Surely, a truly sustainable, always-relevant wardrobe is different for each person, and defined by long-term enjoyment. It is better if your wardrobe is unique to you, and suits you, because then you are more likely to value it. The sustainable aspect comes into play with one’s resourcefulness, and the level of care given to clothes, lending longevity to fabrics and cloth. My mirror reflection will change as years go by but my fashion silhouette will be the same because I have committed to only buying clothes that I love so much that they become part of my life’s sartorial signature. Find yours, and don’t fall for "the industry formula". Because the formula will make you look like everyone else. Or, someone trying to look like everyone else who works in fashion. When you find your style pathway, savor it, and look after it. It will be your beautiful thing.

The secret to building your personal ‘forever wardrobe’ can be unlocked with these practical questions about garment care and consideration:

1. What truly suits you? 

2. How well can you forecast what you need from your garments long-term? 

3. Are you buying garments that interlock with each other and work in different combinations? 

4. Do you have enough key pieces that enable more complex garments to be worn, such as flattering trousers to layer underneath unusual dresses? 

5. Are you investing in garments that can be altered, so if you change shape slightly they can be adapted to flatter?

6. Do you know how to look after various premium fabrics so that they last decades, not seasons?

7. Can you identify when you need to store clothes away for a while to avoid ‘style fatigue’ (when you simply need a break from wearing a certain look - absence does make the heart grow fonder)?

8. Do you know how to store your clothes so they are protected?

‍Helpful tips on how to protect your wardrobe forever, irrespective of what it consist of:

1. Do not overwash your clothes. Each time you wash fabrics, they begin to break down. Steam, sponge, or carefully brush garments where possible and dry clean special items when totally necessary. However, note that deodorant and perfume residue will damage natural fibers so pay close attention to areas that will have build-up of these substances. 
2. Waste no time in repairing tears, holes, snags, or stains - the sooner the better. Woven and knitted items are especially prone to becoming increasingly damaged if pulled threads or loops are not re-integrated in the pattern. 
3. Consider reviving an older garment by visiting a tailor and having aspects of it reworked to reflect changing trends in shape. Perhaps a dress can feel fresh again if the straps are changed, or you can rescue an especially loved skirt by transforming it into something else.
4. Before storing knitwear, cashmere, and woolen garments - consider placing them in a clean and suitable freezer compartment for 48 hours. This will eliminate any subtly built-up odors and kill off any possible moth eggs. Thereafter, you can store it in a dry, air-tight resealable bag and keep it in a dark storage container (away from light that could damage the fabric). Moisture, light and air are not good for the long-term storage of natural fibers - so protect silk scarves and cashmere long-term by ensuring you have adequate place to archive them in-between seasons or high wearability.
5. Get over the wear-once mindset for events: instead invest in evening wear that can be made to look totally fresh and vibrantly different with the careful switch-up of shoes/bag/coat/cloak/abaya. Remember that luxury is having long-standing taste-levels. And there is nothing greater than turning up at an event in a gown that is stunning and you can say, “I have worn this on different occasions for over three decades.” That’s vintage fabulousness.
6. Remember that stains are not irredeemable, you can save fabrics if you act fast or work at resolving the issue. (In this travel article, Deena recommends one of her special finds that saved one of her tulle dresses.)
7. Archive-store garments that don’t suit your style now but you know will return to your interest later.

There’s no judgment if your wardrobe is indeed full of trench coats and white shirts: you wear those timeless classics in your inimitable way. Meanwhile, I will be wearing a sharp suit for the next forty years.

Written by Philippa Morgan.