Closet Consumption: Monday 30 July

Wearing today: 

• Hare Dress by Marimekko. Purchased in store at upper east side store in November 2009 for approximately $150USD.
• Stockings. Purchased online from Urban Outfitters for $10USD about 2 months ago. 
• Black Vans sneakers purchased in NYC in February 2012 for $40USD.
• Cardigan by the GAP, purchased in store for $60USD.
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 

Usage notes:
Dress:  I have worn this dress loads, I throw it in the washing machine and it often doesn't need ironing.  It's been quite consistent in the wardrobe! It is also fully made in Finland.


Shoes:  Vans sneakers, they are starting to fall apart a little bit but I do wear them a few days a week.  Also when I purchased them, I consistently wore them for close to 30 days in a row while travelling!


Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Cardigan:  worn approximately 1-2 times a week.  No pilling and has worn well so far.

Closet Consumption: Sunday 29th July, 2012

Wearing today: 

• Marimekko striped oversized t-shirt.  Purchased online on sale for $50USD in May 2012.
• Black leggings, gift from my mum!
• Organic printed cotton Vans sneakers.  Purchased in Munich Germany in August 2007 for approximately $50euros.
• Khaki cotton jacket from the GAP.  Purchased instore in San Jose in October 2009 for $30USD (On sale)

Usage notes:


Top:  I was heading to the studio today so needed something comfortable!  These striped Marimekko tops are my go to on the weekend, comfortable and wash well.

Shoes:  I don't wear these heaps but I have had them for 5 years and they are going strong!

Leggings:  cotton, ok quality, however they are starting to get thin in sections so I don't think that they will last too much longer and may end up as rags for cleaning in a few months.


Jacket:  Lightweight, I often take this jacket for travelling due to it's huge amount of pockets.  Missing one button which I can't find but is comfortable and slouchy for the weekend.

Closet Consumption: Saturday 28th July, 2012.

Wearing today: 

• Jeans from the GAP.  Purchased in February 2012 for $60USD.
• Obey t-shirt, purchased from Urban Outfitters in Washington DC for $25USD in August 2010.
• Cardigan, grey from Uniqlo, purchased in store in February 2012 for $20USD
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 
• Shoes, Vans purchased in August 2010 in NYC for approximately $40USD.

Usage notes:
Jeans:  these are generally the jeans that I throw on for the weekend if I'm hitting the supermarket, working at home.  They are slouchy, soft and comfortable.  My last pair of GAP jeans I loved but they started to wear through quite quickly.


T-shirt:  I wear this tee on the weekends and also to the gym.  It's soft and has washed well.  The  print is a bleach dye so the print won't crack.  Not sure where it is made however.

Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Cardigan:  worn approximately 1-2 times a week.  No pilling and has worn well so far.


Shoes:  I have a few pairs of vans and I live in them on the weekends and in summer.  these are wearing well so far.

Closet Consumption: Friday 27 July, 2012

Marimekko 'horse' dress.

Wearing today: 

• Dress by Marimekko. Fabric printed in Finland, dress finished in Lithuania.  Cotton and lined. Purchased in store in New York in February 2012 on sale for approximately $70USD.
• Stockings. Purchased online from Urban Outfitters for $10USD about 2 months ago. 
• Shoes handmade, cost $160AUD. Purchased in January 2010.
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 
• Jacket by Tahari. Purchased at discount store in November 2009 for approximately $150USD. 
• Cowl, knitted by me in April 2011.  Pure Wool.

Usage notes:


Dress:  I was in New York during the President's Day sales.  The Marimekko flagship store had items that were heavily reduced.  The funny thing is I probably would of bought this even if it wasn't on sale!


Shoes:  have been resoled once by a local cobbler.  I do go through stages of wearing these shoes but they have been well loved so far.  No issues with quality either.


Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Jacket:  One of the oldest items today.  Is worn most days in the cooler months.  I have had it cleaned once or twice professionally and it is still going strong!

Cowl:  This has had so much use!  I even wear it in the house or studio when I am feeling a little bit chilly.

Closet Consumption: Thursday 26 July, 2012.

Grey handmade shoes by Rocco.

Wearing today: 

• Dress by Target. Purchased in November 2011 on sale for $19AUD.
• Stockings. Purchased online from Urban Outfitters for $10USD about 2 months ago. 
• Shoes custom handmade.  Purchased in 2009 for $160AUD.
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 
• Jacket by Marimekko.  Purchased on sale for $200USD instore in March 2011.
• necklace by local artisan, purchased in Bendigo for $35 USD. July 2012.

Target dress, tights from Urban Outfitters.

Usage notes:


Dress:  Unfortunately this was a bit of a last minute purchase.  I needed a black dress and spied this on sale at Target while picking up underwear. I've worn it a few times and it's quite comfortable however it is made from polyester and is probably in the mid quality range.  It is lined however.


Shoes:  I don't wear these shoes too often but they are very comfortable.  I need to have them resoled soon.  No issues with quality either.


Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Jacket:  I had been in love with this jacket for ages and was shopping in the Cambridge store of Marimekko while on vacation and they had one left in my size!  It was heavily reduced and I adore it!

Closet Consumption: Wednesday 25 July, 2012

dress made by me, vintage fabric.

Wearing today: 

• Dress made by me!  Vintage barkcloth fabric from the early 1960s purchased for $14AUD on ebay.  Made in January 2009.
• Stockings. Purchased from local drug store for approximately $9AUD.
• Shoes handmade by local bootmaker.  Purchased in January 2010 for $160AUD.
• Leather belt from GAP.  Purchased February 2012 for $18USD.
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 
• Black cotton cardigan from Uniqlo.  Purchased February 2012 for $20USD.
• Black wool cape from Australian label NIQUE.  Purchased in June 2011 for $110AUD.

hand made shoes.

Usage notes:


Dress:  this was made from one of my favourite dress patterns.  I think that I've made about 6 dresses from this pattern!  Although it is short sleeve, I still wear it in the cooler weather with a cardigan and stockings.  It has washed well and I haven't had to repair any seams.  Oldest item I am wearing today and still looks new!


Shoes:  have been resoled once by a local cobbler.  I do go through stages of wearing these shoes but they have been well loved so far.  No issues with quality either.


Belt:  I purchased this while on vacation as I needed a belt for my jeans.  It is leather and reasonably plain.  Nothing too exciting.  However I prefer leather belts to synthetic ones.


Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Cardigan:  wearing well, I wash it in the washing machine and it seems to wash well.  It is a basic black cardigan that I wear alot!


Cape:  I have worn a few times, it is an in between jacket for me when the weather is a little warmer and I don't need a giant jacket.  The wool hasn't pilled at all and it is lined and well constructed.

Closet Consumption: Tuesday 24 July, 2012

Marimekko dress, 3/4 sleeves, cotton fabric.

Wearing today: 

• Dress by Marimekko. Purchased in store at Cambridge store online in March 2011 for approximately $170USD.
• Stockings. Purchased online from Urban Outfitters for $10USD about 2 months ago. 
• Shoes by Ugglebo.  Handmade custom order and purchased online for $160USD. Received in April 2012.
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 
• Jacket by Tahari. Purchased at discount store in November 2009 for approximately $150USD. 
• necklace by local artisan, purchased in Bendigo for $35 USD. July 2012.

Ugglebo Clogs

Usage notes:


Dress:  This dress by Marimekko is made from cotton, the printed fabric was done in Finland and the dress itself made in Estonia.  It's a dress that I wear for work, special events but is very comfortable and is washing well.


Shoes:  these are hand made by Ugglebo especially for me as I have huge feet! They are super comfortable and the company has been making the same style of clogs since the 1970s!


Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Necklace:  I spied this in a store on the weekend and purchased, I've worn it a few times in the last few days.  It is made from wood and cord.


Jacket:  One of the oldest items today.  Is worn most days in the cooler months.  I have had it cleaned once or twice professionally and it is still going strong!

Closet Consumption: Monday 23 July, 2012.

Marimekko Organic cotton dress.

Wearing today: 

• Dress by Marimekko. Purchased online in August 2011 for approximately $150USD.
• Stockings. Purchased at local drug store for about $9AU about 3 weeks ago. 
• Wool blend cardigan by GAP. Purchased in February 2012 for $80USD. 
• Shoes, handmade. Purchased in January 2010 for approximately $160AUD. 
• Bag by Marimekko. Purchased in store in February 2012 on sale for approximately $60USD. 
• Jacket by Tahari. Purchased at discount store in November 2009 for approximately $150USD. 
• Cowl, handmade by me in April 2011. 

yellow Marimekko bag, made in Finland

  


Usage notes:


Dress:  I have been wearing this dress close to once a week since I have purchased it.  It is made from organic cotton and has washed and worn very well.  It's a dress that I wear for work.


Shoes:  have been resoled once by a local cobbler.  I do go through stages of wearing these shoes but they have been well loved so far.  No issues with quality either.


Bag:  since purchase, it has been used most days.


Cardigan:  worn approximately 1-2 times a week.  No pilling and has worn well so far.


Jacket:  One of the oldest items today.  Is worn most days in the cooler months.  I have had it cleaned once or twice professionally and it is still going strong!

Why I started Closet Consumption...

I've always had an interest in fashion, consumption, celebrity and shopping theory.  When I completed my Masters by research in 2003/4, I looked heavily at shopping theory.  I finished my Masters, kept working as a curator but still kept up my reading into the fashion and shopping theory.  While reading I started thinking about my own personal consumption in fashion and what my impact was on the environment and most importantly on the rag trade itself.

A few years ago, I made a pledge to myself to try and make most of my clothes.  It's not a super hard task considering I come from a family of bootmakers, pattern makers etc.  I have been sewing for nearly all my life so I decided to call upon those skills again.

After a very inspirational article about Buy Nothing New Month (which started it's movement in Australia!), I  wrote about my consumption and the way that I was trying to make changes in a post over here.  The ideas of not buying cheaply and poorly made items have been with me for quite some time and it's a practice that I try to adhere to.

Peter over on his blog Male Pattern Boldness discussed the issues around cheap clothing and consumption in a post here.  He had been reading the book Overdressed:  The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline and inspired by the post I downloaded a kindle version.  I haven't read the whole thing but  it really does give some home truths about the way we shop now and how people don't value quality as much as they used to.

So, from this crazy train of thought, I decided to create this blog domain to document my own consumption in the fashion world.  I will be documenting what I have been wearing, in terms of where it has come from, costs and who manufactured it and how many times I have been wearing it.  I will also research more the backgrounds of my favourite labels and the issues around consumption.

This really is my own research.  I am interested in tracking my own consumption with potentially using the information to inform my own art practice and writing.  I don't want Closet Consumption to be preachy but more an investigation.

I'd love to hear your thoughts so please feel free to leave comments!