Your one-stop shop of all things slow styling
If you’re a follower of the fashion blogger world then the chances are that you’ve heard the terms ‘sustainable fashion’ and ‘slow style’ be bandied about all over the shop recently. Now sustainable fashion, we all know what that’s about right? Brands who source their materials using non-environmentally damaging methods, pay workers a fair wage to create the garment and do so in a way that doesn’t pollute our planet further. But slow styling? Well that’s kind of a new one. It’s the antidote to fashion fashion; re-wearing clothing, finding new ways to style items, a more mindful way to look at your wardrobe, the resistance to buy new shit all the damn time – it describes a slower pace of consuming fashion.
Slow styling is something that I’ve been trying to lean into for a while, with the capsule wardrobe and just finding new ways to wear pieces instead of letting things get dusty in my wardrobe and hauling in unnecessary items, but it’s a process and when it comes to making sustainable purchases that’s something that I’m very much still a beginner in with lots to learn. In the same boat too? Welcome to a starter kit post that I’ve put together thanks to podcasts, shops, Instagram pages and documentaries that I’ve found recently, along with recommendations from you lot who had some absolutely ACE ones up your sleeve.
Where am I currently at with it all? Well, I am not perfect. I still make impulse purchases from time to time and I still buy fast fashion from time to time (although decidedly less than I used to). I look at it a bit like how I look at my meat consumption. I’m trying to eat less meat and we haven’t cooked meat at home for about a year now. Did I eat a beef tenderloin when I went out for dinner last night? Yes I did and it was lovely, but before that I hadn’t eaten meat for about three weeks and that’s where I’m at right now. Every now and again is a very different place to eighteen months ago when I’d eat it twice a day. We can all do a little more, and these small steps all add up, right? Let’s try and take some small steps when it comes to style too…
RESOURCES
Stacey Dooley Investigates ‘Fashions Dirty Secrets’. Sustainability has been on my mind for a while and this documentary pushed it to the forefront. Not only is Stacey such a babe (LOVING her on Strictly by the way!), but it delves deep into the environmental cost of the fashion industry. Warning: You only have till Wednesday to watch it till it disappears off iPlayer.
The True Cost. The original fast fashion documentary that is available on Netflix and is one that you need to watch, like, tonight. So interesting, but equally heart-breaking too.
Costing the Earth Podcast. Mark loves this podcast, but I often find myself earwigging in and really enjoying it. It’s not always about fashion (although this episode is on the future of fashion and this one is about plastic microfibres in clothing), but it often provides a really interesting look at various environmental topics.
Good on You App. If you’re going to take one thing from this post, then make it downloading this app. On there it holds info on the ethics and credentials of over 1000+ brands worldwide. It’s so easy to use and understand and I’ve already spent a solid 20 minutes this morning searching and reading about my favourite brands that I like to buy from.
The Good Trade. So many of you recommended this website and THANK YOU! One, it’s absolutely stunning to look at, but two – it’s chocker with a load of different articles from ‘The 10 Best Affordable Brands for Ethical Fashion on a Budget‘ to a ‘Week in Outfits’ series featuring women from all over the globe.
WHERE TO SHOP
Second-hand and Vintage Stores. Ultimately the most sustainable way to shop is to thrift and buy second-hand, so have a Google and scout your local area for outlets. I love the idea of scouting around whenever you’re away and in a new city too (FYI Copenhagen has some drool-worthy vintage stores!). eBay is always a good spot online, as well as Vestiaire Collective for second-hand designer goods.
Wylstore. A huge thank you to Lucy Moon for this recommendation, as it’s basically your one-stop shop for sustainable and ethical fashion. A department store of sorts! So clever and such a good place to check out new brands who are doing all the right things.
Everlane. I’ve been waiting for the day that they ship internationally – and now they do! FINALLY! Everlane aim to arm you with ‘radical transparency’ so that you know where your clothing comes from and is made.
Reformation. One of the most fashion-forward, slow-fashion shops that just absolutely reeks of west-coast L.A style. It’s also a great place to look for bridal and bridesmaid-wear, or just fancy schmansy dresses.
H&M Conscious Collection. Often the high-street doesn’t score highly on the sustainability and ethical front of clothing production and so it’s great to see such a high-profile store offering collections that aim to do better and cater to such a huge amount of customers for a fair price.
Patagonia. Both Mark and his best mate chipped in on Instagram Stories when I asked for recommendations and suggested this outdoorwear-focused retailer. As Mark’s mate put it, ‘T-Shirts made out of plastic bottles? Sign me up.’
WHO TO FOLLOW
@erica_davies. Erica’s page is place to come for styling tips on how to re-wear items and make them look completely different every time. I really enjoy her Instagram Stories that she puts up every Sunday that are absolutely CHOCKER with tips of new ways to style pieces.
@livpurvis. Liv is such a babe and has been championing the idea of shopping less for YONKS. I love her post where she documented what it was like to be a blogger and not buy a single item for a month – post here.
@slow.styling. A page created by another blogger mate Vix, who shares outfits and links to Instagram accounts from gals who love a bit of slow styling. I’ve found some ace accounts thanks to her regular recommendations.
@dariadaria. So many of recommended Daria when I asked for recommendations and you were right – Daria is doing all the things! She currently has her own sustainable fashion pop-up, a podcast and an advice-packed Instagram.
@useless_dk. Signe has a stunning account that focuses on capsule wardrobes, second hand purchasing and slow living – I am INTO IT. A lover of leopard print, neutrals and Scandi style? Yep, you’ll love her page too.
@caroline_joy. Caroline’s blog Un-Fancy was the one that got me into capsule wardrobes in the first place. I love checking in with her frequent 10×10 challenges – 10 items, 10 days, 10 different outfits! It’s the ultimate capsule wardrobe fodder.
Photos by Emma Croman
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