Minimal Wardrobe: Handmade

In an ever-changing world, there's something constant about the allure of a handmade wardrobe.

Imagine opening your wardrobe every morning to a curated collection of pieces that not only perfectly embody your style and values, but are also tailored to your unique specifications.

The journey of creating a minimal wardrobe by hand goes beyond just fashion. It's a way of life.

It's a statement of intentionality, and a reflection of one's unique self. It has also reacquainted me with my love of learning. Not through text books, (although books still feature in my skill development), and not through sitting tests; but just by learning at my own pace the things that I am interested in.

(This concept closely resembles "child-led learning", which involves leveraging a child's natural interests to fuel their motivation to learn and develop, rather than following a disengaging approach that undermines their confidence in their learning abilities. However, that's a separate topic!)

All the items shown in these images have been either made by me from start to finish, or were purchased ready to wear and altered by me.*

Dress rehearsal: every stitch tells a story

What started with a yearning for simplicity and clarity in my everyday life, grew into a journey of refinement and learning; a dedicated journey of paring everything back and starting over, with fit and functionality at its core.

Each stitch, every fabric choice, was a step towards aligning my outer self with my inner vision.

One of the core principles of building a minimal wardrobe is prioritising quality over quantity.

Investing in pieces that withstand the test of time not only reduces waste but also elevates your style to a new level of sophistication. From ethically sourced fabrics to meticulous, hand-sewn details, each garment tells a story of craftsmanship and intention.

Typically, we will start by making a mock-up, (also called a toile, or a muslin), of the garment, in a plain fabric that will undergo a range of adjustments in order to get a perfect fit. Sometimes this will require more than one muslin, depending on the extent to which one needs to alter the pattern.

From there, a new pattern is born and will be transferred to paper to use for the final product.

This new pattern will be bespoke to the wearer.

Why is that important?

Survival of the fittest

Beautifully fitting clothes sit more comfortably and attractively on the wearer. Ever notice how sometimes clothes wear the wearer? A big part of that is proportions.

Consider something that has your size on the tag, and fits in every way apart from the fact that the shoulder seams are too wide, or too short. Or, maybe the underarm seam is too high, or too low. And the garment is still wearable, of course; but how much more beautiful it is to wear when it fits perfectly.

Although I know individuals who wear the same size clothing as me, we have different proportions, particularly in terms of shoulder width. As a result, jackets that fit me may not fit them, and vice versa.

Additionally, I have narrower hips but bigger calves, and my arms are longer from shoulder to wrist.

Furthermore, I tend to be longer than them in the torso, so garments that reach their hips may be slightly shorter than I prefer. You can see how proportions start to become more than simply length and width of an overall garment.

Sometimes these proportions are overt, and other times they are almost imperceptible; but anyone who sews clothing will tell you that even the merest millimetres make a difference. All that said, there's a freedom not to be overlooked when making adjustments. Just because there are standard lengths and commercial sizes, doesn't necessarily mean that's how you want your clothes to be.

Maybe you prefer sleeves to conceal your hands. Maybe you prefer a bracelet sleeve.

Maybe you've noticed that no matter how narrow the legs are on a pair of pants, the seat is constantly baggy, and there's fabric you can 'grab' at the back. This is not actually a fit issue in the side seams - this is a fit issue in the inseam. And you don't need to take it in, but take it up.

When you make your own clothes, you can change everything to your individual preferences.

The Joy of Handmade

There's a certain magic in creating pieces by hand. The time, effort, and love poured into each garment imbue it with a unique charm that sets it apart from mass-produced fashion. From hand-sewn buttons to hand-dyed fabrics, the personal touch of handmade pieces elevates your wardrobe to a realm of artistry and individuality.

Crafting a minimal wardrobe by hand isn't just about aesthetics; it's also a sustainable choice. By embracing slow fashion and supporting local artisans, you contribute to a more eco-friendly and ethical fashion industry. Each handmade piece carries a story of conscious consumption and a commitment to preserving the beauty of craftsmanship.

For anyone wanting to look into the fashion industry, there's a documentary called The True Cost which shines a light on the wastefulness of fast fashion, and the detrimental impacts it has on lives and the environment.

For lighter watching, but equally compelling, in my opinion, there are documentaries and short clips out there that give insight to haute couture fashion houses. If you've ever wondered why haute couture pieces are so expensive you won't continue to wonder after watching them.

My favourite is a clip on YouTube that explains in detail the decisions and processes behind a particular Chanel suit that was made for a client. Micro details like including the tiniest lingerie straps under the shoulders of a tank top, so that bra straps are held in place and never slip down the arm. Or, an invisible panel in the seat of the skirt to prevent sagging with wear. Or, simply leaving larger seam allowances so that the same garment can have the hem lifted and lowered as fashions change.

Finer details still are considered, like ensuring that directional patterns continue in the same path right the way around the garment. Matching waistbands and facings to other elements of the outfit.

Hidden pockets that only the wearer knows about. Hidden zippers that perfect the fit but don't restrict the wearer from getting in or out of the garment.

Everything hidden from plain sight, but never revealing a cut line in the fabric.

It's a skill, and an insightfulness.

It's also a unique understanding of our lives. What we need our wardrobes to do for us, without compromising or cutting corners.

Embracing Minimalism, One Stitch at a Time

In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, a minimal wardrobe crafted by hand feels more captivating than ever.

It's a statement of elegance, a celebration of craftsmanship, and a reflection of one's unique style.

By embracing minimalism in fashion, we not only simplify our lives but also make a conscious choice to redefine the way we interact with our clothing.

So. What are you going to make next?

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*Black strapless top worn beneath the silk tank and the silk shirt was not made by me. That was purchased from Cotton On and remains unaltered by me.