WORDS BY: DANIQUE VAN LEEUWENSTIJN
As her Instagram handle suggests, Noor de Groot, aka @queenofjetlags, is big on travel. That is until 2020 hit and the Dutch lifestyle blogger found herself grounded in Amsterdam. Her Insta-scape changed from far-flung locations too, like so many of us, the home. Her style shifted, too, from glamorous going-out-wear to comfortable classics and elevated essentials: think cosy athleisure for winter walks and luxe loungewear for unhurried mornings.
With less of a jet-set schedule to navigate, de Groot decided to use this newfound downtime to take stock of what’s important. Her conclusions? First, family: she’s mother to four-year-old Olivia and stepmother to 13-year-old Bibi, and recently got engaged to her fiancé, Dutch DJ and record producer Sander Kleinenberg (who proposed in November in a uber-romantic, fairy-lit outdoor setting).
Secondly, de Groot is prioritising sustainability. Her 729K+ followers have grown to expect an expert edit of style and trends from her social media platform, so promoting an eco-conscious approach is bound to have a positive wider influence. She’s already making good use of FARFETCH’s Fashion Footprint Tool to calculate her environmental savings — shopping pre-owned rather than new pieces save on average 12.1kg in carbon.
‘I love it when FARFETCH uploads pieces with the ‘pre-owned’ tag,’ she says, advocating for ‘small steps to make a big difference towards a more sustainable fashion future.’ She also looks to Positively FARFETCH for inspiration on conscious brands. We sat down with de Groot to talk about her commitment to buying less and buying better, her latest pre-loved designer finds, her favourite vintage classics and advice on how to shop fashion more sustainably.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
In recent years, I have become a lot more conscious about sustainable fashion; I pay much more attention to the processes involved in making, selling and wearing products. The fashion industry has an enormous environmental impact, so it is definitely worth changing your perspective. I feel the need to take responsibility and invest in pieces that last longer.
My goal is to elevate my wardrobe with unique, conscious and sustainable pieces. I love it when FARFETCH uploads pieces with the ‘pre-owned’ tag, such as my Fendi Baguette bag or Givenchy sunglasses. Small steps make a big difference towards a more sustainable fashion future.
What are your favourite conscious brands?
I often take a look at the ‘Positively FARFETCH’ page for inspiration, as sometimes I think it’s difficult to know exactly where to look for conscious brands. Luckily, FARFETCH really helps me find the best sustainable fashion pieces. Recently, I got my hands on this amazing denim from Agolde, made from 100% organic cotton.
I love brands that are investing in reducing the environmental impact of fashion and making strong sustainability commitments. Some of my favourites include iconic names such as Ganni, Stella McCartney and Christian Dior.
What are your top tips for shopping pre-owned items?
I would like to inspire fashion lovers to shop pre-owned items whenever they are on the hunt for something new. Shopping pre-loved items is like a treasure hunt; you will most probably find unique and limited-edition pieces, exclusive designs and retro items.
My first tip is to take your time; go through items one by one. My second tip is to always check the quality of pre-owned items, it’s worth noting that they can have small imperfections. Another important tip is to use your imagination to keep the look fresh – pair your vintage item with newer pieces, combine old trends with more recent ones. Be savvy about sizing, too.
Last but not least, always double-check the credibility of the seller. I always use FARFETCH for shopping pre-owned items, it’s trustworthy and has the ultimate selection of pieces.
What’s the best vintage/pre-owned piece you’ve ever bought?
My Dior monogram bag is definitely my top vintage purchase. I take it everywhere with me, whether I’m travelling or just in Amsterdam. It complements every outfit and literally turns heads. I’m hoping my pre-owned Fendi Baguette bag from FARFETCH will work the same magic! Classics never lets me down; I can’t wait to style the Fendi with my favourite outfits for the upcoming seasons.
One day, I would love to pass my collection of vintage pieces on to my daughters. Bibi, my stepdaughter, is already wearing and loving the vintage Dior bag and I am so excited to see her re-love, re-style and re-create outfits with it.
What’s your best advice for shopping more consciously?
I am still learning myself, but one of the most important lessons for me was to take a look at my own closet: the most sustainable item is the one you already own. Another good starting point is to gain an understanding of the conscious steps being taken by brands you’re already familiar with, from their production process to the product afterlife.
I think everybody can make a difference with their fashion choices, regardless of time or money. Try to invest in pieces with longevity and avoid buying statement or trend-led pieces that you’re only likely to wear once. In other words, create a capsule wardrobe with versatile pieces that will work all-year-round. A quote to live by: ‘Buy better and buy less.’
You can shop Noor's FARFETCH edit here.