Supporting Small Businesses During COVID (Images by Sabrina Kennelly)

4/1/2021

Throughout COVID businesses—specifically small businesses—and the people running the businesses have struggled. Since I mostly work with middle to higher end brands, seeing businesses and friends struggle has been difficult to watch. Watching shopping habits change significantly, I’ve found my own shopping habits and values when shopping changing as well.

One of the most recent small businesses I’ve become obsessed with is Instance, with their items featured in some of the photos in this blog. To me, this brand is a perfect example of where more people are putting their money. Being female run, having high quality and sustainable items that are effortlessly classic, it’s where the future of fashion and spending will go.

COVID has taught everyone a lot about themselves and their values, at least it has for myself and people in my circle. Shopping directly from people I can connect with and get to know has been a huge shift from me. I’ve already been a huge “second hand but grand” shopper (so buying directly from individuals) and buying directly from small businesses, it’s changing the luxury game.

While focusing more and more on buying from small businesses, the quality has gone up and the price has gone down when compared to common luxury items (I’m talking to you $2,500 uncomfortable Gucci sweater). The big department stores don’t care if an item is uncomfortable or how you spend your money. While the rise of small businesses showcase how much they care about their customers and the people that support them (whether that’s just liking and/or following them on social media). You see directly who and where that money is going.

You’re also buying more sustainably and are more likely to focus on places with beautiful craftsmanship and natural materials (like silk or cotton). Through this, you’re changing the waste of the fashion industry and showing who it’s important to support—the people within your community.

And with that, here are my top brands I’ve been supporting during COVID and will continue to support long after:
Little High Little Low (female owned and local Chicago)
Instance (female owned)
Dear Frances (female owned and charitable)
The Curated (female owned)
Local Eclectic (female owned and local Chicago)