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Ms Wanda’s Wardrobe

Sally Hill | 01.10.10

Guest blog by 'Ms Wanda'

Some people call me mad. Some people call me a martyr. Some people might even call me an eco-warrior. Why? Because I have pledged not to buy any ‘new’ clothes for the next year.

You might be wondering why any dedicated follower of fashion would put herself through this. The answer is rubbish…textile rubbish that is! There are mountains of it, and it is piling up every day. Right now unwanted jumpers, dresses, coats and shoes are being chucked on landfill. Plop! There goes those last seasons playsuit. Plop! There goes those clogs you really shouldn’t have bought in the first place.

Fashion trends have always existed. Even Elizabeth I wouldn’t be seen without the latest ruff. What has changed, however, is the turnaround. Retailers used to have just two seasons, whereas now there are up to 6 every year. In the UK alone, 2 million tonnes of clothing is purchased per annum, with 1.2 million tonnes destined for landfill.

You may be wondering how I am going to last without any new clothes for a whole year. Well first of all I’ll be indulging my passion for vintage. I’ve always been a sucker for a 60s shift dress, but from the delights of places like Etsy and Ebay I have discovered new loves, such as the 40s tea dress, or the 70s maxi.

I will also be shifting, searching and swapping through pre-loved clothes. I’ve recently discovered the joys of swishing, and realised that if you go to the right neighbourhoods, you can find some gems in charity shops.

Finally, I have fallen in love with upcycling. I adore designers such as Junky Styling, Queenie and Ted and Poppy Valentine not just for their ethics, but their style and creativity too. They have even inspired me to dust off my old sewing machine and have a go myself. The results of these efforts will be previewed on my blog very shortly.

I’ve only been on my mission a short while, but so far it has been anything but a chore. I have met some incredible people, enjoyed discovering some amazing delights, and got far more creative than I ever thought possible.

That’s not to say I haven’t been tempted, and the prediction of a comeback of cargo pants might be enough to knock me off balance. To find out whether I last why not follow me on my blog or come chat with me on Twitter.