working on a toile of the Sew Over It Sorrento jacket and hope to have a wearable toile and a final version in denim.

4) Some woven tank/shell and cami tops. These would be good both for work and leisure; I’m thinking about the Helen’s Closet Ashton, which I’ve made before. I’ve got the True Bias Ogden cami to a good fit and I’m working on the Muna and Broad Nullarbor cami too.

5) Dresses. I generally live in dresses and I find lightweight viscose the most comfortable material to wear. I’m working on a toile of the Muna and Broad Nullarbor, which I intend to use to create some fancy slip dresses that I can belt for smart-casual occasions. I’m also looking forward to the True Bias Shelby when the expanded sizing is released. I’m also planning to attempt a Cashmerette Roseclair to see if that bodice works any better for me than the BHL Hannah.

6) a new winter coat. I’m currently toying with the TFS Poppy, which is a lovely oversized teddy style coat; because of the design ease it shouldn’t pose too many fit issues.

Whether or not I can manage all of this by the end of winter is another matter, but it feels refreshing to have some focus and direction!