A Personal Stylist’s Guide to Sustainable September

Sarah Stone speaks with Alex Standley who is a Personal Stylist with 18 years experience in the Fashion Industry. She runs her own styling business called Luxe Leopard Lifestyle.

Starting her career with a 1st Class Honours Degree from London College of Fashion, after graduating, Alex worked as a Fashion Buyer for the likes of M&S and Amazon for 15 years. Now she helps busy professional women and mums who feel stuck in a style rut, to reignite their confidence through their style.

In this article, Alex shares her insights into Sustainable September and her love for preloved fashion:

September is one of my favourite months of the year. It’s always been an exciting month for me working in the Fashion Industry, with the change of season into Autumn, which is my favourite season! It’s also my birthday month and for so many of us it feels akin to January, with the return of kids to school after the holidays and that ‘back to work’ feeling. Another reason to get excited about September is all the amazing Preloved Fashion inspiration out there with the launch of Second Hand September.

If you’ve not heard of Second Hand September before, it’s about not buying new for the month of September. It’s pioneered by Oxfam but championed by all Preloved advocates, businesses and stylists!

It tends to be a great month to grab amazing preloved finds on second hand platforms such as Ebay, Depop and Vinted. But we must also remember, the most sustainable items of clothing are the ones already sitting in our wardrobes!

The great thing about Second Hand September, is that it encourages us to reconsider how we shop for fashion, with a more mindful and considered approach. According to ThredUp:

Why Join in with Second Hand September?

* You can support charities such as Oxfam by reinvesting your money into vital work being done by charitable organisations, whilst reducing your carbon footprint on the planet.

* It gives you a kick start into slowing down your fashion habits.

* It encourages you to fall back in love with your own wardrobe and maximise what you already have.

* You can rewear your wardrobe – According to The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, ‘If the number of times a garment is worn were doubled, the greenhouse gas emissions over it’s lifetime would be 44% lower’.

* It promotes re-use and circular fashion, reducing clothing being sent to landfill and in turn reducing CO2 emissions.

* If you donate to local charity shops, it also keeps the local economy going, reinvesting in the local area.

Top tips for buying Preloved and in Charity Shops:

If charity shops aren’t for you, you can find some beautifully curated selections from online resellers, some of my favourites are listed below.

When shopping in Charity Shops, don’t just shop in the section for your size, you can often find items that fit you with a different size label on, this is often because the previous owner has shrunk the garment, or it’s been put in the wrong section!
Check out the mens section too, I love finding things like cashmere sweaters which are often a more flattering, modern and looser fit in mens styling.

Keep in mind your wish list. Don’t buy things just because they’re a bargain! Do you really need it?

Have in mind at least 4 different outfits that you can create from your existing wardrobe to go with any ‘new’ item you want to buy.

Stick to the colour palette that works for you, but if you do find something you love in a colour that doesn’t work for you, consider dying it at home!

You can get some really great quality premium pieces for an amazing price. Look for investment pieces missing from your wardrobe such as jeans, leather jackets, coats, handbags and designer shoes.

Plan ahead! Buying off season is often the best way to pick up a bargain! Also think about any special events or occasions you have coming up in the year ahead such as weddings.

As we’re coming into a new season, I also wanted to share with you my Top 5 Key Items which fit with the hottest trends of the season, but will also have longevity in your wardrobe.

They also happen to be great foundational pieces for building a Capsule Wardrobe. You can shop the look book below, by following the link to my ShopShare TV Shopping channel, which takes the hassle out of online shopping.

Top 5 AW23 Key Items with Longevity:

1. The Long Black Coat
2. The Classic White Shirt
3. The Metallic Bag
4. The Metallic Shoes
5. The Pinstripe Blazer

If you’re not sure where to start with shopping secondhand, below are my favourite online preloved sellers for you to enjoy browsing and shopping with.

Here Are My Top 10 Online Preloved Shops For You To Discover:

https://editsecondhand.com

https://thegreenmuse.co.uk

https://instagram.com/wearnot_wantnot

https://reboundstore.com

https://onescoopstore.com

https://knoxdesignshop.com

https://foundandcuratedvintage.co.uk

https://retoldvintage.com

https://jesseandiris.com

https://manifestowoman.com

If you'd like some more tips and advice on sustainable fashion, subscribe to my emails on my website, and you will be sent my free Luxe Sustainable Style Guide, which includes a very comprehensive Preloved & Vintage Seller Directory. Or if you’re looking for more personalised support, why not book in for a free Style Consultation?

Where we can discuss your style challenges and aspirations, and chat about how I can help you to nail your signature style formula!