Last week I had a reader email me and kindly ask what happens to all the clothes I review and share on the blog. Basically, she wanted to know how I maintained a lean closet in the midst of sharing new styles and designers with you guys.
I figured if this was on her mind, it might be on your mind too.
Maintaining a lean closet and not over-consuming is likely the hardest challenge I face as a blogger in this niche. I am extremely grateful to be in the position of partnering with my favorite brands and makers. This means each big season (fall and spring) I get to bring new pieces into my closet.
I’ve experimented with ways to re-feature what I already own, in lieu of new items, but at the end of the day, people are usually most interested in the details of new releases. My posts featuring new items or reviews are always more popular and generate more engagement than when I re-feature items that have been seen many times. If you do want to see items on repeat, the best way to catch that is in my What I Wore or Wearing Lately posts. In addition, posts featuring new items lend the most support to the independent brands and designers I work with because it helps bring awareness to new products.
I’ve accepted the fact that my closet will probably be bigger than I’d like. I have wrestled with this quite a bit but, for now, I’ve come to peace with it. I will add the caveat here that I am extremely picky about accepting gifted items and choosing brand partnerships. Items must be something I expect to wear beyond the initial post and brands must be committed to ethical manufacturing standards.
So, to answer the question, what happens to the clothes?
I would say my closet is likely more edited down than ‘the average person’ and it’s definitely smaller than ‘the average blogger.’ But it’s seen leaner days too. I’ve noticed when my closet surges, it’s actually harder to get dressed. Less really is more in your closet. To keep mine slim, I’m constantly editing out items I don’t love. Every once in awhile I do it too fast and end up with regret (baggu drawstring bag). If a PURCHASE is a clear mistake, I’ll try to re-sell it quickly while the item still has value.
When I select items for blog partnerships, I try to make sure it’s something that will fill a true closet ‘hole’ and is not a duplicate of something I already own. Many times the item works out well in my everyday life and wardrobe, other times I have found the item doesn’t suit me in the long run, or simply that other items in my closet suit me better. I’m constantly in a process of sifting my closet, and keeping mostly what rises to the top.
ON PARTING WAYS WITH GIFTED ITEMS
If an item I received via a partnership needs to be edited out of my closet, I do my best to keep the item for a full year before making any decisions. This allows me to be mindful of the decision and try it out several times before I move it on. In the past, there have been items I had slated ‘to go’ only to find, after a few more months and outfits, I had changed my mind.
There are a few avenues I use when finding new homes for pieces. Some items I give to close friends and family, some I sell locally at a consignment shop, and some I sell online.
At the end of the day, I’m incredibly grateful to do this job. Writing, photography and publishing bring me so much joy. Even more, I love connecting with you in this space. Not everyone who runs a blog gets to help support their family while doing it, and that privilege is not lost on me. I couldn’t do it without your support, and I’m thankful you’re here. Hopefully this post has given you a greater understanding of what goes on ‘behind the scenes.’ :)
Everlane feels more and more like fast fashion despite touting ethical manufacturing. I feel like every other week they email me about a new release. Have you been feeling that way? I know you’re partners with them, but they’re exhausting me with trendier pieces and constant new new new versus the classics I feel like they originally started with. I get wanting to expand assortment to reach a variety of consumers, but it makes me question their supply chain even more as they aren’t the MOST transparent brand I follow. I think I’m just feeling burn out with blogs constantly featuring new items while preaching less is more as well. I in no way mean this as a criticism to you specifically, or your blog, as it’s one of the few I read constantly and rely on for styling, inspiration, etc.
Hi Alison, I do think the quality of their clothing is much better than fast fashion, but I agree, the rate at which they are releasing new items is a bit dizzying. They have changed quite a bit in that regard over the last few years. My guess is that it’s to keep the revenue up? They have built a pretty big company and now they need to keep it running. I think it would be super interesting if they published a look inside their financials. IE. How much everyone gets paid, what their profits look like, etc. And I totally understand why you might feel burn out. The feeling of needing to ‘keep up’ is exhausting. I appreciate you sharing your perspective!
I appreciate your post on this, Andrea. I started following a couple of ethical fashion blogs and IG accounts at the beginning of the year and have really enjoyed getting to know the community and being exposed to new makers and ideas for styling pieces. The longer I’ve been on this train though, the more I question whether or not being part of this community is actually decreasing my footprint. Constantly being exposed to and tempted by new, pretty things (even if they are ethically produced) starts to feel less and less sustainable for the planet and my budget. Like the commenter above, I don’t mean it as criticism of you or your blog specifically. I love reading your posts and know this blog helps support your family. Some days it just feels like I would actually lesson my impact by stepping away from temptation in the form of influencers with fabulous and expensive (and often gifted) wardrobes, that from my vantage point don’t actually seem that lean. (I know it’s all relative!) But really, I do love your blog. :-)
Thanks for this comment Courtney. I don’t disagree with what you’re saying at all. By their nature style blogs tend to stir the desire to shop. I think taking a break from blogs/influencers is a good and healthy thing. For me, when I start to feel that ‘more, more, MORE’ mentality taking over, I take a break from Instagram (which is where I consume most of my style-related content). This helps quiet that voice when it gets louder than it should be. And on the flip side of course, I have found so much of what I love from Instagram – style inspiration that I couldn’t have found elsewhere, home design and decor advice, spiritual encouragement and more. I think it’s really important that we choose carefully which ‘voices’ are filling our minds. Even if that means taking a break from our favorite style blogs too. I don’t want to make people feel that way, but I totally understand how that can happen. I’ll always be here when you come back!! :)
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Andrea. An IG break is probably in order. :-)
This was such a thoughtful and insightful response that got to some of the root of what I have felt with Everlane specifically. Thank you!
I have also unsubscribed from all email prompts recently, even for ethical brands I love. I know their sites will be there when I have a need.
I feel your struggle girl! Ethical fashion blogging is almost an oxymoron of sorts when it comes to what most ethical fashion stands for (minimalism and mindful consumption). I used to struggle with it more, especially when readers judged me for over-consuming. But at the same time they’re not trying to grow a blog so it’s hard for them to fully understand the struggle. I’ve come to terms that I’ll consumer more than the average mindful ethical fashion consumer but iI the blog serves as a gateway for those new to the field. If they’re already a pro at ethical fashion then I just hope my reviews give them insights in what not to buy or if they know what they need to add to the closet, it will help them decide if that item is for them or not. And in the end we can only do our best, ya know?
Agreed Elaine. It’s such a funny position to be in, and it indeed IS an oxymoron. I tend to operate under the thought that people are coming to my blog from different aspects of the ‘ethical fashion walk.’ Some people might need to learn about brands, some people might need to shop, and some might want style ideas/inspiration. My hope is that I can serve many where they are at, but I realize I can’t serve all. And like you said, in the end, we can only do our best. Thanks for the support friend!
I really appreciate your transparency AND your blog. Because ethical fashion purchases are usually such big purchases, I am extra thoughtful before I buy. To be honest, I’m not sure I would ever have the courage to make the leap if I didn’t get to see bloggers like you give honest reviews and some ideas for styling. It helps me weigh my options and make choices for the few pieces I am able to save up for and buy when there’s a hole in my wardrobe. Otherwise I’d be more likely to just go to a place like Madewell where I know for sure what fits me and if it doesn’t then it’s easy to return. But I’d much rather support a smaller, more ethically-minded company. So while I’m sure there is tension between not over-consuming while still needing to feature new product, it sure is helpful for me to see the clothes on someone I identify with and to see new-to-me companies featured! So thank you!
Hi Lucy! A big reason why I started blogging was because I found reading other blogs soooo helpful. And even now, when I am about to make an investment purchase, I google till I find a blogger or instagrammer who has insights. It’s so helpful, especially when returns with smaller or overseas brands can be tricky! I am thankful that I can play that role for you! Thanks so much for weighing in, and for the support!
I’m really glad you addressed this because it’s been on my mind a lot. On the one hand, I really appreciate how ethical fashion blogs have exposed me to new, creative, interesting brands that I otherwise would have little to no exposure to. And I really enjoy having access to reviews that focus on the quality, sustainability, and usability of items rather than just their trendy status or price. I’m about to invest in a new bag and your reviews were instrumental in helping me pick one that would be right for me.
But as ethical/sustainable fashion blogging becomes more profitable and mainstream, I have seen many bloggers moving away from the emphasis on mindful consumption, personal style, and creative remixing that drew me to those blogs in the first place. And that content seems to have been replaced with a constant barrage of new brands and new “it” items to pick up. Plus it seems like most influencers are selling the same handful of super trendy items that won’t be “in” in a year or two, making me question how sustainable this approach to fashion really is. It feels consumeristic in the same way I was trying to avoid when I moved away from mainstream fashion blogs, and I’ve stopped reading a lot of blogs and unfollowed a lot of Instagram accounts as a result.
That said, I think that your blog has struck a better balance than many others, in part because you do regularly feature your day-to-day outfits and discuss the items that you wear and remix there. And I appreciate your transparency about what you’re purchasing vs. what you’ve been gifted vs. when an entire post is sponsored. That helps me pick and choose what I want to engage with and when – usually I read What I Wore posts on a weekly basis, and skip over sponsored posts/reviews unless it’s something I was already considering buying.
One thing I’d find helpful is a round-up of reviews somewhere on the site, maybe integrated into the Shop page. That way I can skip over them when I’m not interested, but easily find them later when I’m looking for something specific.
Hi Amanda, thanks for the honest feedback! I am working on being increasingly transparent, because that’s how I would want to consume a blog, with full knowledge of what’s going on behind the scenes, thanks for noticing! Your last suggestion is a great one! I will be looking into how to possibly pull that off. Thank you!
I completely agree! And I’m really happy to read that I’m not the only one out there who thinks this way.
I began my ethical fashion journey with The True Cost and looked to a lot of ethical style blogs as an alternative to the constant “YOU NEED THIS” of traditional fashion blogs. But it’s really disheartening to see that in the past couple of years, many ethical blogs have gone away from mostly “this is how I remix what I own to avoid buying new” sprinkled with “I just bought XYZ after careful consideration, and this is how it’s holding up” to “this is the latest release from XYZ brand.”
I don’t mean to be overly critical — because I know that ethical style bloggers are caught between a rock and a hard place, and I think that you (Andrea) do better than most. I completely understand the desire to feature ethical retailers (I’ve found some great ones via this blog, even), and I know that the human brain’s desire for novelty will make posts that feature new items more popular. That said…I wish that ethical blogs would push back a little more against this trend and take more ownership over how their content is consumed by the public. Is that fair? Maybe not. But I think that’s what’s ethical. After all, mainstream fashion blogging doesn’t expressly say that everyone needs to buy all the things, but that’s how their content (overall) is taken–and isn’t that what ethical fashion is trying to avoid?
Hi Kelly, this is a great comment, thanks for weighing in. You pose some really good questions that are making me think hard! I appreciating your dissenting voice, even if it’s hard to hear.
Hey Andrea! Thanks for the thoughtful post. I can see how it might be challenging to balance your goals and values against the ‘new is better’ thinking behind a blog. That said I think your higher-than-you-might-prefer consumption of new pieces balances itself out when your readers are thinking about picking something new up. I often come here first when – for instance – Everlane releases something new, and wait for your thoughts before pulling the trigger on something for myself. Your garment use helps me to decide whether I just want it because it’s shiny and new or if it’s something that will actually integrate into my closet the way I want my items to. So thanks!
Thank you Jenny! I do the exact same thing when I am purchasing something new, I usually google the heck out of it for reviews and blogger insight. Thanks for letting me know that it’s helpful for you. :)
Because of blogs like yours I have had the courage to order the canvas Florence Pants of Elizabeth Suzann.
I got to know ES through the blog of Style Bee and I immediately loved her designs.
For some years I just looked at the webshop and I followed Style Bee, but because I live in the Netherlands buying something from ES would be a huge investment.
But in the end I couldn’t find something similar overhere so I read every review online and decided to go fo it.
So I love blogs like yours where you talk about the pros and cons of the (expensive) pieces you have.
It really helps me to decide.
If everything goes well with the Florence Pants and I love them in real live as well as much as on the photos, the next item on my list is the Kamm Pants in tabacco :-)