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Ethical Fashion: What does it mean to you?

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How can we be more sustainably conscious with our clothes? Use them more, recycle, and buy less

I’m no expert, but I’ve been thinking – probably before ethical fashion became buzz words – that we should use and recycle our clothes more and not consume so much.

Some of my clients know the joy it gives me to construct new outfits from items they already own, that they wouldn’t think to use together, getting a whole new look and using more of their wardrobe – also saving them money. I’m all for that, although I love shopping! I’ve also been known to recommend hiring clothes, rather than buying, although this isn’t something my clients are yet on board with. But I do see that as a shift change in the future.

I haven’t consciously stopped buying clothes and accessories myself – although Stoptober seems a great time to start – but I have been promoting swishing (clothes swapping) and altering your things to make them last longer – for around eight years now. I have surprised myself sometimes with my creativity of ideas for clients, and they’re usually surprised too, to think what else they can do with something. (Do get in touch if you have something you don’t use but don’t want to depart with – I love a challenge ….)

Federation of Image Professionals International “Virtual” Conference

I attended the Federation of Image Professionals (FIPI) Virtual Annual Conference yesterday, 25th September 2021, and it made me realise that I still do not know enough about fashion brands and what they are actually doing (not just saying) to stop depleting the finite resources of our planet. It will be interesting to see how easy it is to find this out…..

What does “ethical fashion” mean to you?

I’m interested to know what ethical fashion means to you, my reader? (It does seem to encompass many things, and has a wide interpretation to different stakeholders, so I would love to know what it means to you at this moment in time.)

For the FIPI Bookclub in June 2020 we read “Slave to Fashion” by Safie Minney, which was quite an eye-opener about exploitation of clothes makers for profit and so on. The thing is, although “ethical fashion” is becoming quite trendy, are we really making any progress?

The Challenge

I was challenged yesterday to play my part more in this industry, to help my individual clients make changes, which will all add up to something greater. For my part I will be researching brands more in terms of their sourcing of items, what materials they are made from, and how far they travel to the consumer, before I buy something in future. My favourite brands will be first to get my attention, and I hope they pass the ethical test.

Please tell me what you are currently doing to play your part in being more mindful about what is in your wardrobe, and how important the ethics of a clothing brand are to you. I think we will all be going towards “sustainable” in some shape or form, but maybe you haven’t started thinking yet how this applies to your wardrobe. If that is the case, there is no need to beat yourself up, perhaps just reading this has made you think, and that would be great, because we all have to start somewhere.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Fiona

Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

How times have changed: 1985 to 2020

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Today is our 35th wedding anniversary: 1st June 1985. The ceremony was planned for 2pm.

My husband and I were reflecting last night on all the changes to the buildings in that time – where we met is now a housing estate, where we had our wedding breakfast is now a block of flats, and the Church has even undergone a big transformation.

I was pondering the cost of things then (petrol 45p per litre – seen in the picture below at the garage that was opposite the church, which is now a Tesco Express): my wedding dress £150, crinolin £43.90, veil £49.95, photos £195 and my hairdo £10. We all know how prices have increased, maybe not just by inflation!

But it got me thinking about how fashion and wedding dress styles have also changed (never mind men’s suits).

I got married in the 80’s when puff sleeves and shoulder pads were all the rage. Here we are now with much more fitted and figure-hugging styles. In the last decade or so we went through sleeveless styles with lace-up backs, which has given way to today’s sophisticated yet revealing styles: intricate delicate details like lace and beading, and backless dresses.

 (2000+)

 (2020)

In truth, as in today’s world of fashion, things are becoming much more like “anything goes”, as people are choosing to wear what they like or what they know particularly suits them, so there aren’t any “right or wrongs” when it comes to wedding dresses.

Hemlines too, although ever changing like the seasons, are currently back to where they were for guests of the day in 1985.

Colours for bridesmaids have gone through a transformation as well. Whereas 35 years ago bridesmaids would generally wear the same colour and style of dress, that is no longer necessarily the case. Bridesmaids will often have a style to suit them, even if they are all in the same colour, or will have mixed colours, which again can be chosen to suit the individual. In my case both bridesmaids were similar hair and skin colouring, although in my naïvety then I chose white for me (cream would have been better I later discovered) and a “cool red” which didn’t compliment them particularly nor me. But, I wanted red, and in those days for a summer wedding red wasn’t in such plentiful supply of choice – not that I knew then about colour like now of course! Luckily, I think because we were all at our blooming best, that didn’t matter too much!

Thankfully, one of the constants, apart from the lovely sunny weather, is our love, which after all is what the wedding was all about.

If you would like help choosing the perfect outfit/s for such a special, memorable and photographed occasion, please do have a conversation with me, to see how I can help.

I recently wrote a couple of blogs about constantly changing (and reinventing!) fashion, from the 1960s to today.  You can find part 1 here.

Fiona

Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

Independent Personal Stylist – Helping you DRESS WITHOUT STRESS