4 FEMALE SUSTAINABLE STYLISTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA YOU SHOULD KNOW
As we tread the steps toward a greener future of fashion we can’t help but think…”How did we get here?” In a world that is never dormant we’ve hit pause as sustainable fashion gains more traction than ever. What was once #TRENDING at the peak of 2020 has evolved, for some a new way of life or a shift in thinking. A topic that’s been exhausted by so many has become new to the masses, thanks to the pull of social media. We have our eco bloggers, sustainable fashion designers, ethical brands, the environmentally conscious content creators but there’s an emerging position here you may not have heard of. It is that of the sustainable stylist. Sounds catchy huh?
To be a stylist in itself is to have an extraordinary eye for detail and an ability to overcome the adversity of opinions. Now having worked in this field for over 10 years I do not say this lightly. Unlike your traditional wardrobe stylist you have the sustainable stylist whose feet are just a little more deeply planted. She not only has to work within the confines of what’s in her closet but to source what is new or old ethically and eco consciously. Times are cha cha cha changin and we’ve got the front row seat. As these women pioneer their way through influence, they do so with style and allure. I was fortunate enough to get a digital interview with these fashionable four.
“Fashion is in the sky, in the streets, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
-COCO CHANEL
B. Jones Style
Orange County, California
Photo curtesy of B.JONES STYLE IG
A frontrunner in her thrifty community of YouTubers lies an original. Making waves on her channel and IGTV series creating adventures through her unique advantageous style. Mixing vibrant patterns with second hand treasures, it seems there’s no end to her layering abilities.
Q.) How did your sustainable styling journey begin?
I have always been in love with styling up vintage and pre-loved clothing, then mixing it with new. When I moved out to California (from South Carolina) there were so many more resources for me to shop sustainably. This made it easy for me to start building my fashionable yet environmentally friendly closet!
Q.) If you could give one fashion tip what would it be?
My one styling tip for anyone is to have fun with it and not be scared of mixing bold prints, colors, or textures.
Q.) What advice would you give to someone trying to venture away from the world of fast fashion while still searching for more ecofriendly solutions?
My advice to someone who is new to thrifting/secondhand shopping - you have to be patient! Some days you will find pure magic at the thrift stores, while other days you won’t find anything. It will take a little time to get into the groove of things, but once you do it is fabulous!
Q.) Who is your fashion icon and why?
My style icon is Carrie Bradshaw. I loved how they styled her in Sex and the City because she had an eccentric way of styling vintage with new. Most of her outfits were quirky with a touch of sophistication.
Affectionately Audrey
Atlanta, Georgia
Photo curtesy of AFFECTIONATELY AUDREY IG
A mixture of bright eyes and #HODGEPODGESTYLE makes for a fun twist. Known for her wide range of helpful sustainable product tips, giant collars and amazing use of colorful textures. Using innovative techniques to her vibrant upcycles, taking a dull accessory and making it come alive in a way we never knew it had in them.
Q.) How did your sustainable styling journey begin?
It began because of my mother, she’s always been a thrifty person and never failed to teach her four daughters the value of a pre-loved item. I didn't start thrifting for fashion/style until later in life when a friend introduced me to all of the wonderful pieces you can find shopping at a thrift store! This opened up a whole new world and gave me an opportunity to really explore my style without breaking the bank. I discovered that I loved the funkier side of fashion and the thrift store provided the creative clothing I needed at a price I could afford. Several years later I found myself watching a documentary about the fashion industry and single use plastics which finally gave me the push I needed to commit to only shopping sustainably. Now I only thrift or shop sustainable designers for my wardrobe in combination with constantly working to make sustainable changes in other areas of my life!
Q.) If you could give one fashion tip what would it be?
This is easier said than done, but stop caring what other people think about you. People often tell me they wished they could pull an outfit off or that they had the guts to wear something when honestly the only thing standing in their way is the fear of others opinions. I would never be the person that I am in general and in fashion if I didn't take a chance on a few stares from people to ultimately do what made me happy. Don't get to the end of your life and realize you didn’t live the way you wanted because you were concerned a couple of girls with pumpkin spice lattes would laugh at you. (Wear the pants you want!) Embrace your uniqueness and what sets you apart! The world needs more of you in it so express yourself and do what makes you happy!
Q.) What advice would you give to someone trying to venture away from the world of fast fashion while still searching for more ecofriendly solutions?
The biggest part of my switch from fast fashion to sustainable fashion was making a definitive commitment to myself to cease shopping fast fashion. Once I made a solid commitment I stopped making excuses as to why I needed to shop for something fast fashion (convenience, price, etc.) instead of sourcing sustainably. Educating yourself about true sustainability and what makes a company "green" is so important during this process and will help you so much in your journey. With that being said, I would also suggest giving yourself a little grace as you are making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle. The world pushes single use plastic on us like it's candy so it can definitely be a hard habit to break.
There are so many ways to shop sustainably these days! Thrifting is a great way to go shopping, spend only a small amount of money and reduce your carbon footprint in the process. There are also so many amazing sites like Poshmark, Depop, The Real Real, Etsy that offer a more "lux" online experience while supporting small businesses/re-sellers. The decision to switch to a sustainable wardrobe is accepting that your shopping experience will be different, deciding to reuse what we already have and that refusing to support companies who refuse to pay their workers is more important!
Q.) Who is your fashion icon and why?
I love Iris Apfel and her fashion. I admire her elegance and ability to disregard what every one around her thinks in order to do what makes her happy. Her attitude about life is so refreshing and I truly hope I can be as fashionable and sassy as her when I am her age. Her influence always gives me the confidence to be the funky outfit on the sidewalk I want to see! :)
The Fair Court
Chicago, Illinois
Photo curtesy of THE FAIR COURT IG
A plethora of color and a pop of quirk is what makes this Fair Court. If you look closely, you can almost read the authentic nature of her styling. A story filled with colorful strokes of vintage artistry and impactful visual arrangements.
Q.) How did your sustainable styling journey begin?
I have always been on the hunt for one of a kind items. Over the years, I realized I could find high fashion pieces or something trending that was vintage. In the beginning, it was to find a solution to buying fast fashion, but now it's become a full blown treasure hunt. I search for things based on silhouette, construction, or just SPECIAL designs. It's sort of taken on the opposite philosophy for me. I don't care for it to be comparable to something trending, I care for it to live on its own, timeless and unique.
Q.) If you could give one fashion tip what would it be?
Wear what you feel comfortable in. Comfort = Confidence. This doesn't mean you have to solely wear sweat pants every day, but if you like how sweat pants feel, try to find an alternative...recently, I bought men's Armani tailored dress pants one size too big, they most definitely fit like sweats but look soooo stylish & can be dressed up.
Q.) What advice would you give to someone trying to venture away from buying fast fashion while searching for more ecofriendly solutions?
More than likely, there is an alternative to the fast fashion piece you're purchasing...something comparable and better quality. It isn't as easy of a fix, but if you have a few extra minutes to search through a vintage platform, or find a vintage vendor who will source it for you, you will be happy to have a piece in your closet that was saved from a landfill & is constructed in a better way than any fast fashion piece you own.
Q.) Who is your style icon and why?
I love Stevie ray vaughn. Hats have always been a staple to my wardrobe, so it seems like a natural choice, but the flamboyance of his pairings on top of his Stetson collection really inspires me.
OT WITH STYLE
Hashfela, Israel
Photo curtesy of OT WITH STYLE IG
The O.T standing for occupational therapist, most clever and relatable. With a sheer flair for fashion and elegance, my eyes lead me to think she could have once been a day wear stylist for Princess Diana…in another life. A consistent use of earthy tones with a new play on the classics.
Q.) How did your sustainable styling journey begin?
It started when I took a styling course to improve my own style. The more I became aware of my wardrobe, the more I learned about the fashion industry's other sides. I remember watching an Israeli documentary about the fast fashion industry, which shocked me. I didn't realize before how our overconsumption of clothes is damaging our planet and the people who work in this industry. I decided I wanted to do things differently. I took a professional styling course to help women build a sustainable wardrobe and become a more responsible fashion consumer. After a year, I also started blogging in order to share my journey with others.
Q.) If you could give one styling tip, what would it be?
The one styling tip I would give is paying attention to details. I strongly believe that this can make all the difference in an outfit. You can wear the most basic outfit like denim and a t-shirt and still look elevated if you make sure you tuck in your t-shirt, fold your jeans if it looks too long, add a belt and some jewelry. It's the small things that count, especially if you are a young mom like me who wants to feel comfortable and yet chic :)
Q.) What advice would you give to someone trying to venture away from the world of fast fashion while searching for more eco-friendly solutions?
Please take it in small steps, and don't be too harsh on yourself. Sustainability can come in many forms and aspects. The easiest and most sustainable thing to start with is trying to get more from your existing wardrobe and the items you already own.
Q.) Who is your style icon and why?
I have many style icons, so it's a bit hard to choose, but I would say the biggest one is Anine Bing. I love her uniform style of denim, blazer, and graphic t-shirt. I also love that she believes in 'less is more' when it comes to your wardrobe. I feel her style is effortless and timeless and relates to my lifestyle as a young mom. Lastly, as a jewelry addict, I love the way she layers her pieces.
