3 Sustainable Outfits in Mostar (Herzegovina)

 Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! I'm back in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. For those new to my blog, Mostar is one of places I call my own. Beautiful city of Mostar is the cultural, administrative and touristic centre of Herzegovina region. It is a phenomenal place to visit and live in, albeit you should avoid it in Summer if you can't handle the heat. Mostar is the warmest city in this entire region, known for its extremely high temperatures in the Summer. 

I was expat in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than a decade, and Mostar was my home. I even got the citizenship after living here for more than a decade. I still consider Mostar my home, or at least one of my homes. As you might have noticed, I live in two countries.  What is it like living in three cities and two countries? Well, it is certainly not boring. Sometimes it is a bit stressful, and it is expensive for obvious reasons, but there are many advantages as well. Constantly travelling from one place to another can be exhausting, but it also means you get to maintain your social contacts while you are also making new ones.  

Everything in life has its ups and downs, and I was aware of it when I organized my life in this way. At the end of Summer, a job opened for me in Jelsa, and I said 'carpe diem', i.e., I sized the day. Meanwhile, I still call Split city  my home. Not to forget, I also have a home in Mostar. So, where do I live? I live in Jelsa & Split (Croatia) but also Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). I have many homes, and while constant moving, packing and travelling between the three of them can be tiring, it's also rewarding in many ways. There never is a dull moment in my life. 

Speaking of Mostar, this city has the most wonderful A&E staff you can imagine. Yesterday I had to make a trip to A&E (ER for AE speakers) due to complication with my immune illness and the staff was just wonderful. There was a period in my life when I visited A&E on weekly basis, I was there at once per week, and they were always so friendly and nice. Fortunately, now my visits to A&E are not so numerous at present. Although, a year never goes by without at least one hospitalization, I'm still doing relatively well or at least better than I did in the past. 

Well, let us get back to the subject of this post and that is sustainable outfits I wore in Mostar.

 My approach to sustainable fashion can be summed up in three points:

1) wearing vintage or second hand clothing items,

2) supporting local / small/ indie /independent designers and artisans,

3) taking good care of my clothes, mending it when necessary and making my own clothes when time permits. 

That is it. I avoid fast fashion, consumerism and all that. I do my best to shop my closet and get the most wear out of items I have. These three simple things work wonders for me. I find they genuinely make my life so much easier. Not only do I spent less, I genuinely enjoy life more this way. I don't have to worry about trends. If I feel like trying out some trend, I can look for a similar item in my closet, and if not, I don't.  I have no anxiety that is connected with having to own certain things. I can appreciate what I have, be grateful for it and more mindful of what I wear and how I wear it.

Shopping my closet makes me enjoy life more. I have a good sense of the clothes I do have. I know what works for me and what does not. I know what clothes to wear with what. I have experience of wearing certain garments. I often wonder how people who change their closets all the time manage their clothes. How do they know what works with what? If you have a closet full of things you have worn only once or twice, how do you know what works with what? 

For me one of the worst thing about consumerism is that people just buy and accumulate things just because everyone else is doing it. Maybe this inflation thing will make some people reconsider their actions. Maybe it will make them realize there is beauty in appreciating what we have, and not only the latest thing we have bought. 

Ivana's Sustainable Fashion Files 

This means it is time for me to share the story of my outfit, that is, how I wore these fashion items before. I like to link up clothing items I wore for a number of reasons. 

The red vintage ruffled flowy dress 

We'll start with a vintage red ruffled dress I inherited from my aunt. This dress is such a joy to wear. When I first got it, I only wore it for special occasions. However, I realized the error of my ways. This is one of those dresses you can wear for any occasion, including every day life. This year, I have worn it to work often. It makes getting ready really easy. All you need to do is put this dress and voila. You're ready. If it is cold, you add a coat and tights and that's it. Speaking of tights, I'm wearing tights in this outfit because this was taken in Spring time. Of course, these days I wouldn't be able to wear tights because once Summer arrives to Mostar, it can get extremely hot. Anyway, I wore this outfit around Easter. I don't remember what I wore it for, probably just for a walk around the town. How I wore this dress before?

1) In March 2026, I paired this vintage dress with a sage green puffer and high brown boots for a Winter visit to Stari Grad on island Hvar.

2) In this 2021 February post, I styled this dress with a magenta coat, biker boots and a pink bag for a visit to Mogorjelo, Čapljina. It was a fun winter styling. This is a dress can be worn in any season.

3) See how I wore this red dress with black leggings and pink heels

4) See how I wore it in 2015 with a black coat and red accessories (plus a lot of twirling photos)!

The leopard heels (no name) - I really wear these a lot. I don't take photographs of all of my outfits. I have 39 documented wears  (40 if we could today's outfit) on my blog, so who knows how many times I have worn these leopard heels in real life. They are also surprisingly comfortable!

1-17)  See 17 ways to style them in this post!   18) WITH A PENCIL BLUE SKIRT, A GREY BLAZER AND A STRAW BAG 19)WITH A DRESS, A COLORFUL CARDI AND MAGENTA COAT 20) WITH A STRIPED SKIRT AND A WHITE SHIRT 21) WITH A GREY SUIT 22) WITH NAVY BLUE PANTS AND A MUSTARD SWEATER23) WITH BURGUNDY TIGHTS AND AN A LINE LBD 24) WITH FLARE JEANS, AN INDIAN STYLE BAG AND A FLORAL SHIRT 25) WITH A WHITE FOLKLORE SHIRT AND A FLORAL SHIRT 26) WITH A BLUE SKIRT, BURGUNDY TIGHTS AND A FLORAL SHIRT2 7) WITH STANKA ZOVKO LILAC DRESS, COLOURFUL CARDI AND A GREY BLAZER 28) WITH A WHITE CHERRY DRESS AND BURGUNDY TIGHTS 29) WITH A BLACK BLAZER AND MOCCASINS 30) WITH A FLORAL SKIRT, OLIVE BLAZER AND A BEIGE COAT 31) WITH A BLUE HIPPIE DRESS WITH LACE DETAILS 32) WITH A TEA GREEN SET (MATCHING BLOUSE AND PANTS) FROM STANKA ZOVKO 33) With a Baby Blue Amadeus dress and leopard denim jacket 34) With a vintage maxi skirt and Stanka Zovko tea green blouse  35) With a puffed sleeved pink dress and a white vintage skirt 36-37) I wore them with two outfits in this 2024 post  38) WITH A MIXED PRINT (STRIPED AND ANIMAL PRINT) SUMMER DRESS AND A BLACK BELT BAG!  39) WITH A WHITE LACE ROMPER/PLAYSUIT AND OZZ LILAC SKIRT 

As I'm sure most of your are aware, getting most out of our wears is not only sustainable, it is also economical. I don't recall how much I paid for this pair, but since they are not branded, it couldn't have been more than 20 euros (probably more like ten or even less). So, that makes cost per wear very small. 

Lujka clutch bag (handmade from paper by a local designer Marijana Moškatelo from island Hvar, brand name Lujka)

I bought this clutch bag in Hvar town directly from the designer herself at the Advent fair. During the Advent, the stands with local products and items were located in the legendary Hvar theatre, and everyone could come in and buy something. There I met the designer. My husband and I chatted with her and we were really impressed by her work. All of her bags were stunning, but I picked this one. If you want, I can take and post more close up photographs so you can get a better view. The inside of the bag is really nicely done. This designer Marijana makes all of her bags from recycled paper. Isn't that amazing? I feel like this clutch bag is sustainable to the core. Firstly, it's made from recycled materials. Secondly,  it is hand made by a local designer. Thirdly, it can be worn in multiple ways. There are holes in the bag so it can be worn as a crossover. So, far I have only worn it as a clutch, though. Anyway, this bag is gorgeous and I'm happy I bought it. If I recall well, it was 20 euros. That was probably price for the fair, it might (or might not) higher in her store.  You'll see another way to style this bag if you keep scrolling because I have worn it with another outfit I'll publish in this post. 

A little gif showing me having fun taking photographs in this red vintage dress

How to shop your closet? What are the benefits of shopping one's closet? Check out my post below.

1) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/03/what-are-benefits-of-shopping-your-own.html

I guess everyone's answer to 'How to shop your closet?' question can be different and there's real beauty in that. Some people will be more organized, some more chaotically creative, but everyone can find a way to shop one's own closet.

If nothing else works, consider opening a fashion blog and documenting your wears. ;) In all seriousness, having a fashion blog has made me more green in my fashion choices. It has helped me to shop my closet!

IS THAT A REAL CAT? 

Moving onto the second outfit I'm sharing today. As you can see, I'm wearing the same Lujka clutch bag. I'm also in good company. This is my neighbour's cat Grey but he also likes us and we feed him when we're here so he is sometimes our cat as well.

 Funny thing happened while we were shooting these outfits. A friend was walking by on the sideway and when we saw us he stopped and asked: 'Is that a real cat?'. Mr. Grey is an oddly tall cat. He looks more like a mini cheetah then an actual cat. But yes, he is not AI. A real cat. As you can see, he approves of my designer bag. 

I have worn this outfit on repeat. This tea green set is very comfortable. It is simply perfect for Summer heat.  It is also easy to dress up and down. Paired with these heeled sandals and a clutch bag, it looks very elegant.

Tea green set  (matching pants and blouse)-  Ozz  brand (designer Stanka Zovko) 

1) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/08/a-matching-tea-green-set-from-designer.html

2) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2023/08/a-tale-of-love-and-darkness-novel-by.html

3) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/09/wiwt-red-floral-blouse-ozz-pants-and.html

4) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/05/inspired-by-vintage-edition-of-anna.html

5) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-masters-by-ursula-k-le-guin-short.html

6) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/06/my-spring-alphabet-2024.html

7) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-ant-and-grasshopper-short-story-by.html

The brown heeled platform sandals- 53 WAYS TO WEAR HERE!

Back in 2019, I counted 53 wears for these sandals.  I have no idea how many times I have actually worn them but the number must be really high! Here are some other looks I found: 

54) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/07/magical-buna-and-unicorn-variation-by.html

55) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2023/07/roger-zelazny-novels-to-read.html

56) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2025/09/a-sustainable-back-to-school-summer.html

Two sustainable outfits down, one more to go....

Moving onto my last outfit of today, composed from a dress paired with a skirt. Yes, I often wear skirts over dresses. It is much more practical than wearing a top. You don't have to worry about how to tuck it in or all that. You just put the dress first and then put on a dress.  It is like having an underdress under your dress or a slip if you will. It is the most practical thing ever. As you might notice, this lilac skirt is not ironed. I was honestly too tired to iron it after all the packing and travelling. 

How I wore it before?

The red bag (gifted)

1) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2025/07/ysabel-by-guy-gavriel-kay-book-review.html

2) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2025/11/six-of-crows-by-leigh-bardugo-detailed.html

3 & 4) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2025/10/windhaven-book-reviews-and-jelsa-outfits.html

5)  In 2025, I styled this red bag with a maxi green knit dress, biker boots and a beige coat. 

6-7) In this post, I styled this red bag with two feminine ferry outfits, one featuring a grey dress and a neon blazer and the other an Ozz set from designer Stanka Zovko.

8) In this 2025 post, I wore it with a pink polka dot dress.

9)  It was also worn with a floral print ruffled mini dress in 2025.

10)....and with a golden metallic dress, black heels and burgundy tights in 2025.

11) with a geometric print dress for a visit to Trogir in 2025.

12) With Amadeus dress, pink heels and a mint blazer in 2025.

13) with a striped skirt, beige blazer and kitten heels in 2026.

14) with a maxi green dress, crossover bag and tropical sandals in 2023

15) 

How I wore this lilac Ozz skirt before? 

1) OZZ STUDENTS' FASHION SHOW 2) FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: STANKA ZOVKO SET  3)  AN ANNIVERSARY OUTFIT: STANKA ZOVKO LILAC DRESS AND SKIRT 4) WITH A BEIGE COAT, AND A RED BLAZER FOR AN AUTUMN LOOK AND A BOOK REVIEW 5) 3 HOT SUMMER OUTFITS (WORN OVER A RED DRESS)  6) AS A PART OF A SET WITH HEELS FOR A SUMMER LOOK AND A BOOK REVIEW: THE NEIGHBOURHOOD 7) WITH  A WHITE TUNICS  8) WITH AN OLIVE BLAZER AND BROWN BOOTS 9) WITH A WHITE BLAZER  AND PINK HEELS 10) WITH A PURPLE BLAZER AND A BLACK LACE DRESS 11) WITH NUDE HEELS AND A BEIGE BAG 12-13) With two different outfits in this post (one casual, one dressy) 

Thank you for reading!