Our Wardrobe, Our World: An Earth Day Note from Belinda Abbott
Every collection we create at OnceWas begins with a simple question: How will this piece live in a woman’s wardrobe beyond a single season?
This Earth Day, I’ve been reflecting on that question more deeply. Sustainability, for us, is not an addition to design, it is the foundation of it. It informs how we sketch, how we cut, how we source, how we fit, and ultimately how we hope each piece is worn, loved, and returned to again and again.
Designing with Intention
At the heart of our approach is intention. I have always believed that clothing should feel considered, not excessive or disposable. When we design, we think about longevity in every sense; how a garment moves, how it makes you feel, and how it continues to live in your wardrobe over time.
Part of designing with intention also means designing for real women and real lives. Our commitment to inclusivity is reflected in our extended sizing range, ensuring more women can access and return to the pieces they truly love. Fit is one of the most important elements of longevity; when a garment fits well and feels considered on the body, it is worn more often, styled more confidently, and kept for longer. In this way, inclusive sizing is not separate from sustainability; it is part of it.
This mindset naturally leads us to low-waste design. When every piece is created with purpose, nothing feels unnecessary. It becomes less about producing more, and more about refining what truly deserves to exist.
Low-Waste Design and Considered Creation
Low-waste design begins long before a garment takes shape. It starts in the editing process, refining silhouettes, balancing versatility, and producing in small, intentional quantities.
We work in limited runs to avoid overproduction and approach pattern making with care to reduce fabric waste wherever possible. There is something powerful in restraint. It brings clarity to design and ensures each piece earns its place.
From a styling perspective, this translates into ease and longevity. A well-designed garment should work hard in your wardrobe. A dress becomes a travel staple layered with knitwear and boots, then a summer essential styled simply with sandals. A tailored jacket moves from polished workwear to relaxed weekend dressing with ease.
Responsible Sourcing and Fabric Integrity
Fabric is where every design begins. We are deeply intentional about our sourcing, prioritising materials that feel beautiful to wear while also standing the test of time.
I often think about how a fabric will live beyond the first wear, how it drapes, how it softens, how it remains relevant long after trends have shifted. Responsible sourcing is about asking better questions: will this still be loved next year? Can it be worn in multiple ways? Does it truly earn its place?
When those answers are yes, a garment becomes more than seasonal; it becomes part of a lasting wardrobe.
Transeasonal Dressing: A Smarter Wardrobe
One of the core foundations of OnceWas is transeasonal design. We don’t design for fleeting moments or strict seasonal boundaries. Instead, we create pieces that move fluidly through climates, occasions, and stages of life.
Styling is where this really comes to life. A blouse worn with tailored trousers feels elevated for work, then relaxed with linen for the weekend. A bomber jacket becomes a standalone winter piece or layered under gym wear for an elevated everyday look. A dress becomes something entirely new depending on how it is layered, belted, or reimagined.
The goal is always the same: to create freedom in how a piece is worn, not limitation.
Beyond the Garment: Continuous Responsibility
Sustainability doesn’t end once a garment is made, it’s an ongoing conversation, one we’re constantly learning from and evolving through. From packaging to production, we’re always exploring more thoughtful ways to reduce our environmental footprint and make better choices where we can.
There’s no perfect formula, and we don’t pretend to have all the answers. What matters to us is staying curious, asking questions, and continuing to improve with each collection.
Styling for a Conscious Wardrobe
A conscious wardrobe is not about restriction, it is about creativity. It is about learning to see your wardrobe differently.
Have you tried wearing pieces in new combinations? Or restyle familiar silhouettes in unexpected ways? Invest in garments that evolve with you, rather than expire with a trend cycle. The most sustainable wardrobe is one that is actively used, loved, and reinterpreted.
This Earth Day, I keep coming back to the idea that a wardrobe should feel like care. Care in how it is designed, care in how it is worn, and care in how long it is kept.
We are committed to creating clothing that carries meaning, pieces designed with longevity, versatility, responsibility, and inclusivity at their core. As a designer, I believe there is something quietly powerful in that approach.
If you have any feedback, questions or suggestions, I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for your support, it's the reason why we are still here.
Belinda Abbott x
