Sustainable Fashion with Natalie from Sustainably Chic

Who made your clothes? This is a question we don’t ask ourselves often enough. Depending on how conscious or how honest we want to be with ourselves. There is a lot of information shedding light on the fashion industry, it’s beyond transparent. We cannot ignore it anymore. 

Everything we do impacts something else one way or another. Connecting the dots and finding solutions to align idealism with real life is becoming easier. Here at Abi's Journal we are extremely passionate about conscious consumerism (read more here) and the impact we have on our environment and the world around us with the choices we make. And the buck doesn't stop with fashion.

When I was searching for leaders in various Industries for a global organic project I was inspired by the site Sustainably Chic. I got chatting with Natalie, the founder and found out that we share more than the passion to make the world a better place. Sustainably Chic is an online destination for sustainable fashion, green beauty & eco lifestyle. It's a place where fashion can exist responsibly, so we can enjoy the art and love behind the things we wear & use everyday. This blog was established in the summer of 2014 by Natalie matching her passion for fashion with her principles for environmentally consciousness.

We are really excited today to chat with Natalie from Sustainably Chic on the Journal! Without further ado, it's over to Natalie to chat all things conscious consumerism, sustainability and fashion!

Could you take a moment to introduce yourself to the readers? Where are you based and have you always been working in the fashion industry?  
My name is Natalie, and I run the sustainable fashion platform, Sustainably Chic. I live with my husband and 2-year-old son in Jacksonville, Florida. I have been in the fashion industry since I was 15 (I’m now 30). My mom had a sewing machine and fabric store where I would spend a lot of my time after school.

You have been advocating sustainable fashion since 2014 and we have been in touch for a while now. I think it was when I was dreaming of an international organic guide that we started chatting? How would you describe the change in the market and demand since you started?
It’s changed a lot. I started my platform because I felt I didn’t have a community to be a part of. There were a couple websites talking about sustainable fashion, but I wanted more connection. The first two years, there were more blogs popping up and gaining popularity, but I think 2016 there was a much bigger shift on social media. Today, it’s everywhere, which is great, as long as we can keep a similar message, and not use it because it’s ‘trending’. 

What advice would you give to a change maker aspiring to turn his/her wardrobe into a sustainable chic one? 
I think the most important thing is to start with what you have. I’ve seen people throw stuff away because they say it isn’t made out of a sustainable fabric. Use what you have, and do your research on what brands are creating sustainable garments. I love adding new things into my closet, so I’m not saying ‘don’t buy’ - it’s important to support the makers who are doing it right. If you don’t have the money, because it isn’t cheap, shopping second-hand is another amazing thing to do when building your sustainable wardrobe. 

In the meantime you became a Mum. How did that influence your life choices? 
Well, I do a lot more second-hand shopping with a kid! They grow so fast, and it’s not always worth buying something new. I have a few organic brands I love to support, but most of his stuff is second-hand. I am more aware of the foods we eat, but not too much has changed. I think the biggest change is the guilt I feel more when I’m not feeling like I’m doing enough. 

You know I ran the first international sustainable kids online shop out of Tokyo in 2009 for a few years? I can tell you that it was very hard to find sustainable kids brands that match the quality requirements of the market. I think things have evolved a lot since. Are you finding it easy to dress your Elliott sustainably? 
No, I didn’t know that! I’m sure it was very difficult during that time. I’m finding it a lot easier to dress children in sustainable clothes, today, than ever before. There are tons of options, and if it isn’t in your budget, then second-hand is so easy! 

Sustainable fashion goes along with sustainable lifestyle. What are your top three products other than in fashion that you recommend us to switch to right now?
It does! My big things are skincare, cleaning products & food. I’m not just saying switch to these because they are made with sustainable ingredients that are good for you, but they are better for the environment and the farmers involved.

What gives you the greatest sense of hope for our world right now?
Young people are really stepping up, and shouting their beliefs online. Not only are they talking about things, they are creating change by showing up and putting their money where their mouth is. 

Find out more about sustainable fashion with Natalie here.