Sustainable Outfit Inspiration with Stylist Michelle Montana

by Carley Lake | Last Updated:   June 18, 2020

Michelle Montana does a lot, from hosting a podcast with her best friend to running vintage and reconstructed apparel shop. But she will slow down for one thing—fashion. (Get it, slow fashion?). Okay, I’ll hand it off to Michelle for her sustainable outfit inspiration!

So, who are you? 🙂 

Hi! My name is Michelle Montana. I’m kind of a mutt when it comes to what I do for a living so bear with me. I am the owner of an online vintage/reconstructed apparel shop called Basil. With that, I do a lot of styling for photoshoots often utilizing my extensive collection of secondhand apparel. I’m a personal stylist! I also create social media content and am a photographer. I’m enjoying consulting with brands on marketing strategies, as well as running social media accounts for businesses. I have a fashion podcast (The Influence) with my best friend, Alyssa Andress, where we talk about fashion and who/what influences the industry with a hefty emphasis on sustainability. I’m busy and I like it that way, or else I’d be bored! 

How did you become passionate about sustainable fashion and find outfit inspiration?

I suppose I became passionate about sustainable fashion by shopping for and selling vintage. I learned quickly how much I was saving on my wardrobe by paying less for BETTER quality. Items that I have purchased secondhand resurface in my daily styling all the time while I watched fast-fashion items deteriorate in front of me. About 3 years ago, I discovered the harsh realities of these brands both ethically and sustainably so I vowed to never shop fast fashion again. I honestly don’t miss it and think my wardrobe is more unique because I’m not shopping off the rack (mostly).

How do you describe your style?   

I don’t like to define my style as I feel that it’s limiting. I suppose that leaves me with avant-garde? Since I like to mix it up and be unpredictable. I’d say I’m trendy but always add my own flare. I don’t really care what other people think—I just want to feel good in whatever I’m wearing.

What is your go-to look? 

Choosing a go-to look is so hard! Lately, I find myself reaching for my favorite sweater, a vintage cashmere cable knit sweater from L.L. Bean (thrifted from Goodwill most likely) and any 90s silky slip skirt, most likely my one that is midnight blue with small floral pattern. I picked this one up from a movie set I randomly was working on we got to go home with a lot of the clothes that we shopped for the wardrobe department/thrifted from somewhere! I also wear my beautiful tan suede and cowhide chunky boots that are Dolce Vita which is surprisingly an amazing sustainable brand (not vegan though).

What’s a piece in your closet you wear to make more of a statement?

Whenever I bring my fashion a-game to an event I have to include my pink Gucci socks. They really elevate any outfit and make me feel super chic. They were an investment but amazing quality so I know that I’ll be able to wear them for a long time.

What brands/stores do you love and recommend to clients for outfit inspiration? 

Revolve has an amazing selection of sustainable brands. I actually found a blog that has the master list of the sustainable brands that they carry. Believe it or not, for ladies ballin’ on a budget (like me) Lulu’s has a great Made in the USA page, which is always great quality and obviously super affordable. It’s not perfectly sustainable, but it’s a step in the right direction. I’m always amazed by the quality and style. Lulu’s also sells my fave, Dolce Vita, and another great sustainable shoe brand, Jaggar. And then, of course, for the clients that don’t mind secondhand I send them to my favorite local vintage boutiques: Ruhling Woven, Cornerness, Shop Journal, Three Pigs Vintage. And then of course, if they would like to shop my own vintage, that’s always a plus!

What’s your advice on finding a style and building a closet you love (that is conscious and ethical!), especially for those just dipping their toes in sustainable fashion?

My biggest advice is to re-organize your closet. Take everything out, put your favorites in the back (you won’t forget about them, they’re your favorites!), put the items you wear less in front to remind yourself that they are there. Hopefully, inspiration will strike and you will gradually start incorporating those old-forgottens into your everyday styling.

If you are ready to start shopping the first thing on your list should be a slip dress. It’s incredibly flattering (clings to your best assets and avoids your insecurities) and it’s versatile. It’s a dress, it’s a top (lightweight fabric tucks easily into pretty much anything, even your tight jeans), it’s a skirt! Play with layers. Put a top over it; put a top under it. Add a sweater or a blazer. Play with different shoes. Dress it down; dress it up. I guarantee you have what it takes in your own wardrobe to make 1 slip dress look different 5 days in a row. Consider it a challenge. The most sustainable thing you can do is realize that you already have what you need in your own closet—it’s just about changing your perspective.

I basically do the above with new clients before doing any serious shopping!

How can more people get involved in creating change in the industry and push the fashion industry to be more sustainable? 

Making simple changes in your daily life to be more sustainable is always the first step in changing the industry as a whole. Seeing what you do have versus what you don’t changes your approach to leading a more sustainable life. And then educate yourself. Watch the documentaries, see how harmful fast fashion is to our planet and to other people’s lives. Then see how you feel about shopping at places that create these environments.

The next time you shop, dig a little on the company’s website. Any place that makes sustainable efforts will mention it on its about page. Shops that aren’t sustainable avoid the topic. Making conscientious decisions and taking care of your clothes are great ways to change the industry as a whole. It all starts with you. If we decrease the demand for fast fashion the industry will have to change. It seems impossible but it’s already working. So many companies are making the switch to sustainable/ethical practices because we as consumers are demanding the change. So always do what you can to change and educate yourself, and then, of course, TELL EVERYONE.

Thanks, Michelle!