The upcoming celebrations, from Christmas parties to Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve, promise festive gatherings and unforgettable moments. However, in this time of joy and community, considerations about our wardrobe often come to the fore. Traditionally, sequins, feathers, velvet, satin and glitter are considered essential elements of festive clothing. Unfortunately, a closer look often reveals incompatibilities with the principles of sustainability and ethics.
Key facts at a glance:
- Traditional festive clothing often shows incompatibilities with sustainability and ethical principles. A significant portion consists of non-renewable and non-biodegradable synthetic materials such as polyester
- There are various sustainable options for festive dressing. These include re-styling existing clothing, renting formal outfits for a specific period of time, and purchasing second-hand or vintage clothing
- There is also a wide range of sustainable brands offering festive clothing. We introduce you to 10 of these brands
Problems with conventional formal clothing
The challenges when it comes to formal wear cannot be overlooked. A significant portion of the holiday wardrobe includes sequins, feathers, velvet, satin and glitter, which are almost always problematic materials. The fabrics are mostly made of synthetic materials such as polyester, are blended fabrics and release microplastics. Therefore, they are made from non-renewable resources and are not biodegradable. The dilemma is compounded by the fact that many of these garments will most likely only be worn once. It's time to stop before making a purchase and consider whether the item you want is really necessary and whether there isn't a more sustainable alternative.
Luckily, there is a growing variety of sustainable festive wardrobe options that make it possible to navigate the festivities in style without endorsing the damaging effects of fast fashion. It is worth making conscious decisions and thus contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.
Guide for an ecofriendly and festive outfit
Here's a guide on how to put together an eco-friendly outfit for your holiday plans:
- Start by doing a thorough search of your own closet. You are sure to find items of clothing that you had forgotten about or that you can style in a new way. By combining previously unworn outfits, you can give your wardrobe a fresh look and look at it from a new perspective. Besides, you can wear already worn looks again as well. .
- As a next step, you could ask friends and family if you can raid their closets for interesting pieces. You can often discover hidden treasures there that the owners have forgotten and that they would certainly be happy to lend to you for the holidays.
- You can explore the variety of options, and rent clothes for a limited period of time. For example, if you want to wear a particularly festive outfit on Christmas Eve, you could rent a sequin dress and return it after the holidays to avoid a new item of clothing gathering dust in your closet.
- If you still haven't found what you're looking for, you have the option to buy something. Here is second hand or vintage fashion an excellent choice. The market offers a wide range of options, from online retailers to second-hand shops and flea markets. Both the shopping options and the items on offer are extremely diverse and unique when it comes to second-hand and vintage.
Brands for sustainable festive outfits
If none of the options listed are an option, there is also the alternative of investing in new, sustainable clothing. The market now offers a large selection of sustainable brands that, among other things, design festive clothing. Here are our top brands for festive outfits:
- Ganni
- Stella McCartney
- Gabriela Hearst
- Sleeper
- Reformation
- Mara Hoffmann
- Rotate
- Ilk and Ernie
- Germanians
- Nicasconcept
1. Ganni
The Danish fashion brand Ganni has made a name for itself for its innovative and accessible designs. The brand is increasingly using sustainable materials such as organic cotton and recycled fabrics, thereby reducing its ecological footprint. In addition, Ganni has established initiatives for fair working conditions and transparent supply chains.
When it comes to formal wear, Ganni offers an impressive selection of sustainable options. From elegant evening dresses to patterned two-piece suits to playful party looks, the brand's range combines style and environmental awareness.
- Company location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Price: €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Ganni, Unger Fashion
Source & Copyright by Net a Porter
2.Stella McCartney
The luxury fashion brand is considered a pioneer in sustainable fashion, with a clear focus on animal-friendly and environmentally conscious practices. The brand uses ethically responsible materials and alternatives to animal products. Stella McCartney is committed to transparent supply chains and resource-saving production processes.
When it comes to festive outfits, the brand offers elegant and playful pieces that are both luxurious and sustainable. Stella McCartney's 2023 winter collection includes both timeless and modern designs.
- Company location: London, UK
- Price: € € € €
- Target group: Women, unisex and children
- Available there: Stella McCartney, Farfetch, Net a Porter
Source & Copyright by Stella McCartney
3. Gabriella Hearst
The pioneer in the luxury fashion universe not only relies on sophisticated designs, but also on uncompromising sustainability. The Uruguayan designer is revolutionizing the fashion world with eco-friendly practices, from ethically sourced wool to sustainable leather.
Their festive range combines elegance and luxury with a clear statement for environmentally conscious fashion. From opulent evening gowns to subtle, festive two-piece suits Gabriela Hearst Selection not only includes artistic craftsmanship, but also a commitment to ecological responsibility.
- Company location: New York City, USA
- Price: € € € €
- Target group: women and men
- Available there: Gabriela Hearst, Net a Porter, Unger Fashion
Source & Copyright by Gabriela Hearst
4. Sleepers
Sleeper's is committed to cultivating love and self-care in everyday life. The brand strives to increase the number of people who take responsible care of themselves every day. For them and with this in mind, Sleeper creates handmade clothing that is produced from sustainable materials and under fair working conditions.
The garments are very individual and elegant, which makes them perfect for festive occasions. The selection combines sophisticated cuts, different styles and materials.
- Company location: Kyiv, Ukraine
- Price: € €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Sleeper, My Best Brands
Source & Copyright by Net a Porter
5. Reformation
With its brand, the women's fashion label aims to make sustainable fashion accessible to everyone. Reformation uses environmentally friendly materials such as Tencel, viscose and recycled fabrics. The brand emphasizes transparent supply chains and relies on resource-saving production practices. Reformation places great importance on its environmental footprint and produces its clothing in small quantities to avoid overproduction.
The range combines festive eye-catchers as well as timeless classics. Reformation offers a stylish selection of dresses, two-piece sets and more that are stylish yet environmentally friendly.
- Company location: Los Angeles, USA
- Price: € €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Reformation
Source & Copyright by Reformation
6. Mara Hoffmann
Mara Hoffman became known for her colorful and vibrant collections, often inspired by craftsmanship. What sets the brand apart, however, is its deep commitment to integrating sustainable practices into the fashion industry. Mara Hoffman's sustainability efforts are multifaceted. The brand uses environmentally friendly materials, produces under fair working conditions and relies on transparency within the supply chains.
With an impressive variety of sustainable festive options, the brand offers a selection of dresses, jumpsuits and ensembles that impress with their artful aesthetic.
- Company location: New York City, USA
- Price: € € €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Mara Hoffmann, Net a Porter, My Best Brands
Source & Copyright by Mara Hoffmann
7. Rotate
As an up-and-coming fashion label, Rotate are characterized by their contemporary designs and their commitment to sustainability. The brand relies on innovative approaches to minimize the ecological impact of the fashion industry.
When it comes to formal wear, Rotate offers an impressive selection of sustainable options. The individual pieces stand out not only because of their extraordinary cuts, but also because of the elegance they radiate. The designs are a mix of modern and timeless and stand out due to their extravagance.
- Company location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Price: € €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Rotate, net a porter
Source & Copyright by Net a Porter
8. Ilk and Ernie
Ilk and Ernie puts sustainability at the center of their fashion philosophy. All garments are made from surplus fabrics, with the leftovers used for accessories. The aim is to avoid any form of waste. This zero-waste strategy makes it possible to balance style and environmental impact.
The brand's range offers a small selection of versatile designs. The products are very eye-catching and playful thanks to their colors, patterns and cuts. However, this allows the pieces to be styled trans-seasonally and for different occasions.
- Company location: Brighton, UK
- Price: €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Ilk and Ernie
Source & Copyright by Ilk and Ernie
9. Germanians
You could add the finishing touch to your festive outfit - with a bag from Germanians. The fashion brand places great emphasis on upcycled luxury fabrics, incorporating eye-catching details such as discarded pearls. The commitment to sustainability is reflected in the use of recycled materials, which contributes to a more environmentally conscious approach in the fashion industry
The collections feature sculptural and glittering pieces that add a festive touch, making Germanier's creations suitable for glamorous occasions and celebratory events.
- Company location: Switzerland
- Price: € € €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Germanians, Farfetch
Source & Copyright by Germanier
10. Nicasconcept
Nicasconcept also presents an ideal choice of bag for festive occasions. Founded by two sisters, the brand creates handcrafted bags from recycled textiles sourced from European interior designs. The sisters' main concern is to create something innovative by using existing resources.
The offer includes both unusual it-pieces and elegant everyday bags. All designs are characterized by their uniqueness and leave an extremely elegant and high-quality impression. The bags are also available in a variety of colors and patterns.
- Company location: Berlin, Germany
- Price: € €
- Target group: Women
- Available there: Nicasconcept
Source & Copyright by Nicasconcept
Stylish choices for conscious celebrations
This festive season gives us the opportunity to not only enjoy the moments together but also make conscious choices when it comes to our wardrobe. The challenges of formalwear, from environmentally damaging materials to single-use, are obvious. But the variety of sustainable options gives us the opportunity to combine style and responsibility. Whether by styling existing clothing, renting clothes, renting formal outfits, purchasing second-hand or vintage treasures or investing in sustainable brands. We have the power to have a positive impact on the fashion industry. May our festive outfits shine as bright as our mood.
