Ambassador Spotlight Series

with Amanda

Amanda is one of the Ambassadors in our program, the Worn Well Collective. We are so thrilled and honored to be working with her and so many other talented creators in the slow and ethical fashion niche. Shop Amanda's looks and enjoy her story!

Name: Amanda Shamblin

Intro: Hi loves, I’m Amanda. I’ve spent the last decade raising our five children at home and recently stepped into the classroom as a preschool teaching assistant. My family and I live in a little blue house by the river with our two kitties. We love to be on the water. We are National park fanatics. And we love exploring new cities. You will often find us tent camping our way around the country. I, personally, enjoy creating community, especially with women, as a Jesus feminist. I love talking about the deep stuff and sharing in the nitty-gritty of life.

City: Gallipolis

IG Handle: @littlerivermama

How would you describe your personal style?

Style is fluid. How I dress depends on how I feel or who I want to be that day. A form of self-expression. Most days I land somewhere between modern folk with those bohemian vibes and a cozy minimalist.

What are your current hobbies, projects, or things you’re learning?

During the warmer months, you will likely find me walking barefoot in our backyard and tending to our garden with my family. In the quiet moments, you can unearth me digging into history, particularly how it connects to religion and today’s culture. And you can almost always catch me daydreaming about my newest home design inspiration and project I’ve now cooked up.

How would you describe your personal style?

What are your current hobbies, projects, or things you’re learning?

What got you started in the slow, sustainable, and ethical fashion niche?

Years ago I was introduced to the slow fashion house, Elizabeth Suzann, who changed the way I viewed clothing—challenging the status quo of dressing to be “flattering,” the struggle of size inclusivity, the textile waste epidemic and the threat of fast fashion. I was beyond honored to be a part of their Diversity Campaign a few years ago modeling their beautiful pieces in their Nashville studio.

What is your favorite Tradlands piece and why?

Tradlands came out with a French Terry sweatshirt years ago, I grabbed one in a classic grey, and it has been worn to holes but it’s still a favorite of mine for sure. I currently find myself reaching for my gingham Chalet dress over and over, as well as my two Cottage Crewneck sweaters and we can’t forget about the Shelter cardigan—I love it in birch!

What is your favorite Tradlands piece and why?

What are your fashion/style/lifestyle influences or inspiration?

Anything from the Olsen’s. They can do no wrong. Pinterest is my go-to for everyday style inspo. I particularly love finding straight-sized street style and recreating it on my curvy body (#supersizethelook). I also find so much inspiration from Sienna Miller’s eclectic style. And, of course, there are so many ladies on the gram I find inspiring—Julie O’Rourke, Sarah Shabacon, Jessie Bush and Beatrice Valenzuela, to name just a few.

What advice would you give to someone looking to join or learn more about the slow/ethical/responsible fashion niche as motivation or reassurance?

The top ten things I have learned from having a mostly ethical, capsule wardrobe as a stay at home mom to five on a strict family budget:

1. My taste and the trends change. often. (I stopped believing "this piece will last ME a lifetime." But it may last "someone" a lifetime if it’s a high quality piece, and that's still good.)

2. Having only "basic" pieces bored me, so find brands that offer what aligns with your style. Balance your basics with special, statement pieces for a wardrobe that keeps things interesting.

3. Do not need try to imitate someone else's entire wardrobe. Make it your own or nothing will ever feel like “you.”

4. If you invest in quality pieces, they typically hold a high resale value which will help fund purchases in the future, making it much more budget friendly.

5. If you purchase quality pieces and wear them a lot over a short period of time, they will continue to have lots of life left in them if/when you choose to resell. Natural fibers and well-made matters!

6. It’s okay to still wear your fast fashion pieces from your past if you still love them. Actually, please do.

7. I almost always regret impulse buys—especially fast fashion ones.

8. Taking time to save for new (ethically-made and often higher priced) garments gives me time to evaluate if I really want something or not.

9. Being a mom to five kids and wearing pricier clothing can become a real heartbreaker when something happens to them, so also learn how to care properly for your garments and make time to do so.

10. Thrift and shop secondhand whenever possible!

What other projects or things are you looking forward to this year?

I often prefer not to set goals and just let things happen organically. Less about “the hustle” and more about the authenticity of the journey, BUT I am looking forward to a few upcoming house projects, as well as a summer camping trip, also a recent article I was interviewed for, and I’m looking at some exciting collaborations this year. I kinda love not knowing where the year can take me, though, and being surprised by all the good stuff along the way.