^ Style Smarter: Why I believe Personal Stylists Are leading the Sustainable Fashion Movement

Style Smarter: Why I believe Personal Stylists Are Leading the Sustainable Fashion Movement

Would you be shocked if I told you that the nations wardrobes hold over 1.6 billion items of unworn clothes? *

As a personal stylist, I see this all the time. Many clients feel completely overwhelmed by their overflowing wardrobes, yet they continue buying more. This cycle of impulse shopping and wardrobe chaos isn’t just stressful—it’s also incredibly unsustainable.

That’s why a wardrobe edit is one of the most powerful services I offer.

Decluttering the Chaos: A Sustainable Shift

A wardrobe edit isn’t just about creating more space—it’s about changing the way we think about fashion. Together, my clients and I:

✔️ Assess body shape and style preferences

✔️ Identify favorite pieces and rediscover hidden gems

✔️ Declutter what doesn’t fit or feel good

✔️ Learn to build outfits with purpose

Suddenly, the need to constantly buy new disappears. Instead, clients shop smarter—filling only the essential gaps in their wardrobe. A long-forgotten dress, once reserved for special occasions, is reimagined for everyday wear. Accessories that haven’t seen the light of day bring fresh life to old outfits.

The result? Confidence, clarity, and a newfound love for the clothes they already own.

Beyond Fashion: The Stylist as an Educator

It is so clear to me that personal styling isn’t just about helping people to look good, it’s also about encouraging them to shop responsibly and make sustainable choices easier for them. I help my clients:

♻️ Learn where to repair, recycle, and donate unwanted clothes

🛍️ Find stylish second-hand pieces that complement their wardrobe

✨ Discover the joy of rewearing, restyling, and reviving their fashion

The truth is, people want to be more sustainable—they just need the process to be easy and inspiring. Instead of overwhelming them with statistics about fast fashion’s impact, I show them how rewarding it is to love what they already own.

As Orsolo De Castro says “The most sustainable item of clothing is the one you already own.”

Championing Local, Championing Change

Sustainability also means supporting local communities. While Gen Z has embraced second-hand fashion, many older generations still associate charity shops with musty, outdated styles. I’m on a mission to change that!

Through charity shop styling events, private shopping experiences, and even fashion shows, I help people see second-hand fashion in a whole new light.

One of my proudest moments? Styling a catwalk fashion show for four local charities during Winchester’s Green Week, featuring models of all shapes and sizes wearing pre-loved fashion. We raised over £2,000—all while showing that second-hand can be stylish, modern, and exciting!

And now, I’m introducing Brunch & Browse—a unique experience where I take small groups on a guided charity shop tour, followed by a relaxed brunch at a local café. It’s the perfect mix of sustainable shopping, supporting good causes, and having a fun day out!

Making a Statement at Winchester Cathedral

One of the most incredible experiences of my career to date was styling a procession of 18 models for Emmaus Hampshire’s 15th birthday celebration at Winchester Cathedral. The CEO, Nigel Samuels, had a bold vision—to showcase second-hand fashion in a way that would truly make an impact. Some thought he was crazy, but I knew it was genius!

With an inspiring mix of volunteers, friends, and the charity’s companions, we brought second-hand style to life, walking down the aisle to the stunning sounds of Cordelectra. It was the highlight of the event—proving just how powerful fashion can be when it’s used to inspire and create change.

Personal Stylists: The Unsung Heroes of Sustainable Fashion

Personal stylists aren’t just about clothes—we are:

✨ Confidence boosters

✨ Stress relievers

✨ Educators

✨ Community champions

✨ Sustainability advocates

I would also add to the list - Innovators, working closely with people one-on-one I discovered a common problem. Many clients felt stressed about the daily task of simply getting dressed. The what am I going to wear moment every morning led to frustration and messy piles of clothes. With this in mind, I designed a product which would help clients to plan their weekly outfits in advance. Using my days of the week hanger tabs they could put aside an hour or so every Sunday and hang their outfits ready at the front of their wardrobes - goodbye morning stress! I have had great feedback from people who have bought these from my Etsy shop.

It is my ambition to inspire change from the ground up. And if we truly want to make sustainable fashion the norm, we need to make it easy, accessible, and—most importantly—more exciting than the thrill of a new purchase.

After all, real style isn’t about buying more—it’s about making the most of what you already have. I believe a clients sustainability journey has to start with loving themselves and their wardrobe first and I love being along for the ride!

*source WRAP 7 Oct 2022