Radical fashion exercises to reconnect with your wardrobe this Earth Hour
By Florenne Earle Ledger published 21/03/2024
Join Whering team members and millions of others taking part in Earth Hour. For one hour on Saturday the 23rd of March (8:30-9:30pm) turn off all non essential lighting, embrace the darkness, and do something good for the planet.
With fashion being our forte, I’m suggesting some things you can do in 60 minutes to reconnect with your wardrobe. A sustainable relationship with fashion comes from loving and respecting your clothes, so these three exercises are designed to help you connect with your wardrobe on a new level.
A few of these activities come from the amazing book Radical Fashion Exercises, which you should definitely check out. There’s hundreds of cool ways to experiment with your current clothes and learn more about fashion from creatives that know it best. But first, here’s three ways to start your radical fashion journey…
Unpacking the memories
This exercise is by the amazing Sanem Odabasi, but we’ve changed it slightly towards the end to embrace the lack of light during Earth Hour.
We suggest lighting a few candles to keep lighting natural and minimal, leaning into the Earth Hour experience.
Start by choosing a garment you love, that’s special to you. Jot down why you love it.
With the darkness surrounding you, your senses are heightened. Use your senses to see this garment in a new light (literally).
Consider the following things. They may seem very abstract, but take some time to think and see where you end up.
Taste
Does your garment have a taste? (For example, where you biting a thread whilst studying or reading?)
Hearing
What does the garment sound like when you touch it? What about when you wear it? Can others hear it too or only you?
Smell
What kind of smell does your garment have? Which seasons are you wearing it in? What time of day?
Touch
What is the texture of the fabric? What kind of energy does it have? What’s the mood of the fabric?
Jot down your initial thoughts for each question. Take time to reflect and consider how your new discoveries and awareness of other senses in relation to fashion may have changed your perception of this item.
Repeat the process however many times you like. Jot down your findings and chat to someone about what you’ve learned.
How we got on
Nona: This exercise helped me think about my clothes in a completely new way. Details like smell or texture that I would usually ignore, suddenly became my sole focus. It was a really interesting way to view my clothes, without fully seeing them.
Soundscape of a look
The second insightful exercise is by Amanda Cumming and Kate Reynolds, edited slightly towards the end.
Select one pair of shoes, one accessory and one piece of clothing.
- Find a quiet and dark place - maybe this inside your wardrobe?
- During the next 3 minutes, record the following:
- Put the garment on then take it off - what does it sound like? Does it go over your head or is there a zip?
- Put the shoes on, then take them off. Do they slip on or do they have laces that need to be tied up?
- Place the accessory on and then take it off. Does it go over the hand, wind through the fabric or suspend on the body?
- Listen back to the recording. How would you describe the ambience of the three experiences of dressing? What’s the most distinctive character and expression of each sound?
- Describe the sound in 6 words
- Has this changed how you see your garment? Did you learn something new about it? How would the sounds change depending on the items you chose?
How we got on
Flo: I was surprised by the volume that came from all the items. Each one was noticeably different and made me think about the physicality of the item based on how it sounded when I couldn’t see it.
Examining memories
This is one of our own!
Set up your desk or a table with a few candles to start writing, and note down all the clothes you own that you can think of. It might sound boring, but it’s a good indicator of what items stand out to you, and those you really can’t go without. Don’t like writing? Why not sketch the item from memory if drawing speaks to you more.
If you can’t remember an item or you feel indifferent towards it, maybe it’s best to sell it on, or donate it.
Next, jot down any memories you have with these items that make you think more fondly of them, or make them more memorable. Maybe even try sketching out the item from memory.
How do the memories attached to garments change our perspective of them? Note down whatever comes to mind, and talk to a friend about what you learned.
If you enjoyed this exercise and wanted to take it beyond Earth Hour, you could even set up a diary for the clothes that are special to you and create a place to return to with future memories of what happened to you on different days you’re wearing the chosen piece.
How we got on
Cal: I actually remembered most of my wardrobe, which gives me confidence I’m investing in quality staples I genuinely love. It was definitely easier to list items I had a distinct memory when wearing. I love this way of viewing my wardrobe as moments in time, as well as garments.
Getting creative and thinking about our clothes differently this Earth Hour has been an interesting insight into how, why and what we love about our clothes, making it easier to make conscious shopping choices in the future. Share your thoughts on these exercises with us on our socials, @Whering__ on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.
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