Her Style is a bi-weekly article on Southern New Yorker, showcasing one fashionable woman styling a current trend of her choice, accompanied by an interview with her on fashion, beauty, career, and more!

I first met Courtney at a Teenvouge event for a beauty brand. The music was loud, the place was packed, and the room was stuffed full of beautiful young women from sixteen to twenty five, all of who were dressed to the nines and chatting in thier circles. I was first struck by her warm personailty as well as incredible sense of style, and I knew we would connect when we both reached for the mini sliders on a passed h'orderves tray which no one else had even looked at.

Since then I’ve had the pleasure of running into her at fashion events around New York, and when I first conceived the idea of a series devoted to showcasing the unique style and viewpoint of all the women I know, Courtney was on the first list I compiled.

So without further adieu, I am thrilled to introduce you to Courtney Lyons, and publish her words on style, sustainability, and beyond

Tell us about you!

Hi! Well, I am Courtney Lyons and I’m originally from New York! I grew up just outside the city in Rye, New York. I am a junior at Barnard College, which is the women’s college of Columbia University. I am a history major focusing on my own independent concentration of global trade and consumer culture. I feel very fortunate to have been so close to NYC all of my life because it has really allowed me to explore my love of fashion! I started my blog Lyons Feel when I was a freshman in high school and since then I have been lucky enough to work with some of my favorite brands and attend NYFW. In addition to my work on my blog, I also spent this past year interning at Rent the Runway, where I helped to work on their college marketing platform. 

How would you describe your style?

My style is hard to describe because I feel like it changes on a day to day basis. My outfits are based on whatever I feel like wearing (get it? Lyons Feel). I guess if I had to use one word it would be “eclectic," as I am drawn to different pieces of clothing that stand out! I like bright colors and interesting silhouettes as well as timeless classic pieces. Think Carrie Bradshaw meets Princess Diana meets Harry Styles, if you will.

What is sustainable fashion, and why is it important to you? 

To me, sustainable fashion is the practice of buying and consuming clothing in a thoughtful and conscious manner. Sustainable fashion is more than just a “trend,” it is a movement that is necessary for our planet! I’m an Environmental Science minor and I’ve learned too much about the negative impact that fast fashion has on both the planet to pretend like it isn’t a pressing issue.

When it comes to sustainable fashion,  I enjoy being able to provide simple tips for my peers to help them be more conscious! I never want to shame people for where they shop- that is not what I do. Often, people fail to recognize the level of privilege involved in acquiring a seemingly “sustainable” closet full of Reformation and Everlane. Rather, I want to encourage people to cherish the garments they have already and move away from the "throw away” fashion culture that exists. In my blog posts, I will often call out garments from Zara that I bought in middle school and still make use of today, displaying an alternative form of sustainability. 

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What are some good places to shop sustainable fashion? 

I try to always find something I already own in my closet, BUT when I do shop (and boy do I love to shop) I tend to go thrifting! I know this has become such a cliche trend, but for good reason! I reliably find one-of-a-kind and high quality pieces at places like Beacon’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, L Train Vintage, and Goodwill! I also love E-thrifting! Depop and The RealReal are nice and user friendly, but I prefer the hunt/ bidding process of Ebay and Poshmark- I usually find better deals! Also, I have to mention Rent the Runway as a more sustainable option to fast fashion! RTR is a great way to have quickly the latest designer trends when you want them, without having to to shop for knockoffs at places H&M, Zara, or Forever 21.

What’s something you’re excited about right now? 

I just moved to Rome to study here for the semester so I am very excited about that! I can’t wait to explore Europe and learn from all of the stylish Italian women I see on the streets. I also think that thrifting here will be a fun experience and I can't wait to try! However, I didn’t leave a lot of room in my suitcase….

I hope you loved seeing how Courtney and I styled sustainable clothing, and learning more about her! If you want Her Style delivered to your inbox, you can get it here!

xoxo,

Audra