On my way home from the main library recently, I bumped into Niamh Mackinnon, an influencer in the wild. I’d like to say I didn’t fangirl, but as I chatted away to her, I probably said the words “I love your Instagram” one too many times. Niamh, a content creator from the Isle of Skye, lives the cosy countryside life that is envied by many (myself included). When I told my friends about my interaction with Niamh, most knew instantly who I was talking about, which says a lot about how well her content fits in with the St Andrews aesthetic.
She isn’t the only slow-living Scottish influencer dominating my feed recently. Caroline McQuistin, Rosie Steer, and Patricia Rodi are part of a growing list of creators offering a glimpse of a more intentional lifestyle, from the clothes they wear to the homes they curate. Their content shows an idyllic way of life, centred around self-care, embracing your natural surroundings, and romanticising everyday comforts. My encounter with Niamh left me wondering why slow living is having such a moment, and how it influences the way we build our style and homes at university.
What is slow living?
Slow living embraces an attitude of being mindful and present, prioritising personal wellbeing, and seeking stronger connection with our surroundings. Within the lives of these influencers, this lifestyle appears to manifest itself in the clothes they wear: high-quality, practical clothes chosen deliberately because they serve a purpose.
Why is fashion embracing this approach?
Niamh Mackinnon’s fashion covers everything from wellies to mini dresses, sometimes worn at the same time. She takes functional clothes from a rural background and styles them for everyday life. The look is unfussy but well-curated, comfortable but classy: her clothes are practical, but happen to look good too. Curating a wardrobe that can be fashionable and functional lies at the heart of slow-living fashion. It’s more sustainable, and it pays off in the long run, as we become owners of higher-quality, staple wardrobe pieces.Â
Why are St Andrews students engaging with this?
Modern life is fast-paced, expensive, and honestly, exhausting, so it makes sense to see our generation opting to embrace a lifestyle that is more mindful. Content like Niamh’s romanticises everyday comforts and encourages conscious connection with our surroundings, offering a form of escapism that feels attainable in a small seaside town like St Andrews. You may not live on the Isle of Skye, but you can still pull on a chunky cable-knit jumper on your morning stroll along the Scores.
Embracing St Andrews’ scenic seclusion also means learning to cope with the weather that comes with it. Wandering along the beach is much more enjoyable when your shoes aren’t dripping wet, and watching golf is far more entertaining when your jumper is actually keeping you warm. Practicality is at the forefront of fashion here. We want shoes that can survive a scenic trek, and jackets that will handle a downpour, rather than simply buying into the latest unrealistic microtrend that takes over the internet.
Students are choosing to take the slow-living approach of consciously choosing clothes that serve a purpose, but this doesn’t mean sacrificing good style. Niamh’s Instagram provides a handy inspiration board for how we can embrace low-waste and mindful fashion. Wellies, leather boots, and technical shoes like Salomons are some popular practical footwear picks I have been admiring recently on her feed. They are versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. However, for me, the main appeal lies in owning a shoe that won’t get soaked through every time it rains, which in St Andrews, is often.
As well as focusing more on the purpose of our clothes, comfort is another driving factor of the slow-living lifestyle. What is the point of owning clothes that we hate wearing because they’re uncomfortable, or we don’t like the way we look in them? When these influencers aren’t spending their time outdoors, I’ve noticed that their downtime fashion centres on cosy layering. Comfy loungewear sets, thick wool socks, and fun headbands can make switching off at home feel like part of the lifestyle, rather than a guilty break. Being more intentional about our time off helps us prioritise this in our lives, as it can often be the first thing to go in times of stress. Having a self-care routine and putting conscious effort into downtime often makes relaxation more fulfilling and rewarding.
As with any trend, romanticised slow living must be careful not to promote overconsumption. We all want our fashion to be as perfect as the template we see on Instagram, but realistically that approach contradicts the core values of this lifestyle. Part of the charm of slow living is assembling a wardrobe intentionally and avoiding fast fashion by finding clothes that have lived a life before they reach you. One item successfully found in a St Andrews charity shop is more rewarding than ten bought on Shein, which will go out of style within the week. Thrifted clothes have character, and that’s one of the drivers of slow-living fashion.
For students living a fast-paced and busy lifestyle, romanticised, cosy, countryside content like Niamh Mackinnon’s offers a way to slow down. It reminds us that we can enjoy fashion and create a trendy home, whilst also being more conscious of our consumerism and focusing on collecting intentional pieces. To me, in St Andrews, this lifestyle is less about chasing the aesthetic and more about providing inspiration for how we want our mindsets to be. I want to channel this mindfulness in my everyday life, whether I’m lounging around the house in a pyjama set, or grabbing my wellies for a rainy beach walk.