Gayle Poppers, founder of luxury resale boutique The Sustainable Studio, knows the value of a forever piece: she has built a career in sourcing the best pre-loved fashion buys, giving them a new lease of life. “Over the years, I wasn’t able to afford splashing out on big purchases and it’s actually where my love for buying pre-loved pieces started – from not being able to afford new season designer clothing,” she says. For Poppers, style is a little less about following trends, more about going with your gut instinct. “Despite working in fashion for a long time, I don’t tend to ‘follow fashion’ as such, and have always just worn what I love, and what I feel good in. Personally, I believe that is the key to being ‘stylish’. My stance on fashion is to enjoy it, and to be true to yourself,” she says. See some of Poppers’ most cherished wardrobe finds below. 

My favourite fashion piece I own right now is my Louis Vuitton Petit Noé bag. I just love how it elevates even a simple outfit and adds a touch of luxury to whatever I’m wearing. The vintage look of this particular bag gives it a boho edge, which I love, along with the add-on crossbody strap, making it a little different.  

My wardrobe holds a lot of sentimental value. I am terrible for holding onto pieces, mainly because I tend to buy well-made, good quality clothing, and also because of the specific memories I attach to different outfits; from a vintage 1970s Pucci dress which was my grandmother’s, to a simple high street dress I wore on my first date with my other half, to the dress I wore as my best friend’s bridesmaid. I often wear a belt that was my mum’s, which she bought in Mexico when travelling in her twenties. I love mixing vintage pieces like this with more contemporary designer items.

The most recent item I bought is a Bastyan wool coat, from my own shop, as I loved it so much. I know the idea of business is probably not to be your own best customer! But the cut and shape of it is so classic and timeless; it’s a real wardrobe staple which I know I will have for a long time – well-made designer items not only look better, but they inevitably last longer, too.

The best bargain I own is my silk Diane Von Furstenberg dress, which I found in a charity shop for a tenner a few years ago. It is so versatile, and feels so good to wear. I’ve worn it in high-summer heat, with sandals, and in the winter with leggings and boots. 

The piece that has paid for itself in cost per wear is my All Saints leather jacket. You can’t beat a good leather jacket: it will change the mood of an outfit in an instant, and can be worn in practically any season, with everything from comfy casuals to occasion wear. I think buying real leather over faux leather is a better investment, as it lasts so much longer.

My favourite places for finding hidden gems are definitely charity shops. Rooting through charity shops is not for everyone but I have a talent for finding things. I love the amazing thrill of searching and finding something unique and covetable, that can be reborn with specialist cleaning or maybe a simple alteration.

I guess my least ‘fashionable’ item would be my Spanx high-waisted leggings, which (as my daughter told me!) I wear nearly every day. They’re just so comfortable and flattering, and can be worn with anything really. 

I never leave the house without my jewellery, and am currently loving my multi-chain Chanel piece, which is part of my upcycled jewellery collection at The Sustainable Studio. I have always felt something is missing if I don’t have a few pieces of jewellery on – it really helps to elevate an understated outfit.

Currently, I’m eyeing up a ‘New York, Milan … Galway …’ sweatshirt from Irish designer Begley & Bowie. The brand creates such fun colourful pieces and I like to support local Irish production too; we have a great design and creative sector here, and amazing textiles and manufacturers. On the handbag front, a Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag in Damier Azur would be both practical and desirable, I reckon. I am hoping to add one of those to my personal collection soon.

I have a pair of cowboy boots for nearly 20 years now, which I bought in LA when I was travelling. These boots caused me to nearly miss my flight from LAX, as I was so determined to buy an authentic pair of American cowboy boots. My friend brought me to a shop on the morning before my flight and, because of all the deliberation, I was late to get to the airport. I will never forget running through the airport, breathless, as my name was being called for the flight, with the newly purchased boots in my hand! I don’t wear them so much anymore, but I love them, as they will always represent my adventurous side, and still, 20 years later, are in perfect condition.

Follow Gayle Poppers on Instagram (@the_sustainablestudio) here. Got a wardrobe worth sharing? Send yours to digital@thegloss.ie.