Zen Wardrobe

This is your last trend because it’s not a temporary trend. When I was a teenager in high school, I had an English teacher named Mrs. Barnes. After all these year, I still remember her interesting Japanese inspired wardrobe. There is nothing new to this concept because fashion designers are constantly bringing this to life again mysteriously and from the natural design nature of their minds. It was brought to us in the 1920s and 1930’s when things were streamlined and had interesting lines and construction. The women wore Kimono sleeves and artistic geometric shapes. Art Deco reflects the industrial aspect but Art Nuveau reflected nature. It’s beauty is still mesmerizing us. Even in the 70’s these shapes and lines showed up in the futuristic movies. Princess Leah had a dress that was simple and white and flowy. Every decade ressurects this style without knowing why but it is a simple wardrobe that is masterfully made. It’s goal is to make a tower with the least amount of steel. It uses natural fibers and reminds us of orgami. The human body is beautiful without a single straight line. The orgami geometric shapes are the frames. The colors are all camouflaged in nature. It’s not a trend or a lifestyle but the clothing is everlasting in design.

Here are my notes that I have been thinking of:

Sleeves: Kimono, Dolman, Sloped Sleeveless cap, Batwing, Stovepipe Straight

Neckline is v-neck, boatneck or square

No rib. Use garter, seed or pattern stitch. Nothing is cinched with rib, use pleats or seams. Rib is no longer an elastic. It’s about stripes.

Hair is neat and/or pinned. Braids are nice. No more big or messy hair. Show longer hair straight or curled in half pinned hair with hair showing in back. All bands and pinning are made low near base of neck. Ot can be done loosely but keep the bulk in the back. You can wear hair loose at home. Jewelry is not metal but leather or polished shell or stone. Wire may be used for earrings. Nothing synthetic. Rings are not metal either. Please less or no tattoos!

Make-up is minimal. It’s handmade. Lip stain, no more lipstick. All natural ingredients.

No sunglasses. Use bigger hats in cotton canvas or straw. Glasses no longer have plastic frames. Anything but plastic frames! Metal, wood, horn.

Bags are all natural. Japanese Knot bags, cross overs, Market bags, Slings, No zippers or vinyl parts. Drawstring back packs. The hardware is steel or wood.

Nothing is mass produced or made in China. It’s either DIY, commissioned, or made locally by artists or crafters. Sew machines are common and made with metal parts.

Shoes are simple. Made with canvas, waxed canvas with rope soles with quilted cotton inserts not plastic. Even boots are made of canvas. Natural rubber can be used thinly to waterproof parts of the shoe. Professional runners and hikers and construction workers use different fibers and leather but it’s nothing like what had existed before in the plastic era.

Body- short or long, Regular Fit or Loose but nothing sloppy. Nothing that resembles sweat shirts or sweat pants. No hot shorts, miniskirts or showing cleavage, No more bras. Use tank tops or quilted and seamed bodices. For underwear it is still natural fiber with rubber strips in the seams.

No more tight pants or jeans. No tight skirts. Everything is lighter and more flowy. Your skirts can be short but just above the knees and nothing tight. Denim is thinner like shirt chambray.

Screen printing is only on lighter colors. You can bleach dark colors but not add plastic white.

Lace or Stripe or Textured or Motif

Colors: Multi Yarn mixed or sophisticated

Natural Colors or Natural Dye. Nubs, tweed and thick and thin are great. Loose weave linen or silky bamboo. Quilted boldly with geometric shapes. Even the lace is geometric or bold motif. It’s not flashy.

Yarn: No synthetics. Blends or pure but nothing synthetic.

Knit and crochet With Bamboo or Wood or Steel knitting needles and crochet hooks. No more plastic or synthetic materials.

Local sourcing is crucial.

Nothing toxic and organic is best.

Please follow me on X for free patterns and interesting yarn and fashion links.

Also, I’m calling it Zen Wardrobe because I am not sure what to call it but I seriously don’t like my name choice so please suggest other names.