I'm a granola girl - the trend that's changed everything

My exclusive autumn/winter look book!

Hello, I’m Molly, a full time creator based in the Scottish Highlands. Subscribers can enjoy weekly posts around the themes of slow living, thriving in a creative career, books & nature. Members get access to ALL my content, including video tea times, slow scrolls of all my favourites and seasonal book reviews.

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I remember the photo being taken. My 3 brothers and I were posing by the sunflowers we had grown, back when we lived in the Peak District. These were some impressive blooms, so I have decided to dress up for the occasion.

At the age of 14, this meant only one thing. My favourite 'hippy skirt’, worn at the hips and paired with a zip up fleece (obviously) and my beloved woven hat, that was adorned with sequins that sparkled in the sun.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, this entire outfit was unashamedly pink.

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I’m not sure when I started really thinking about what I was wearing. Growing up with 3 brothers, whose clothes would only get ripped and stained, I felt I was a little late to the ‘girlie’ party.

This was compounded by the fact that I was home-educated from the age of 13, so I had a limited number of peers to compare fashion notes with.

However, like most teens, I slowly started to become conscious of what I was wearing. I inhaled magazines, cutting out images of outfits I’d aspire to and try and recreate them with charity shop finds.

There was an innocence to this time. I was sheltered from peer pressure, so could really use clothing as a way to explore my creativity.

As we lived rurally, I bought a substantial number of my clothes from our local charity shops, alongside our much visited ‘hippy dippy’ shops, where the clothing always smelt of incense. One of my favourite items was a vintage dress I picked up from an antique shop. It was clearly handmade, sewn from floral fabric in a shift cut, with clear glass buttons all down the front.

I never felt that I was missing out and loved that my clothing came with a story.

That was until I turned 18 and left for university, where everything changed.

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It was my first ever night at a club and, within seconds, I knew I had gotten my outfit very wrong.

My ‘long top over jeans’ look didn’t gel with the tight bodycon dresses that it felt like every other girl was wearing. I ended up feeling drab against these ‘proper’ grown ups.

From that point, my style shifted to whatever happened to be in the high-street shops. I stopped visiting charity shops. Why would I when I could get something just as cheaply from Primark? It didn’t matter that these items would only survive a handful of washes. I would only want to wear them once or twice anyway.

The next shift in my style came when I started pursuing my career in wildlife conservation. Again, I felt out of place. Even my ‘dressed-down’ look felt too glam for this outdoorsy setting.

So I learnt to blend in. Hide my body in fleeces and walking trousers with multiple pockets. Always erring on the side of practical.

My style evolution…

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Then, a couple of years later, I stumbled upon my first minimalist capsule wardrobe tour on YouTube. And I was hooked.

This was the simplicity I had been craving. I was sick of my wardrobe being stuffed with fast fashion items. Tiny dresses and skirts that no longer matched my lifestyle.

I stripped my wardrobe down to the bare minimum and, slowly, after careful consideration, started to build it up again. This time with items from sustainable brands with the occasional second hand buy. I chose items from a small range of colours and avoided patterns, so they all fit a cohesive look. Dressing became far simpler, and I was proud that my wardrobe now fit my values.

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Now I’m in my 30’s, if there is one thing I have learnt its that our style never remains static.

Its a fluid, living thing that’s impacted by so many factors, whether that be our personal taste or our lifestyle choices. And that’s ok.

So when I started to feel dissatisfied with my clothing again, I didn’t push the thoughts away. Nor did I start a massive overhaul or hit the shops. I listened and was patient. I knew the answers would come to me in time.

Enter my granola girl era.

This is a trend that I again stumbled upon, this time on Pinterest.

Think well-worn sweaters, colourful chunky fleeces, earthy-toned leggings, scuffed walking boots and handmade jewellery. Essentially, this style combines everything I love, from my hippy roots to my outdoorsy lifestyle.

But this trend goes far deeper than a superficial aesthetic. Being a granola girl means you are someone who strives to live a kinder and eco-conscious life. The foundation of this look is that the vast majority of clothing is second hand, and will be worn to death (before being carefully recycled). It is the opposite of the fast fashion throwaway culture that I have spent years moving away from.

So, rather than being ashamed of my day to day fleece and leggings look, I’ve learnt to embrace it. My clothing can be practical and fun.

I’ve let go my fear of colour and brought more warm tones into my wardrobe, with even the odd pattern or two. All of which I have bought second hand.

My wardrobe is still minimal, but its a far cry from the idealised ‘capsule wardrobe’ you see online.

Its perfectly and uniquely me.

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I’ve learnt that I will never fit exactly into one aesthetic. Instead, my wardrobe will be curated with thoughtful pieces that I love at the time.

I’ve re-found the creativity of my teens and its brought me so much joy.

My autumn/winter look book

With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to share my refreshed autumn/winter video look book. These are some of my favourite outfits that I can’t wait to wear now we are getting into the colder months.

Most our second hand (from Vinted or charity shops), but I will link any pieces or brands I can below the video.

Enjoy!

Psst..if you would like more outfit inspo, make sure to sign up to my membership to get my monthly slow scroll, which is a round up of all my favourites, including a video outfit of the month. We’d love to have you!

Links

Outfit 1

• Fleece - Vinted (Urban Outfiters)

• Jeans - Vinted (Everlane)

• Belt - Wills Vegan Store

• Boots - Vivaia* (use code MOLLY12 for 12% discount)

• Bag - Vinted (Uniqlo)

• Hat - Pachamama

Outfit 2

• T-shirt - Organic Basics* (use code HIPPYXOB for 15% discount)

• Shirt - Charity shop (Fatface)

• Necklace - Etsy (gift from friend)

• Leggings - Marks and Spencer

• Hat - Passenger

• Coat - Freedom Trail (Go Outdoors)

Outfit 3

• Dress - charity shop (maybe Mountain Warehouse?)

• Socks - Finisterre

• Fleece jacket - charity shop (Zara Mens)

• Scrunchie - Etsy

Outfit 4

• Turtleneck - charity shop (Papaya)

• Pinafore - Vinted (Lucy and Yak)

• Trainers* - Vivaia

• Tote bag - Waterstones

• Scrunchie - gift from friend

Outfit 5

• Fleece - Vinted (Fatface)

• Slippers - Passenger

*item gifted from brand.

I’d love some feedback, so let me know if you would enjoy posts like this i.e., sustainable outfit inspo? Let me know in the comments!

Until next week,

Molly xx

Want more

Then you may also want to watch this cosy tea time, where I dive deep into how I’ve curated my sustainable capsule wardrobe. Tea is recommended but not obligatory!

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