Ellen and Silke’s favourite outfits of their own wardrobe

At COSH!, we are all about spotlighting the best conscious stores near you. But today, we’re turning our gaze inward – to the treasures already hanging in our wardrobes. Some pieces are more sustainable than others, and just like you, we’re striving to make mindful choices every day. After all, the most sustainable item is the one you already own.

We asked our team to share their ultimate outfits and the stories behind them. The result? A beautiful reminder that cherishing what you have can rekindle your love for your wardrobe – and inspire more conscious fashion choices along the way.

Ellen’s top pick: an unconventional way of styling with accentuating details

Copywriter & account manager Ellen shares her favourite outfit.

The unconventional styling of my sweater

Let us talk about my sweater – a piece I have reinvented by wearing it backward, turning the back into the front. Why? It gives me the perfect excuse to layer it with gorgeous turtlenecks underneath. This jumper might be from a fast fashion brand, but it has been part of my wardrobe for over 10 years now and it still looks perfect, possibly since I hardly ever wash it but most often freeze it to remove bacteria. 

Edgy accessories with metal touches

Then there are my accessories. My belt and second-hand handbag are the dream duo – metallic accents paired with sporty vibes that feel so me. When I first saw the handbag, I immediately fell in love. Luckily, I found it second-hand in perfect condition, and it has been a wardrobe hero ever since.

The unexpected love for baggy jeans

Now, onto my jeans – my favourite one in my wardrobe. It took me quite some time before I purchased baggy jeans. As someone on the petite side, I worried oversized fits might make me look smaller. But now? I am obsessed. I do not care anymore if they make me look smaller or not: they are extremely comfortable and I love wearing them.

A pop of colour with my eye-catching shoes

And finally, the shoes. A gift that I adore, they are the highlight of my outfit and bring a pop of colour to my winter looks. While I do not wear black often, I love how it contrasts beautifully with my shoes, which tie everything together with their metallic touches.

Silke’s favourite: Old pieces with a personal story.

Project manager & researcher Silke highlights her most cherished outfit

A slipover with a personal touch

I would like to start with the most eye-grabbing piece of my outfit: the slipover. You hate it or you love it, but I am absolutely obsessed. It is a piece that my grandmother handmade for my mom. My mom never wore it, but always kept it and eventually gave it to me. Since my grandmother passed away when I was 5, I do not have a lot of memories anymore about her, but I do still have her handmade pullover that I absolutely adore.

The shirt I wear underneath is something my mom bought for me when I was younger – so I have had it for ages and cannot even remember getting it.

The pants that were a gift to my mom

Also my pants tell a story: they were a gift from my grandmother to my mom when she was pregnant with me. My grandmother bought it in Italy, as she would always do on her yearly holiday there (they almost exclusively bought their clothing items in Italy). Since my mom was pregnant, the pants never fit her, but she kept them as a precious gift from her mother. When I turned 14, my mom gave the pants to me, but I was still too small to wear them. I have waited some more years before they would eventually fit me, and now I wear them with pride. 

The beret that reminds me of my trip to Paris

One of my favourite little details in this outfit is my beret. Admittedly, it does not get as much wear as it deserves—mainly because my boyfriend is not its biggest fan. But hey, what does he know about fashion, right? It is time to brush off his opinions and embrace the charm of this piece again. I bought it when I was 18, during my first-ever holiday with friends to Paris, and every time I wear it, it brings back memories of that magical trip.

One of the four fashion items I purchased in 2024

Another star of my wardrobe right now is my handbag. During my 2024 low-buy challenge, where I only bought four fashion items all year, this gem made the cut. I stumbled upon it in a charity shop and could not resist its charm. Though it has been waiting for its moment — thanks to my winter coat’s big pockets making a purse unnecessary — it is set to shine come spring and summer. I already know it’ll become one of my most-worn accessories as the weather warms up.

Logging our outfits 

If you are like me and love a good cost-per-wear stat, you will adore the COSH! App. Since I started tracking my outfits, I have become more intentional with my wardrobe choices. Take my shoes: once a rather big expense, now an everyday must-wear, with a cost per wear of less than €0.50! The perfect proof that investing in quality pays off.

Ready to fall in love with your wardrobe all over again? Download the COSH! App for Android or Apple and start making every piece count.