Ambassador Spotlight Series
with Kayla
Kayla 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 Kayla's looks and enjoy her story!
Name: Kayla Jean Pearson
Intro: Hey y’all! My name is Kayla Jean. I live in Island Lake, IL in a lil cape cod style home with my partner, Mike, our three cats and two rabbits. If you can’t already tell, I’m a huge animal lover. I work full time at an animal hospital where I do reception and social media (aka I get to take all the cute puppy pics). I’m so honored to be a part of the Tradlands ambassador team and excited for you all to learn a little more about me!
City: Island Lake, IL
IG Handle: @lazyy.jean
How would you describe your personal style?
Vintage-inspired. Easygoing. I enjoy the dichotomy between rugged, workwear-inspired pieces and more light/flowy pieces. Also, I have a huge focus on being comfortable and cozy in whatever I’m wearing. My personal style is constantly evolving as I gain inspiration from the lovely community of people that I surround myself with!
What are your current hobbies, projects, or things you’re learning?
Currently I have been trying to spend more time in nature. I have a state park near my house that I try to go to at least once a week on my day off work. It has become somewhat of a hobby to identify and learn about the different plant and animal species that I run into. It’s also really nice to be out in nature and has helped me practice more mindfulness in my daily life.
How would you describe your personal style?
Vintage-inspired. Easygoing. I enjoy the dichotomy between rugged, workwear-inspired pieces and more light/flowy pieces. Also, I have a huge focus on being comfortable and cozy in whatever I’m wearing. My personal style is constantly evolving as I gain inspiration from the lovely community of people that I surround myself with!
What are your current hobbies, projects, or things you’re learning?
Currently I have been trying to spend more time in nature. I have a state park near my house that I try to go to at least once a week on my day off work. It has become somewhat of a hobby to identify and learn about the different plant and animal species that I run into. It’s also really nice to be out in nature and has helped me practice more mindfulness in my daily life.
What got you started in the slow, sustainable, and ethical fashion niche?
Growing up, my father was quite the thrifty guy. I wore pretty much nothing but hand-me-downs from my older brother or the occasional Abercrombie shirt that I scored at the thrift store. Fast forward to college- I was living in Chicago away from my dad and had the freedom to shop wherever I wanted. I was going to *insert fast fashion store here, y'all know who they are* on a regular basis. They were cheap and trendy; a college gal’s dream.
As I started to learn more about sustainability in my classes (I obtained my bachelor’s in Environmental Studies) I realized that items that are mass-produced, while generally lower in price, have a higher cost when it comes to their environmental impact. I worked to consciously reframe my relationship with clothing and started to value and incorporate more sustainably made pieces into my wardrobe, a lot of which I still have now! I also gained a newfound appreciation for thrifting and now see it as something that really connects my father and I.
What is your favorite Tradlands piece and why?
This is so hard to pick! I am currently loving the Gingham Chalet Tiered dress. It’s the perfect transitional piece going into cooler weather. I’ve been layering it with my Monty Turtleneck underneath and some boots for a cozy fall look. I also am a huge fan of the chore coat. The new colors of the Chore Coat are definitely on my wish-list!
What is your favorite Tradlands piece and why?
This is so hard to pick! I am currently loving the Gingham Chalet Tiered dress. It’s the perfect transitional piece going into cooler weather. I’ve been layering it with my Monty Turtleneck underneath and some boots for a cozy fall look. I also am a huge fan of the chore coat. The new colors of the Chore Coat are definitely on my wish-list!
What advice would you give to someone looking to join or learn more about the slow/ethical/responsible fashion niche as motivation or reassurance?
Focus on what you CAN do. Sustainability and ethical fashion can seem like a daunting topic when you first get into it. When studying Environmental Studies I experienced a lot of imposter syndrome and often felt like I wasn’t doing enough or wasn’t living as sustainably as I could. It took me a long time to learn that you have to find a way for sustainability to fit your lifestyle. It’s okay not to be perfect when it comes to these things, just focus on doing what you can!
What other projects or things are you looking forward to this year?
My partner and I love going to estate sales, but sales slowed down/halted during COVID. I’m looking forward to when those pick back up and I can rummage through people’s stuff again! I’m also making it a goal to read more this year. We have a book club at my work that I am a member of. We read one book per month, but I want to use my additional spare time to read more so if you have any good book recommendations send ‘em my way!
Thank you so much, Kayla!
Check out more of her style and ethical fashion interviews on Instagram. Also feel free to support Kayla by using her link for 15% off your first purchase:
LAZYJEAN
Stay tuned for our next interview coming up soon. In the meantime, shop Kayla's style!
Shop Kayla's Style
Monty Turtleneck
Sienna
Chalet Tiered Dress
Black Gingham
Chore Coat
Clay