I have to be honest — lately, I’ve been wrestling with the guilt of not wearing a 100% handmade wardrobe.
When I first started sewing, I had this dream: “One day, every single thing I wear will be made by me!” But life – and practicality – had other plans. Some days I reach for a thrifted tee. Sometimes I just really love that store-bought pair of jeans (I have yet to master installing rivets). And you know what? That’s okay.
The truth is, a wardrobe should work for your real life, not an imaginary ideal. Sewing is about joy, creativity, and self-expression — not pressure to prove something.
When you’re deep in the sewing community, it can feel like every outfit should be fully “me-made,” and if it’s not, you’re somehow failing the mission. But the truth? That’s just not realistic for me right now.
Life ebbs and flows, and so does our creativity. Some seasons I’m buzzing with ideas and cranking out garments left and right. Other times, like now, I need to give myself grace. Wearing a mix of handmade, vintage, and ready-to-wear doesn’t make me any less committed to slow fashion—it makes me human.
So this outfit? It’s a little bit of everything: a handmade skirt and shoes, a vintage bag, handmade earrings (though not by me), and a ready-to-wear top. And you know what? I love it. Because at the end of the day, what matters most isn’t whatyou wear, but how it makes you feel.
- Top – RTW from (gasp!) Walmart
- Skirt – Frankie Skirt by Made Label
- Bag – Vintage
- Earrings – handmade & I’m so sorry I forget the makers name!
- Shoes – Handmade by me with help from The Art of Shoes
Do you ever feel that pressure to go “all handmade” (or “all thrifted,” “all sustainable,” etc.)? How do you find balance in your own closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
As always, Happy Sewing!
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