5 tips for dressing more sustainably at events
We all love the opportunity to get dressed up and socialise with friends, colleagues and family, and feel a little bit special. And the temptation to treat yourself to something new is high. But what if there was another way? You can have all the style and sparkle of a new outfit without having to splash out on something that'll you’ll probably only wear once or twice! Save the cash and follow our top 5 tips for a party-ready wardrobe.
These tips are part of something bigger. At Hubbub, we want to see a world where everyone makes choices that are good for the environment. Check out what we do and how your actions add up.
1) Shop your wardrobe
We’re all guilty of shoving last year’s items to the back of the wardrobe and forgetting about them. Why not have a wardrobe re-fresh and see what you can unearth from times gone by? You might fall back in love with a jacket or a dress that you totally forgot about. Slightly worse for wear? Breath some life back into your wardrobe with our top-tips here.
2) Get swapping
Clothes swaps are the best way to refresh your wardrobe with wonderful new pieces for almost no cost. Clothes swaps allow you to take clothes you no longer wear and swap them with other people. It’s a great excuse to hang out with pals or meet some new ones! Search for some local clothes swaps or check out our vlog on how to easily host a clothes swap here.
3) Hit the charity shops or some vintage stores
Second-hand shops are packed full of gems, usually for a fraction of the price. Plus, chances are you’ll be the only one wearing that outfit at the party!
Giving old clothes a new life means we aren’t contributing to the resource-use, waste and pollution that comes attached to the price tag of a new, high-street piece. If you’re more of an online-shopper, there are lots of different sites like Vinted, Ebay and Depop where you can buy pre-loved, high-quality clothes.
4) Consider renting
Clothes renting is a thing! Stick with us… New apps and platforms are popping up that allow us to rent a fancy piece for a few days and return it after, at a fraction of the cost of the original item. It’s a fab way of getting a jazzy new item for a party without having to buy something that’ll sit at the back of your wardrobe for eternity. Try loanhood, Byrotation and Hurr to dip your toes into clothes renting.
5) Shop consciously
Had your eye on something for months? We get it. If you do want to buy something new, keep the following tips in mind when shopping:
- Do you already own something like it?
- Can you think of at least 3 ways to wear it?
- Check the condition before buying, to save on repairing and replacing.
- Try on before you buy – check that the cut fits right and that the patterns match up.
- Look for natural fibres (like organic cotton, wool or linen) if possible.
- Care for what you buy – wash less, wash on a low temperature, and air dry.
- Will you wear it at least 30 times?
Want more on how to make your wardrobe work for you and the planet?
Tune into the new season of our podcast ‘Down to Earth’ to explore everything sustainable fashion in conversation with designers, experts and changemakers.
See Hubbub in action
From Community Fridges that cut food waste to Ballot Bins that halve cigarette litter, our campaigns show what taking action that's good for the environment looks like in practice.