The Secret Behind A Fully Thrifted Wardrobe
Lizbeth’s wardrobe is not built on the latest runway drop. Instead, it’s a curated collection of vintage finds, pre-loved treasures, and pieces with stories stitched into every seam. A solid art form of consideration and hand-picking, with no rush, forming a focus on what each piece truly means.
Written by Precella Ishac
Photography by Precella Ishac
Styled with Visuelstudios, curated by Lizbeth Brown
Lizbeth Brown’s shopping experience is in no way about convenience. In an era filled with fast fashion, accessibility, and fashion links to unaffordable high-end boutiques. It is buying differently that seemingly creates a sense of individuality that becomes rare.
The 25-year-old Strength and Conditioning Coach is no stranger to fashion, having grown up around her grandfather’s appreciation for craftsmanship and quality control while he worked in menswear. “He passed down his passion for quality and style, and my mother and aunties were my first style icons,” she says.
Her love for fashion extends beyond her personal wardrobe, with her values not only resembling Visuelstudios’ but also she is one of its most loyal supporters, ranking among the boutique's top clients. Through a mutual appreciation for intentional fashion and individuality, a professional relationship has naturally grown into a friendship, reinforcing the idea that style is as much about connection as it is about clothing.
“I am inspired by the women and men of the past, what they wore, and how they carried themselves through their own context, political and sociocultural climate, and how they interacted with fashion trends. I rely on both male and female fashion media in developing my own style. I see fashion and the clothes I put on my body as something I can control in a world where we may feel a little out of control.”
Pursuing her passion for fashion has not always been straightforward, particularly in a male-dominated field where a strict uniform is part of everyday life. This may lead some to question her intuition for colour, pattern, and texture. Yet, overcoming these limitations has made her moments of self-expression even more intentional. When she is not in uniform, her wardrobe becomes a canvas for bold, playful expressions of individuality and an unapologetically maximalist aesthetic.
Her commitment to individuality also challenges the long-standing stigma surrounding second-hand fashion. The outdated notion that shopping pre-loved is either dirty or cheap. To Brown, that perception is both misleading and overdue for reconsideration.
“Preloved items help to tell your story; they hold more meaning than a mass-produced t-shirt or dress that everyone impulsively buys when it trends on social media.“
Her approach to fashion leans firmly toward maximalism through preloved wear. Leather jackets, bold colours, and unexpected textures. Forming the backbone of a wardrobe that is anything but quiet. Quoting: “Why would I buy an overpriced PVC shoe or coat when I can snag a vintage pair of leather mules or fur jacket for the same price?”
For Brown, tossing the notion of ‘beigeification’ aside is a crucial step in creating her dream curated wardrobe, with every piece chosen with intention. In a culture driven by rapid consumption and endless micro-trends, her approach feels almost radical: buy less, choose better, and wear pieces that carry a story. Like one of her holy grails, a Tom Ford Gucci menswear button-up, she purchased off ‘The Real, Real.’ If you want to start, use code: SUSTAINABLE for 50% off on Visuelstudios, 1 person only!
On any given day, outside of work hours, her outfits speak volumes. Her love for bringing new energy to a piece she has picked up allows for unique experimentation that is rewarding in the end, thanks to the thrill of finding and buying. Whether it is her pistachio green polkadot biker jacket she bought from one of her favourite preloved boutiques, Reunion Store in the heart of Sydney’s Newtown, or her 1990s John Galliano mini dress she purchased from an online boutique Rinse.vr.
“I have a pistachio green polka-dot biker jacket that is one of the coolest things in my wardrobe with a star on the back! It sold within 2 minutes of being posted on Reunion’s Instagram story, but weeks later, when I had almost forgotten about it, it was relisted like it was always meant for me.”
An interesting pattern or texture can instantly elevate even the simplest outfit. For Brown, it all comes down to intention, being thoughtful with your basics, deliberate in your choices, and willing to step just outside your comfort zone. Colour, she insists, is non-negotiable. Quoting preloved fashion enthusiast Macy Eleni: dress for the mood YOU want to be in, not just what Pinterest tells you to do.
In a world of endless trends and instant gratification, Lizbeth Brown chooses intention; her style is not about keeping up but about standing apart. Whether it is through curation, individuality, and authenticity. She is a person who deserves a platform to influence, not what is new, but what feels meaningful, and obviously, to show off her glorious wardrobe.
Beyond individuality, her approach also reflects a quiet rebellion against the environmental cost of fast fashion. According to Clean Up Australia’s article on ‘Australia’s Waste Challenge, The Issue of Fast Fashion’, the country consumes more textiles per person than any other country in the world, even surpassing the USA. “The average person buys 60% more clothing and keeps it for about half as long as 15 years ago,” it says. Brown’s approach is a small step toward a broader positive impact in targeting fast fashion, specifically in Australia.
“Sustainable fashion is important now more than ever, advocating for garment workers, the environmental ramifications of textile waste, and overconsumption. I do my part by recirculating beautiful pieces that still have a story to tell.”