Wardrobe Methods Event Summary

On 17th April 2024, UCRF hosted a Wardrobe Methods Event in conjunction with the CHANGE research project to explore a way of researching the contents and dynamics of wardrobes, i.e. the use phase in the lives of clothing and the practices that go on there. This has long been seen as a way to break apart the monolithic understanding of ‘use’ and ‘consumption’ that industry and sustainability initiatives often promote.

The event hosted by Professor Kate Fletcher and Karishma Kelsey comprised a talk from Professor Ingun Grimstad Klepp and a discussion, now available on YouTube. The event’s goal was to explore ways to extend wardrobe methods further, including in more diverse ways.

In the attendees at the live meeting, at least 15 different mother tongues spoken: Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Dutch, Hungarian, English, Portuguese, Swiss German, Danish, Turkish, Hindi, Italian, German, Polish, Norwegian.

The discussions raised many intriguing propositions and development for Wardrobe Methods, a selection include:

· Using wardrobe methods to help show the variety of understandings about key terminology related to textile qualities and descriptions, e.g. ‘quality’.

· Potential ethnographic study of indigenous Mayan textile artisans in Guatemala, who traditionally weave their own capsule wardrobe but now supplement it with western clothing items.

· Using wardrobe studies to investigate ageing and clothing. Look at how the studies can be a guide and pathway to other ways of being. 

· Taking a lifecycle perspective: look at the wardrobe as history. 

· Deploying wardrobe methods to investigate identity and identity change: for example, gender, sexuality, everyday life, menopause, pregnancy, biopolitics and non-conforming men.

· Investigating how digital apps can go beyond quantification of wardrobe - learn about user preferences, emotional durability, reasons for why clothes fall out of use.

· Exploring the assumption that fit translates into longevity.

· Using wardrobe methods as a way to create behaviour change - increase engagement, awareness.

· Qualitative and quantitative data are important. Using hybrid wardrobe methods to investigate items sent for repair is a good way to follow its story through a form. 

· Awareness raising power of wardrobe studies, how can we use wardrobe studies in developing new business methods that are not growth oriented? 

Wardrobe methods are evolving all the time. A library of wardrobe methods is being collated – with an open invitation to submit your version of the method / new methods here.

Also a reminder that Opening Up the Wardrobe, an edited collection of 50 wardrobe methods by Kate Fletcher and Ingun Grimstad Klepp, first published as a physical book in 2017 is now available as a free e-book. Download it here.