In the post-pandemic landscape, the topic of sustainability has gained even more traction. Just within Southeast Asia, one might notice the flurry of emerging sustainable fashion brands, microtrends on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, as well as the rise of pre-loved and vintage marketplaces. In Singapore, many fashion lovers have adopted sustainable practices that align with their style and lifestyle, staying environmentally conscious.
To founder of second-hand luxury marketplace StyleTribute and fashion-tech reselling company Reflaunt, Stephanie Crespin, quality over quantity is the key to building a conscious wardrobe. Shares Crespin: “While moving away from fast fashion is commendable, the real impact comes from cutting back on purchases. It’s about being mindful and investing in pieces with a lasting legacy.” In her arsenal? A tightly curated array of timeless denim pieces from eBay, versatile T-shirts from Jeanerica and treasured Hermès scarves courtesy of her mother—all items that have been with Crespin for years.
Social media content creator Nicole Chin advocates for conscious fashion consumption by encouraging people to rewear their favourite pieces and challenge themselves to style them in new ways. “We should normalise outfit repeating and buying clothes that can be worn in multiple ways for various occasions,” shares the 28-year-old. Lastly, co-founder of local denim upcycling brand Commenhers, Nuryanee Anisah, has taken on a DIY approach to sustainability. Taking apart excess fabrics and scraps from old pairs of jeans and constructing them into new garments, she breathes new life into what was previously deemed as waste.
As we look to further incorporate fashion mindfulness within our personal lives, Chin, Crespin and Anisah share further insight on how they have found and developed personal taste through building their sustainable wardrobes.
Nicole Chin
How would you describe your personal style?
I would say it varies, but there is definitely a heavy focus on vintage garments that exude an eclectic maximalism.
How do you think your sense of style embodies your personal beliefs and values?
Thrifting has always been a way for me to find cool and unique items for a fraction of the cost it would have been if I were to buy them brand new. Many of my clothes are from the ’80s, ’90s and early ’00s, and are mostly bold and bright as that makes me feel the happiest. I also take into account factors such as the quality of fabrics used and if I can style a purchase in more than five different ways.
How are you further practising mindful consumption in 2024?
I definitely wish to explore more local sustainable brands for high quality basics, accessories and footwear.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to make their wardrobe more sustainable?
Go thrifting with a friend or family member! It could be a really fun shared activity together and you’ll never know what treasures you may find.
“We should normalise outfit repeating and buying clothes that can be worn in multiple ways for various occasions.”
Where do you see the future of sustainable fashion headed?
I feel that there would be a continued crackdown on greenwashing, as well as a bigger emphasis on repairing and upcycling one’s own garments. I also hope to see personal style further supercede micro trends, as well as brands striving towards sustainability through fair wages for workers and more ethically sourced materials.
Stephanie Crespin
How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe it as a mix of Scandinavian simplicity and Parisian glam. I place heavy emphasis on silhouette, often opting for loose, voluminous pieces with a sculptural aspect. My wardrobe is an amalgamation of my timeless, durable pieces constructed from quality fabrics, often minimal in colour and print. I also like mixing menswear and tailoring with feminine separates such as chunky knits and floor-length dresses, as I think the juxtaposition melds together perfectly.
How do you think your sense of style embodies your personal beliefs and values?
These days, less is more for me. I’ve toned down my look, focusing on capsule items that emphasise on quality. With three kids, fashion has taken somewhat of a back seat when it comes to my personal dressing—what used to be an outlet for novelty and creativity has evolved to prioritise comfort and functionality. Much of my day is now spend in activewear as well, and I have fun mixing and matching different pairings.
How are you further practising mindful consumption in 2024?
Despite already cutting back on my purchases, accidents happen and things break when there are children around. In 2024, I aim to spend more time mending and repairing items instead of always getting them replaced, as I think it also teaches my kids the value of caring for possessions and moving away from a disposable mindset.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to make their wardrobe more sustainable?
Prioritise value and longevity, explore second-hand options, and actively contribute to extending the life cycle of your fashion items.
Where do you see the future of sustainable fashion headed?
Luxury resale will only continue to grow and converge with retail, as more customers get accustomed to buying and selling on the same platform. I also see the value of the secondhand market going up, with customers treasuring each item they purchase more.
Nuryanee Anisah
How would you describe your personal style?
I find that my fashion style is quite versatile, it could be Y2K one day and bohemian the next. I enjoy dressing in a way that reflects my current mood, and I always include some form of a statement piece from detailed pieces to structured separates.
How do you think your sense of style embodies your personal beliefs and values?
I believe my personal style reflects my beliefs and values of shopping ethically. Consumerism has influenced us to constantly shop the latest trend to remain “cool” and fashionable, but I personally feel that it is way more stylish to build outfits around the same few garments you already have (and treasure) in your wardrobe.
“Consumerism has influenced us to constantly shop the latest trends, but I feel that more stylish to build outfits around the same garments you already have.”
How are you further practising mindful consumption in 2024?
I hope to include more sustainable pieces from local brands into my wardrobe, as well as learning how to mend and alter my own clothes.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to make their wardrobe more sustainable?
Most people do not realise that they can start from within in their own homes and wardrobes. Prolonging the life of their clothes, upcycling their old clothes and even donating or reselling their old clothes are all easy ways to start.
Where do you see the future of sustainable fashion headed?
I hold a positive outlook on the expansion of sustainable fashion. It is evident that the second-hand, vintage, and sustainable fashion sector is on a steady rise, and I am confident that more brands will find innovative opportunities to thrive in this ever-growing market.
