Generally, we have a few reliable outfits that will be worn to work, home, out, or shopping. Some of us wear a uniform and many of us wear revisions of the same few garments in different ways and so it is relatively rare to purchase clothing specifically for one day. Weddings and gala dinners notwithstanding, the Christmas holidays is the one time of the year that people are shopping strictly for social events.
Whether you’re a sequined goddess sipping cocktails by candlelight, or you are snuggled up by the fire in a onesie watching Elf, there is a “costume” or dress code for all the days of the season.
So many outfits, so little time – or money
There is an outfit for that breakfast with the cousins, or perhaps you will have guests coming and going all day long. Families may be running from house to house trying to squeeze in all the visits before they go to the in-laws, grandparents, or best friends for the turkey or goose or whatever the meal may be.
Then there are the days and nights around the main event. Cocktails one night, dinner the next, hot chocolate and movies the following and a family lunch after that. People are pulled in 100 directions all the while hoping to remain fresh and fabulous but, although it can be part of the fun of the season, it is also financially taxing and environmentally damaging.
We are bombarded with images of elegant men and women sipping champagne and twinkling in their finery. Fantasies of velvet and sequin are swimming in our minds eye and while there is nothing wrong with the desire to be fabulous, the pressure to be at your best is palpable. Party dresses tend to be worn only one time and for those of us lucky enough to have lunches and visits and dinners and parties, it can quickly add up.
One way to remove this pressure, not just on the purse strings, but on the planet, is to readjust our mindset.
We love the idea of new things and Christmas feels like a time we can surely, treat ourselves. We convince ourselves we need new pyjamas, new coats, new shoes, new clothes and while all of this is lovely, it’s a false emotion and a false economy. Take a peek outside and appreciate the true beauty of our planet, which for some of us means protecting our white Christmases plus, feeling good about doing the right thing. It is a time for giving, so why not give to mother earth by making some small adjustments.
Sustainability can be fun
Clothing and fashion are fun, and while the holiday season is a perfect opportunity ‘glam it up’ and feel great. But once we allow it to sink in and really think about what happens to the sequin dress and faux leather skirt, the dazzle is dimmed. Landfills are towering with fabrics and clothing that is worn only once and then discarded. Fast fashion makes it easy to buy cheap matching pyjamas for that family cosiness, and while it is important to think about the negative impact of these kinds of purchases, it doesn’t have to dampen the joys of Christmas.
We can still revel in the sheer pleasure of getting dressed up, but we can also help our planet and save some money. Clothes hire is not a new idea. You want to shine at a cocktail party, why not hire a dress/jumpsuit/suit. Hiring can mean you can wear a piece by a designer you may not be able to afford to buy, it also means you don’t need to store it and usually, cleaning is not your responsibility either.
Up cycle, reuse, alter
You can also take an outfit you already own and give it some new love. Upcycling, reuse, and alterations can elevate an old piece into something truly original. Inflation is high and the planet is suffering. Have a rummage in the wardrobe. Upcycling and reimagining clothing need not break the bank plus, you get to control the style and create a bespoke garment.
Even if the suit you’ve worn once no longer fits, add a coloured stripe down the side or along the legs and arms. Suddenly you have a new sporty chic outfit. A dress can be fashioned into a skirt and top or even into a jumpsuit and charity shops are full of garments just waiting to be reimagined.
Accessories are also your friend. Take that LBD and dress it up with a chunky gold necklace and gloves or pair it with Doc Martens and a hoody. Add a broach to a beret or a make a shawl from an oversized scarf. Wear a huge sweater as a dress or glam up a summer dress with tights and boots. There are endless re-stylings that can be done with all the clothes that already fill your wardrobe.
Furoshiki
Even the clothes you don’t want to alter can be reused in other ways. Old t-shirts, tea towels and shirts are brilliant gift-wrapping options. Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese method of wrapping gifts or goods in cloth. They can be functional, but they can also be very beautiful. A book wrapped in a t shirt is 2 gifts in one, plus it looks beautiful under the tree.
This Christmas can be enjoyed on a deeper level, on a responsible sustainable level where we can truly spread good will. And it really does make you feel good. Let’s not wait for a Christmas miracle, we can take the change into our own hands. All it takes is a little imagination.
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