If I’ve learned anything from the past 5 years of traveling the world, it’s that possessions do not equate to happiness. In fact, I think the opposite is usually true–the more we own, the more we stress.
As such, I’ve made it a goal of mine to find ways to live more minimally, whether I’m on the road or at home. I want to do more with less, and that starts with buying the right products–the ones that give me the most bang for my buck because they are made to last.
- I want to pack lighter when I travel and have less in my home.
- I want to create less waste by investing in high-quality products and avoiding fast fashion.
- I want to support the companies that are doing it sustainably and ethically.
- I want to help others achieve the same goals while spreading the word about why it’s important.
Clothing is just one small part of the equation when it comes to minimalism, of course, but it’s a fantastic place to star–and it’s accessible to everyone.
Buying the right clothing can help us consume less, travel lighter, and stay more organized. It can help us look and feel great no matter the occasion, all while reducing our global impact.
If these things are important to you, too, I think you’re going to love multiway clothing from Encircled.
Who is Encircled?
Encircled is a Canadian clothing brand that believes fashion should be conscious, simple, and smart. They’re dedicated to helping travelers pack lighter so they can live lighter, and they help urban warriors simplify their wardrobes so they can be more with less.
They’re advocates of travel because they believe it enriches our lives by revealing the interconnectedness of humanity. They believe in capsule wardrobes and embracing quality over quantity. They believe fashion should be down to earth and approachable.
Encircled is committed to sustainable practices at every stage of production. They support small business owners and they consider their carbon footprint at every turn. It’s exactly the kind of company we should all be supporting because they put community and the environment first.
Why I Love Encircled’s Multiway Clothing
- Their core fabrics (modal, tencel and bamboo) are biodegradable, sustainably sourced, and pesticide-free
- The fabrics are resistant to wrinkling, fading, & shrinking
- The dyes contain no harmful chemicals
- Products are sewn in Canada, not in overseas sweat shops
- Encircled multiway clothing can be dressed up or down
- Every piece is versatile and durable
- The fabric is softer than a baby’s bum
- Unlike “fast fashion,” these clothes are designed to last
The Chrysalis Cardi
The Chrysalis Cardi is a central piece in Encircled’s multiway clothing collection. It’s a large circular piece of fabric outfitted with 6 snaps (4 on the top seam and 2 on the bottom) that are used to execute the various styles.
There are two sizes available–a standard size for women 5’4″ and above, and a petite version for those of us blessed with short stature or a particularly slender frame. I’m 5’0, so naturally, I’m wearing the petite.
The Encircled website showcases 8 ways to wear the Chrysalis Cardi, but with a little imagination, there are surely even more than that!
What I love the most about this piece is its versatility–I can seamlessly move from one occasion to the next without skipping a beat.
I can throw it on as a scarf for a long travel day or snap together a beautiful dress to attend a wedding. I can pull it over my head on a bad hair day or wrap it around my waist and wear it as a maxi skirt.
The possibilities are endless!
The Chrysalis Cardi was one of my secret weapons when I wanted to pack light for a 10-day trip to Greece–and by light, I mean carry-on only, which is not my usual M.O.
The following are just a few of the ways I’d recommend wearing the Chrysalis Cardi for a long travel day. I’m also wearing a second versatile Encircled piece, the Flipside Legging, which I’ll explain more below!
Styles from top to bottom: Double Loop Scarf, Big Loop Scarf, Cocoon Cardi, The Wrap, modified Wrap
Once in Greece, I was able to experiment with a few of the dress styles, including the Grecian Tunic and the One-Shoulder Dress. I quickly discovered that the Grecian Tunic can also be worn off the shoulder, although that might not work as well for ladies with a narrow frame.
I also improvised a maxi skirt, which is not one of the official looks, but it was so damn comfortable that I just couldn’t help but shake my booty.
It also feels quite nice as a headscarf and looked particularly glam with my pink lipstick and movie star sunnies.
The Chrysalis Cardi comes with an instruction book and you can also find tutorial videos on the Encircled website. You’ll notice that some styles require an additional piece, a belt which is included when you order. The styles range from Easy to Adventurous and it’s true that some styles are a lot more difficult to put together than others.
For the sake of transparency, I’ll admit that I never could quite figure out how to pull off the X-Back Halter. I attempted it valiantly on more than one occasion, but it always came out looking something like this:
On the bright side, this led me to create a cool new scarf style! The best thing you can do is keep an open mind and use your imagination when styling the Chrysalis Cardi. Find all the official looks and instructions here.
The Flipside Legging
The second versatile Encircled piece I was thrilled to travel with was the Flipside Legging. Reversible, durable, soft and cozy–this piece is a wardrobe staple through and through.
I love neutrals and dark colors because they go with everything. My Flipside Legging is black on one side and navy on the other, making it the perfect thing to pair with just about any top I own.
For a travel day, I can wear them full-length or with the hem turned up, exposing the other color.
The legging takes up the space of one pair of pants while acting as two, which means more room and less weight in my bag. This was the other trick to packing so light for my trip to Greece.
The Flipside Legging completes my travel wardrobe, but it also does so much more than that! It serves as workout gear…
…not to mention the Flipside Legging is ideal for simply lounging around your hotel or getting comfy at home. For a lady of short stature like myself, these pants sit high on the waistline, right at the smallest part of my waist. No muffin top here!
Because of the double layer of fabric, you can rest assured that you won’t be revealing too much. They also feel remarkably durable–I put them to the test at the rock climbing gym recently and they passed with flying colors.
Together, the Chrysalis Cardi and the Flipside Legging form the perfect pairing for a day of working from home or at a cafe. Comfortable, versatile, and classic–the ideal fit for my lifestyle of travel and location independence.
If you’re in search of clothing that can go everywhere and do just about anything, you’ve got to check out the selection at Encircled.
Designed with the eco-conscious wanderluster in mind, they’ll fit your jet setter lifestyle while keeping you stylish and comfortable–and you can feel good knowing they were created with minimal impact to our precious Earth.
What’s your favorite way to wear multiway clothing?
Thank you to Encircled for sponsoring this post! All opinions stated are my own. Please note–this post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Sweetest Way!
