Sustainable Christmas Party Dresses/Outfits
It's nearly Christmas party season and you might be wondering what to wear for a Christmas night out or be looking for the perfect New Years Eve outfit. If you haven't chosen your party outfit, here's our style tips on how to choose a sustainable and timeless outfit.
What to wear to a Christmas party?
If you’re looking for advice on ‘What to wear for a Christmas party?’ then this blog will help you choose an ethical option if you are looking to buy a new Christmas party dress. You might be wondering how you can dress sustainably for the party season? Here’s our top tips:
What to wear to a Christmas party? Women dressed in Christmas party dresses on a night out
How to Dress sustainably for a Christmas Party?
1. Wear what you already have
The most sustainable option is to wear an outfit that you already own! I love to re-use old dresses that have been in my wardrobe for years. Think creatively about how you can update your look with accessories or the latest party shoes. Or add a brooch, corsage or belt to transform something you already own into a completely new look. Don't be concerned about wearing an outfit lots of times, it's much better for the environment if we re-use the clothes that we already own.
There is also the option of updating an old piece with a simple alteration to make it look fresh again. I helped out with a tired dress that was over 10 years old and made it look modern again by making it a one shoulder. If you can’t sew yourself there are lots of places that you can go to get clothes updated.
2. Shop Pre-loved
Re-using the clothes in our wardrobes and pre-loved clothing sales are on the rise. The ‘Christmas jumper’ has become an accepted fashion statement at Christmas time and is the perfect piece to source second hand. Environmental charity Hubbub warned people against buying a new Christmas jumper, after finding that 95% of them are made using plastic. So if you are thinking of wearing a Christmas jumper this year, re-use one for previous years, buy second-hand or swap with friends.
Searching out hidden gems in charity shops is another sustainable option for the party season. Someone else's party dress from last year, could be just what you are looking for! Or why not organise a clothes swap event in your local community?
3. Try Out Rental
Have you thought about renting a dress? There are some great sites where you can rent occasion dresses that might be out of your budget!
Here’s some websites to help if you want to give rental a go:
HURR provides designer clothing to rent for a fraction of the cost to buy it.
HIRESTREET provides more high street options for a night out.
4. Buy Timeless pieces from ethical and sustainable brands
If you do decide to purchase something new, then I would encourage you to shop ethically from brands like Jenerous where you know that your dress has been ethically made. Choose well and buy an outfit that won’t go out of trend, so that you can get lots of wear out of it.
The Best Christmas Party Looks
I know from my experience as a high street designer that there are classic Christmas occasion looks that seem to be on trend every year! Here are our top picks for a Christmas party outfit.
1. Metallic Dresses for Christmas Party
This dress has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Your purchase helps change lives. 10% of your purchase will go towards supporting our charity projects.
The sustainable Sparkle Wrap Dress is made from organic cotton that has been hand block printed by artisans in India, using metallic gold and silver dyes. This Knee length fitted dress has flattering tucks over the waist and a mock wrap detail. The dress is lined and features a concealed side zip. The sparkle metallic print adds glamour to a classic LBD. Wear with black accessories, or opt for metallic shoes to finish the look!
Please note that all our printing is done by hand, and any imperfections are part of the unique nature of our products.
Matching girls mini-me dress available.
Outside model wears a size 8 and is 5ft 6in tall, Indoor model wears a size 8 and is 5ft 10in tall. Please note that this style comes up a bit small so you might want to go up a size.
Hand block printed
Made in a Fair Trade factory
Silver and gold metallic print
Organic cotton
Hand wash only
Choosing something that sparkles is great option for a Christmas night out. Metallic tones such as gold, silver and copper are also always on trend, and look glamorous and special for a night out. To shop the look choose our Black Sparkle Wrap Dress which adds Christmas sparkle with its gold and silver print. We also have a matching mini-me Grace Sparkle Prom Dress which is perfect for the girl who loves to sparkle and for matching with mum.
2. Festive Red Dresses
This dress has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Your purchase helps change lives. 10% will go towards supporting our charity projects.
Our Fair Trade Transformation Maxi Dress now comes in red, new for Summer 2024. This beautiful sustainable dress has a frilled neck detail that can be worn either on or off the shoulder, depending on your style. The timeless design features a waist seam, and tiered full length skirt. It’s made from GOTS certified organic cotton which has been hand block printed by artisans in India, using eco-friendly dyes
Please note that all our printing is done by hand, and any imperfections are part of the unique nature of our products.
Model wears a size 8 and is 5ft 5in tall. This dress is true to size.
Hand block printed with eco-friendly dyes
Made in a Fair Trade factory
Floral print design
GOTS certified organic cotton
Machine washable at 30
Another Christmas classic is red. Red looks great all year round but especially at Christmas. Our organic cotton maxi dress in a beautiful floral hand printed design is made from super soft organic cotton.
3. The classic Little Black Dress.
This black evening dress incorporates Grecian styling for a timeless and elegant look and has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
The Sophie Dress is available in a long or short version. The short dress is made from Lenzing modal jersey. Lenzing modal is a sustainable fabric choice, as it’s made in an environmentally sound process from super-fine beechwood fibre. This eco-friendly stretch jersey fabric has a luxurious and soft feel that drapes well.
Modal is made from the wood pulp of beech trees using 100% renewable energy, is sourced from trees from certified sustainably managed forests, and the chemical and waste that result from the production process are recycled.
Models wear a size 8, model on location is 5ft 6in tall and studio model is 5ft 7in tall.
Sustainable Lenzing Modal fabric
Made in a Fairtrade factory
2 lengths - short is 98cm long from shoulder to hem on a size 12
Grecian styling
Machine washable
Your purchase helps change lives. 10% will go towards supporting a tailoring training program in India.
This dress has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Your purchase helps change lives. 10% of your purchase will go towards supporting our charity projects.
The black Hope Prom Dress is made from organic cotton and is a classic ‘Little Black Dress’. The dress features a satin removable waist sash and large corsage. Its strapless prom shape is a timeless silhouette, accentuating the waist. The fitted bodice is boned for extra support and the dress is fastened by a concealed side zip.
Model wears a size 8 and is 5ft 6in tall.
Made in a Fair Trade factory
Organic cotton
Strapless
Machine washable
This dress has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Your purchase helps change lives. 10% of your purchase will go towards supporting our producers and charity projects.
Our one shoulder organic cotton cocktail dress is from a guaranteed Fair Trade origin. It’s a classic evening dress with a large statement self fabric bow on the shoulder, and a cuff detail on the neck edge. The dress is fastened with a concealed side zip and is fully lined.
Model on location wears a size 8 and is 5ft 6in tall, studio model wears a size 8 and is 5ft 10in tall
Made in a Fair Trade factory
Sustainable organic cotton
One shoulder bow detail
Machine washable
The Classic Little Black dress is a wardrobe staple. It can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and worn with brights or metallics for a more striking look. We have a selection of black dresses ranging from long Grecian styles to a stylish modern one shoulder dress with a bow on the shoulder. For a more classic look that’s super flattering go for the strapless prom dress that accentuates the waist.
4. Lace and Broderie Dresses
This dress has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Your purchase helps to change lives. 10% of your purchase will go towards supporting our charity projects.
This shorter length transformation dress in hot pink embroidered cotton has pretty cut out detailing on the neck frill and hem. Made from deadstock fabric sourced in India, which supports local Indian businesses. The frilled neck detail on this Fair Trade dress can be worn either on or off the shoulder, or even as a one shoulder dress.
Beach model wears a size 12 and is 5ft 2in tall. Length on size 12 is 52cm from waist seam. Indoor model wears a size 6 and is 5ft 10in tall.
Made in a Fair Trade factory
Deadstock embroidered cotton
Machine washable
Versatile neckline for different looks
This dress has been made in a registered Fair Trade factory in India, providing work and training opportunities to vulnerable people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Your purchase helps change lives. 10% of your purchase will go towards supporting our charity projects.
New in this season is our bright pink embroidered cotton mini dress. Made fairly in a WFTO Fair Trade factory in India from 100% cotton deadstock fabric. It’s lined and has a centre back zip and full length sleeves.
Model wears a size 10 and is 5ft 4in tall.
Made in a Fair Trade factory
100% cotton
Machine washable
Lace is a classic that never dates, so it’s a choice that will last. If you are looking for a pop of colour to stand out in the crowd, our pink Transformation dress or mini tunic dress will work just as well. Wear it with a pair of black heels and matching accessories for a vibrant night out.
What should I wear to my Christmas party?
I hope that you now have some ideas on how to dress sustainably this Christmas and if you are considering a new festive party outfit, follow our tips on the best looks to choose. Our Ethical and Fair Trade dresses give you the option to shop sustainably and look your best this party season.
You can shop our collection of dresses here.