Our Blog | Love Linen The Label — Quality over Quantity
Minimalism Where To Start
Less To Live More
Maybe it started with keeping up with the Jones - but who knows. What we do know, is in our western world we have a lot. We have a lot that we don't need, we have a lot which clouds our lives and stops us from really living and enjoying what matters.
It never ceases to amaze me how in many eastern countries and poorer nations, the happiness of the people does not necessarily coincide with how much 'materially' that they own or have.
After considering this for some time, I happened by the term minimalism. Minimalism to many people means many different things. I have found that it means to have only what you need to enjoy life, less stuff, and then more time and money because of this.
This does not mean you don't buy nice things, it means you consider purchases much more carefully instead of just mindlessly consuming from inner lack or to fill some sort of void. Minimalism to me is as much an inner journey as it is an outer.
Everyone has their own view of what will make them happy and what they need vs what they want. It is interesting though when going through your 'stuff' and de-cluttering - how much this can positively impact your stress levels and enjoyment of time usually spent cleaning, sorting and moving around this 'stuff'.
Minimalism also makes you value your time and happiness a lot more. If you're not happy then really - something has to change. Minimalism is not to do with just things, it's people, commitments, anything really which is not contributing to your inner peace and happiness.
Clearing out to live with less - but really with more of what makes you happy. That's a life more worth living.
Behind The Seams
The Lifetime of a Design
At Love Linen we do everything with love and much time, energy and care goes into everything we do.
We are only small and we only make a few. We are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and we are proudly Australian made, owned and operated.
Each design we hand make in our sewing studio in Broome before is goes to our digital pattern makers. This process alone can take months! Our amazing manufacturer specialises in short runs which means we only produce around 10 - 20 of each design in a carefully chosen linen fabric.
Quality over quantity is what we are passionate about. We also love producing linen clothing of true style and classic design that you wont see everywhere else. Our designs are unique and limited which make them extra special.
Although we have many designs sketched - some on paper - many in the mind - we are only a small business and our aim is to grow sustain-ably with our beautiful linen lovers into the future. We wish we could give you it all at once but where is the fun in that! So much happens in the design stage and we even surprise ourselves sometimes!
If you are reading this, thank you for being part of our journey. Your support and appreciation means the world to us X
Lets Shop Local This Festive Season
Support Local, Support Your Community
There are so many great reasons for shopping local. Festive season sometimes takes a hold however, and massive name brands do take center stage with their massive advertising budgets and the little small businesses can get lost among all the noise. We ask you to look for them, there are so so so many amazing small businesses out there producing amazing products filled with love and supporting earth and world friendly values we all hope to aspire to.
Gift giving over the silly season can get - well a little silly! How much do we really need? Here is a quick guide to help with a more mindful choice which also supports your local community.
Consumable Products
Handmade soap, perfume, handmade local foods, local honey, local produce, candles, incense, natural deodorant, skin care and hair care products - products you know will be used or consumed and not wasted - choose locally made, naturally made products
Reduce Plastic
Kids toys, clothing, plastic things which have little or no use. Shop for a non-plastic option or a cause contributing to earth friendly sustainable, re-use or re-cycle values. Shopping local makes this choice easy, there are many hand-crafters and local artisans and artists around, plus you a giving a unique gift to both the small business you are supporting and the receiver
Give An Experience
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that someone who has everything or is difficult to buy for? An experience like a massage (or any self pamper), wine tour, hot air balloon float, couple photo shoot, or something simply that you know they will enjoy will always be well received. Choose a local service or company
Make Something From You
Hand-make something yourself. Whether it's baking, painting, making jewelry, macrame, renewing something you have as a gift - if you are inclined this is something truly unique you can give as a gift from you. Small items are usually best and remember to shop local for your supplies
Support a Local Cause
Supporting a local cause always feels good. If you have one you are passionate about, let everyone know instead of gifts, small donations towards this cause is how you are giving this year. Everyone can feel involved and purposeful with their giving with you
Don't Sweat the Gift Giving
The most important gift you can give anyone is your own happiness and that you share your light with them by giving them your time. Gifts and the pressure of buying for no other reason than an expectation is both stressful and unnecessary. If this is you, explain this to your inner circle, if you need to take a break this year (or any year) know that - this is OK
Why Have A Capsule Wardrobe?
Benefits of a capsule wardrobe
I think before getting into what a capsule wardrobe is and the methods of achieving one it is important to first be inspired by the benefits so your enjoy the journey.
Less stress
A well curated wardrobe has staple styles, colours and combinations so it wont be a headache to pick your outfit.
Clothes you love
A smaller wardrobe of clothing means you are much more careful with your purchases. Each and every piece should be one of quality and that you LOVE to wear. Your whole wardrobe becomes something you feel good in no matter what you choose for your day.
Your signature look
Having a smaller wardrobe also means you put more effort and consideration on every piece of clothing and how they go together. Carefully picking only clothing of quality that will last and that you truly love sets you apart. You become more confident and well put together.
Saves you money
Quality over quantity. In the long run this saves you money and is better for the planet. You are also usually supporting more ethically made clothing and not sweat shop pieces made to last a short season. Feel good and do good in good fashion.
Take time - can be years!
It is ok that a capsule wardrobe takes time to curate and establish. Enjoy the journey and enjoy the fact that it is a process to feel good about.
A Slow and Conscious process
Each addition or subtraction of clothing becomes a more conscious process. In order to have a smaller wardrobe of truly loved and well curated clothing takes more presence than mindlessly adding and adding.
Greener
A capsule wardrobe means you are not contributing to the fast fashion model. This is a worldwide problem which has escalated over the last 20 years. You value clothes made well, of quality and designed to last. Shopping local is key here, it can be fun finding those niche local brands who align with your values and you can feel good about supporting.
Saves you space
As a nice bonus you minimize your home buy having a smaller wardrobe. Just wait till you get spaces between the hangers and you can see everything clearly, I promise you you'll love it.
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Could you wear the same thing every day?
Minimalism in your wardrobe
I've recently read an article about someone wearing one T-shirt every day of the week - and before your nose starts to twitch he has multiple shirts of the exact same T-shirt... and we are talking about a 'He' so perhaps slightly easier to envisage than your average female! The article did however, bring up some very relevant points to why this train of minimalism within your wardrobe could have many benefits.
I confess I could never take minimalism in my wardrobe quite this far although I took away some very valid points which I've summarized for you below. We are all about sustainability and slow fashion after all and the key to a simpler, slower, happier life is to become a minimalist not just within your wardrobe, but in all areas of your life.
- Fewer decisions and less time and energy wasted - wouldn't it be great to not have that every morning hassle and worry? Less stress on these decisions creates room for more positivity and productivity in your day
- Saving money and creating less waste - money more well spent and carefully decided upon saves you in the long run, quality clothing you love also reduces overall waste which is good for you and good for our planet
- Feeling better - when you look good you feel good. You become more grounded and productive, wearing carefully chosen outfits you love and enjoy - quality over quantity is key
- An iconic look - contrary to fast fashion pressure of trends changing every couple of months, a consistent look conveys confidence, clarity and becomes uniquely you. You will always look comfortable, stylish and well put together
Slow fashion and a Conscious Life
Conscious living can start with fashion
What brought me to this journey was a yearning for a simpler and more considered, healthier way of life. Through a journey of slow ethical fashion made well, and made in Australia, flows through to a greater proportion of everything in daily life.
Daily learnings of reducing waste, reducing plastic, recycling more, reusing, shopping local, owning less, paying more attention to impacts of life and the way we live - it opens up a whole realm of possibilities into so many new exciting states of awareness. If you are not aware and present to what is around you than what kind of life are you living?
I believe we all have an obligation to our surroundings - some might say to mother earth - but, even more so to ourselves. We need to honor ourselves and what's around us by consciously living in all that we do. Consciously consuming, consciously eating and consciously being.
Minimalism has also been a very helpful path in this aspect. Creating more of a rich and considered life by minimizing or getting rid of what's really not important in your life, so then you may have the time and space to enjoy what is.
For me this started with fashion or clothing. We put clothes on every day don't we? It's a great place to start to live with more intention and more awareness. Join us here and start your journey. Ours in through a love of linen x
Do people really care about Ethical Fashion?
Why make your sustainable ethical choice?
The realisation of the impact of fast fashion is what started us on our journey.
Sick and tired of clothes (which I though I paid a 'fair' price for) falling about within a couple of months.
No. There was nothing 'fair' in the price or decision I was unconsciously making.
Quickly learning the impacts did not take long.
Some facts:
Australia is the second-largest consumers of new textiles in the world, each person buying an average of 27kg of new textiles every year. (Textile Beat 2016)
In the past 15 years, the average number of times a garment is worn before it ceases to be used has decreased by 36%. (Elle MacArthur Foundation 2017)
In Australia, 92% of clothes sold in Australia are imported. (Choice 2014)
Polyester production emitted about 706 billion kg (1.5 trillion pounds) of greenhouse gases in 2015 equivalent of the annual emissions of 185 coal-fired power plants. (World Resources Institute 2017)
The number of garments produced globally exceeded 100 billion for the first time in 2014. (McKinsey 2016)
Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2014. (McKinsey 2016)
4% of what Australians spend on clothing goes to the wages of workers in garment factories across the globe.(Oxfam 2017) - please read that more than once.. : O
In Australia, some garment outworkers earn as little as $7 an hour and, in some cases, as little as $4 well which is below the minimum wage of $17.49 per hour. (Choice 2014)
Over 50% of workers within the fashion industry are not paid the minimum wage in countries like India and the Philippines. (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)
Australians throw out 6 tonnes or 6,000 kgs of clothing textiles every 10 minutes (War On Waste 2017)
Nearly three-fifths or 60% of all clothing produced ends up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being made. (McKinsey 2016)
About 1,900 synthetic plastic microfibers per garment are released when washed and due to its tiny sizes and shapes, aren’t caught in waste water treatment and enter our oceans. (Browne et al. 2011a)
It takes about 2,720 litres of water to produce just one cotton shirt – a number equivalent to what an average person drinks over three years. (EJF)
Researchers anticipate the industry’s water consumption will increase by 50% by 2030 as cotton producers are located in countries suffering water stress, such as China and India. (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)
It takes about 170,000 litres of water to grow a kilogram of wool. (Julian Cribb ‘The Coming Famine‘ 2010)
Polyester and cotton dominate the global textiles and fibre market, 51% and 24% respectively (Lenzing, 2017)
Approximately 300 million people who produce cotton are still living in poverty. (Fairtrade 2017)
63% of textile fibres are derived from petrochemicals. (Lenzing 2017)
Choose Well, Choose Consciously - Shop Ethical & Sustainable
The Minimalist Approach
What is a capsule wardrobe?
People tend to freak out when it comes to minimalism their belongings, most of all the dreaded overflowing wardrobe! It turns out though, little by little, clearing out and taking each item into serious consideration can lift that dreaded 'what to wear' burden from our everyday lives.
A capsule wardrobe is formulated via a few very simple considerations and has a minimalist approach.
- Quality over Quantity - what will last and stand the test of time
- Create YOUR own style - step away from fashion trends
- Pick your favorites - you will want to LOVE every item in your capsule wardrobe
- Plan your outfits - make sure each piece is pulling it's weight
- Trial your minimalist wardrobe to find out what your really need and love to wear, a good tip here is turning all your coat-hangers around the wrong way, after three months - see what you have worn and what you haven't. You don't have to buy a minimalist wardrobe, start with what you have and then moving forward, choose wisely with your purchases - shop ethical and sustainable.
Short Run Sustainable Production
Remember we only make a few
Passion and quality have been sewn together into each of our pieces of linen clothing. Our design and craftsmanship will bring you an elegant and special addition to your wardrobe, designed to last. The true sustainability of the words most wonderful natural fiber - our treasured linen, and our commitment to sustainable production ethically made in Australia ensures you can wear every piece with pride. We are committed to slow fashion - a new movement creating clothing for a brighter future valuing human and natural resources.
Remember we specialise in short run production, so we only make a few of our deigns in carefully selected ranges of 100% quality linen fabrics which we change often. We do not follow typical fashion trends as our clothing is designed to last and we are very passionate about a more sustainable approach to fashion.
Quality over Quantity
Less is More
It is so easy to get caught up in this 'consumer' driven world, we sometimes forget to re-evaluate what is important and what makes us happy. It's amazing how a home and wardrobe overhaul and de-clutter can simplify your everyday life so you can spend more time and energy doing what you love. Minimalise to maximise your life experience.
Purchase quality over quantity. For example only buy clothing that you truly love and that aligns with your core values – even if it costs more, this can actually be a sign that the production process is an ethical one. If you stock your wardrobe full of things you love, you will have less desire to add to it.
Owning fewer things can mean owning nicer things, this can make your every day world be a more accurate reflection of you and what you value. And - no more hiding that beautiful dress away for a rainy day, if it makes you feel good wear it and enjoy!
Live - Love - Life x
Fast fashion
The fashion industry's biggest threat
The production of clothing worldwide has increased 50% since the year 2000 increasing over 20% each year. The overproduction of cheap quality garments produced at next to nothing to keep up with fast and faster fashion contributed to more than 500,000 tonnes of textiles and leather sent to landfill in Australia alone. Customers are getting their fashion fix fast – but then they’re binning it. This increasingly disposable nature of fashion is causing huge problems for the environment.
Unfortunately cheap fashion has become a definition for value, a T-shirt for under $10 - that's value. When you consider for example, it takes 2700L of water and over 120 days to grow enough cotton to make a T-shirt, this is becoming a massive problem.
We need to slow down, we need to consider how long something will last before we purchase and hold brands accountable for this excessive over-production. You decide with where your dollars are spent.
Fast fashion is pushing all prices down to the bare minimum, which is also terrible for those who depend on the industry for their wages. An Oxfam report found that just 4% of the amount Australians spend on clothing goes to the garment workers. This is appalling. It's time to consider #whomademyclothes and what conditions these people are working in, not to mention the ecological impact this fast fashion is having on the world.
Shop slow, shop sustainable, shop ethical - shop local.