Sustainable Style Experts on Dressing Ethically for the Holidays
Merry, bright and sustainable.
Phew, we really needed a more light-hearted piece after last week, didn’t we? Well, let’s talk about the most frivolous things there are: party clothes. ‘Tis the season for all things dress-up, after all - no month like December to shed the boring grey layers and glam things up in velvet, satin, sequins (well…maybe not sequins) and every shade of glitter under the sun.
My own rules when it comes to party dressing are firmly in place year after year, with some minor variations. Firstly, comfort. Yes, comfort. Yes, for party season. You read that right. You see, at the grand old age of 41, I have no more patience for things like stiletto heels, “glamorous” coats that you can’t wear a scarf with, and dresses that have to constantly be tugged at. Been there, done that, still have those shoes in the back of the closet. Secondly, glamour. This isn’t the season for being demure, despite what TikTok trends might say. Velvet and satin are two of my favourite holiday fabrics, along with faux fur and anything glitter. Third and last rule: keep it as sustainable as possible. I love my Christmas jumpsuit from the charity shop, my festive puff-sleeve top from the charity shop, and my lacy dress from…you guessed it. I top it off with my faux-fur stole from, well, this is getting repetitive now. But the jewellery I layer on top is mostly gifts from family members, and so holds a special place in my heart. Homely glamour - that’s what the holidays are all about.
To provide some extra inspiration on sustainable festive dressing, I talked to some of the most stylish women I know to get their tips. Read on and get ready to sparkle.
Sarah Regensburger, vegan fashion designer: “I would just get the most sparkly outfit in a vintage store”
“The festive time for me is a time where I can go all in and it never is too much. I would just get the most sparkly outfit in a vintage store - there is fabulous dresses or suits or whatever you might want to wear and combine it with your favourite boot or heel. To give it an extra touch I would get a sparkly tights or patterned tights.
My favourite pieces for Christmas and New Year’s are patterned or sparkly, like a tartan print or just a simple lace catsuit. In my collection I use a lot of tartan patterns as I like to break the traditional patterns with modern fits to give it a unique twist.
Sarah Regensburger is a cruelty-free designer who has dressed Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Rita Ora among others. She has also won the Designer of the Year award in the PETA Fashion Awards.
Annick Ireland, founder of Immaculate Vegan: “focus on quality and make it last”
“For me, ethical festive dressing is about two things. Firstly - as someone who spends a lot of time working from home in comfy loungewear, it’s a time to really dress up and have fun - colour, metallics, sparkles, I’m there for it! But secondly, my approach is the same as it is to any kind of dressing, whether it’s dressy or casual, seasonal or year-round, and that’s to focus on pieces that are of as high a quality as I can afford (including second hand), and to try to wear them as much as I can, for as many years as I can.”
Annick Ireland is an ethical entrepreneur and the founder of sustainable online marketplace Immaculate Vegan.
Rebekah Roy, stylist: “Putting effort into ourselves is a form of self-care”
“There are two things that I do when getting ready for the party season. Firstly, I go shopping in my wardrobe. I pull out all my seasonal favourites and hang them on a separate rail. If there is a little jacket or dress that I’ve really been wanting, this might be the moment that I purchase it - of course it’ll be from one of my favourite vegan fashion brands or secondhand. Dressing up is fun and celebrating your life with your friends is fun and so special. When we put effort into ourselves, it’s a form of self-care. So I’m a believer of dressing up and celebrating!
Rebekah Roy is a stylist who has worked with Tatler, VOGUE and GLAMOUR, as well as clients like Harrods, Clark, and Breast Cancer Now. She is the owner of vegan fashion marketplace Bare Fashion.
Kristine Kilty, creative fashion director: “‘tis the season for being fabulous…but sequins are a no”
“The festive season is an opportunity to look at what’s already in my wardrobe with a fresh perspective. Buying throwaway sequin options is an absolute no. So, instead, I love to create exuberant party looks by reimagining what I already have. I create eye-catching, maximalist outfits by starting with a simple black top or dress. As ‘tis the season of being fabulous, I take out all of my jewellery and pick the chunky gold items or anything that sparkles and shines. Layering multiple necklaces is a simple way to create a dazzling statement across the neck and chest. And by adding stacks of gleaming bangles on each arm, it’s easy to elevate a classic garment into the realm of opulent party diva! I also love to wear a pair of lace or fishnet tights for extra glamour. And I finish off the party look with oversized jewelled earrings and a vivid red lip. For me, festive dressing means getting creative with how I style my accessories. It’s a fun opportunity to lean into the unexpected, and of course, look extra!
Kristine Kilty has worked with magazines such as ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, and VOGUE. She has styled everyone from Lewis Hamilton to Greta Gerwig. She is the founder of creative agency Fierce Group.
I’ll be sure to take advice from all of these knowledgeable ethical fashion powerhouses - and so should you. See you at the charity shop, bring on the glitz.
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Any advices for Santa? The old man needs a re-styling…
Great Holiday style tips! So many great ideas from some very fashionable women!