Artwork for podcast Reloved Radio: Sustainable Fashion Stories
Vintage Vogue: Building a Wardrobe That Defies Trends
Episode 2 • 6th February 2024 • Reloved Radio: Sustainable Fashion Stories • Chryssius Dunn
00:00:00 00:31:20

Share Episode

Shownotes

Sarah-Jayne shares her passion for injecting colour and joy into fashion, offering insights into her curated collections and personalised styling approach. From navigating op-shops with confidence to building a wardrobe that celebrates individuality and sustainability, Sarah-Jayne's expertise shines through.

We discuss the timeless appeal of vintage pieces, the art of conscious consumption, and the challenges of self-editing in thrift shopping. Get ready to be inspired and empowered to embrace vintage fashion as a means of expressing yourself while making a positive impact on the environment.

Guest bio:

Sarah-Jayne Lofthouse is the creative force behind Disco Vintage, a preloved and vintage clothing business celebrated for its vibrant collections and personalised styling services. With a passion for injecting colour and joy into fashion, Sarah-Jayne has become known for curating joyful, fun clothes that resonate with her audience.

Connect with Sarah-Jayne:

@discostudio__ on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

About the show:

This is Reloved Radio: Sustainable Fashion Stories, the fortnightly show that brings you inspiring stories from guests who are making a positive impact in the sustainable fashion space.

Want to know the BEST places to shop secondhand online in Australia? Download this EPIC list for free!

Join the Reloved conversation on Instagram.

Credits:

Music: 'Old Leather Sneakers' by PineAppleMusic

Transcripts

Speaker:

Sarah-Jane: I mean, let's talk

about the quality of vintage

2

:

is.

3

:

Exceptional.

4

:

Like EXCEPTIONAL.

5

:

Vintage Katie's, Sussan and Suzanne

Grae, even vintage Target and Kmart.

6

:

Made in Oz, they're like

some of my top five nineties

7

:

oz-made brands.

8

:

Chryssius: Hey, Relovers,

welcome to Reloved Radio.

9

:

I'm your host, Chryssius Dunn, and

today's guest is someone who has

10

:

mastered the art of bringing vintage

style right to your fingertips.

11

:

She is the creative force behind

Disco Vintage And Preloved, a

12

:

secondhand clothing business that's

been making waves on Instagram.

13

:

Known for her vibrant "Disco Drops",

where she unveils carefully curated

14

:

collections of preloved gems and

her bespoke "Disco Box" service.

15

:

(More on that later), She's not just

selling clothes, she's building a

16

:

thriving community of vintage lovers

and sustainable style enthusiasts.

17

:

Without further ado, let's welcome

the Queen of Vintage Vibes herself.

18

:

Sarah Jane Lofthouse.

19

:

Sarah Jane, welcome to Reloved Radio.

20

:

Sarah-Jane: Thank you, Chrissy.

21

:

What an intro.

22

:

That's amazing.

23

:

Chryssius: I am really glad that you are

here, so let's just jump straight in.

24

:

Sarah-Jane: Mm-Hmm.

25

:

Chryssius: I have a list of questions

to get through, so let's get into it.

26

:

So I know that from our previous

conversations and messages that

27

:

we've had back and forth, that you

do have a marketing background.

28

:

So can you share with us how you made

the jump from marketing to Disco Vintage?

29

:

Sarah-Jane: Ooh.

30

:

I mean, I was doing them simultaneously,

but I've always collected vintage and

31

:

been really, really into op shopping

and things, and I had a friend, she was

32

:

like, you should start an Instagram.

33

:

And I was like, oh no.

34

:

As someone with actual

professional experience doing

35

:

it, I know how hard it is.

36

:

So I was really deterred and

quite cynical about social

37

:

media and it's very exhausting.

38

:

And then I thought, you know what?

39

:

It could be a whole heap of fun.

40

:

And I'd already started,

buying kids preloved on Insta.

41

:

And I knew the community

was just gorgeous.

42

:

Everyone's so lovely.

43

:

, so I thought, why not?

44

:

Just, just start something

with zero expectation?

45

:

Had no idea what it was gonna do.

46

:

And I thought, you know what?

47

:

I just wanna be friends with

all these resellers and like

48

:

be part of the community.

49

:

So, I kind of did that in 2021, I

think, while I was on mat leave.

50

:

And, just kind of it grew from there.

51

:

Chryssius: I love it.

52

:

And I love what it's grown into.

53

:

So about the Instagram community, is

that what maybe deterred you from on

54

:

something like Depop or eBay or that

55

:

of online platform?

56

:

Sarah-Jane: the, the community is

what absolutely drew me to Instagram.

57

:

I just thought, everyone's just

so kind in the reselling community,

58

:

especially in the kids' one that

I've, that I've met, um, that I was

59

:

just really drawn to that energy.

60

:

I really like, women, connecting

with other women like-minded

61

:

people and I felt like they were my

people that was my pocket of, the

62

:

internet that I could maybe join

and, um, enjoy with other people.

63

:

Chryssius: Can you tell us a

little bit about your Disco Boxes?

64

:

I'm sure we've got

65

:

some people intrigued.

66

:

Sarah-Jane: So it's a curated

box of preloved, for you.

67

:

Basically it's almost always a

mystery surprise, or as a friend

68

:

recently called it, a "Lucky Dip".

69

:

Chryssius: I love that.

70

:

Sarah-Jane: Yeah, it's kind of the

perfect way to, describe it, but knowing

71

:

that it's a lucky dip exactly for you.

72

:

And I've had incredible feedback,

from them, but they were kind of

73

:

born of this idea that I had a lot

of stock in my stash, if you like.

74

:

And, a lot of frequent buyers

and there's just a lot out there.

75

:

And there was a lot of people that were

time poor, or looking for kind of really

76

:

specific items for a very certain phase in

their life or a, a particular person and

77

:

they didn't have time to shop or couldn't

find what they were looking for, or, just

78

:

wanted maybe a new injection in their

wardrobe like they felt like they changed.

79

:

So I have curated, I don't know how

I've lost track now, um, maybe 30

80

:

or so of them for very different

seasons, of life and, different people.

81

:

So I've done pregnancy ones.

82

:

I've done postpartum ones.

83

:

I've done, professional

ones for a work setting.

84

:

I've done some as gifts.

85

:

I recently did one for someone.

86

:

I did a Disco Box for her, and then

she ordered one for her, daughter

87

:

who I think is about 19 for Christmas.

88

:

She still briefed me, so if, if someone's

interested, I send them a list of

89

:

questions and they give me an outline.

90

:

So, you know, budget, types of items

they'd really like, and fabrics and

91

:

colours, and then things to avoid.

92

:

The best thing I've actually noticed

about Disco Boxes is, I get to put in

93

:

items that are good quality, or things

that you wouldn't usually find on my

94

:

Insta, but they work perfectly for that

person and what they're looking for.

95

:

So there might be some items that are

more fast fashion, but still great

96

:

quality and exactly, what they need.

97

:

Sarah-Jayne: So that's been a really

pleasant surprise is I've been able to

98

:

thrift for these people, some items that

wouldn't usually be on Disco Vintage,

99

:

but I've had amazing feedback and fit

perfectly along with the other items.

100

:

So it's this sort of holistic experience

of, oh, this is, this is an injection

101

:

into my wardrobe of exactly what I

needed and it's really comfortable

102

:

and it's really colourful, or it's

really this, or it's really that.

103

:

Sarah-Jane: So, yeah, I really enjoy it.

104

:

I think it's one of the funnest

things that I've been offering.

105

:

The feedback has been amazing,

and I did one recently.

106

:

And the brief I think was two or $250,

um, which sounds like a lot and is

107

:

a lot of money for some, for people.

108

:

But I, put together a box that had an

over $1,500 retail value for that price.

109

:

Completely curated, amazing quality

exactly to brief to the sizes they needed.

110

:

And this was for a guy.

111

:

So, it was really surprising and it's,

and it still surprises me, what you

112

:

can find every day in an op-shop.

113

:

Like it just new with tags.

114

:

Like, it just baffles me.

115

:

Chryssius: Yeah, even though the op-shop

is filled with a lot of Kmart and a lot

116

:

of, Shein, there are some gems in there.

117

:

Actually.

118

:

There are a lot of

119

:

Sarah-Jane: absolutely.

120

:

Chryssius: so just on how

you're picking out your pieces.

121

:

Say for your Disco Drops,

which I know operate slightly

122

:

different to your Disco Boxes,

123

:

what kind of things are you

looking for that you think

124

:

are stylish and sustainable?

125

:

Sarah-Jane: Ooh, that's

such a great question.

126

:

It's so varied, honestly.

127

:

I have a real penchant for eighties.

128

:

I've always, always loved the eighties.

129

:

You know, ra-ra dresses and,

acid wash, like I'm a big

130

:

acid wash girl; shoulder pads.

131

:

I think you should never

underestimate a shoulder pad.

132

:

They make the silhouette amazing.

133

:

And I have converted many

people to shoulder pads.

134

:

I don't know if you're pro or anti.

135

:

Chryssius: Pro for sure.

136

:

Sarah-Jane: They're fantastic.

137

:

It's really varied.

138

:

Personally I've always been drawn

to, you know, very colourful, joyful

139

:

items, items that bring you that

dopamine just by looking at it.

140

:

Sarah-Jayne: Over the span of my

own professional career, I started

141

:

dressing in ways that I left the

black behind and I wanted to be, more

142

:

creative in my dressing, because I

had a creative, a sort of, you know,

143

:

creative field and, I just don't buy

into the, you need to wear a suit and

144

:

black and it works for some people.

145

:

Sarah-Jane: But, for me, I

really wanted to inject colour.

146

:

And so that's just what

I've always been drawn to.

147

:

And I think over time that's what

I thrifted and that's what I sold.

148

:

And that's what I've sort of,

become known for is those really

149

:

joyful, fun clothes, which I do

not wear every day in my life.

150

:

Sarah-Jayne: But I think

people are attracted to that,

151

:

that joy and that colour.

152

:

And, it's really interesting, I know

people love neutrals, but when I do a

153

:

neutrals drop, it's nowhere near as,

successful as really colourful ones.

154

:

But I love, I still love doing them and

I, and I don't think neutrals, are bad.

155

:

Sarah-Jane: They have their time

and place and you can always pair

156

:

them with super colourful things.

157

:

Chryssius: I absolutely adore

looking through your feed every time

158

:

do one of your jobs.

159

:

I just, I just want to browse, just to

have a look and see what you've got.

160

:

Look at the colours.

161

:

I think recently did you post where

you were wearing gold sequin pants?

162

:

Sarah-Jane: Yes,

163

:

Yep.

164

:

Chryssius: Love those.

165

:

I would never wear them in

a million years, but it just

166

:

brings me joy seeing someone else

wear them, love that you know?

167

:

Sarah-Jane: Yes!

168

:

Yes, I think colour and

dressing for yourself,

169

:

Sarah-Jayne: it makes other people joyous.

170

:

I think it's really infectious, and I

walk down the halls at work and people

171

:

are like, oh my gosh, I love your

pants, or I love this, or I love that.

172

:

And it doesn't have to be every day.

173

:

And not everyone's

comfortable with colour.

174

:

But I do think there's some colours

that everyone can wear and feel, happy.

175

:

Sarah-Jane: Like gold pants.

176

:

I bought them on Depop because

someone said to me, my friend's

177

:

looking for sequinned gold pants.

178

:

And I was like, oh, I kind of

need sequin gold pants in my life.

179

:

So I found them on

Depop and I bought them.

180

:

Chryssius: Perfect

181

:

Sarah-Jane: And they're a fast fashion

brand, but you would never find them

182

:

vintage, or preloved that weren't fast

fashion because, you know, they were

183

:

very rarely made and they probably

haven't stood the test of time from

184

:

the sixties or the seventies or

whatever it is, or the eighties.

185

:

Or they're in someone's stash being held

onto forever because they're so amazing.

186

:

Yeah.

187

:

So I personally don't have a

problem with, buying secondhand

188

:

fast fashion, in a conscious way.

189

:

Chryssius: Yeah, my reasoning is,

well, I am keeping that out of landfill.

190

:

You know, and when I am done

with the clothes that I wear and

191

:

that my family wears, know that I

like to send it to someplace like

192

:

Upparel or something like that.

193

:

So then it's still not going to landfill.

194

:

It's actually going to get,

remade into something else.

195

:

Yep.

196

:

Sarah-Jane: Definitely, definitely.

197

:

It's a great, uh, it's great that

we have those kinds of options

198

:

now.

199

:

Chryssius: If I was keen to

add more vintage to my wardrobe

200

:

mm-Hmm.

201

:

but I am not feeling that confident

about what I should be looking

202

:

for, what would your go-to tips

be if I was to hit up an op shop?

203

:

Sarah-Jane: I think one item that

suits everyone, and can be included

204

:

in almost all wardrobes is a blazer.

205

:

And I actually think you can

dress it up, dress it down.

206

:

Sarah-Jayne: It's great

for trans-seasonal times.

207

:

And I think that's one place

where people could start, if

208

:

that suited their lifestyle.

209

:

If they were someone who just like

would never wear a blazer, so be it.

210

:

But, I actually do think they're

really chic and I think vintage

211

:

blazers are the bee's knees.

212

:

Sarah-Jane: So I feel like that's one

item that people could kind of start

213

:

with and feel kind of safe because,

they're quite comfy, there's lots of

214

:

different colours, you can find them.

215

:

They're not usually too overpriced.

216

:

And then I think the other tip

is you need to know, what shapes

217

:

work really well on your body?

218

:

I think you really have to know your body

and know what feels good on your body?

219

:

So what fabrics, what shapes, I think

it's just knowing the shapes and styles

220

:

that work really well for you to feel

good and then trying to find that vintage

221

:

Chryssius: What about,

if someone's on a budget,

222

:

Sarah-Jane: Oh gosh, if you're

on a budget, honestly, the thing

223

:

to do is to not buy anything.

224

:

And that is actually the most sustainable

option: to wear what you have.

225

:

But also that's no fun.

226

:

So my tip for the best op-shops

is always to go independent.

227

:

And usually the little regional, or church

oppies are the best and the best value.

228

:

So you can find items from,

you know, 50 cents to $5 or so.

229

:

In my experience, I've been op-shopping

since I was very small with my Nan.

230

:

They're usually, usually the best

ones to go and find items, on a

231

:

budget or follow them on Facebook or

Instagram, wherever they are, and see

232

:

when their half price day sales are.

233

:

I know Savers does huge

sales in Victoria, so.

234

:

Find out when those are.

235

:

Um, and I think if you're in a budget,

don't buy things just because they're $2.

236

:

Buy something that might be $4

or $6 or relative to wherever you

237

:

live and your budget, buy that one

thing that you're going to wear.

238

:

Don't buy multiple things

'cause they're a dollar.

239

:

which, you know, we're all guilty of,

240

:

Chryssius: That was probably

my biggest problem when I

241

:

did first start op-shopping,

242

:

I would just be overwhelmed with

all the bargains and think that

243

:

because they were a bargain, I

needed to buy them when in reality

244

:

I didn't actually need them.

245

:

Sarah-Jane: Yeah, it's hard.

246

:

Like, life can feel heavy and

shopping, you know, the whole "retail

247

:

therapy" concept that's been sold

to us, it's really problematic.

248

:

It's so ingrained and, you know, decades

and decades and decades of advertising

249

:

has made it very, hard to undo that.

250

:

So I think, you know, be kind on yourself

and just, try and thrift consciously.

251

:

It's really important to self edit,

which I sometimes find hard to do.

252

:

When I'm buying for Disco Vintage,

which is a little out of control at the

253

:

moment, because I have the baby, it's

easier for me to go op-shopping with her

254

:

than it is to shoot a drop or to shoot

items because she's so happy out there,

255

:

you know, and the volunteers love her.

256

:

And we went yesterday and

she was giving everyone toys.

257

:

And, so it kind of works from a

lifestyle perspective, to keep doing that.

258

:

But it's also not a healthy habit

for myself that I recognise, so I

259

:

need to be a bit more conscious.

260

:

So I think everyone,

everyone, is affected by it.

261

:

And if you're not good for you.

262

:

But is that true?

263

:

Like, are you sure you're not

affected by it in some regard?

264

:

Are you being honest with yourself?

265

:

I think that that big hit of dopamine

when you find something you LOVE

266

:

and you buy it, and then on top of

that it's a bargain and like, hello,

267

:

You're on a high,

268

:

but then it can become addictive and then

you're constantly searching for that.

269

:

Chryssius: You talked about

blazers and I love blazers...

270

:

Sarah-Jane: Me

271

:

too!

272

:

Chryssius: Uh, I do, I adore them.

273

:

What do you think is a piece

that, never goes out of style?

274

:

So what's something that you could

make as a sustainable purchase that

275

:

you know isn't going to go out of

style, regardless of what is trending?

276

:

Would you say

277

:

that a blazer is on that list?

278

:

Sarah-Jane: A thousand

percent in my opinion.

279

:

Chryssius: Anything else?

280

:

Sarah-Jane: A good shirt, like a really

well-made comfortable, breathable shirt.

281

:

Anything in relaxed linen.

282

:

can actually, like I was thinking

about this, relaxed linen can go

283

:

across any age group, any gender,

non-gender, whoever, uh, any lifestyle.

284

:

it doesn't have to be linen.

285

:

Sarah-Jayne: It's just kind of

like the idea of something that's

286

:

breathable, comfortable, that I think

that fabric and style of, of comfort,

287

:

I mean, it's come back in a huge way.

288

:

Like I think it's, it's refreshing

to have clothes that are less

289

:

restrictive, especially as women

having been, you know, told what

290

:

we can and can't wear for so long.

291

:

Sarah-Jane: And, you

know, that's kind of nice.

292

:

But I think, yeah, I think anything in

sort of that relaxed linen / cotton sphere

293

:

kind of works for almost for anyone.

294

:

Sarah-Jayne: I've loved

linen for a really long time.

295

:

And people were so like, oh, it's

like for ladies in their fifties

296

:

or resort wear or something.

297

:

And I've, I've thrifted it for a

really long time because I love it.

298

:

I love it crinkled.

299

:

I never iron it, it doesn't bother

me and it's just really comfortable.

300

:

And, I have personally made it my mission

to dress for comfort for years now.

301

:

Sarah-Jane: I just think, if you're not

comfortable, what are you doing and why?

302

:

Like, just be comfortable in what?

303

:

Life's too short.

304

:

Just wear what you want and be comfy

305

:

Chryssius: Yeah, and the thing with linen

306

:

as well is it wears so well.

307

:

Sarah-Jane: Exactly.

308

:

It stands the test

309

:

of time.

310

:

I think if you can find it in an op-shop

and, and find it in an older brand or

311

:

year, you know, then you're gonna be

loving it and, and it's thicker when

312

:

it's older, like the quality, I mean,

let's talk about the quality of vintage

313

:

is.

314

:

Exceptional.

315

:

Like EXCEPTIONAL.

316

:

Vintage is just a million times better

usually, in my opinion, from a quality

317

:

Chryssius: perspective.

318

:

Sarah-Jane: If it's made

in Australia, primo,

319

:

like vintage Katie's, Sussan and Suzanne

Grae, even vintage Target and Kmart.

320

:

Made in Oz, they're like

some of my top five nineties

321

:

oz-made brands.

322

:

There's other ones as well, but they were

fast fashion but they were made, well,

323

:

I don't know if they were technically

"fast fashion", but they were mass

324

:

produced

325

:

in Oz.

326

:

But the quality is AMA- vintage

Millers amazing quality.

327

:

Like, and I don't know if I'm just

getting old or the style is just

328

:

eventually coming back, but there's

some vintage Millers, that is so cute.

329

:

And the fabrics are amazing and they're

made in Oz, and even really old nineties

330

:

made in China is still better than it is

331

:

now

332

:

because they've pushed the profit

333

:

margins as much as possible.

334

:

So, if anyone finds any vintage Katies

or whatnot, give it a real hard look

335

:

'cause it'll be good quality and it's

probably a really cute, cute item.

336

:

And their labels

337

:

are amazing!

338

:

Chryssius: Aren't they?

339

:

Sarah-Jane: The Suzanne

Grae label with the face.

340

:

I don't know if you know it.

341

:

Amazing

342

:

Chryssius: Like,

343

:

Sarah-Jane: one of my favourite labels.

344

:

And that's how you can tell a vintage, um,

item as well, obviously is like the tag.

345

:

Big hefty tags with like

sayings and lots more

346

:

text than now and just so good.

347

:

And how you can quickly tell

an item vintage rather than

348

:

new.

349

:

Chryssius: And even the

quality of the label, you know,

350

:

nowadays they're they're so

351

:

flimsy, and...

352

:

Sarah-Jane: And they've

got like two pieces

353

:

of thread holding them

354

:

Chryssius: on each end.

355

:

Oh, I can't tell you how many times I've

had my label just hanging by one thread.

356

:

Sarah-Jane: And I mean, isn't that like,

the ultimate analogy for fast fashion

357

:

Like

358

:

the label is like barely hanging on,

so imagine the rest of the garment.

359

:

Like it's just, yeah, it

makes my, makes my heart sad.

360

:

Chryssius: All right.

361

:

So when you're selecting

your pieces for your disco

362

:

Drops, how do you make sure that

they're versatile enough that they're

363

:

going to mix and match with, I guess

different items or different looks

364

:

Sarah-Jane: Yeah.

365

:

As in, mix and match

when I shoot the drop?

366

:

Or mix and match in someone's wardrobe?

367

:

or

368

:

Chryssius: More so in someone's wardrobe.

369

:

So something that

370

:

you think, well, you could

wear this X amount of ways.

371

:

Sarah-Jane: Mm-Hmm.

372

:

I think you can always wear

any clothes anyway you want.

373

:

Like, I think it's kind of

the limit is your imagination.

374

:

Like you could wear denim shorts with

a sequinned bolero if you want, you

375

:

know, like, there's some amazing

people out there who do combinations

376

:

that you would never think work and do.

377

:

So I'm a firm believer that,

there's something for everyone.

378

:

I hope there's something

for everyone in each drop.

379

:

They don't have to buy it, but they

might relate to that item and be like,

380

:

oh, I've got something like that, that

might look interesting with that or

381

:

whatever, or see an item in a new light.

382

:

Sarah-Jayne: And I'm no stylist.

383

:

I don't really have the energy and

the attention for detail to sit there

384

:

and put a million outfits together.

385

:

And, I couldn't do that.

386

:

I really appreciate people who do and,

and style things, but I think, I think

387

:

you can almost do any kind of combination

or any kind of outfit you want to,

388

:

and I'm a huge advocate for that.

389

:

I think if something brings you joy, like

dress for yourself and not for others,

390

:

and I think it takes a really long time

to learn that in our culture at our age.

391

:

And to unlearn all those things

that you think you have to look and

392

:

feel and do and, be portrayed as.

393

:

Sarah-Jane: So I, I do think, items

are much more versatile than we think.

394

:

And we just, tend to limit ourselves.

395

:

I often get people sort of

saying, oh, I would never have

396

:

thought to put that with that.

397

:

And sometimes I just do it on

a whim because I am desperately

398

:

trying to hurriedly shoot a drop.

399

:

And I'm sure that shows sometimes,

but, you know, I'm trying to deal

400

:

with the baby's napping or I think,

oh, I've only got these pants.

401

:

Sarah-Jayne: I can't run out

there and get the other pants.

402

:

I'm just gonna do it.

403

:

And that, I'm sure not all of

the combos work, but I think

404

:

anyone can wear whatever they

want however they want, so...

405

:

Chryssius: I love that.

406

:

So on a

407

:

personal note

408

:

then...

409

:

Are you inspired by anyone in particular?

410

:

Maybe

411

:

Sarah-Jane: Oh.

412

:

Chryssius: on Instagram

413

:

or just, you know, someone

414

:

Sarah-Jane: Yeah,

415

:

Chryssius: real life.

416

:

Sarah-Jane: I don't know if you

saw my Insta I put a little post up

417

:

about a woman I met called Muriel.

418

:

spotted her in my local Woolies.

419

:

And from the back I saw her

dress and I was like, oh,

420

:

that's gotta be a Diane Freis.

421

:

Like, that's gotta' be a Diane Freis.

422

:

Pretty sure that's how you say it.

423

:

She did incredible dresses, and

separates and this woman had it on and

424

:

I saw it from the back and I was, and

she and she, this designer, she has

425

:

these particular collars and frills

and she does pattern clashing in

426

:

these dresses and it's always lovely.

427

:

Sarah-Jayne: And um, this woman was

wearing this dress and , she usually

428

:

has really bright, designs and she

had a more neutral dress on and I

429

:

thought, oh, that's really great.

430

:

But I was in another line and I was

sort of pressed for time and I didn't, I

431

:

wanted to tell her she looked beautiful.

432

:

Anyway, I went to my car, then I had

to run back into the shopping center

433

:

and I saw her on my way back and I just

said, look, I know you're on the phone,

434

:

but I just wanna say I love your dress.

435

:

And she's like, oh, couldn't

get off the phone quick enough.

436

:

And she told me it was a Diane Freis.

437

:

She told me she bought it 35 years ago.

438

:

Sarah-Jane: She looked beautiful.

439

:

Her name's Muriel.

440

:

She's 94.

441

:

She'd moved up from Sydney 18

months ago, and she just took so

442

:

much pride in her dressing and, you

know, I'm of a different generation.

443

:

I don't go wearing, you

know, pretty dresses.

444

:

And, I was just really inspired

by her because she sort of said to

445

:

me, no one really dresses up here.

446

:

Sarah-Jayne: And I was like, yes, true.

447

:

It's Queensland, it's hot.

448

:

You know, there's, and there's a more

casual culture and I think, clothes these

449

:

days are much more casual, obviously

being 94, she, was from an era where

450

:

people used to dress up and I really

admire that and I, and it, it inspires me.

451

:

I'm not gonna dress identically like that,

but she really inspired me and I actually

452

:

started crying when I was talking to

her 'cause she was just so gorgeous and

453

:

she had this beautiful outlook on life.

454

:

Sarah-Jane: So I've been really drawn

recently to, older women who do not give

455

:

a fuck and just dress however they want.

456

:

And I love that.

457

:

And clothes can be so empowering and

I think they should be empowering.

458

:

I don't think you should

feel small in what you wear.

459

:

I think you should feel comfortable,

and I think you should feel joyous.

460

:

And, you don't have to dress

up to the nines every day.

461

:

You don't have to wear vintage every day.

462

:

But I think, you know,

consciously thinking, is this

463

:

an outfit that makes me happy?

464

:

You know, and I feel so inspired by

those women who look amazing and

465

:

sound amazing and are so liberated

in their lives and their clothing.

466

:

So I think they're a

huge inspiration for me.

467

:

I'm very much a feminist and

have no shame in saying that.

468

:

And I think a lot of that, shame

that women carry around their bodies

469

:

and therefore what they wear is

so embedded, from that patriarchal

470

:

culture that I think if you are

really going to embrace yourself and.

471

:

Sarah-Jayne: Your true fashion self,

if you like, then I think you need

472

:

to kind of let you know all those

standards and all that pressure

473

:

and Instagram culture go in a way.

474

:

That's what I hope for more of

my Instagram rather than , you

475

:

know, people buying stuff.

476

:

I hope they feel, empowered

to be however they wanna be.

477

:

Sarah-Jane: And just enjoy

478

:

clothes.

479

:

Chryssius: I think what I love most about

what you just said about inspiration

480

:

is not wanting to copy people, but just

wanting to be able to wear what makes you

481

:

happy and just, you know, having the guts

to wear what makes you happy and that is

482

:

in itself

483

:

Sarah-Jane: I think so, I think,

you know, I'm just talking from my

484

:

point of view as a cis white female.

485

:

Like there's people that can't even

wear what they want and be true to

486

:

themselves in parts of the world.

487

:

And that just is horrific to me.

488

:

So.

489

:

I think it's easy for me to sit here

and say that dress however you want,

490

:

but I recognise some people can't.

491

:

And I hope that, you know, we eventually

get to a point where people can do that

492

:

without fear of

493

:

whatever

494

:

it may be, coming their way.

495

:

So yeah, I mean, check my privilege.

496

:

That is something that I feel

really privileged I can do.

497

:

And it's, I think it's amazing when I see

people do that and don't apologise for it.

498

:

Chryssius: This is something

I always find interesting.

499

:

I

500

:

Do you believe in the concept

of a capsule wardrobe?

501

:

. Sarah-Jayne: This is, I think this

is a really interesting question.

502

:

Sarah-Jane: I think they can

be really helpful for people.

503

:

I think they can be really privileged,

um, in the concept because I

504

:

think there's a lot of people.

505

:

Who can't live with

just a capsule wardrobe.

506

:

But I think the concept is like

the definition of it is expanding

507

:

and becoming more flexible.

508

:

Um, I am all for outfit repeating.

509

:

Sarah-Jayne: I have no shame

in wearing the same shorts

510

:

two days in a row or whatever.

511

:

I also think we need to

wash our clothes less.

512

:

But outfit repeating versus a capture

wardrobe is pretty far apart, probably.

513

:

I think there's seasons and phases in

life, and I think there's, you probably,

514

:

you probably wear your own capsule

wardrobe without necessarily noting it.

515

:

Sarah-Jane: Like we all wear kind

of the same things within, you

516

:

know, a literal weather season,

but also a season of our life.

517

:

So if you are maybe postpartum for that

first three months, you might rotate

518

:

some clothes really heavily because your

body is a certain shape and you need

519

:

access to your body or whatever it is.

520

:

So we might already be doing it, but

the idea of it, um, feels a little

521

:

too limiting for me personally.

522

:

And I haven't tried to curate one.

523

:

I probably would never get there because

I have too many items that I love too

524

:

much and I don't wear all the time.

525

:

But I just love them.

526

:

And I like to have options because, I

want to feel comfortable, and especially

527

:

as a female, your body's always changing.

528

:

But I guess, you know, I could tell

you that I wear tanks, t-shirts,

529

:

shirts and shorts pretty much every

530

:

day,

531

:

So it's kind of a capsule,

it's super hot here.

532

:

I'm still breastfeeding my baby, so I

probably am doing it without realising it.

533

:

And then when I have to wear like a

dress or something, I'll be like, oh

534

:

my God, what am I, what do I wear?

535

:

Like, what do I have?

536

:

So I think it's an interesting concept

and think the idea, it's good in theory,

537

:

but sometimes hard to put into practice.

538

:

I think some people are much

more skilled at it than me.

539

:

I've never really attempted to

really do it for myself or anyone.

540

:

But I'm sure, I'm sure we all

could if we really needed to.

541

:

I like the idea of simplifying.

542

:

I've been chatting to a lot of my friends

about, having less, just generally

543

:

not just clothes, but having less.

544

:

And especially when you've got

kids and you've got so much in the

545

:

mental and physical load of that

and having less in your house.

546

:

So I like the idea of having less.

547

:

So the idea of a capsule wardrobe

kind of entices me with that.

548

:

But I think in practice I would

find it a little bit, restrictive.

549

:

Chryssius: That makes total sense.

550

:

I have absolutely loved chatting

with you, Sarah Jane, thank you so

551

:

much for sharing your passion and

insights with us around all things

552

:

vintage and sustainable wardrobes.

553

:

It's been an absolute pleasure

having you on Reloved Radio.

554

:

Before we say goodbye, did you

want to let our listeners know

555

:

where they can find you online?

556

:

Sarah-Jayne: Yeah, thanks Chrissy.

557

:

I've enjoyed this so much.

558

:

My handle is at disco,

D-I-S-C-O, underscore vintage.

559

:

So come say hi.

560

:

I'd love to meet you and have a chat.

561

:

If anyone wants a Disco Box, let me know.

562

:

I can do it to pretty much any budget.

563

:

Sarah-Jane: The joy, I get from,, people's

feedback from Disco Boxes, . you know,

564

:

just the appreciation of the time and

effort and the items that they probably

565

:

would never have found themselves.

566

:

, just because op-shops are a lucky dip,

567

:

you know, so

568

:

I take all the best parts of the lucky

dip and put them into a box and send

569

:

them to well into a satchel because

it's cheaper postage, actually.

570

:

Hot tip: I have to warn people that,.

571

:

um, I've called them a Disco box, but I

can get way more into an Auspost satchel,

572

:

an extra large satchel than I can get into

a box and it's cheaper for you to be sent.

573

:

Chryssius: And let's be honest, disco

Box does sound way better than Disco Bag

574

:

Sarah-Jane: I know, yeah, that, that

brings like a really funny, um, image

575

:

of like some sort of very old lady

in a disco, like past her prime,

576

:

like who is even past her prime.

577

:

What's your prime?

578

:

That's bullshit.

579

:

Anyway, you can just, it reminds

me of that character in Studio 54.

580

:

The Older Lady and she eventually dies

by overdosing from drugs at the Disco

581

:

She was so happy.

582

:

And she's always wearing like sequinned

play, um, jumpsuits and stuff.

583

:

It kind of reminds me of her.

584

:

I look, I wouldn't mind

being a disco bag in a way.

585

:

Chryssius: I still think you

should keep the name as Disco Box.

586

:

Sarah-Jane: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

587

:

Totally edit this out.

588

:

edit this out

589

:

Chryssius: I'll

590

:

.

Thanks for listening to Reloved Radio.

591

:

You can find the show notes

for today's episode on the

592

:

website, www.relovedradio.com.au.

593

:

And that's also where you can download

all my best sustainable shopping secrets.

594

:

There's 45 of them, they're free,

and they'll walk you through exactly

595

:

how to shop secondhand or like a pro.

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube