INTERVIEW #170 SOPHIA LORIMER
Occupation: Sustainable Stylist
Based in: London
Website: www.finetunedwardrobe.com
Instagram: @finetunedwardeobe
Hi Sophie! Welcome to A Sustainable Closet! Can you please tell us more about yourself and when did you get interested in clothes?
In my teens and twenties, I was an absolute shopper I would not be seen in the same outfit twice I would want something new for all occasions, I was addicted to clothes, and the dopamine hit. I had no care or thought about the implications that my throw-away mindless shopping habits were having on me or the planet.
Fast forward to the birth of my daughter when everything changed as well as battling with severe postnatal depression I lost my confidence in myself and didn't know how to dress my new body. After a lot of work and therapy, I got better and started reading more about the world and once I saw and read more about the effects of fashion on the planet I knew I needed to do better right now! In my pursuit of change, I wanted to help and empower other women to consume better and feel amazing in their clothes so Fine-tuned wardrobe was born.
What made you interested in sustainability?
Knowing everything I know now about the fashion industry made me want to do better as it's one of the biggest polluters to our planet and I must do my bit and empower others to do the same.
In what ways would you say style and sustainability are connected?
Oh my, they go hand in hand they are so intertwined. With style comes Sustainability because fashion will fade and take on many different forms where style can evolve at a much slower pace empowering you to stay true to what you love and not chase the latest must-have fashion trend.
What are your best tips when it comes to styling?
1- Wear what you love
2- Dress for your body shape/ lifestyle
3- Don't overthink it have fun with it
What do your followers normally need help with?
Layering is a topic I am very known for because I believe that our wardrobe should work hard for us all year round and with clever layering techniques there is no reason why you can't wear your summer dress in winter. So I often get asked about that.
What are your best tips to keep your closet useful and inspiring?
1- Get rid of the "Sad pail". ( This Is a term I use to describe those clothes that make us feel sad about our bodies) Stop holding on to clothes that don't fit you in the hope that one day they will fit you again. I talk about the sad pail a lot because it's something I see so many women do, holding on to clothes that make them sad about the women they are today. Instead of accepting and being kinder to themselves. When you accept where you are and your body shape as it is right now you can dress better for it.
2- Get clear on your style and dress for yourself and not others. The sooner you do this the more you will enjoy getting dressed.
3- Stop trying to keep up with trends and others around you! This will lead you to a wardrobe full of clothes but with nothing to wear AKA " A STYLE RUT"
Is anything else coming up in your life and work that you would like to share?
I have some exciting events coming up this year that I'm a part of like The Ideal Home Show, London Sustainable Fashion Week, and The Clean and Tidy Home Show to name a few. I also have my local community Swap events I hold in West Sussex. Not forgetting all my one-to-one clients and my community across my channels.