By Fiona Tovey
That’s right, wedding season has finally arrived! And despite the pandemic, procrastination – you may be the one feeling bold and sufficiently adventurous enough to gate-crash that overdue wedding celebration. Or, perhaps you’re bound for a more intimate, family affair with just the nearest and dearest?
No matter what gathering your destined for this summer, as the big day dawns, it’s a perfect time to dress up and explore your personal style – even if it means trying it out on a stroll in the park!
You might be wondering, how to dress sustainably for the special occasion and still find a gem of a look that makes you stand out of the crowd? Putting together a sustainable wedding guest outfit is quintessential because as conscious consumers, the last thing we want is to get sucked into the vortex of fast fashion mayhem, simply because wedding mania has swept us off our dainty, little feet. Be reassured, there’s a cornucopia of opportunities to dress up and feel good about yourself – and still shop or swap sustainably.
To inspire you, we’ve prepared our top tips on styling yourself sustainably as a guest of honour this wedding season – and even how to reuse those breath-taking, glam and glitzy garments to find the best of Sustainable style solutions after the wedding is over.
4 Expert tips for sustainable wedding fashion choices
1) Explore pre-worn pieces or swaps
If you’re not feeling sentimental about finding the perfect fit or fabric, why not shop second hand or vintage and you could end up unearthing an unexpected treasure. There’s always a lot of fun to be had by swapping an outfit with a friend, or alternatively, there’s even the option of renting one out.
2) Focus on natural fabrics
High-quality, natural fabrics are most sustainable so make sure that you aim to steer clear of synthetics such as polyester, which are made using fossil fuels and take years to break down. When considering shoes, think vegan by opting for leather alternatives, rather than animal materials, or synthetic.
3) Self-love applies to clothes too
When removing stains from your wedding guest outfit, try airing, steaming or sponging them clean first to avoid them becoming worn from washing. You can easily repair most items of clothing, so its worth looking after them well, so that they last longer. Extending the lifespan of your clothes reducing landfil.
4) Don’t be afraid to re-wear garments
Rethink the approach to wedding outfits, buying pieces that can be re-worn and investing in quality, long-lasting pieces. If you do buy something new, buy something you know can be worn on other occasions.
How To Rework And Restyle Wedding Outfits For Everyday Wear?
Something to be thankful for is that your fabulous wedding chocs and frocks that once dazzled a thousand eyes under the spotlight, don’t necessarily have to live forgotten in a dark, lonely corner of your wardrobe. In fact, formal pieces can be surprisingly versatile, more than you might think. With just a little creative panache, outdated, wedding outfits can easily be reborn and restyled into something wonderful, making a come-back. If anything, says revival, it’s wedding fashion parading in all its glory, making your everyday life that tad more vibrant and joyful. Start simple by adapting, restyling, or toning that wedding attire down to fit a wide variety of events.
Why not add an embroidered blouse underneath a floral dress for a cute, quirky vibe? Or throw on a pair of shades and a casual blazer over the top to instantly dress down your look? If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the last year, it’s that formal wear doesn’t have to come hand in hand with high-heel blisters and tight waistbands. Why not take the opportunity to add something glamourous to revive your everyday staples and create an unconventional combo that you feel comfortable in. With a little creative liberalism, an off the shoulder, dress and trainers can be thrown together with your favourite pair of shades as a perfect picnic or beer garden outfit. And even a slinky, botanical print, cocktail dress can become an exotic, beach sarong if you are brave enough to take the plunge!
Our editor’s have selected the best wedding style inspiration from hand-picked and trusted, Sustainable fashion influencers to help you repurpose that wedding outfit and bring you a refreshed everyday look!
Look 1 – Florals
Floating in floral frocks with a pair of eye-candy sunglasses, while paying a minor tribute to Audrey Hepburn makes British summertime a tad more fun! We’re a big fan of influencer, Sophie Benson’s Stella McCartney-esque, floral blazer attire. It looks adorably vintage over denim jeans with a retro, oversized T.shirt. For a frivolously, sustainable way to waltz that wedding guest, glamour about town – this could be a great choice.
Look 2 – Satin, silk & over-sized jumpers
It’s hard to explain the sheer, magic of a silky, slip dress – from the very beginning it was always about the feeling. Beyond the light and fluttery elegance of form, organic silk provides a sense of liberation and timeless, simplicity – a shake up of the mundane with a moment’s aesthetic pleasure. For a fool-proof expression of your feminity that will give off goddess vibes – this is your go-to on the wedding guest dress list.
We love how sustainable, vintage veteran and creative strategist, Emma has added a blazer jacket over a flowing floral dress, trail for a casual but feminine finish.
Look 3 – Midi-dress with Trainers
Whatever the highs and lows of the pandemic, “Midi” is the word that makes us think of everything that’s centered and stable. So if you’re hunting for a dress length that is both universal and hugs your curves in he most flattering way, it’s time for you to press the like button.
A mid-dress and trainer combo makes for a comfortable outfit that will look adorably dressed and yet casually congenial at the same time. You even try a trainer-boot if you prefer a little ankle definition and add a wooley jumper ontop for when it becomes chilly in the evening.
Have a go at Re-purposing & Refreshing old Accessories In New Ways
As every mindful consumer knows, ethically used accessories are an all-time game-changer in a sustainable fashionista’s world. If we’re talking about revamping your wedding and events wardrobe – there are infinite possibilities to play with. Once re-purposed, that well-loved, Vintage air loom or power-statement, signature bracelet can potentially bring a revolutionary solution to your fashion dilemma. That said, we recommend keeping it versatile and chic.
To stay looking cool and slick this summer, why not reinvent a bling, neck-chain or beaded necklace as a waist-trimming, belt over jeans? You never know, it could be the answer you have been looking for.
A silk shawl can be re-worked as a bandana to keep those stray strands off your face at that summer, music festival you’re heading for. Feeling in a mood to express yourself? Why not go all out and feature a jewelled, encrusted broach that can bring a hint of sparkle to that old, denim jacket?
Get the look:
We want to bring you a fresh, buoyant mood, a touch of the festive that will shape your silhouette in vibrant hues. Ready to try these hacks out yourself? Dress for every occasion in true wedding, throw-back style with these stylish re-makes:
Florals
Bright and bold floral prints possess the ultimate power to liven your mood. From vintage bloom to flower-power, it’s a joy-bringing, summer staple that belongs in your wardrobe.
Silk slip dress with oversized jumper
Organic silk feels as luxurious as it is is smooth – making it the perfect infusion. Bring a little something special from that wedding day bliss to your daily consciousness.
Midi-dress with casual trainers
A romantic, summer wouldn’t be complete without a classic, midi-dress that you can repurpose with a purpose. It’s is perfectly practical and a wedding outfit that you might consider to be just like your laid-back, companion whose always ready for a lazy day in the garden, or a picnic in the park.
Fiona Tovey
Fiona is a bubbly, fashion, culture & lifestyle journalist with a flair for sharing the legacies of the champions and change-makers in our society. You can find her lost in a world of words, or on instagram @Fiona_Tovey
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