BESPOKE LINEN CLOTHING

The Handmade Closet’s foundation of sustainability was in focus from the beginning. In essence, it began as a personal revolt against consumerism and the continuous hunt for more. The ‘year of making whatever I needed’, using the resources I already had available to me, fuelled a personal refocusing on what was really necessary, reducing accumulated materials or collected “stuff”, and the development of a refreshed set of behaviours around what was essential everyday living requirements. Shelter, sustenance, clothing. 

Sustainability to me is based on a wholistic mindful approach to living, where considered choices are made based on purpose, with the least amount of negative environmental impact, during and at the end of an items life. Sustainability is a circular process. It’s taken time to make the changes, to develop new patterns of behaviour and the journey continues with further education and knowledge. 

At The Handmade Closet we stand for #keepingclothingsimple and made to order clothing. We actively encourage mindful choices, made to fulfill everyday purposes and a less-is-more approach to dressing. We actively educate and exchange information with customers through our Wardrobe conversation workshops and in engaged interactions at the shop and with our social media platforms. We make garments one at a time, in an environment which is happy and healthy, and where we aim to keep stress at the minimum. We take our time to stitch garments well, using traditional techniques designed to make a garment last for many many years when looked after well. 

We seek natural pure linen fabrics manufactured where GOTS and OEKO textile standards are awarded and buy only what is needed in small quantities. We design practical clothing, and pattern make to reduce fabric waste at every stage of production. We choose to cut each garment individually, with customers measurements in mind to ensure the quality of how the garment fits on the body it was made for. We manufacture all clothing on rescued industrial sewing machines that can easily be repaired and which were built to last several lifetimes. We cut with scissors that have been hand forged by a team of skilled craftsman and designed to last beyond our lifetimes. Our pins have glass heads, and as much as possible our equipment is vintage finds or when new, as plastic free as we can find. We are transitioning to eco friendly biodegradable elastic as it has become more available. Our buttons are repurposed vintage from collections, or when new is required we offer buttons made from natural materials. Our waste is repurposed, recycled or returned to the earth to decompose. 

We implement business practices that safe guard the well being of the humans involved with it, and value the importance of that above all else. We will continuously strive to meet with expectations but not at the expense of kindness and compassion. 

Would you like to know more? Do you have information or feedback you could share to help us on our sustainability journey as clothiers? We are sure there is more we can do, and we are committed to embracing the opportunity to do so.