Art and Slow Fashion

pattern mixing

You’ve seen this t-shirt before. Many times. So many times that you must be tired of it. Still, you will probably see it again. 

And you’ve seen these trousers again, too. More than once. Or twice. Or… OK, you’ve seen this combo before (with a different bag, sunglasses and shoes). That’s because I wear my clothes more than once. Or twice. In fact, I wear my clothes until they fall apart. Or I get tired of them.

You do that, too. Most people wear their clothes over and over again. Even bloggers. It’s just not financially or environmentally sustainable to keep buying new clothes. Especially if you have a wardrobe full of clothes you like.

My point is, bloggers should promote slow fashion instead of overconsumption. We can’t afford this throw-away culture anymore. The planet can’t take it, and your personal finances can’t take it.

Yes, buy the pretty dress or t-shirt (or whatever) you love. And wear it with pride. Again and again. Don’t toss it just because there are new clothes in the shops. You bought the piece because you loved it, remember?  Let it become part of your well-curated, manageable wardrobe.  Let it keep making a statement. Let it be part of your personal style.

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how to wear a graphic tee over 40

OK, so everything I’m wearing here is old. Let’s talk about the location instead.

This mid-century modern villa in a quiet, leafy part of Helsinki is an art museum. There is a sculpture park, a permanent collection of 20th century art (both Finnish and international), a collection of Pre-Colombian artefacts and Oriental art. But the museum is also known for its well-curated exhibitions, like the one I saw, featuring Finnish artist Marita Liulia

Didrichsen

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I think my outfit was perfect for such a great location. 

Anyway… I was thinking that – in the spirit of slow fashion – I should be featuring more ‘old outfits‘. By that I mean outfits I’ve already featured on the blog. The exact same combination of trousers and a top, for example, with minor changes, or with different accessories. You know, to show that ‘having style’ does not mean constantly buying new clothes and following trends but remaining true to yourself and the core tenets of your own personal style.

Is that a crazy idea? 

pattern mixing over 50

pattern mixing 1300 x 1000

Outfit details:
t-shirt: Custo Barcelona (old) / trousers: Zara / cardigan: Noa Noa
sunglasses: Nina Ricci / bag: Furla (old) / shoes: Van Dal (old)
location: Didrichsen Art Museum

How do you feel about slow fashion?

Tiina

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleStyle ElixirA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeLiving on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashThe Fashionista MommaTina’s Pink Friday, Away from the BlueMummabstylish , Mutton Years Style and I

24 Comments

  1. Lise
    19 August 2019 / 2:07 pm

    No it is not a crazy idea, I prefer it. Lise

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 August 2019 / 1:58 pm

      Thanks, Lise!

  2. 19 August 2019 / 2:13 pm

    I totally agree that Slow Fashion is something that we have to promote, and I like the idea of wearing same ensemble with different accesories to show that re-styling old things is fabulous and elegant!
    Actually, I love to see you in your cool t-shirt and polka dot trousers, because they rock together, and I love the different accessorizing. I think that it is inspiring and fresh!
    Love to see the art museum too!.
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 August 2019 / 2:01 pm

      Thanks, Monica! I’ve always been more of an accessories girl, anyway. Well, I love my bags. and I have quite a few shoes for someone who claims she’s not not into shoes…
      The art museum was fantastic: well-curated, and small enough to enjoy. And the mid-century modern building by the sea was just about my dream house…

  3. Arlene
    19 August 2019 / 4:11 pm

    Not crazy. Love the fact that you change your accessories. It seems like a whole new outfit. What is crazy is to keep buying new things and getting rid of clothes that aren’t even old or worn out. I’ve seen pictures of clothing that was thrown in the landfills reaching 20 feet high! Not a good thing for this planet. Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 August 2019 / 2:04 pm

      Thanks, Arlene.
      I have quite a lot of accessories (my nick name should be ‘bag lady’…), and I think I’m not making the most of them. Maybe that should be my challenge; were my accessories more…
      Yes, the landfill situation is horrible. The amount of stuff (not just clothes) that we waste is scary. I wonder what future archeologists think when they dig up all this crap we’ve buried…

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 August 2019 / 2:05 pm

      Thanks! I think so, too.

  4. Flora
    19 August 2019 / 6:04 pm

    I love your art gallery outfit for some reason I always try to look a bit Boho when I visit galleries and you do tend to see interesting people in them :). I am guilty of buying lots of clothes I lived in a remote village in France for many years and now that I live in a city again I really enjoy shopping again, however this Summer I feel I am all shopped out so plan to put the brakes on.

    We are fans of cycling and we have been watching the Arctic Tour of Norway, what a breath taking landscape! The spectators are a cheerful looking bunch too, plenty of flags.

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 August 2019 / 2:11 pm

      Thanks, Flora.
      So, you had a bit of a shopping diet when living in that remote village? And then binged when it was over? It happens to all of us, if we try to deprive ourselves (I once ate a half a kilo of chocolate at one go after I’d been on a ‘chocolate diet’ for a few months. This made me decide that that moderation is better than deprivation, or over-indulgence…).
      I’ve never been to Norway, but it does sound impressive. We have just lakes and forests (lots of them both) here.

      • Flora
        20 August 2019 / 2:22 pm

        Oops senior moment from me. What was I thinking? And just imagine I get hopping mad when I am accused of being English, I’m Scottish. So sorry about that, back to school for me.

        • Tiina
          Author
          20 August 2019 / 2:49 pm

          Ha, ha! I can understand your frustration (for being called ‘English’), especially these days…

  5. 20 August 2019 / 5:28 am

    Totally agree Tiina , this is real life and yes we wear the same outfits over and over. I think it is important as real life bloggers to reflect this. I have always admired that top ans it is so good with the spot pants and as always you have great accessories. I love an art gallery visit.

    • Tiina
      Author
      20 August 2019 / 2:18 pm

      Thanks, Jill.
      I think one reason why people read blogs is that they reflect (or should reflect) real life and we can relate to bloggers in a way we cannot relate models in fashion magazines. That’s the reason why I read blogs, and why I keep writing my own blog: because I know there are women who cannot buy an entire new wardrobe several times a year, and who will never look like fashion models, whatever they do. They, or we, need to see women that look like them/us looking nice and stylish. And as fashion magazines are not going to do it, we’ll have to do it ourselves.

    • Tiina
      Author
      21 August 2019 / 2:29 pm

      Thanks, Grace!

  6. shelbeeontheedge1
    21 August 2019 / 11:39 am

    Not a crazy idea at all! A perfectly sane idea especially if that is how you are dressing on the daily. It is what we want to see. I have to admit that I am guilty of indulging in too much fast fashion, but I am getting so much better as I gain the wisdom that age provides. It is way too hard on the planet and on the bank account to keep up with it anyway. And it does get quite tiresome, too. Brilliant post, great outfit, wonderful location!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      21 August 2019 / 2:31 pm

      Thanks! Yes, I think we as bloggers should post what we actually wear. keep it as close to real life as possible, in a way.

    • Tiina
      Author
      2 September 2019 / 11:05 am

      Thanks, Jill!

  7. 26 August 2019 / 2:38 pm

    I agree with this so much! I have a lot of fun putting my 30 wears posts together and looking back on the 30 (or more than 30) times I’ve worn things and I like when bloggers showcase different ways to wear pieces, gives me lots of ideas for how to rewear my own wardrobe and get more value from the clothing I already own!

    Hope that you had a great weekend! Thanks for joining the Weekday wear linkup!

    • Tiina
      Author
      2 September 2019 / 11:11 am

      That’s impressive! And so useful: if you can create 30 different outfits wearing something you’re really making the most of your wardrobe.

  8. mummabstylish
    28 August 2019 / 10:22 pm

    The trousers are spot on! Lol. I’m thinking of getting another pair of palazzo pants – these could work for me too. Thanks for joining the #linkup Jacqui Mummabstylish

    • Tiina
      Author
      29 August 2019 / 1:27 pm

      Thanks! Palazzo pants are the best, especially in summer. Can’t have too many of those.

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