Sufficiency & clothing
Talking about something so intimate as clothing so openly feels vulnerable. When I write about post-growth, I say, as many fellow post-growth scholars do, that we need to focus on needs, that our consumption must be sufficient and not excessive. This thinking has implications for our relationship with textiles and clothes in particular. Instead of contemplating what this relationship could entail generally, I reflect on my own practices. Initially, I did not step on the path of wardrobe minimalism for ecological reasons. It was not because I learned certain facts about ecological degradation or the effect of textile production on fellow humans, non-humans and nature when I was doing my PhD. Long before then, when I was still a child but could already choose what to wear, I realised that I preferred neutral colours and no patterns. I live with high sensory processing sensitivity, and various colours and patterns felt overstimulating to me. Likewise, busy environments such as shopping centres also were not my favourite spaces. I also live with an autoimmune skin condition, so I always chose natural and soft fabrics and comfortable cuts as they simply felt better. Knowledge about ecological and social aspects of textile production manifested in my life much later than preferences towards simple clothing and natural fibres.
These days, ecological, aesthetic, spiritual and even comfort-related dimensions constellate in my choice of what to wear. I live with very few items of clothing that I consider lagom (just right in Swedish) for my lifestyle. These items are white, beige, grey or black. I try to choose organic fibres and somewhat loose shapes.
I feel there is always some pressure from the capitalist system to reinvent oneself. Perhaps if I was younger I would feel this pressure more, but in my 30s I intentionally avoid various sources of pressure such as tv, following influencers, exposing myself to fashion related social media. I invest this energy and time into nurturing a healthy relationship with myself and my body instead.
Living with high sensory processing sensitivity means that I avoid many social events. I don't own any clothing that looks fancy. When I went to such events, such as a fellow human's PhD defence, I wore what I normally wear in my everyday life. It is so that I looked more casual than fellow humans, but manifesting love and care felt much more important to me. My close friends and colleagues know about my practice of simple living, so they don't ask me to change my practice for events. Overall, I notice that to the humans in my social circle it does not matter what I wear. What matters to them is what kind of person I am. I don't want to look stunning or glamorous. I want to feel at harmony with myself, fellow others (humans and non-humans), and nature.
Wearing the same thing every day, looking the same at home and when I teach or present my academic work is an act of everyday activism. For example, it is important to me to dismantle hierarchies in my classroom. I don't want to look any different to my students. And more generally, I do not support the view that one must dress a certain way to "succeed". In my academic journey, I have heard fellow humans say to me often that dressing smart will somehow contribute to my career or my presence in the classroom. I would never say this to anyone because it is simply not true. What contributes to one's career and presence is love, care and commitment towards what one does and towards the self and fellow others.
Practising minimalism or even extreme minimalism is not the only or the best way to live a more sustainable life. Borrowing, sharing, taking clothing free of charge at swap shops, shopping second-hand, receiving pre-loved clothing from fellow humans are all sustainable practices. At times, I borrow clothes from my loved one. But having a minimalist wardrobe is a good approach too if it is what one prefers. Often, my fellow humans ask me why I don't shop second-hand. I personally avoid second-hand shopping because I prefer to spend my time on other activities and I don't want to wear different outfits.
