5 garments for 2026
#5garments lives on. I'm in. Are you?
Greetings from the remote west coast of Norway!
Times are tough. You need a breather. Take a break and read this letter from Nordic Simplicity.
I’ve been thinking about the #5garments challenge. That challenge is very much alive and thriving, as opposed to the short lived “Eat your own weight in cinnamon challenge” or the “Throw a bucket of ice water over your friend-challenge”.
Here’s the first post I wrote about the 5 garments movement. And here is the condensed version of the challenge:
Why #5garments?
German researchers have calculated how much clothing is actually enough clothing. (Source: Hot or Cool)
A clothing consumption of 5 new garments keeps us within the planet’s tolerance limits.
Underwear and socks are not counted. Garments that we buy used/thrifted/pre-loved are also not counted.
Buying less new is clearly the most effective measure to reduce the footprint of our clothes.
I am going to challenge myself to buy 5 or less new garments in 2026, even though 5for2026 doesn’t have the same pleasing rhyme as 5for2025 and the very first challenge 5for2024, I’m going for it again in 2026.
So, whatever shall I choose for my 5 new garments? And I don’t HAVE to buy 5 new things. I can buy less than 5 items. And I do not count a sweater or cardigan that I’ll knit for myself.
Here’s my list so far:
A new linen dress for summer. I wore out one of my simple linen dresses last year and I really want a new one. I have my eyes on this Jackie O style linen/cotton blend dress from Le Muse, and am flirting with it from time to time while deciding which colour to choose.
Perhaps a pair of chinos, like these ones? Not sure.
A cotton or linen long sleeve top that’s not white. Apple green, perhaps. I need more green in my life.
To be decided.
To be decided.
I will return with updates, to let you know how it goes.
With very warm regards,
Jorunn
PS. How about you? If you were to buy only 5 new items of clothing in 2026, what would they be?
Random and possibly amusing links
A walk around Wales - with a donkey
In case you’re in, here are the rules for 5 for 2026
We limit ourselves to five new items per year. That is 5 new garments.
Underwear and socks are not counted.
Garments that we buy used/thrifted/pre-loved are also not counted.
I’m in.
Last year wasn’t a good year, I bought 15 new items. In defence, I had a colour consultation and a family funeral (necessitating black for a formal requiem mass). I bought bright colour for my new ‘Bright Winter’ designation…but on reflection, I think im happier with my earlier Light Summer. Ho-hum.
Anyway I digress. What I’m trying to say is that I ‘wasted’ 15 purchases on clothes that have been passed onwards (except the funeral clothes, they are handy to keep in Ireland, you never know when you might need them.) This year I intend to be far more discerning about my purchases.
I do need new clothes - the year prior to last year was a no-shop year, and so everything I have has been worn well and I’m in need of some updating. I think I will need a new pair of chino type trousers, some kind of sneaker, a loose linen top and a cardigan (I might see if I can thrift that.) Those are ‘needs’…’wants’ are: the perfect linen dress (always on my list, rarely found), a linen ‘chore’ jacket.
Wow! That’s great to have actually written a list to clarify the soup in my head. Thanks Jorunn.
So interesting to hear about the 5 garment challenge! I’ve never heard of it. It sounds like such a balanced way to be thoughtful about new clothing purchases. I started getting back into thrifting clothing last year and hope to continue on this path. Would love to keep reading about your reflections on the challenge as the year goes along!