The idea of building an ethical capsule wardrobe sounds appealing; every item working together so there’s never a day when you have “nothing to wear.” But the reality can be daunting. Where do I start? What should I buy? Where should I buy it from? Thankfully, online boutique Sheer Apparel does the hard work for us. Founder Paula Haunit curates a beautiful range of ethically made, sustainable clothes that are affordable and perfect for building your capsule wardrobe.
Now, I have borrowed a few items from Sheer Apparel to show you how you can mix and match garments to create different outfits. My own mini ethical capsule wardrobe! Sadly I’ll have to return the garments, which is a real shame as there are some fantastic pieces. Paula specialises delivering those items that will be firm favourites.
An Ethical Capsule Wardrobe
Good Quality Basics
I think the key to building a capsule wardrobe is investing in good quality basics: clothes you will be wearing day in and day out. I’ve discovered several online sustainable and ethical boutiques that have amazing products but miss out key everyday items. Those of you who are regular readers will know that I live in Breton stripes. They suit me, and they are my go to when I really don’t know what to wear. I’ve searched high and low for an organic stripe jumper and have now found this beautiful one from Maska through Sheer Apparel.
Finding Ethical & Sustainable Brands
Finding ethical brands can be a real challenge. It’s my job to discover them and I find it difficult, so I imagine you do too. The great thing about Sheer Apparel is that Paula has an amazing selection of ethical and sustainable brands all in one place. The organic white shirt pictured above is from Jan ‘N June, I love the spilt up the side. It’s a fab design detail on a great wardrobe staple. The trousers, made from recycled fabric are also from Jan N June, a German brand I’d never heard of who say #byebyefastfashion!
Brands to Trust
Paula carefully selects the brands, and specifically looks for a transparent supply chain, fair treatment of workers and a high quality of clothing.
For those of you who are interested, for each garment featured I’ve detailed exactly why it is sustainable and ethical. If you’d like more information about how to know if a brand is ethical, please click here to read a blog post about this. Also Sheer Apparel is clear on it’s website why it includes brand. Please scroll to the bottom of the post for more information.
Affordability
People are always telling me how expensive sustainable and ethical fashion is. And I agree, it is. But there are good reasons for that. Small production lines are more costly to run, plus organic fabrics are less readily available so again cost more. Yet Sheer Apparel manages to keep costs realistic. Prices are similar to buying from somewhere like Cos or Jigsaw. The jumpsuit pictured above costs £99, for an entire outfit that is actually very good value. Also Paula offers a TRY IT ON at home service, as all deliveries and returns in the UK are completely free.
A surprise!
Every capsule wardrobe should include a couple of surprise items in it. Items that you really love and are just a bit different, like this Abstract Pattern Cardigan from Armed Angels. I’ve teamed it with the Jan ‘N June Jumpsuit and the black trousers, however it would work equally well in a more casual way with denim.
Thanks for reading lovely people, and have a good week xxx
Shop The Ethical Capsule Wardrobe
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Amie Organic Wool Striped Jumper | Maska
Skinny Trousers | Jan ‘N June
Gia Jumpsuit | Sheer Apparel
Sheryl Blouse | Jan ‘N June
Ilsa Abstract Cardi | Sheer Apparel
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Wool Striped Jumper | Maska
Sustainable how? The wool is 100% organic from Italy.
Ethical how? The jumper is ethically knitted in Poland under EU labour laws.
I own several items from Maska and can personally say the quality is second to none, fabrics used beautiful and as for trend completely on the mark.
Black Skinny Trousers | Jan ‘N June
Sustainable how? Made from recycled synthetic fabric that is wonderfully stretchy.
Ethical how? Fabric is made in Slovenia and Italy, produced in Poland so adhering to EU labour laws.
Sheryl Blouse | Jan ‘N June
Sustainable how? Made from 100% cotton poplin
Ethical how? Fabric grown in Uganda, woven in the Czech Republic and produced in Poland where they adhere to the EU labour laws.
Gia Jumpsuit | Armed Angels
Sustainable how? Made from 100% Lyocell (Tencel®)
Ethical how? Made in Turkey, Armed Angels care about good ethical production and work with the Fair Wear Foundation to improve conditions in their supplier’s factories.
Ilsa Abstract Cardi | Armed Angels
Sustainable how? Made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton
Ethical how? Made in Turkey, Armed Angels care about good ethical production and work with the Fair Wear Foundation to improve conditions in their supplier’s factories.
This is a sponsored post with Sheer Apparel. I chose and borrowed all the garments to create the capsule wardrobe. All opinions are, as ever, my own.