One of the most important rules of dressing more sustainably is having fewer clothes and wearing those clothes more. It sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly easy to end up with a wardrobe full of lone rangers—garments made on impulse because we fell in love with a fabric or a pattern, but that don’t actually work with anything else we own (or even with our personal style).
Surely one of the guiltiest times of year for creating these lone rangers is party season—a time when we’re traditionally trained to shop for or make something fresh, glam, and celebration-worthy.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting something new or different. But if we’re not thoughtful, it can easily feed into overconsumption and a take-make-dispose cycle. Here are a few tips to help you create stand-out party pieces that also earn a spot in your regular wardrobe rotation.
Design for Your Lifestyle
Before you choose a pattern, think about where you’ll actually wear this outfit beyond the intended event. Will it fit in with your real social life: the dinners, gatherings, and family events? Designing for your lifestyle makes your make far more useful and more likely that you’ll feel comfortable in it, whatever the occasion.
Stick to Colours and Prints You Love
If you already know the palette and prints you tend to wear regularly, stick with them. It’s tempting to go for the "wow" factor, but, if the goal is to make something you’ll happily reach for again, it's sometimes best to stick with what you know. And honestly, doesn't the real "wow" factor come from wearing something that perfectly suits your style and, therefore, makes you feel a million dollars?
Look for Patterns That Can Be Dressed Up or Down
Versatility is key. Gone are the days when “fancy dress” meant an actual dress. Fashion is far more fluid now, and it’s easy to give casual pieces a more elevated edge with the right styling. Matching sets can make a statement together or mix effortlessly into your everyday wardrobe. The more ways you can wear something, the more sustainable—and stylish—it becomes. If you can imagine at least three outfits from one pattern, it’s a winner.
Prioritise Comfort
If you can’t move and eat (or end up a sweaty mess) in your outfit you’re unlikely to wear it again—at least not regularly. Choose designs that give you freedom to move and fabrics that breathe, such as natural fibres. We all know people look their best when they feel their best!
Opt for Fit Flexibility
Body shapes and sizes shift over time, so it makes sense to sew with that in mind. Patterns with ties, elastic backs, gathers, or wrap closures can adapt as you do, extending the garment’s life and they can be easily made plastic-free!
Think About Layering Potential
How could the garment be worn not just for a different occasion, but in a different season? We’re big advocates of designing with transeasonality in mind (we wrote a whole blog about it). Garments that can easily be layered mean more wears per make and fewer overall clothes needed.
Choose Quality Fabrics and Finishes
It may sound contradictory, but so-called fancy fabrics are often made from not-so-fancy synthetics. The shiny, sparkly, super drapey materials you see in shops can be tricky to sew, uncomfortable to wear, and harmful to both the planet and the people who make or wear them.
Natural alternatives like Tencel™, Ecovero™ Viscose, organic cotton, and linen not only feel beautiful on the body, they also create garments that look genuinely high-end and have a lower environmental impact. Adding quality finishes such as French seams, bias-bound edges, or beautiful buttons makes your project feel special and built to last.
Plan for Longevity
It’s not about avoiding trends altogether, but, when choosing a pattern, try asking yourself a few questions: Would I still love this if it weren’t fashionable right now? Does it work with the clothes I already wear? Taking a moment to pause and analyse a trend can help you decide whether it’s something likely to endure—at least in your own wardrobe.
Reinvent What You Already Own
Before diving into a whole new project, take a look at what’s already hanging in your wardrobe. Could you sew a fresh accessory to give it a new lease on life? Think an overskirt, detachable collar, wrap belt, or a matching bag or hair accessory. Small additions can transform an existing outfit into something fresh and party-ready without starting from scratch.
With a little intentional planning, it’s possible to make a swoon-worthy party outfit that looks and feels so good it’ll never find itself at the back of the wardrobe.
Ready to get party planning? Check out our carefully curated range of modern, versatile sewing patterns and high quality sewing fabrics.