Hayden Hill recently had the pleasure of attending the Good Clothes Show in London, a celebration of sustainable fashion, vintage clothes, and thrifting boutiques]. The event brought together thoughtful brands, expert-led styling, swap shops, and inspiring talks that reimagined what sustainable fashion can look like.
One talk that particularly resonated with us came from Sophia Lorimer, award-winning stylist and founder of Fine Tuned Wardrobe, who offered a refreshingly honest perspective on sustainable style. Her message? It’s not just about what you buy. It’s about how you wear, care for, and connect with your clothes.
Here are six insights from Sophia’s talk that continue to inspire us:
1. Rethink Sustainable Fashion “Rules”
Sustainable style starts in your own closet. While it’s easy to feel tempted by beautiful new pieces, Sophia reminded us that caring for what we already own is the most sustainable choice.
Buying something eco-labeled but wearing it once? That’s not sustainable. Instead, she encourages us to buy less, buy well, and make each piece earn its place.
2. Shop with Intention
Impulse shopping might feel fun, but Sophia suggests slowing down. Keep a list in your wardrobe of pieces you really need. That way, you’re filling actual gaps, not just adding noise.
Even when thrifting or buying secondhand, intention is everything.
3. Rent, Resell, Rewear
Your closet may be holding more value than you realize. Pieces you no longer wear don’t have to sit idle; they can be sold or donated to enjoy a new life in someone else’s wardrobe.
For occasionwear that’s only needed once in a while, rental platforms like By Rotation and My Wardrobe HQ offer stylish and sustainable alternatives. And if you’re ready to part with something, sites like Vestiaire Collective and eBay make resale simple.
Rewearing what you own, sharing what you don’t, and keeping clothes in circulation longer are habits that make fashion more thoughtful and less wasteful.
4. Dress Like You Mean It
Your style speaks before you do. Sophia urged us to be intentional: How do you want to feel today? How do you want to be seen? She talked about dopamine dressing - choosing colors, textures, and silhouettes that spark joy.
A capsule wardrobe, she noted, isn’t just five beige basics. It’s a thoughtful mix of pieces that reflect your lifestyle and personality.
5. Care is the New Chic
Want your clothes to last? Care for them like they matter. Sophia reminded us that overwashing shortens a garment’s lifespan. Her tips: steam, air out, or spot clean when possible. Denim? Wash twice a year, max. Even popping clothes in the freezer can kill bacteria without water or heat.
Storage is just as important. Fold knits like cashmere to avoid stretching. Use the right hangers. And above all, store delicate pieces in breathable garment bags, which preserve your clothes and protect against dust and humidity without relying on synthetic materials.
6. Ditch Perfection for Progress
“Sustainability isn’t about perfection,” Sophia said. “It’s about small shifts.” Whether it’s shopping less, caring more, or swapping one fast-fashion purchase for a secondhand treasure, every step counts. Her own journey? She hasn’t purchased a single brand-new item in six years, not as a rule, but because the habit stuck.
The key is accessibility. “Pre-loved” or “mindful” feels more welcoming than “sustainable.” We all start somewhere. The important part is to start.
Sophia’s message was clear: You don’t need to follow every trend to have great style. You need clothes that align with your values, fit your life, and let your personality shine. That’s the heart of sustainable fashion - not sacrifice, but self-expression. It is also why, at Hayden Hill, we believe the way you care for your clothes matters just as much as how you wear them. Protecting the pieces you love with thoughtful, breathable storage ensures they remain part of your life for years, making sustainability a quiet, everyday practice.
