Wearwell's co-founder Emily Kenney chats with Jessica Windle of Jeans & a Teacup about why she’s focused on sustainable fashion and how she builds a timeless aesthetic.
Emily Kenney: Hi Jessica! Can you share a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in sustainable fashion?
Jessica Windle: I’m a wife and mom currently living in Pennsylvania on a dairy farm after living in Los Angeles for the past 10+ years! I started my blog over 10 years ago while I was living in Los Angeles and at first it was very much focused on fast fashion and trends. I was in my 20s and still developing my personal style. I definitely got caught up in the thrill of shopping! After a while brands started gifting me items to share on my blog and before I knew it I was overwhelmed with “stuff."
I realized that having lots of cheaply made clothes didn’t make me feel good – even if they were on trend and “fashionable.” I also started to become aware of the poor working conditions and the negative impact that fast fashion brands have on people and the environment. I realized that I had a platform to spread awareness and hopefully encourage people to think more about where their clothes come from, so for the last couple of years, I’ve been focusing on highlighting ethical and sustainable brands.
Emily: Over the years, how have you learned to incorporate sustainability into your daily fashion choices?
Jessica: I think wearing what you have is one of the best ways to be sustainable. I love being creative with outfits and figuring out multiple ways to style a piece. I also try to take really good care of the clothes I have so that they last a long time.
Emily: If you could describe your sustainable fashion philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
Jessica: Less is more!
Emily: So true! What is your go-to outfit for a sustainable fashion statement these days?
Jessica: I love wearing pieces that I’ve had for a long time that have that well-loved vibe. Like a pair of lived-in leather boots or a leather bag with lots of wear and patina. I think it’s really cool to have items in your closet that have had a long life with a story to tell.
Emily: Absolutely, well-loved pieces tell such an amazing story! What’s your favorite sustainable fashion hack?
Jessica: I try not to wash my clothes unless I really have to and when I do wash, I try to hand wash and line dry. This helps keep my clothes looking like new longer and decreases water and energy use! I find this easier to do in the winter with things like sweaters. I’ll wear a thin shirt underneath my sweaters to help them stay fresher longer. Then I only have to wash my undershirts instead of my bulky sweaters!
Emily: That’s a genius tip! How we wash our clothes is just as important for sustainability as what we buy and wear. In three words or less, how do you describe your personal style aesthetic?
Jessica: Classic, Feminine, Timeless.
Emily: Love that aesthetic. What’s next for Jeans & a Teacup?
Jessica: I’m looking forward to partnering with ethical and sustainable brands to bring more awareness to fast fashion alternatives. I’m also doing a website refresh to hopefully make it easier to navigate my site and discover style tips and outfit ideas!
Discover your next sustainable outfit at wearwell!
