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This week was a big one, friends! It was Earth Week and Fashion Revolution week, and around here, that’s a pretty big deal! In celebration, I dressed up in 5 casual chic outfits that most people could recreate using clothing that they already own.

I know, I pretty much do that every week but I just thought I should shout it from the rooftops (ahem, the world wide web) this week.

If you read my most recent post on 7 Important Questions to Ask as a Conscious Consumer, and if you are a returning reader, you know that I encourage people to use what they have and to shop from secondhand sources as much as possible. With all of the advertising and general encouragement for people to buy new things, sometimes it feels like I’m screaming into a void. There just seem to be so many more voices out there that are pro consumption.

According to the Global Footprint Network, it takes the Earth 1 year and 8 months to regenerate the resources that we use in a year (1). Our demand is outpacing the earth’s ability to supply us with the things that we need. The only solution is to reduce our consumption of these materials by using what’s already available.

Use what you already own and shop secondhand as much as possible when you buy something.

The majority of the items that I wore this week are secondhand (indicated by *) or made by me. And all of them are ones that I have had for a long time. They are all made from natural materials that will biodegrade quickly at the end of their (hopefully) very long life. You can easily find quality natural material clothing in the secondhand market, usually for much cheaper than the fast fashion clothing made from synthetic materials at the mall.

This is the 5th week of outfits from my spring capsule wardrobe. It was pretty chilly this week so layers were key to keeping warm. I typically describe my style as casual chic – a little dressy but comfy for lounging in as well – and I think all of these outfits fit that description pretty well.

I don’t go out very much but I enjoy getting dressed each day. It helps me feel more productive and I think it helps with my creativity. I really enjoyed these outfits this week. I hope you do too.

Monday – Cardigan + Dress + Neutral Handbag + Fun Boots

This is not the first time that I have worn this combo. I am a proud outfit repeater and once I find an outfit that I really like, guaranteed I am going to wear it…a lot.

I really love the color combo of the grey with the cream. When an outfit is neutral, I usually like to add a little fun with the accessories. I resort to this grey printed bag and my leopard print boots quite a bit.

A small white woman is turned away from the camera so that the back/side view of her casual chic outfit is visible. She is wearing a dark grey cardigan over a cream midi length dress. She is wearing black socks with little pink tufts and leopard print low boots. She is holing a grey handbag with a thick black strap.

Even though they are both printed, they are both neutral as well and I think they still let the clothing items stand out. It’s like they’re the perfect supporting actors to the star of the show.

Closeup view of the front of the outfit. The cardigan has cream colored buttons.

46F / 8C

// tradlands cardigan

// wilder gown (made by me)

// botkier handbag

// hansel from basel socks

// huma blanco boots

Tuesday – Colorful Sweater + Black Jeans + Colorful Socks

I thrifted this cotton sweater last spring (I think) and at the time, it felt REALLY colorful to me. It was right at the beginning of my experimentation with color but I knew that it would be something that would fit seamlessly into my wardrobe.

This outfit is a little more casual than casual chic but imagine it with a pair of black or brown boots and a black blazer. I think that could change the feel very easily, don’t you?

I love that this sweater has some black and grey in addition to the light colors and the raspberry. It means that it coordinates with a lot of the items in my wardrobe, which is something that I always look for when I’m choosing to add something new.

Here’s a tip to use when you’re shopping: think of at least 3 outfits that you can create from your existing wardrobe with the item that you are considering.

A small white woman is wearing a sweater that has waves of color across it. the colors are cream, tan, dusty pink, raspberry, grey and black. It is front tucked into a pair of black jeans and she is wearing caramel colored socks.
Closeup of the sweater and jeans.

45F / 7C

// plenty by tracy reese sweater*

// agolde jeans*

// hansel from basel socks

Wednesday – Long Duster + Striped Top + Brown Pants + Neutral Handbag + Black Boots

This outfit definitely feels like the most casual chic outfit of the lot this week. If you read last week’s post, you know that I pulled this duster out of storage to include in my spring capsule. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it when I put the capsule together…dusters are the perfect transitional weather layering pieces!

I love the long line that it creates with the striped top and wide leg pants. I felt like there was enough going on with the top and duster that I kept the bag and boots pretty simple…but they’re still a little fun too, right?!?

A small white woman is wearing a casual chic outfit the includes a long black duster over a black & white striped top with brown wide leg pants. She is holding a grey handbag and wearing black combat boots.

The duster has a fun morse code print all over it. I like how the white dots on the black duster look up against the black and white stripes of the top.

Closeup of the outfit.

45F / 7C

// eileen fisher duster

// eileen fisher top (converted from a tunic)

// eileen fisher pants*

// botkier handbag

// dr. martens leona boots

Thursday – Quilt Coat + Colorful Dress + Neutral Handbag + Hiking Boots

What I wore for earth day! And probably the most earth friendly items in my wardrobe.

Both of these items were made by me using vintage materials. The quilt coat is made from a vintage quilt (and it’s reversible) and the dress was made from a vintage blanket. Maybe not as casual chic as it it comfy casual, which is another way that I describe my wardrobe.

A small white woman is wearing a cream colored quilted coat with tan edging over a colorful midi length dress. The dress is blue green and brown plaid. She is wearing tan boots with red strings.

These are probably 2 of the items that I am most proud of when it comes to things that I’ve made. I love that I was able to give old items a new life. There really is art in clothing.

Closeup of the dress. The woman is holding a tan handbag.

61F / 16C

// quilt coat (made by me) from a vintage quilt

// m7969 dress (made by me) from a vintage blanket

// chaco handbag*

// danner hiking boots

Friday – Chambray Blouse + Midi Dress + Neutral Handbag + Heeled Boots + Bandana

I love this vintage floral dress. It was a vintage find on Etsy a few springs ago and it is definitely a warm weather favorite. This blouse is also an item that I’ve had for a very long time (this is it’s 3rd spring) and I love to tie it at the waist over a dress.

I don’t own many brown handbags but this vintage mini bowler bag has survived the most recent cull to my handbag collection.

A small white woman is wearing a casual chic outfit of a chambray blouse that is tied at the waist over a navy midi length dress within flowers all over it. She is wearing brown boots and holding a tan handbag.

I’m not very adventurous with my hairstyles. I usually leave it loose or pull it into as high a bun as the length will allow. My only “fancy” trick is to tie it back with a silk scarf, which is what I did here.

closeup of the blouse and dress.

55F / 13C

// doên blouse

// vintage floral dress*

// chaco handbag*

// free people boots*

I can’t believe that 5 weeks have already passed with this capsule wardrobe. I did make a couple of switches last week, which I talked about in last week’s outfit post.

I recently finished a new dress and I plan to wear it next Monday because it’s going to be really warm. I have a few other garments planned for May, namely an attempt to make fitted pants, which I’m both excited and nervous about. I picked up some beautiful vintage denim fabric at an antique shop and I want to make Persephone Pants. But before I cut into my limited fabric, I am going to make a test pair on a set of vintage denim curtains that I picked up a while back.

As always, I’d love to know what your favorite outfit was? Which one(s) could you recreate using items in your existing wardrobe? Do you feel like “casual chic” was a good description for this series of outfits, or would you describe them differently?

And if you’re doing a capsule wardrobe, how’s it going? Have you made any switches?

Until next time,

Save it for later…

A closeup of a white woman wearing a colorful sweater and black jeans is overlaid with the test "5 Casula chic earth friendly outfits you'll love wearing"