Build a sustainable wardrobe by ‘shopping your closet’ – and buy second-hand when that’s not enough, says stylist

When fashion stylist Alyssa Beltempo wants to buy new clothes, she first heads to her closet to review what she has – it helps her reduce her consumption

She explains how she styles someone sustainably, why second-hand is the way to go, what qualities to look for in a brand and how to take part in ‘slow fashion’

Reading Time:4 minutes

Sustainable fashion stylist Alyssa Beltempo explains why shopping your own clothes helps to reduce consumption and contributes to “slow fashion”.

Published: 6:15pm, 1 Oct 2022

Alyssa Beltempo loves clothes. The 37-year-old Canadian left her job in finance to work in fashion eight years ago, and has not looked back since.

But when Beltempo wants to buy a new item, she does not immediately drive to her local shopping centre or browse online. First, she heads over to her wardrobe to shop.

Two years into her career as a freelance wardrobe stylist and luxury boutique manager, she was asked to do a presentation on “shopping your closet” – wearing clothes you own before purchasing new items – and something changed.

“I realised, wait a minute. This is what I do. I shop my closet now. My consumption has reduced. It was through that presentation that I did a bit of research,” she says.

Beltempo believes taking stock of your clothing before you shop inspires you to be more creative with fashion.

For the past six years, Beltempo has worked as a sustainable fashion stylist and “slow fashion” expert. She hosts interactive live events where viewers watch her tour a guest’s wardrobe and create new looks. She also offers one-on-one virtual styling and promises clients that she will “change the way you see your closet” on her website.

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