India is a country where festival preparations are almost always in progress. We adore them and the charm that each season brings. The entire diaspora anticipates the time of Diwali when they can celebrate their history and traditions. This is the time when everyone particularly indulge into fashion that isn’t earth-first and we forsake our tradition of slow fashion in favour of wearing artistically and in line with current trends.
Moreover, have you ever wondered why "Festival Fashion" is among the worst offenders when it comes to fast fashion? People frequently buy festival clothes for a single weekend, to match a theme or—worse—"just for the gram." The synthetic materials that we often find in festival attires, such as rayon, polyester, glitter and sequin are not made with eco-friendly practices and they include considerable amounts of plastic that wind up in our waterways.
However, not everything is bleak in the world of fashion. Here are some easy ways in which you can make mindful and eco-friendly choices during festivals while creating some trendy yet sustainably sound looks.
Fashion Heirlooms
There is so much more to fashion than just the outer apparel. It reflects our distinctive personalities, tastes, and cultures. It is a means of expressing oneself. This is why it's essential to think about how we perceive fashion. Both buying less and having value in what you wear are essential.
Styling a traditional clothing piece or vintage jewellery differently and appropriately to fit the current time and age is another tactic to make heirloom fashion relevant today. Such as borrowing a saree from your mother’s closet and pair it up with a naturally dyed cotton shirt or a crop top for a westernized statement. Finally, add some classic antique heirloom jewellery from your grandmother's collection to finish off the enchanting look.
The creation and preservation of heirlooms can not only be a potent approach to promoting exquisite native handicrafts but it also seamlessly complements the opulent lifestyles.
Circular Fashion
Check out the circular fashion phenomenon by opening your closet. To put it another way, exchange, choose vintage, rent, or donate your unused clothes.
Remember that lehnga your friend wore at her brother’s wedding? host a clothing swap with your friends as one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. You can swap that with your last year’s Navratri outfit or something that you’re bored with. If her lehnga blouse doesn’t fit you, don’t worry; simply pair it with different top like a tie-up top, shirts, tunics or even a cape and elevate the look instantly. You could choose this popular Indian fusion style if you want to try something different this festive season instead of wearing the standard saris, salwar suits, or kurtis sets.
It’s not only Earth-friendly but you’ll also divert waste from landfills. Bonus: It’s fun and you not only save your money but you also get to create so many of your own quirky looks to slay to!
Organise Your Wardrobe
Sometimes, the simple things make a lasting impact. Like organizing your wardrobe and looking after what you have so you can celebrate the pieces that you love for a longer time period of time. You're considerably more likely to be creative and experimental when styling your looks when you can actually see what's all in your wardrobe, meaning you're less likely to buy new clothes. It's challenging to shake off the belief that you must follow these quick fashion trends. A wiser option? Discover a style that is uniquely yours and will always be in vogue.
As women are now gravitating toward fusion clothing as well, also known as Indo-western fashion, which is highly popular both in India and other parts of the world. You can easily mix and match various traditional and modern basics that you already own to create your own unique Indian contemporary looks. Like pairing an old skirt with a basic cotton tunic and accessorizing with glass bangles, oxidized jewellery, and a Bindi.
This style is so in and is ideal for both daytime wear or a Diwali party. This is not only a really intriguing and conscious fashion choice, but you’ll also feel comfortable throughout.
Re-purpose
It’s often said that the most sustainable clothing is already in your wardrobe. You might discover old forgotten favourites. Almost everybody has those timeless wardrobe staples, such as sharara or plazzo pants, that you know will remain fashionable season after season.
You can certainly use those bottoms from your existing co-ord sets. They are always comfortable to wear and creates multiple stunning looks whether they are flared or narrow or cropped up. Choose a color and have fun! Wearing them with either a monochromatic kurti or your favourite western tiered dress will let you create a fascinating Indo-Western aesthetics. Both the outfits are ideal classic combos that, when styled with proper colors and a dupatta, create the illusion of an Anarkali, or traditional ethnic dress. Add on some chunky jewels to accentuate the lovely appearance.
Because as they say, having less is so much more valuable and sustainable, not only for the environment but for your pocket as well.
Shop Sustainable Brands
Look into eco-fashion businesses like APANAKAH that aim to produce clothes in a more sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. As we seek to be more sustainable and make use of materials that are natural and biodegradable. In order to reduce waste, we employ techniques like manufacturing items on a made-to-order basis. As a result, clothes last a long time in your wardrobe because they are designed to be of the greatest quality, ensuring longevity and durability. Shop from small, local brands that are committed to creating a culture of sustainability by producing less from the start
Nowadays, more and more people are switching to sustainable brands as they understand how important it is to reduce impact of fashion on our planet. This is one easy step that we can all do to lessen the negative consequences of our festival attire on the environment and individuals.
Go ahead and take in the celebrations, but don't forget to be kind and good to nature!