Live Large With Less Part 2: My Final Wardrobe, Summer Plans, and Key Takeaways
In the summer of 2023, I was selected by my long-term hero brand, Houdini, to participate in their #LiveLargeWithLess challenge. The challenge was simple yet profound: to wear only 10 garments throughout the entire summer. It aimed to redefine our relationship with clothing and shed light on the escalating issue of consumerism within the fashion industry. As a city girl who's passionate about various sports, I questioned the necessity of buying new outfits for every aspect of my life.
Could I truly thrive with just 10 pieces?
In the first part of the #LiveLargeWithLess series, I outlined my strategy and approach to limiting my wardrobe for the entire summer while balancing daily city life with my adventures and love for sports. Before delving into more details, I want to highlight how much I truly enjoyed the challenge for simplifying my daily struggle of choosing outfits; every morning, I knew exactly what I would wear.
Before selecting my final 10 pieces, I outlined my summer plans, which included:
Everyday casual wear for city life, work, and meetings.
Travel outfit for my trip to Copenhagen to visit friends, known for its stylish ambiance, where I planned to explore the city by bike.
Sportswear for my training: mostly running and cycling during the summer.
Hiking gear for the Alta Via 1 trek across the Dolomites, necessitating clothing suitable for both warm hiking days under the sun and unpredictable mountain weather.
My final 10 Houdini garment selections were:
Stride Skirt: Versatile and stylish, suitable for both urban and outdoor settings. Can be worn for an easy hiking trip as well as an art exhibition opening or when visiting The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (video above). ☑️
Pace Wind Shorts: My favorite item, worn extensively due to their comfort and functionality. I spent 95% of summer in these shorts.
Wadi Pants (Men's Fit): I included these pants in my selection as I required a long pant option for the Dolomiti trip (I also took a merino base layer). Chosen for their versatility, they are ideal for both outdoor adventures and cooler summer evenings.
Tree Dress: A lightweight and versatile Tencel dress perfect for warm days in the city and dressing up.
Tree Top: Easily matched with other items, suitable for work occasions and leisure.
Activist Tee: A favorite for its blend of merino wool and Tencel, ideal for various activities and quick drying. I spent the majority of the time wearing this t-shirt. It would be ideal to have two of them, one specifically for sports.
Desoli Shirt: A personal favorite for its comfort and versatility, adding a touch of my preferred tomboyish style (I love oversized shirts). Great for layering.
Orange Jacket: While I loved it, the orange jacket didn't see much wear. During my time in the Dolomites, I opted for my old trusty BFF jacket, which was better suited for carrying a heavy backpack. However, I look forward to using it extensively during my upcoming bikepacking adventures this year.
Pace Wind Jacket: Surprisingly elegant. Paired well with Pace Wind Shorts, providing protection against wind during cold summer nights.
Alto Half Zip: Warm and cozy, it's ideal for colder days and mountain trips. Made from a blend of merino and Tencel, it offers a great alternative to synthetic fleece.
How it Went and the Unexpected Plotwist
Life took an unexpected turn when I broke my arm at the beginning of the challenge, limiting my ability to engage in sports and outdoor activities. Despite this setback, I found some innovative ways to adapt, such as using the Desoli Shirt to stylishly cover my cast haha. 💪🏻 For a few weeks, basic tasks in life became a challenge in themselves.
Once my arm healed, I embraced my postponed plans. I spent some time exploring Copenhagen by bike and soaking up all the architectural inspiration.
Prague gets very hot in the summer (30+ degrees Celsius), so I didn't encounter any issues with hand-washing my clothes after morning training and wearing them later for walks around the town. This aligned perfectly with the functionality of Houdini’s items, as both the merino and Tencel materials dry very quickly. This efficiency is also beneficial in terms of energy consumption.
After enduring a long, hot summer in the city, I eagerly anticipated my trip to Italy to begin the Alta Via 1 hike in September. Preparing for the journey proved surprisingly effortless this time around: I essentially packed everything I owned and added extra merino base layers for sleeping, as well as for emergencies in case of exceptionally cold conditions. Additionally, I swapped out my lightweight jacket for my trusty old BFF shell jacket, a reliable companion on past adventures, confident in its ability to withstand more strenuous backpacking.
Lessons Learned:
When I was a teenager, I was a huge fashion enthusiast, delving into designers and immersing myself in fashion documentaries (The September Issue, anyone?). I was already curious about materials and daring with my wardrobe choices. Over the years, my curiosity for fashion has evolved and my focus has shifted. Instead of scanning trends and designers, I'm interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of brands: their creative processes, innovative approaches, strategies for adapting to our evolving planet, and dedication to sustainability.
Our culture often uses fashion as a medium for self-expression and identity, thereby subjecting us to societal expectations of a constantly evolving wardrobe. The fast fashion industry thrives on consumerism, perpetuating a cycle of excessive production and rapid disposal. This challenge underscored the importance of breaking free from this cycle, as the impact of consumerism on our lives is profound, affecting not only our wallets but also our mental well-being and the health of our planet.
Let's redefine fashion from a source of fleeting trends to a reflection of our values and commitment to a healthier, more conscious world. Consider investing in timeless pieces, supporting ethical brands, and embracing the concept of a curated, versatile wardrobe.
Key Takeaways:
Yes, it is possible to thrive with only 10 garments for the entire summer, whether you're navigating city life or conquering the Dolomites. However, achieving this requires some planning and commitment to make it work.
Simplify your life by opting for functional clothing that seamlessly transitions across activities. Learn about materials. Less is more. Quality always trumps quantity. Rarely do you need a special outfit for each occasion or sport.
Your confidence and empowerment flourish when you wear clothes that make you feel good. Avoid impulsive purchases and trendy items. Instead, prioritize investing in timeless pieces. When in doubt, give it three days before making a decision.
While second-hand shopping is beneficial, it's not the ultimate solution. It can inadvertently encourage more consumption. Additionally, the days of cheap second-hand finds are gone.
My daily wardrobe now predominantly features black and natural colors, as I gradually build my own capsule wardrobe. I believe that embracing a smaller wardrobe of beloved pieces simply makes you happier.
Do you have what it takes to #LiveLargeWithLess? ☄️