INTERVIEW #77 SCARLETT BAYLIS

Name: Scarlett Baylis

Based in: Kent, England 

Occupation: I deliver letters and parcels for Royal Mail postal service.

Get inspired by: Old photos of women in the 1950s and 1960s! 

Why we love her: I didn’t think it was possible, but Scarlett and her beautiful femme-fatal style makes me feel nostalgic even though I didn’t even exist during those years. She’s a fresh (and sustainable) breeze in your feed, among so many people/profiles looking exactly the same following the exact same trends. You don’t even need to share her taste when it comes to style and expression, you’ll be inspired regardless!

 Hi Scarlett! We’re so happy to have you and your amazing, unique style featured here! Tell us about yourself? 

I’m a 23 year old post lady living in England, currently renovating my first home with my boyfriend, in hopes of turning it into a vintage mid century dream! I enjoy dancing to 50s/60s music and frequent many events over the country that entertain my interests. I love everything about vintage and preloved things, they tell such stories that fast fashion and homeware could never tell! 

What’s your relationship with clothes and style, and when did that strong relationship start? 

By day I wear a work uniform and struggle to express myself in it so to be able to collect unique clothing that’s sometimes one of a kind is a huge confidence boost. I’ve always been slightly obsessed with clothes even before I developed a style so to speak but I’ve probably been collecting vintage for 10 years now. 

How would you describe your style, and where or whom do you get most of your inspiration from?

My style over the years has definitely changed into more sophisticated fashion of the 50s. When I was a teenager I was massively into 60s mod culture and wore quite androgynous vintage clothing with a very short Bob but as I’ve got older I’d say it’s more 50s femme fatal. 

  Which vintage shops are your favorites? 

Personally where I live, there aren’t many physical vintage shops at all and so I’m a bit of an ebay addict! Etsy is also a top favourite, I usually spend hours scouring the internet to try and find bargains (few and far between these days). 

How would you describe your closet?

Leopard, black and green. I wouldn’t particularly say it was very brightly coloured as I do favour browns, and greens a lot as well as being a fan of vintage leopard prints. I’m also a sucker for vintage sparkly lurex. 

What is a sustainable closet for you? 

A sustainable closet to me is breathing life back into clothes that have partied with others! I always wonder who bought this first and why or where was it worn, and how much did they buy it for! It’s making use of what has already been made, that is in perfectly usable condition to create far more unique looks than you could ever find off the rack in the high street! It’s reducing the waste we create by recycling clothes and giving them a new purpose! 

What do you think about the fashion industry? 

Although I feel more people are becoming sustainable buyers, there’s still so many people out there driven by the brands and constant desire to wear what’s new and “in”. When I was at school I hated being the same and the thought of buying something that everyone else had grossed me out! People’s self consciousness blinds them and so they feel obliged to wear what everyone else wears and that makes fast fashion so successful still. It targets those who have been made to think it’s easier to buy what’s on trend rather than be unique and different. I see the industry at the moment bringing back looks and making them popular but that fuels the idea of buying cheap and still being quirky, when due to mass production and poor quality, it’s not quirky at all. 

What do you believe needs to change?

I believe people need to be more aware of how amazing buying vintage and secondhand clothing can be! Instead of viewing it as “oh someone else has worn that” view it as “wow someone else has worn that!”. Things were made to last 60, 50 years ago and they stand the test of time! Quality and sustainability over the desire to keep up with what’s new, ridiculously expensive and disposable. 

What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?

Definitely do not throw clothes you deem unsustainable out! Use them as the first step to becoming sustainable by keeping them if desired, donate them or sell them. Throwing them away because they may be fast fashion is entertaining a throw away culture! And if you want to expand your closet, buy second hand! Thrift, trade, reuse! Or alternatively, buy from independent clothing companies who create clothing with love and care that are far better quality than the high street brands we see all the time! They are produced on a much smaller level and  if they’re local even better, as you reduce your carbon footprint! Promote slow fashion!