Is Sustainability 'Stifling' Your Style?

Sustainability doesn’t mean forgoeing your style. Instead look at it as a new lease of creative energy.

Lately it feels like ground hog day with some of the conversations I've been having.

Interestingly, I've been having quite a few discussions with people in different scenarios and environments, and they've been along the lines like this -

"I've drastically reduced the amount of clothes I'm purchasing as I have too much and it feels good to be saving money. Admittedly I am wearing the same outfits over and over and to be honest I'm bored with the same looks." Basically each conversation starts enthusiastically and ends with a whine.

And each person that said this, I embarked on a long passionate rant on how creative one can be with their existing pieces, which can ignite fun and an evolving style. If only I had recorded myself to press play each time!

Let me make this really really clear: Being more sustainable doesn’t mean forgoeing your style. Instead let’s look at it as a new lease of creative energy and immense imagination.

Take turbulent economic times in history as an example where we read how people became inventive and resourceful with what they had - food, heating, clothes, entertainment. Well the same applies with Style!

Let’s not paint doom and gloom. Instead Evolve and Re-volutionise our way of thinking and dressing, and make discretionary spending or sustainable decisions a push to be more creative and imaginative, not hinder.

Think - accumulate less and create more. And by no means am I saying do not spend money on clothes. Spend guilt free on whatever you want especially if it makes you feel great. For me I especially like to support small businesses and small fashion labels. Just like the slogan #supportsmallbusiness came out through covid, that continues and always should.

Remember, when you spend, you keep people in jobs and that keeps the economy going. So continue spending on goods and services if you can (especially if they help your professional and personal development), however when it comes to clothes, purchase wisely and if possible, quality.

Play with Accessories: The most underrated and cost effective items
that can elevate your outfits in an instant are your accessories.        

Now back to be being creative with your existing pieces and limited purchases:

Here are some tips:

1) Edit your wardrobe: I do rant on about this and have written several articles on decluttering. Here A Smart Solution To a Sustainable Wardrobe is one such article in case you didn't read it. Or this one is a good one too - 12 DIY Tips To Breath New Life Into Your Wardrobe. You can't get creative if your wardrobe is clutter and you can't find the gold amongst the mess.

Once you've edited, write a list of what is missing that you require to bring all the pieces together in your wardrobe i.e. new blouses, shoes etc

I can bet you that your list will be smaller compared to if you hadn't edited your wardrobe in the first place!

2) Play with Accessories: The most underrated and cost effective items that can elevate your outfits in an instant are your accessories. If you have many, make them visible, organise them so you can find them and start playing with the pieces you love. When I say accessories I am talking:

• Belts that can give you a waistline or just add interest to a dress/skirt.
• Necklaces - multi layer them or add a brooch.
• The humble scarf - tied around the neck or used as a belt
• Bracelets and cuffs - stack them to make them interesting
• Dynamic earrings that are visible.

Accessories are key to making an outfit pop. You can pick up quality pieces online, or in vintage stores/reclycled designer stores/ antique shops. Support local jewellery business. Or if you're a beginner and want to start small - Zara has some fantastic accessories, as does Lovisa and local markets.

Tip and this is what I do: I have so many accessories that I have collected all over?the?world?- from one off art pieces worth a lot of money to hand beaded pieces made in Africa,?all the way down to items I've picked up at markets for $2 or less. I mix the more expensive in with the cheaper and by the time I've finished, it looks lush and interesting. So you don't have to purchase ONLY expensive pieces to look good.

3) Host a Swap Party: Once you've edited your wardrobe, you can either go shopping for those pieces or Invite your friends over with each bringing pieces they want to offload and swap items with each other. This itself, also breathes new life into your wardrobe. Plus it's a fun way to get the gals together for a catchup.

A good stylist will tell you the truth and will teach you some good 
lessonson what works and what doesn't. No shame in that. 
It's just like employing a business coach after realising you don't 
know it all.        

4) Time & A Stylist: In the end you do have to dedicate some time to this. So I guess the most important point is - Carve out some time! And if you don't' have the time, then a smart investment is enlisting a stylist to do it for you.

The benefit of a stylist is she/he has fresh set of eyes on your wardrobe and can see what you can't. Let's be honest here, either you 'think' you have a wardrobe full of flattering pieces or you may admit that you don't know how to pull it all together effortlessly. A good stylist will tell you the truth and will teach you some good lessons on what works and what doesn't. No shame in that. It's just like employing a business coach after realising you don't know it all!

And if they are anything like me, they will enjoy re-inventing your existing pieces and showing you the art of accessorising before they hit the shops with you, which means you have less to purchase and more to spend on quality pieces! Winner winner.

Love to hear your thoughts on these tips.

About Me:?I'm a personal stylist based in Sydney, travel worldwide for my clients and if in person is not possible, I conduct virtual style consultations.?I help individuals to fearlessly?express their 'visual' voice?through their style. I have an innate intuition that allows me to see what you don't about yourself. You will see when we work together, it's more about discovering or re-discovering YOU. If you want to harness your creative flair and to stand out from the rest in your own unique way, let's chat about making some 'silent' noise with your style.?

You can read more about me?here?and follow me on?IG @stylebygessica?where you will be inspired by my style curations to commence shifting your style boundaries and shake things up.?

Stay Stylish, and if you feel you are not, I can help you Be!

Gessica