In Made in Chelsea, Millie Mackintosh was part of a glosse posse that never wore the same outfit twice and treated shopping as a kind of endurance sport. But as the mother of 18 month-old Sienna, and with another baby girl on the way, her buying decisions now revolve around whether or not a fabric is machine-washable. 'When you’ve got a young child and there’s constant spit up, reflux, milk, bodily fluids from somewhere, especially in the first few months with a newborn, [you need] things that can go in the wash a lot.'
Like so many of us, lockdown also gave her an opportunity to do a wardrobe cleanse; perfect timing as a new ambassador for TK Maxx's Give Up Clothes for Good, the year-round campaign encouraging people to donate a bag of pre-loved clothes, accessories and homewares to their local store to raise money for Cancer Research UK Children and Young People. 'We hold on to a lot of pieces because of an emotional attachment. If you’re not actually going to wear it again, it’s nice to let someone else make new memories in it,' says Mackintosh, who tries to do twice-yearly wardrobe cleanses, especially since motherhood, asking herself questions like, 'Am I realistically going to wear that again? Am I going to fit in it again? Does it still feel like me?'
As well as letting go of a lot of minidresses, Mackintosh says she's found a few choice pieces that will become future heirlooms for the couple's daughters. 'I have some beautiful pieces from a place called One Vintage. The owner collects different vintage pieces and sometimes they can’t be salvaged because they’re in quite bad condition so she’ll take the fabric from one dress and merge it with another. They’re really special, magical pieces that tell a story. I’ve definitely kept a couple of them wrapped in tissue for when [my daughters are] older.'
Sienna is already following in her mother's footsteps when it comes to fashion. She loves being involved in the ritual of getting ready, handing her mum shoes to try on and playing with her make-up, and, when dressed, is ready to show off. 'When you dress her up in an outfit, she goes to the pushchair! She wants to go out!' says Mackintosh.
When it comes to pregnancy, Mackintosh is adamant that you don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe that, ultimately, will get wasted. Apart from a few basics like over-the-bump leggings and maternity jeans, she's pretty much survived in diaphanous dresses (as well as staples made of knit and jersey) and, when the baby arrives, will switch to button-down tops and zip-up jumpsuits.
And if you do have a special occasion, Mackintosh recommends giving therental worlda whirl. ' For her daughter's recent christening, she rented a dress in two sizes up, a silk number with a high neck and balloon sleeves from Shona Joy via HURR. 'For a special occasion like a wedding or a christening, I’m going to take lots of photos. I feel like that dress has had its moment in a way. Maybe I would wear it again in a couple of years but that’s also not great when you’re trying not to hold on to too many things.Rentingis a really clever way around that,' she says.
Millie Mackintosh is supporting TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good in support of Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People.
SEE: The Best Fashion Rental And Second Hand Shopping Destinations
1 of 12Sign Of The Times
With more and more importance placed on shopping sustainably, if you're looking to buy and sell preloved designer clothing, bags, shoes and accessories, check out SOTT.
2 of 12DCEY
DCEY encourages customers to rent, mindfully shop and have access to environmentally sustainable products. Browse hundreds of styles from international brands such as Cult Gaia, Staud and Coperni.
3 of 12NTH Collective
An online community where users can buy and sell high quality pre-loved items. Unlike buying new sustainable clothing or renting new pieces of clothing for a night, the NTH collective lets customers buy and sell existing premium clothes, significantly reducing carbon, water and waste footprints as well as negative societal impacts.
4 of 12Hurr Collective
The UK's first peer-to-peer wardrobe rental platform. HURR COLLECTIVE is for members to rent and lend their wardrobes, making economic and environmental sense. From Chanel to Uterqüe, there's something for every price range.
5 of 12Endless Wardrobe
Rent, Wear, Return. ENDLESS WARDROBE allows you to tailor your rental time. Choose from a 4, 10 or 16-day rental period. And, for anyone that's a bit clumsy, amazingly, you won't be charged for damage or stains. Red wine is your friend again.
6 of 12Bagbutler
Take the first step towards sustainable fashion. Bagbutler specialises in handbags and accessories, giving you the opportunity to rent everything from Chanel bags to Dior jewellery.
7 of 12Rotaro
Rent, Reduce, Repeat. ROTARO's carefully curated selection of contemporary luxury designers work for multiple occasions, work events, holidays or as a platform to discover new brands... Designers include: Rixo, Ganni, Reformation, Cult Gaia, Cecilie Bahnsen and Stine Goya, with weekly product drops. Items cost between £15 for a 4 day loan and £80 for a 12 day period, with the option to extend. ROTARO also offer a try at home service, where you can choose two dresses and return the one you don't wear.
8 of 12FRONT ROW
#SeeItLoveItRentIt. FRONT ROW'S mission is to provide a lifestyle service that eliminates the age - old question "Will I ever wear this again?" Featuring up-and-comers and established favourites including Chanel, Fendi, Jenny Packham, Roland Mouret. FRONT ROW offer a rental period of five days, however this can be tailored to your needs.
9 of 12My WardrobeHQ
Buy less, buy better, rent it out. MY WARDROBE HQ is a social community for buying, selling and renting designer items. Customers can shop womenswear clothing and accessories from the wardrobes of Poppy and Chloe Delevingne, Olivia Buckingham, Arizona Muse, as well as fashion stylists and influencers.
10 of 12Onloan
Cool clothes on subscription. ONLOAN was created by two girlfriends, with a shared mission to reduce waste, curate brilliant independent designers and reignite a love of clothes without the guilt.
11 of 12By Rotation
Rotate your wardrobe at your fingertips. BY ROTATION is the UK's first and only peer-to-peer fashion rental app. No subscription fee and no waiting list. Do good for the planet, your wardrobe and wallet at the same time.
12 of 12Hirestreet
Own your style. Not your outfit. HIRESTREET might be a new rental platform, but it's already made a significant mark on sustainable premium fashion. The brand is conscious of building a community and empowering women is echoed in its broad range of sizes.