a perfect minimalist wardrobe doesn't exist

Thank you Organic Basics for sponsoring today's video! Browse the shop:
Soft Touch TENCEL bra: bit.ly/3PzXRLu *
Soft Touch TENCEL basic bralette: bit.ly/3Zd2oqk *
Soft Touch Collection: bit.ly/44Isl2c *
Use this code to get 10% off: LIAOB
Let's talk about capsule wardrobes. Specifically, the dream minimalist capsule wardrobe seems to sell. Because there are quite a few things that I am not happy about and I wanted to address them and see how we can steer the conversation around these wardrobes toward healthy expectations so that all of us have a wardrobe we are happy with but don't expect their clothes to solve all the problems :)
Instagram: / ecofriend.lia
Website: www.ecofriendlia.com
Shop: www.ecofriendlia.com/store
Patreon: / simplylia
Podcast:anchor.fm/moreorlesspodcast
#minimalism #slowliving #intentionalliving
_____________________________________________________________________
*This is an affiliate link: If you purchase something through this link, I may earn a small commission. There are no additional costs for you! Thank you for supporting me and this channel, but of course, only buy something if you need it :)

[@deborrasanders]

I did a thorough job of decluttering my clothes a while back and instantly loved my clothes more. My only question for decluttering was: Do I love this? I got rid of scratchy clothes and clothes that are still good enough, but I don't like wearing them. I kept my dresses that I rarely wear because I love them and they don't take up too much space. Since then, my desire for new clothes has plummeted. I used to avoid buying clothes from guilt. Now, I don't buy clothes because I love what I have. I might have accidentally created a capsule wardrobe, since I don't have a lot of clothes, but that wasn't my goal. My goal was simply to love the clothes I own.

[@micivalantincic8227]

I think you have the correct aproach! This way you evolved your wardrobe naturally, not under some preassure.

[@micivalantincic8227]

For me, etsy was a game changer. There are some small family bussineses that make linen clothing and they take special requests-like adding pockets, changing a draw string to elasticated waist band, no tags...I am austistic and my perfect wardrobe is one, that doesn't cause sensory issues. I also like to keep it small so I don't get overwhalmed. So saving for this costum pieces is worth it for me. And it is slow fashion, it takes a month to make. I do agree that we change and wardrobe have to be ajusted:) but knowing where to find sustainable pieces makes it easier.

[@avaapple923]

And on the superficial level, your hair looks great!

[@charcoaldusk]

I love this! My focus lately on staying minimalist with my wardrobe has been to bring less in, not to have as much go out as often. I don't want to be replacing my clothes all the time, especially if I end up wanting to wear something I decluttered and need to replace it. The dream that the "minimalist wardrobe" is often promoting on KZbin and other platforms is still consumerist to me. Some influencers act like you need to buy the "perfect pieces" rather than just work with what you have.

[@sarahthatcher123]

So glad someone was addressing all of this. Well done. One big question that helped me early in creating my minimal wardrobe was ‘how much is ENOUGH’? I realized I had to change my mindset. It is probably why I did not go down the road of trying to reach a perfect capsule. I am by nature very analytical and so I literally figured how just how many items in each category I actually need . Someone once said the way to figure out how much you need of any category of item is to just have ONE…if one does not work for you then have TWO…if two does not work then have 3 and so on. This was a game changer. So I was able to literally figure out how much is ENOUGH. And I made a pie chart based on literally how I spend my life by the hours. Then looked at the number of items I had for each category and see if they matched ( closely). They were actually completely opposite. I spend most of my time ‘at home’ and very little time ‘going out’ and yet the majority of my wardrobe was for ‘going out’ and only a small amount for ‘at home’. I still have most of the challenges you spoke to. Weight change and general ‘fit’ issues, finding the ‘right’ item especially when trying to replace old ones, and ethical items that are accessible. But I have found all of my effort and work that I have put into simplifying and consciously acquiring ‘new’ items have reaped the rewards and been well worth it. I feel better about myself in so many ways now..I feel good that my clothing now more closely aligns with my values, I feel good because I am not wasting money, I feel good because I have a sense of ‘control’ over my wardrobe ( in that I’m not just impulse or mindlessly buying based on trends or what I think others are ‘telling’ me to buy or that I ‘should ‘want.) I feel better in my clothes in every way ..comfort and style. No, my wardrobe is not ‘perfect’ but what I am is ‘content’ and not overwhelmed or burdened. In a way, that is ‘perfect’. I am content with what I have but also ‘content’ when I need to find something new, and content when my weight or style changes and I have to adjust and acquire or get rid of more. All of that is possible because my wardrobe is ‘minimal’ and ‘conscious’. I could never have been ‘conscious’ with the overwhelming amount I used to have and not having the ‘practice’ of letting go of items. All well worth the effort. Like anything in life ..the hard work paid off and I’m reaping the rewards everyday.

[@alonememe]

5:15 Weight changing sucks a lot. I used to get rid of too small or too big clothes, but I lost so much money doing that, and I had to buy whole wardrobe in different size when I lost or gained weight. So now I keep Small, Medium and Large clothes, because I know for sure, that my weight will change. I just store these clothes away, and just use capsule wardrobe in current size. But it's very inconvenient having this issue.

[@corriemcclain7960]

As someone who struggles with perfectionism, I totally agree.

[@ecofriendlia]

I am glad it resonated with you! 😊

[@raynaketchum5617]

Honestly, I think I had more of a minimalist wardrobe before I started trying to build a capsule wardrobe. I saw clothes are more functional. Then the pandemic happened and I started watching youtube.....I appreciate your honesty, I've had several of the same issues you mentioned.

[@justnoticing]

I've been working on minimising my wardrobe for a long time and I really admire you and others who are able to live with such a small number of items.If only we all were able to follow your example, many of the problems with clothing waste would disappear. Don't be too hard on yourself regarding decluttering clothes and re-buying because you are doing so well. I wonder whether you are more conscious of waste and the need to use things up due to income limitations. It can be so hard to find quality clothing which tick the right boxes as everyone is a different shape, size and colouring and also living a different lifestyle. Designers and manufacturers want us to constantly buy and so clothes are not made for function or to last. Time is precious, too, and I don't want to spend too much time and put too much thought into finding suitable clothings so I'm just trying to make do as much as I can. I'm in my 60s and it has been hard to overcome a lifetime of using clothes to make myself feel better about myself.

[@renegaderese]

I’m having issues finding what I specifically want- cute comfortable pants with zipper pockets that I can wear to work and when traveling. Also a dressy mini backpack that is anti theft.

[@Areutherehello]

I had a minimalist wardrobe for years, although I never knew it. I've discovered that I need options because I like having choices for different situations. I also wore out my clothes quickly when I had a minimalist wardrobe. So, I had to replace clothes anyway. Finally, I was doing laundry more often because I wore the same things over and over again. I try to have for example 5 to 7 sweaters. I have four pairs of business pants for work two navy two black and around 6 light tops to mix and match. I was irritated and unhappy with a minimalist wardrobe.

[@karenbaily]

I believe that since I have been working with minimalist capsule wardrobes I have spent more time and money on my clothes than ever before in my life! Haha, however I am happier with my wardrobe than ever before 🤷‍♀️ My weight fluctuates all the time so I have one trunk that I keep my clothes that don't fit me right now in. This helps me to let go more and spend less. Love your honesty and authenticity! Great video!

[@demideridder]

I actually own special bags from ikea where I keep old clothes I don’t like and “declutter” i keep it sometimes for years and more then once, even clothing from 5 years ago from when I was in high school, I found back I love again and wear again. I actually only donate or sell clothes when I actually do not fit it anymore because I gained so much weight I will never fit in it again. Or it’s ripped. I actually do this because I have fases that I like more pink or more naturals or black and white. And so on so on. I have a “minimalist” wardrobe and have been busy with it since 2019 and the only things I regret of it is following other people’s rules when it didn’t fit my lifestyle just because it’s called a minimalist wardrobe. So yea that’s how I do it maybe it’s “cheating” but it makes me happy and I think that’s more important.

[@Sobermama927]

I do this too!!!!!

[@magdalenahernandez1562]

I always love hearing your opinions on wardrobe. I still struggle with feeling insecure about even liking clothing because it seems like such a superficial thing to care about or think about to the extent that I do. But you do a great job at normalizing it and be educational at the same time. I appreciate these types of videos from you specifically!

[@janetthoke8027]

Thank you for this! My thoughts exactly as I try to do this. 😅

[@happytofu5]

I agree. Everything changes all the time, there is no "goal reached" point in anything. Only checkpoints, if we choose to have those. I started to make capsule wardrobes for the seasons, e.g. now only summer clothes with a few autumn items for colder days during summer. That works out very well, because it gives the space where I have my clothes the breathing room they need, and I can optimize this selection for going with each other. The rest is stored away. Also, items that seem perfect now, will only be good enough tomorrow. But thats ok! It gives me the freedom of enjoying something NOW because now is the time to enjoy it, tomorrow I'll have something else that I will enjoy.

[@violacea5155]

Thanks Lia for this insight. I think it may come also from being women and being expected to look nice and not only "functional". I've been trying to reduce my wardrobe a lot in the past years but still couldn't manage to have a minimal one yet. Mostly because I'm searching for "perfect" pieces, which will be ethical, cute, confortable, stylish, durable, suitable for work, and, strangely, never finding something that checks all the boxes. We should learn to let go of this perfectionism and make do with what we have: stop believing in the promise that our next purchase will hold everything together and free us from the eternal search of beauty, freedom, and happiness. Maybe they're already here and don't depend on a wardrobe :D (Sorry for the rant, but it's the first time I'm thinking of a capsule wardrobe this way)

[@ryanli1190]

Can you do a video on men's sustainable activewear?

[@ecofriendlia]

I don't think a lot of people who watch my channel would be interested. Unfortunately, I also don't know many brands... I think Organic Basics and Colorful Standard have some clothes you can be active in but are not specialized... And secondhand is always a sustainable option. Maybe Patagonia? I guess it also depends on the kind of clothes you are looking g for 😊

[@avaapple923]

You are so wise for your age! There’s nowhere you can’t go or do. I used to have a skinny and chubby-fat storage box b/c menopause caused my weight to be a yo-yo😊

[@lizb4156]

No food did.

[@ivanajukicgloban6627]

I totally agree!Thanks for this point of view!❤😊

[@kimchininja]

Good video! Last year I was in decluttering mania and I donated a lot of clothes. Now, I wish i had kept many of them because my weight changed and had to spend money on those same sizes and am having trouble finding pieces I like. I decided to buy quality thrifted items online, and because they've been washed and put in the dryer the sizes are way off. I also decided I like having a few more pieces than a small capsule because I am hard on my clothes due to outdoor activities and hobbies.

[@nanacole2009]

Hallo Lia Dieses Video von dir hat mir sehr gefallen. Wie du auch erwähnt hast wird einem überall die perfekte Capusle Wardrobe als die ultimative Lösung präsentiert. Ich finde es super hast du deine Erfahrungen diesbezüglich geteilt. Ich bin mit dir einig, dass es keinen perfekten Kleiderschrank gibt. Alles ist in Bewegung und ändert sich darum manchmal auch. Danke vielmals! Ich befasse mich seit vielen Jahren in verschiedenen Bereichen mit Nachhaltigkeit. Vor etwas mehr als zwei Jahren habe ich begonnen mich mit Minimalismus auseinander zu setzen. Inzwischen hat sich wohl mein Besitz um 2/3 reduziert. Du bist für mich eine Inspirationsquelle - die meisten Kanäle hier kommen in einer hübschen 'Verpackung' daher - der Inhalt ist jedoch nicht immer so toll! Bravo - du machst das wirklich extrem gut und so ehrlich! Danke aus Bern, Nat

[@MelinaPPB]

I recently bought myself 4 pairs of pants from forever21 because I gained weight, have no money as I'm working fewer hours because of school, and was feeling depressed about waiting to save up money to buy more sustainable pants while wearing clothes that fit too tight almost everyday. I felt guilty but it's just something I had to do for me. Normally any new clothes comes from sustainable brands near me. @__@

[@9FatraBbits]

You are always so thoughtful when dissecting reasons - goals for minimalism. How minimal should one go? What is ethical? What is your lifestyle? I’m on a small income and have to budget and save for anything extra. This is my choice. I am grateful for the TIME I have. I happily wear my “good” things - even in the garden or out walking. I have a small list of clothing items I’m saving for. Eventually I either buy it, find it secondhand, or make a trade if I can. Then I love it and wear it to the end….unless I trade it!

[@tremor_n_hawk]

Thanks for this message. I needed to hear this! 😊

[@TG81]

Excellent points 😊

[@irene4312]

Why do you think Project 333 doesn't work for your ongoing life?

[@ecofriendlia]

Because all the people I see doing it have a number of clothes they don't use because they are not in their capsule. That makes project 333 possible because other wise I find it too sudden to just change stuff once every three months. But I also don't want to use just a portion of the clothes I own. I am happy if it works for other people but for me it requires to much clothes I don't wear and to much effort when seasons change...

[@kirstynbahruth3645]

Lia your hair is getting long!