The shift into a new season always makes me take stock of my wardrobe. The temperature drops, labels release new autumn and winter collections, and I become convinced I need a complete revamp of my personal style in order to be happy. In times like this, I’m often guilty of creating a wishlist of new season pieces, instead of finding creative ways to work with what I’ve got.
However, in my more sensible moments, I know the answer isn’t to buy an entire wardrobe’s worth of clothes. Fast-moving trend cycles can make older clothes feel prematurely dated, when in reality, they’re not.
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If I do choose to buy something new, I’ve started seeking out slower, more conscious fashion labels that reflect my personal style, rather than what’s trending. But I’ve also started to shop my own wardrobe, looking to old pieces that I’d forgotten about. This, and some creative styling, can go a long way.
To prove there are plenty of ways to make past season collections feel fresh again, we put the call out to some of our favourite Australian and New Zealand fashion labels. From designers to founders, this is how fashion people are wearing their older styles.
Katharina Mildren, founder and creative director of Katharina Lou
I’ve chosen my Annabell maxi dress, a piece I originally launched back in 2022 yet is still one of the most-worn and loved items in my wardrobe! The structure of the silhouette is so flattering, the fabric is a soft comfortable cotton (with a fabulous print, of course) and it’s one of those dresses that complete an outfit from the moment you put it on.
I’m mostly inspired by vintage pieces when designing – it’s nice to see what has lasted the test of time style-wise and bring these designs features forward. It’s also a great way to ensure that the pieces coming out of Katharina Lou are designed to last and to encourage outfit repeating. I’ve had so many customers tell me how they wear our staple dresses at least once a week and its honesty the best feedback I’ve ever had! I honestly see myself wearing this dress five, 10, even 30 years from now.
Johani Louw, Fitzroy store manager at Kowtow
I’m wearing the Moya Skirt from last year’s Nature As Home collection. I love it for the shape and how easy it is to layer through a Melbourne winter. I’ve styled it with the Lena Blazer from the same drop, plus a few new pieces in store. At Kowtow, we’re all about getting the most out of the clothes you already love. I always get a little spark of joy when someone walks into the store wearing something from a few seasons back. Right now, we’re hosting a Relove pop-up in store, a space for our community to buy and sell preloved Kowtow, so it’s been especially fun to see what pieces resurface.
Jackie Galleghan, founder, creative director and head of sustainability at Madre Natura
I’m wearing the Madre Natura Fig Bomber Jacket and Palm Shorts made from a wool cotton Espresso cross twill. These styles were launched in this colour way in 2023 and then we re-launched it at Australian Fashion Week (AFW) in 2024 for the Last Season Collection runway, where we didn’t showcase anything new. Both styles are based on existing best-selling denim styles but I wanted to do something a bit softer and warmer for transpersonal styling.
I wore this look for day three at AFW25 while at the Madre Natura Atelier Showrooms meetings. I styled it with my espresso boots as well – it’s such a strong look, while also feeling comfortable and warm.
Meg Wilcher, founder and creative director of Après
There’s something really powerful about wearing all black and there’s a certain comfort in sinking into the guise of a quieter, yet strong silhouette. When I want to lean into colourless dressing, I find myself reaching for the Après black wide-leg pants. This style was released in 2020 and still feel really relevant. They’re the perfect candidate for an achromatic, effortless ensemble.
The pockets are deep, making them a practical piece for everyday and they’re a natural blend of linen, cotton and rayon. For this failsafe look, I paired them back with a simple, woollen cardigan and my favourite Maison Margiela Derbies
Anjali Burnett, co-founder of Twenty-Seven Names
I’m wearing the Portia shirt from our Love songs ’til midnight collection from a couple of summers ago. Lily Paris-West designed the print – she’s an icon and so is this print. I always come back to this shirt, it automatically exudes the feeling of, ‘I’m happy to be here’. I was having scones with my very pregnant sister when this photo was taken and it’s safe to say I was on cloud nine.
Charlotte Heloise, designer and creative director of Club Venus
I made so many of these pants back in 2021-2022 that I thought I’d never look at another pair again. At the time I was still cutting fabric off my floor in a Carlton North sharehouse and just didn’t have the equipment to make the level of production easy, to say the least. In 2023 a few months after archiving the style, I saw someone on the number six tram very close to my design studio is in Brunswick, wearing them. I remember smirking, knowing I loved to hate them. Then I kept seeing them pop up everywhere.
Now, I wear the daily in the studio with wool knits and silver jewellery. They literally just ooze softness – they’re lengthening, comfortable and slinky. The perfect amount of baggy. It’s so important to invest in a staple black pant that can be worn again and again. They’re the building block to any autumn or winter outfit!
They’re honestly one of my favourite pieces I have ever created at Club Venus, so I’ve decided to rework the design again for this winter. Pulling the original pattern from my archives, it conjured so many emotions. But I can say now finally and after a four-year period of continuing to focus on the craft, I feel pure love and excitement to re-release such a wearable pant.
Emily Savage, founder of First Colours
I’ve styled this look with our Serenity Maxi Dress which is made from 100 per cent deadstock fabric that I purchased locally in Sydney. This was one of the first deadstock pieces we released about a year and a half ago.
I love this piece for so many reasons – the fabrication and cut are so beautiful and it’s one of those pieces I feel good in as soon as I put it on. When I designed it, I don’t think I realised how versatile it would be. I love that I can wear it to the beach in summer, or layer it in winter like I’ve done in this look. Sheer pieces are very much my go-to at the moment!
I’m such a big advocate for re-wearing my clothes, I love the creativity that goes into bringing new life into something you’ve worn a million times. I think being deadstock also adds an extra element for me, as though I’m extending the life of the fabric even further every time I wear it.
Emma Cutri, designer and director of Sister
I’ve been wearing this Sister Starr Lace bodysuit for years! It was first released three years ago and this sample I wear to death was made around four years ago. It’s still one of my go to looks and I have it in all three colours.
Now that it’s getting colder, I’m looking in my wardrobe for longer tops to cover my big belly and this is the perfect layering piece. Although it’s getting an absolute workout to cover me, it still does! I always feel so pretty in it because of the rose print and scooped neckline. I should make it again actually!
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This article Eight fashion labels show us the pieces they’re still wearing from past collections appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-05-27 12:58:00
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