I thought it would be more fun to have this as more of an interview with me, Natalie, founder of Nattily Dressed….
Tell us about Nattily Dressed and what you do?
Nattily Dressed is a new lifestyle brand which showcases a range of brightly trimmed Polartec fleece gilets with a detachable pom pom for the zip!
On average, the Polartec fleece for each adult gilet is made from about 20 recycled plastic bottles.
How long has Nattily Dressed been going?
I first thought of the concept in May 2016 but it took two years to build relationships with my manufacturer and suppliers to create the perfect Nattily Dressed gilet.
In September 2018, 300 gilets arrived on my doorstep and I plucked up the courage to quit my full time job and attend as many Christmas Fairs as I could to sell all my stock! I did it and since then it’s been full steam ahead and no looking back.
Why did you start Nattily Dressed?
Many people wear gilets all year round but I couldn’t find a gilet I liked which I could wear both in the countryside at weekends and in town during the week.
My university degree was in Zoology so I’m very passionate about sustainability, our impact on the environment and the footprints we leave behind. Therefore, I was determined to make a more colourful fleece gilet using recycled plastic bottles with sustainable packaging too.
What is your passion behind Nattily Dressed?
I love the interaction with my customers. Everyone who buys a gilet receives an email from me to triple check the size before sending to save time with exchanges. The customers love the gilets, they come back time and time again – it’s their supportive feedback that keeps me going!
I have also really enjoyed learning about the manufacturing process, meeting suppliers and managing the whole end-to-end process from design to finished product. The exciting news is that this year in 2021, we hope to make all our gilets here in the UK going forward.
What did you do before Nattily Dressed? Any previous relevant experience or was this a complete change?
I worked in London for 10 years in PR & Marketing – the last job I left to start up Nattily Dressed was in Fintech PR! It couldn’t have been any more different but I’ve gained great experience throughout my career which I think has really helped me to build the brand and make a product I’m really proud of.
Who works in the business and what is the relationship?
Just me! My husband is a huge support as well as my mum who helps a lot with the shows – they’re great. I now have a little boy called Hector and mini Jack Russell puppy called Pixie so I’m always juggling lots of things and the days just fly by!
What values are important to you?
Top quality product, exceptional customer service, sustainable thinking and fun, fresh designs.
What has been your business highlight so far?
I’m really lucky and have a few really lovely retail partners and brand ambassadors. I love seeing people out and about in their gilets and delighted to support the high street too.
Do you have a vision for Nattily? The big dream?
To create great quality garments in a rainbow of colours with sustainability at our heart. I launched with just two trim colours (pink and green) in two fleece colours (navy and grey) so four options. In September 2019, I introduced two more trim colours (sky blue and coral) as well as a children’s range. Then for Christmas 2020 we launched purple and mint green trims.
Watch this space for this Christmas..new colours and a new style are on the horizon!
Why should shoppers buy from Nattily Dressed?
Because they’d be supporting a small British business which means the world to owners like me who wear all the different hats and try really hard to create a fantastic quality product which customers can enjoy wearing time and time again.
What is your top tip for anyone running their own business?
Treat your customers how you would like to be treated yourself.