Gaby Roslin on her love of high street shopping, embracing colour and trying something new
It’s a dark and gloomy morning when I pick up the phone to chat to Gaby Roslin. And, if there’s anyone that can inject some joy and vibrancy into such a day, it’s the presenter, podcast host and wardrobe influencer extraordinaire. “I’m all about adding colour to lift our spirits!” she shouts, enthusiastically. “Never be afraid to try it!”
To celebrate Gaby's monumental “#shoppinginyourwardrobe” movement on Instagram (which sees her encourage people to look in their wardrobes for clothes to re-use and re-purpose) – and to mark her partnership with leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, throughout the month of March – the star chatted with Good Housekeeping to tell us all about her love of clothing, making sustainable choices and why we should never be afraid to try something new. She also shared her top tips to help add new life into any wardrobe...
Can you tell us about your journey with re-using and re-purposing your clothes?
It started a few years ago. I was really shocked by the hard sell that I was seeing on social media for clothing, especially given the fact that none of us have the kind of money to shop for new clothes constantly and knowing the implication that fast fashion has on the planet.
So, I started thinking about the best way I could use what I already have. We all want something new, yet we often forget about the clothes we already have in our wardrobes. This is why I started my “shoppinginyourwardrobe” hashtag on Instagram. We all need to wear things more than once, so I started matching up new pieces with old items I found in my wardrobe to create different and colourful looks. For example, I have a mini dress that I wore years ago and still have in my wardrobe. I’d never wear a mini dress now, so instead I regularly wear it tucked into a pair of jeans. People are always asking me where it’s from!
When shopping for new clothes, how do you keep sustainability in mind?
I love shopping – especially on the high street. So, I always look to buy something I can add to another outfit and do lots of things with. I recently bought a bright orange, knitted V-neck tank top which I’ll wear over an old shirt to add a bright colour to a look that I already have.
I also never buy anything as a quick fix – I always buy something that I know will be an investment. This doesn’t mean it has to be expensive – I love looking for new clothes in Zara, H&M and Uniqlo – but it’s an investment as I’ll wear it with loads of clothes I already have.
How do you incorporate charity shop finds and vintage buys into your wardrobe?
I’m always donating to and shopping in charity shops as it’s a great way to support causes that are close to my heart, like Marie Curie. In fact, I see shopping in charity shops as a triple whammy, as you’re buying something new, saving an item from going to landfill and giving to charity! I have a gorgeous blouse from a charity shop that I love wearing under dungarees to jazz up my look, rather than typically pairing them with a short-sleeve top.
I also love vintage shopping. I have a 1970s leather jacket that I bought in a second-hand shop in New York 25 years ago – and I still wear it all the time. It's great to see that my two daughters love to shop in my wardrobe too; I'm thrilled when they choose to re-wear outfits that I've kept from years previously.
Gaby Roslin's top wardrobe tips:
The presenter shares five wardrobe mantras to live by...
Make it an investment
Only buy something that you'll wear again. If there's a trend for blue metallic trousers and you know you'll only wear them once, then avoid buying and look for something you can wear time and time again.
Use a rental service
If you have a big event coming up, like a wedding, and you want a whole new look — consider using a rental platform. This is a more sustainable choice and will probably save you money, too.
Re-purpose old looks
Think about how you can re-purpose the clothes you already have. Try wearing something the wrong way around, like taking a dress with a zip at the back and wearing the zip at the front. This will give your current clothes a whole new look. You can try experimenting with things like cutting sleeves off long-sleeve dresses, too, to give your clothes a different look.
Embrace colour
Colour is everything — it lifts our spirits and other people's. If you normally match black trousers with a black jacket, try adding a pop of pink or something bright underneath.
Try something new
Never be afraid to try something new. Don't be scared to wear your old jeans and don't be afraid to match different patterns and colours. It's all about what makes you happy, not what other people think.
Gaby Roslin is supporting Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. Every five minutes someone in the UK dies without the care and support they need. Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal encourages people to donate and wear a daffodil this March to support the charity’s nurses, doctors, and hospice staff as well its Information and Support Line, which provides a listening ear or practical support with all aspects of death, dying and bereavement. It’s time to make a difference so Marie Curie can continue to help people get the vital care and support they urgently need.
For information and to donate visit the Marie Curie website HERE
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