5 wardrobe staples we still love after 5 years!

Summary

Sustain This! Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: 5 Wardrobe Staples We Still Love After 5 Years!
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Hosts: Alyssa Beltempo, Signe Hansen, & Christina Mychas

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Introduction

In Episode 5 of Sustain This!, hosts Alyssa Beltempo, Signe Hansen, and Christina Mychas dive into a celebration of enduring wardrobe favorites. This light-hearted episode encourages listeners to revisit and cherish their long-loved clothing pieces, fostering a deeper understanding of personal style and mindful consumption.

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Celebrating Wardrobe Staples

Alyssa's Timeless Treasures

Alyssa kicks off the discussion by showcasing her beloved pair of Rub Pumps, a staple she has cherished for 12 years since her days managing a shoe store. (00:37) She highlights their surprising comfort despite the conventional discomfort associated with heels, remarking, “These shoes are like my only pop of color” (02:05). Alyssa emphasizes the psychological boost she receives from wearing her pumps, sharing a relatable anecdote: “I take myself more seriously when I'm wearing a pump. I had a tough call with my accountant yesterday and I felt great cause I was wearing the pump” (03:34).

Beyond her shoes, Alyssa fondly discusses her “power of my people” shirt from a Canadian brand that has been with her for six years. This piece symbolizes her early collaborations and maintains its place in her wardrobe due to its versatility and sentimental value (04:46). She also reveals a vintage cashmere jacket from around seven to eight years ago, acquired from a thrift store for $39.99, illustrating her commitment to sustainable fashion (16:53).

Sina's Wardrobe Essentials

Sina brings forward her Everlane trench coat, a classic piece she's had for approximately 17 years. She appreciates its neutral beige color, structured design, and versatility, despite minor wear and tear over the years. Sina contemplates refurbishing the coat by updating the buttons or linings to give it a fresh look (04:46 - 05:10).

Additionally, Sina reflects on her Acne Jensen boots, which hold significant sentimental value and have been her travel companion, making it difficult to part with despite their wear (10:49). She also shares her journey of letting go of her black shopper bag after 12 years, highlighting the emotional aspect of decluttering: “I feel kinda lighter now that I let it go” (20:03).

Christina's Classic Choices

Christina introduces her Converse Chuck Taylors, a pair she's worn for over five years, noting their classic style and enduring appeal (07:46). She values their versatility and comfort, though she acknowledges current preferences for different footwear to suit her minimalist lifestyle.

Another standout piece for Christina is her Aritzia Agency blazer, made from 95% wool and 5% elastane. This blazer represents her first foray into sharp yet oversized tailoring, remaining a staple due to its timelessness and modern feel despite slight wear (31:02). Additionally, she mentions her sculpt tube top, a cropped piece with exaggerated rib details that adds texture and elevation to her outfits (31:02 - 32:04).

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Discussion on Wardrobe Longevity

The conversation transitions to the significance of maintaining wardrobe staples over extended periods. Christina shares her perspective on the relative length of five years in garment lifespan, especially in the context of fast fashion's prevalence: “Five years is a long time” (11:10). She emphasizes the importance of separating a garment's age from its value and utility, stating, “Separating the age from what the garment actually is and what it does is such a nice mindset” (09:02).

Sina and Alyssa echo this sentiment, highlighting that sustaining wardrobe pieces not only reduces carbon footprints but also challenges the consumption-driven influencer culture. Alyssa adds, “It’s a celebration of the fact that things that are old can also be just as special as things that are new” (15:30).

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Sentimentality vs. Practicality

The hosts delve into the emotional ties to clothing, balancing sentimental value with practicality. Christina discusses her vintage Levi’s inherited from her mother, emphasizing their enduring fit and emotional connection: “They’re a piece that I will never get rid of” (10:03). Sina reflects on her difficulty in parting with her Acne Jensen boots due to their role in her personal journey and adventures, highlighting how clothes can embody personal stories (10:49).

Conversely, Christina shares her experience of letting go of pieces during decluttering phases, acknowledging the challenge of balancing sentimentality with the need for a streamlined wardrobe: “I feel lighter now that I let it go” (20:03).

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Style Evolution and Personal Growth

The episode explores how personal style evolves over time while maintaining core favorite pieces. Christina points out that despite decluttering, certain silhouettes remain consistent in her wardrobe, demonstrating the balance between evolving trends and timeless preferences: “Maybe there doesn't need to be, like, a timeline on those things necessarily” (26:25). Alyssa concurs, noting that understanding one’s style makes curating and maintaining a wardrobe more intuitive and less pressured by external rules (23:08).

Sina adds that style evolution is a reflection of personal growth and life changes, reinforcing the idea that wardrobes should adapt to fit one's current lifestyle and preferences rather than rigidly adhering to past choices: “Your wardrobe will always be a product of your life” (26:33).

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Decluttering Philosophies

A significant portion of the discussion centers on decluttering strategies and philosophies. Christina critiques the rigid, often male-dominated decluttering rules (like the three-month rule), advocating for a more personalized and flexible approach: “It should just be a no pile right away” (34:28). She shares how Signe’s supportive advice helped her make more thoughtful decisions about which pieces to keep, promoting a mindset shift from ruthless decluttering to selective curation based on personal significance and style alignment.

The hosts agree that decluttering should be an empowering process that aligns with individual goals and lifestyle, rather than adhering to universal rules. Alyssa emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself and one’s style to make confident decluttering choices: “The more you know yourself and your style, the more confident you are in decluttering” (23:15).

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the joy of rediscovering and valuing long-held wardrobe pieces. They encourage listeners to celebrate their timeless favorites, reassess their wardrobe with a mindful approach, and embrace the dynamic nature of personal style. Alyssa, Signe, and Christina reiterate the importance of conscious consumption and the emotional connections we forge with our clothes, fostering a more intentional and sustainable relationship with fashion.

Listeners are invited to engage with the podcast on YouTube and social media, subscribe for more content, and join the Sustain This! community in their journey towards a more sustainable and fulfilling wardrobe.

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Notable Quotes:

• Alyssa (02:05): “These shoes are like one of my only pops of color.”
• Christina (03:34): “I take myself more seriously when I'm wearing a pump. I had a tough call with my accountant yesterday and I felt great cause I was wearing the pump.”
• Sina (10:03): “They’re a piece that I will never get rid of.”
• Christina (11:10): “Five years is a long time.”
• Christina (26:25): “Maybe there doesn't need to be, like, a timeline on those things necessarily.”
• Sina (26:33): “Your wardrobe will always be a product of your life.”

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This episode serves as a heartfelt reminder of the value inherent in our long-loved clothing items and the stories they carry, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable and meaningful fashion choices.

Transcript

[Alyssa]

Welcome to Sustain this, a podcast where we discuss mindful consumption, personal style, and the quest for living a more intentional life. I'm Alyssa, a sustainable stylist.

[Christina]

And I'm Christina, a shopaholic turned minimalist. Ish.

[Sina]

And I'm Sina, a color consultant and slow fashion style coach.

[Alyssa]

Together we will unpack the nuances of what it really means to be a conscious consumer and find more joy in what we have right now. So grab your tea, your coffee, or whatever floats your boat and join us in the conversation. Let's go.

[Sina]

Yay.

[Alyssa]

Yay.

[Sina]

All right, everyone, welcome back and thank you so much for joining in today. Today we kind of wanted to just. We wanted to do an episode where we kind of just celebrate our good old favorites from each of our wardrobes. Just kind of a light hearted episode for you today. Maybe it can inspire you to have a look at some of your old favorites in your wardrobes and take them out and maybe rewear them or maybe ask yourself why these ended up being such good staples for you and learn a little bit about yourself. So I guess we've all picked out five pieces that we've each had from our wardrobes for five years or more. Who wants to start ikea? You want to.

[Alyssa]

I'm such a cuter.

[Sina]

You have them behind you. Yeah. So if you're watching on YouTube, Alyssa's gonna show and tell.

[Alyssa]

Oh, my God.

[Christina]

Wait, what shoes are you wearing? Let's see that. This is why you guys got to watch on YouTube. You get the visual. Oh, my God. Those are all. Thank you.

[Sina]

Rub pumps.

[Alyssa]

I have so much to say about the.

[Sina]

Wait.

[Alyssa]

I have so much to say about these shoes. Let me. I can't even. This is probably a whole other topic. So in my community, we do these, like, monthly slow fashion style challenges. And this month it's color. And this week we do like, I do a specific one every week. This week is like, try and dress with like a pop of color. And so these shoes are like one of my only pops of color.

[Christina]

She's doing yoga. Listening on Spotify or Apple.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, Story of my life. I always complicate things. Anyway, so these shoes are. I got them when I was still managing the shoe store. So I want to say, like 2012. They are. They're. I want to say they're like a three and a half inch heel. They are shoots, made in Brazil. And I know, okay, like, by nature a heel isn't really comfortable, but these are actually ridiculously comfortable. I've worn them. I. I don't Know, I've worn them so often and so anyway, because of this challenge that we're doing, I wore them the other day as my other pop of color and I wore them all day long at my desk. And now I just wear my heels around the house, like all the time when I'm working because, like, I feel good.

[Christina]

Yeah, we talked about that, remember? Yes. In one episode we talked about work from home. And I love that tip where because I'm just. I'm schlepping around in my bed, bare feet, and I. It makes me feel. No matter how put together I feel working from home, if you're just walking around in your bare feet or slippers, there's something that just kind of brings it down a little bit. So one of your tips was to wear your fun shoes, indoor shoes, like whether it be a cute ballet flat or if you want to go all out like Alyssa, and wear a full on red pointed toe pump three inches high, great. But I do find that's kind of. Yeah, it's fun. It makes you feel. It makes me feel like I'm. I'm working at an office somewhere else and not just at home.

[Alyssa]

I take myself more seriously when I'm wearing particularly a pump. Like, I take myself more seriously at work. I had to have a tough call with my accountant yesterday and I felt great cause I was wearing the pump. Isn't that weird?

[Sina]

That's a great tip actually. Maybe, maybe I should do that next time I have like a serious talk on the phone with someone.

[Alyssa]

Excuse me.

[Sina]

It's fashion psychology. Like it's a thing.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, but it's true. So anyway, so these shoes, 12 years old. And then for the sake of this episode, my power. My power of my people. Full on plug, beautiful Canadian company. Yeah, right. Like I've had this since I want to say 2017 or 2018. So that's for six years. It's like the ultimate. I love it. It's Canadian. It was one of my first. They were one of the first brands who I ever collaborated with. So it's got like a lot of that really nice sentimental value, but it pulls through. It's like you're. When you don't know what to wear, when you don't know if something looks good, when you're going to an event. And I never know, like, if you're lost, you just put either this one or any of their shirts really. I always feel like myself, I have.

[Sina]

My, my Everlane trench coat on my list as the next. As the next item or as My first item. Sorry. So, yeah, I believe I've had it since 2000. 17ish or 18 maybe. And it's just a really lovely, like, classic piece. The color is great. I love the color. I feel like color of trench coats can be a little bit tricky to get right, especially if you're looking for, like, something very specific. I definitely don't want the color of my trench coats to be too warm. I want a slightly more neutral undertone kind of beige. I just feel like it goes better with what I have, like, in my wardrobe generally. And it's just a really beautiful piece. Like, it's definitely starting to show signs of wear. Like, there are little loose threads in some of the buttons, and inside one of the sleeves, the lining is kind of coming apart a little bit. And even though I've tried to wash it, there's, you know, around the neckline, sometimes it gets a little bit discolored. Especially since the fabric of, like, trench coats can be kind of. It's often kind of. It's coated almost so that it's water repellent. So it really does tend to, like, suck, like, color, like, makeup and stuff into the fabric, and it's kind of hard to get out. But overall, I feel like it still looks great. It's. Again, it's a classic piece, and I wear it pretty. Pretty much all through the year except winter time. And, yeah, I just love it. I feel like it. It's one of those pieces that just elevates anything I'm wearing because it's so classic and kind of structured. I'm kind of thinking about changing up the buttons on it, though. Maybe getting it the. The linings stitched back together or maybe even changed entirely. I'm not completely sure, but I'm thinking maybe changing up the buttons a little bit to give it a new lease of life. Um, they're quite contrasting and, like, dark right now, so I feel like, like a tortoise shell or something. Like, that would be quite nice. So, yeah, that's the story of my trench coat.

[Christina]

Part of me, when I was thinking about this, it makes me. I'm like, how. When was five years ago? Like, in my mind, time is just.

[Sina]

So do you guys have Covid as like, your.

[Christina]

Yeah, pre and post. So I'm like, 2019, 2020. I'm like, I don't know. It's all blending together. 2022 was last year. Right. Like, that's how I feel right now. Yeah, you're right. So, yeah, the first thing that came to mind for Me were my Converse truck tailors. I've had those for quite a long time, but I. And I kind of go in phases with them. So right now I'm preferring more of like a. I want my feet to not be so squished. But I find a Chuck Taylor always kind of cycles in and out of wanting to wear it. And I just think it's so classic and easy. And. Yeah, I've had mine forever. They're awesome.

[Sina]

Yeah, I love it.

[Christina]

Yeah. And they last. I don't know about now. See, my thing is, now it's like, if you have pieces that are five years or older, hold on to those for dear life, because I feel like if you had to replace it now, today, it would probably be made worse. That's one thing that bums me out about buying new clothes. I feel like there's just. It's hard to find. It's hard to make the money match the quality these days. So if you have your older pieces, just. Yeah. I think Alyssa talks about separating the idea of the age of a garment from how much you love it or wear it. And because in my mind, sometimes I'm like this old thing. Like, I don't really care about it. I don't want to care about it as much as buying something new or something new that's come into my wardrobe. But there's so many great things about that. And I think separating the age from what the garment actually is and what the tool it is in your closet, like how it acts as a piece that builds your outfits and your wardrobe, I think that is such a nice mindset, such a nice way to like to look at it compared to this whole thing, you know?

[Sina]

Yeah, you're right. Yeah. That's a great little tip. Like a additional little tip for this topic, I think. Yeah.

[Christina]

Another one that comes to mind are my. My mom. So my first pairs of vintage Levi's all came from my mom, and she pretty much wore exclusively. I don't know if this is a model that's only in Canada, but they all say 531. And they all say Made in Canada on the label. But if I were to compare a more universal vintage cut, it would be either the 550 or the Levi's 512. I have two pairs. There's a high. They're a high rise with a zipper fly, and they have a lot more room in the hip, and then they kind of taper at the leg. So they're kind of a true mom jean. But they're always Just so good. And I love that she wore those all through my childhood and now I get to wear them and they're. They're just like, they're a piece that I will never, I will never get rid of them. Even if they don't fit anymore, I'm not getting rid of them. Those are staying in my wardrobe forever.

[Sina]

I love that. I love that. Because that's obviously very sentimental for you. But also, just like you say, if you have something in your wardrobe that you love wearing, you also reach a point where it becomes sentimental for you because you've worn it in so many different ways, places. And I, I feel that way about my Acne Jensen boots, for example. I think I've mentioned those before, but it's like I just cannot get myself to part with them because even though they're quite worn, they're still a great boot and they've just. Yeah. They've traveled with me so many places and I feel like that's the, that's the cool thing about having things for such a long time in your wardrobe is that you really start just. Yeah, you start looking at the piece differently.

[Christina]

One thing I find, Sina, I remember you posted this as a TikTok and it went pretty viral for you. This, this whole concept of clothes. I've had in my wardrobe for over five years and I remember a lot of people kind of giving you shit for being like, oh, five years is not that long of a time. But I feel, I don't know. What do you have to say about that? Because I feel like there might be some pushback.

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Christina]

About the five year timeline.

[Sina]

Yeah, there definitely is, I think. And I think a lot of it came also from, from people from the older generations because it's, it was a different time, you know, and you, it maybe it was more common for that generation to have. You know, there's both. The age gap, it's like. Well, yeah, but I'm quote, unquote, only 24. I wish 34. So obviously there's like an age gap there too, but. And it's like I only started caring about like my clothes when I was like in my mid-20s. So for me, five years is a long time.

[Christina]

Yeah, I agree with that. That's a great point.

[Sina]

Yeah. Because when you're younger, you're still exploring your style and we really grew up with the fast fashion stores, so we had to start at some point. You know, I feel like five years is a long time in today's.

[Christina]

It is a long time. That whole five Year plan thing, you know, I think that's great. It's great if you have that. But five years is a long time. One year is a long time, you know?

[Sina]

Yeah. I mean, look back at your life. Just like, five years, like, five years ago, what year was it? It was 2009. 18. 19. No. Yeah, 19.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Sina]

Like, a lot has happened, like, just for me personally, since 2019. So, yeah, I feel like it's.

[Alyssa]

Yeah.

[Christina]

You have two kids in that time frame. Like.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sina]

I mean, so I think it's all, like, relative. It kind of depends on your. Your age and your starting point, I guess.

[Christina]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And just piggybacking off of that. When you asked me to kind of consider pieces that I've had in my wardrobe for over five years, I'm kind of like, oh, I don't really have that many one again, because what is time? I don't know pre post Covid. But I spent so much of those five years decluttering and getting rid of things and having such a. A very kind of, like, polarizing relationship with my clothes. So a lot of the pieces that I've had in my closet for more than five years, I got rid of a lot of them in my initial power declutters when I was feeling extremely overwhelmed by all the things that I owned. And I just wanted, like, at the time, my mindset was, I want this extra out, and I want it now. I want to get rid of this part of my personality. I don't want to deal with this anymore. That was my mindset. It was so overwhelmed and really, really ruthless. So, as you say, Sina, it's like, well, in this timeframe was when I started to learn to care about my clothes and to learn about longevity and quality and what fits your style and what you want to keep and what you want to wear. So, yeah, admittedly, I don't have a lot because I got rid of a lot of those things. So these are the pieces that, you know, when I talk about these pieces, they're pieces that survived. A lot of them were sentimental. A lot of them are just good. But it's really when I started to kind of come into my own personal style. So, you know, owning things for a long time, we see it as, like a badge of honor. But I think taking into account what your mindset was and what was important to you at the time, I think is really important too. So it's like, it's a flex, but at the same time, like, you know, maybe there's. There's it's different for everybody, right?

[Sina]

Yeah. I was just trying to look up because I think there's, like, a percentage. Like, even if you re. Wear your clothes just for a year or wear it for a year, you will have reduced your carbon footprint footprint for whatever. I think it's just trying to.

[Alyssa]

An extra nine months gives you, like, reduces the carbon footprint by anywhere between 20 and 23%.

[Sina]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, yeah. So again, I feel like it, like, exactly like you say, Christina, it shouldn't be, like, a. A reward or anything just because you have all. It's not a competition of who has, like, the oldest things in their wardrobes, but it's really just to. Yeah, I think push back against, like, the whole influencer culture, you know, consumption culture. Like, it's. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

I guess it's just, like a celebration of the fact that things that are old can also be just as special as things that are new.

[Sina]

Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

[Christina]

That's a nice mindset. That's a nice way to look at it.

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sina]

Thanks. Alyssa, what did you have next on your.

[Alyssa]

Oh, my God. Okay, wait. I also just thought of something else, which I think I want to go get, because the others are. The others are clothes.

[Sina]

I have.

[Alyssa]

This vintage jacket coat. It's like. I got it at value Village for 39.99.

[Christina]

Wow.

[Alyssa]

I can't even tell you how long ago I've had it so long. Maybe it's like. I don't know. I. Maybe like seven or eight years. I feel like I did a lot of thrifting anywhere between, like, eight and 10 years ago, because that's when I left my finance job, and I. I just couldn't afford, like, I. I. Anyway, I still shop thrift because I like it, and. And I find the best pieces there. But anyway, that was. I found a lot of good stuff during that time, and. And I don't like letting it go. It's beautifully lined. It needs. It needs some work now because I've worn it so much. But it's cashmere. Like, it's cashmere from the. I want to say, like, late 70s. I want to say late 70s because of the cut maybe.

[Sina]

That's really nice. Anyway, thank you. But I'm.

[Alyssa]

I'm glad we're doing this because, to be honest, I've received some other coats that are equally great and awesome, and the silhouettes are maybe a little bit more current. But I'm glad we're doing this because I'm definitely going to pull this out a Little bit more this season.

[Christina]

Yeah. Nice to revisit.

[Alyssa]

Yeah.

[Sina]

Yeah. Great. Great opportunity to rediscover some old favorites.

[Alyssa]

Yeah. Yeah. And it's neat because it's like, do you have things that are, like, old and yet they still match your style or your color palette? Like, I didn't know that tan. Like, tan is such a huge part of my closet, and I still love it. And when I grabbed that coat, I remember thinking, like, oh, my God, tan amazing. I love this, but, like, 20. Whatever, how old I was. Alyssa didn't, like, have that mindset, and yet it still fits in seamlessly with your closet. Do you guys have pieces like that that you're like, wow, smart move past?

[Sina]

Yeah, I kind of like both pieces I have in my wardrobe, but also just when I'm curating inspiration, it's always the same looks that I get inspired by or, like, drawn to. Like.

[Christina]

Yeah. I feel like my whole color palette's black and white and jeans, so. Yeah, that's been pretty consistent.

[Sina]

Yeah. Yeah. I feel like, for me, it's like the. Like, a black ankle boot or, like. Like, light blue jeans. Like, generally just light blue jeans. Like, it just. Yeah, they're just some pieces that you never get tired of. Yeah. Which is kind of. Is kind of nice because I've heard. I've heard people, like, kind of challenging the whole timeless, you know, finding timeless wardrobe staples piece, because is anything really. Can anything really be considered to be timeless? Because, you know, fits change, and this.

[Christina]

Is a whole episode, I feel like, in itself, honestly, because is it a myth? I've been thinking about this for quite a while, how, like, we kind of demonize trends, but at the same time, if you want to look and feel current, then you kind of have to be in the trend of those silhouettes. So it might be a classic piece, but the silhouette, like, with. With exceptions, though, because I'm gonna say, like, a Levi 501 today is the same as a 500. You know what I mean? So, yeah, I feel like this could be a whole episode that we talk about.

[Sina]

Yeah, Yeah, I agree.

[Alyssa]

I ultimately think it's, like, what does timeless look like for you? And then.

[Christina]

Yeah, that's it.

[Sina]

Yeah, that's where the focus should be. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because that's also kind of what you were saying, Alyssa. Like, do you have pieces like that in your wardrobe that you, you know, you've had for a long time and that you still love and that you fall in love with over and over again? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Alyssa]

It's like, What a smart move that was, you know?

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Yeah.

[Sina]

I have. I have an item on my list that I don't have anymore that I recently sold. Actually, I think a month ago. It was my black shopper bag, which it kind of. It actually kind of hurt to let go of that piece because it was. I think I bought it, like, 12 years ago, and it was. It kind of marked when I really started getting into, like, buying better quality and buying basics that I knew I could use for multiple different occasions and, you know, really started, quote, unquote, investing in my wardrobe. But I just haven't reached for that bag for, like, I can't actually remember the last time I wore it. I think it might be when I still had a job in, like, an office. I would use it to carry, like, my stuff in my computer and, you know, things like that. So it's definitely, like, maybe seven years ago since I really wore it on rotation. So I think I kind of held on to it because it had so much sentimental value to me. It kind of had a story. You know, Again, it marked my. Kind of marked the beginning of my minimalist journey, if you will. And it was a really beautiful bag. But then at the same time, it's also like a back like that. I feel like it kind of just deserves to get worn. You know, it's. It was just sitting in my wardrobe. I know some people would probably say that I could have saved it for my daughter or something like that, but I decided to part with it in the end, so. Yeah. And I actually feel kind of like. I don't want to say that sounds really deep like that. I feel, like, kind of light. I think it's kind of that I feel lighter now that I let it go. I definitely don't, but it's. It's. You know, it's nice to know that it's now out there living a. A new life with someone else.

[Alyssa]

I think it's neat to chat about. Like, I liked. Both of you have these different experiences, like, Christina with her Converse sneakers and then you with this bag, and you decided to let yours go. And Christina has the ones that, like, flow in and out, which I think happens to a lot of us. So, Cena, do you like. What was it over the years, like, you would reach for this bag and you just wouldn't wear it? Like, what? Why?

[Sina]

I think, yeah, I think it probably comes down to the fact that I just have other bags that I love more and that I wear more in colors that I like more, you know, brown. And like, other colors that I just enjoy wearing more. And then also this is maybe more of a styling tip, but it was kind of a big bag, like a big rectangular bag. And I sometimes I felt like the bag was wearing me. I wouldn't consider myself as, like, petite, but I'm definitely not super tall either, so. So I feel like, you know, maybe I also just learned to play with proportions more like it. It, you know, it just felt too big for me, kind of. So it could also just have been my own journey in terms of like. Yeah. Knowing how to balance my outfits and play with proportions.

[Alyssa]

I like that. I think it's because decluttering is such a difficult thing and letting items go is such a difficult thing, and that's a really neat observation is to, like, the more you know yourself and the more you know your style, you're more confident in doing that. That decluttering.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Sina]

Because there are often these, like de. These pre, preset, like, ways of decluttering. Oh, if you haven't worn it more in three months, then you should part with it. But really it's. It's a little bit more complicated than that, I think.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, exactly. Like, you learned about proportions, you learned about the colors, and now you know exactly what it is you like. And Christina on her hand, like, you know that those are always going to be a part of your look. Maybe not right now, maybe not 2024 Christina, but 2026 Christina might want to pull the boat again. You know what I mean?

[Christina]

So I think unless I start wearing those, like, barefoot shoes.

[Alyssa]

Oh, boy.

[Christina]

My feet feel so squished in the Converse.

[Sina]

It's like, ah.

[Christina]

Anyways. But I do, I agree, like, and I kind of want to touch on that point. It makes me think about, like, the idea of the. The three month rule of decluttering and stuff. I just think back on a lot of those minimalist rules. And at least when I. Where I learned a lot of them came from men. And again, I don't want to make this like, men versus women, anything like that, but a lot of the gurus and the authorities in that space were men, where they just focused on simplifying their wardrobe, down to the black T shirt and jeans. And I think it really discredits and kind of brushes the value that I think. And it's not just women who put value on clothing. There are people out there who value their clothes. And I think it was you, Sina. When I was like, hot in my decluttering phase years ago, you sent me a DM And I was debating on whether or not I should get rid of this one blazer. And my thought was, like, I gotta get rid of it. I gotta be ruthless, because I just don't wear it a lot. But I really like it. And you told me this is, like, when we were just starting to become friends, and you were like, it's okay to have something in your wardrobe that you don't wear a lot. You know, like, it can just be there. And that's kind of part of your story and part of what you love and part of that whole curation process. And it made me really kind of let go of those rigid timelines and rules and kind of just for me, made me really reevaluate. Like, what's the goal with my overall closet? And when you're thinking about decluttering and whether it being buying something new, letting things go. Yeah. What's the overall goal? And I think we talked about. I feel like maybe now I'm sort of in my era and, like, walking into that space of I want to buy things to keep for the next 10, 20, and so on years, you know, I want to buy those pieces that I pull out that make me excited and that are going to last and that I'm still going to wear, because now I know myself better and I know what I want, you know? So I think. Yeah, I guess it's. It's making me. It just makes me think of, like, what's the goal? And maybe there doesn't need to be, like, a timeline on those things necessarily.

[Sina]

Yeah. Yeah. Because, you know, that's. Yeah. Life. Life is on its own timeline, too. It's like.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Sina]

And it's. And your wardrobe will always be a product of your life. Life, which will be dynamic always. So I think that's a really great, great way to look at it. Alyssa. I actually have the power of my people shirt, too, on my list.

[Alyssa]

Which one?

[Sina]

Light blue version? Yeah, the linen. The. Is it the proper. I think, yeah.

[Alyssa]

The proper fit.

[Sina]

Yeah. In, like, a light blue linen.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, they're linen.

[Sina]

I think I got it around the same time as you, kind of the same story as with you. They were. They were one of the first. Because obviously I'm not Canadian, so it's. But they. I remember they reached out to me, and I really just, like, love their shirts. And I pull that one out every single summer. I haven't worn it this summer because of my growing bump, but. But I love it. It's a really great, great shirt. Yeah. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

I like. I love that about them. Like, they. They're. So that's was probably a whole other conversation about, like, a brand that has a really strong point of view, and I think that's why they're still here, like, where we see a lot of slow fashion brands closing. I think they know what they like, they know what they do well, and they're not worried about pleasing everybody, you know, Like, I think that's such a. Like, I mean, we're talking about longevity, so maybe there's a little bit of a parallel, but, like, having. Having a solid point of view that you believe in. And, yeah, it can change over time, but it's. Yeah, it's really good.

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Christina]

What else you got?

[Alyssa]

Oh, my God.

[Sina]

Really?

[Alyssa]

Okay, hang on.

[Christina]

She's just running out, running in her.

[Sina]

Heels, hear her heels, like, on the floor.

[Alyssa]

Okay. This is how excited I am. Okay, so these over the knee boots.

[Christina]

The suede over the knee. Yeah. You love the over the knee.

[Alyssa]

I. Okay, so they weren't pop. I love. I love the over the knee. I think it's, like the coolest for. Look, they need to get suede. Suede cleaned. But, like, the heel is good. I don't know. I just. I love them. I got them at a secondhand store. They were expensive. They were $200, and I was humming and hawing over them in the store for like an hour. The poor woman was like, just buy the goddamn boots. Okay? But I was like, I don't know. They weren't on my list. And this was like a solid, again, I want to say 7. I don't know, 20, 15. 20. Yeah. 20, 15, 24. 16.

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

I was still styling, and I was pulling from this consignment boutique a lot, so it was around the same. So I would go in and do the poll for the shoot. And then of course, you're, like, in there, and you're like, what else? So this was one of those things. And I remember they weren't popular at the time, but I wore them. I've. And I've worn them ever since. I just. I love the proportion. I think they add that, like, bombshell esque factor. I didn't realize it at the time.

[Sina]

But I guess that's thinking about that actually. When you. When you got them out.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, yeah. And like in Canada, they're gold. Like, I don't know why. More like it's like a second pair of pants without looking like a second pair of pants. Like, amazing. It's cold all the time. But yes, the heel isn't super Practical. And I get asked all the time about, like, what's a nice pair of boots that I can wear out in Canada when I'm going on date night? Or whatever. And it's like, yo, the over the knee, man.

[Christina]

It's just so, so good. Well, that silhouette's back, I guess, this year.

[Sina]

Yes.

[Alyssa]

And so now it's back, but, like, I've been wearing them ever since, and I think that's what's really cool about. About knowing. Knowing what you like. I. I think there's a difference between knowing what you like and knowing your style. Like, I didn't know how these would inform my sty style in the way they do now, but I knew I liked them, and I couldn't put my finger on why. So it's like bridging that gap now is a lot easier, but before it wasn't.

[Christina]

Yeah. So they were like a. Well, I think they were a. Hell, yes. But you just had to take a. Take a little bit of time to get there. Yes.

[Alyssa]

Yeah, That's a really good description. They were for sure. Hell, yes. They still are. They're so good.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Alyssa]

Taken to the coblo, like, twice. Yeah.

[Christina]

A couple of my other pieces, I was thinking they're. They're from Aritzia, because I was such an Aritzia girly back in the day. I still am, like, here and there, but good stuff. So one is the Aritzia Agency blazer. So it's made of 95% wool, 5% elastane. It's. And it was kind of like my first kind of foray into, like, the sharp but oversized blazer. So it has some nice little shoulder pads. It still fit well. It. It's like, getting a little tight, actually, but. But it's still really nice and structured, and it's just, like, super classic, but still feels modern at the same time. And, yeah, it's just one that I've never been able to let go. It's just the easy black blazer. And the other one is so weird. I don't know why. It's the sculpt tube top. So it's like this little cropped tube top with some very exaggerated rib details, and it just goes straight across, like, square neckline, little bit of a crop.

[Sina]

And does it have straps?

[Christina]

No straps.

[Sina]

Okay.

[Christina]

So. And I just always go for it when I want to dress up, because when I dress up, it's, like, not really that dressed up, you know, so I'll do, like, a nice pair of jeans and a blazer, and then the tube top gives me a little bit of skin, and then the crop gives me a little bit of skin. And then because of the ribbing detail, the exaggerated ribbing, so it's not like a rib jersey. It's. It's quite. It's like a rich kind of gutsy ribbing. So it looks a little bit more elevated, it adds some texture. And it's always something that, like every single declutter, even those years ago, like, I don't really wear this a lot, but, you know, you love it. I like it. Yeah. Yeah. And it just, it just, it stayed. It survived all those declutters even, Even the declutters that I've done this year. So. Yeah, I'm shocked that I still have that. But it's a good piece. If I think about it, I feel.

[Alyssa]

Like it's almost like a signature for you, that silhouette on you.

[Christina]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I really like that silhouette.

[Alyssa]

So.

[Christina]

Yeah, it just works.

[Sina]

I love that.

[Christina]

So it's kind of funny. It's like thinking about style evolution. Maybe we should do a whole episode on style evolution.

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Christina]

When I think about it myself, I think it's pretty consistent.

[Sina]

Yeah.

[Christina]

As much as I want to think how much how like maybe the pieces evolved, like the silhouettes have evolved, but in terms of the color and, and, and in silhouettes, I mean, you know, like, maybe it was a skinny jean and now it's a straight leg jean or a wide leg jean, you know, so that's what I mean by silhouette. But it's still. The base is still there, which I find fascinating.

[Sina]

Yeah, yeah. I love how we're also just like touching on like, different. Yeah, we've already kind of talked about that. But like using different, like lenses to declutter your wardrobe, like when you're. Because a lot of people will say, well, curate some inspiration and then use that when you're decluttering and when you're shopping. But also it's sometimes like, you know, just looking back at your life and looking back at the times when you wore that piece and then decide based upon that whether it's stays or not. Yeah.

[Christina]

In terms of how you, how you felt and.

[Sina]

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah. Because I think we're more ruth, like ruthless if we're just like so focused on just using like a pre made Pinterest board or, you know, it has to look like this and it's more.

[Christina]

Yeah.

[Sina]

It's a gut feeling that you need to, you need to kind of. It's a mental thing too, you know?

[Christina]

Yeah, yeah. And I honestly think it's just kind of a split second decision. Again, I'm going to sound like a broken record that back to if it's not a hell yes, then it's a no. Like if it takes me longer than a second to think about it, then it means that it's a maybe and there's something that's holding me back about it. So it doesn't mean that that when you're decluttering, that piece needs to be in the no pile right away. You also have a maybe pile. Or you can store it and revisit it because the way you're feeling today, it might not be how you feel about it in six months from now when you feel like decluttering again. So I think all of that is such a fluid and dynamic thing and it doesn't have to be absolute. And I would just say don't put so much pressure on yourself if you feel like you do need to declutter because it's a tool that's meant to help you, not make it worse, you know.

[Sina]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Alyssa]

I think that was a really good discussion and like Sina said, it kind of led to some other good ones which hopefully we'll chat about in future episodes. But in the meantime, if you liked this one and you are on YouTube, give it a like don't forget to hit subscribe. Don't forget to hit join. Also, if you want to get some exclusive content and get deeper into questions and slow fashion chatting. And if you are listening, don't forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast as well. We love love hearing from you and love the support helps us do more of this work. So thank you again. Have a wonderful rest of your day or wherever you're at and we'll see you in the next episode. Ciao.

[Sina]

Thank you so much for joining in our conversation this week. If you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple and leave us a rating and review. It's one of the best ways to support the Sustain this podcast at zero cost to you.

[Christina]

We're also a community led podcast, so if you have any questions for us, topic requests or even guests you want to hear from, please please send us a DM on Instagram @Sustain ThisPodcast. We read all of our comments and look forward to hearing from you.

[Alyssa]

We hope you join us again next Tuesday where we'll talk about so much more than clothes.

[Sina]

Ciao.