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Source: Gentleman's Playbook Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Please contact us for republishing permission and citation formatting. Elbow Patches: The Great Debate One of my readers recently asked for my take on elbow patches and I thought of the one jacket I own that has them which has been hanging in my closet untouched for over a year. My initial thoughts are that they are a trendy addition to a jacket or sport coat, which in some cases works well, but can also ruin a look. One thing elbow patches certainly give to a jacket is a more unique identity. A solid suede or leather elbow covering will be one of the first things noticed on a jacket instead of its overall color or pattern. It also makes the jacket more easily remembered and limits the number of combinations that can be worn with it. Who isn’t going to remember a navy jacket with pale pink elbow patches? However, if you have several navy jackets in your arsenal then having a more unusual one like this makes a fine business casual look. Another determining factor of whether this style works or not is how it is worn. The more casual the better - it does not work with full business suits and jackets, especially plaid and windowpane patterns which are unique enough on their own. Why take the focus off a beautifully patterned jacket with solid contrasting color leather elbow patches? While this may be considered a current trend, it will soon phase itself out as most do. The same jacket without patches will never be out of style. Before you run to your closets with scissors to cut off all your elbow patches (sidebar: any seamstress or tailor will be able to remove them with little-to-no visible damage to the jacket stitching), there are certainly instances where they work very well. Heavier, winter-weight fabrics such as tweed, wool, and flannel make for some of the colder seasons’ most stylish jackets that go great with an added touch of suede on the elbow; solid and tonal colored jackets especially. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By  Samantha Sutton Updated Jul 26, 2019 @ 2:30 pm Source: Instyle Photo(s) Source: Instyle Fashion Photos Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion Please contact for usage permission and formatting. All Rights Reserved. The star wore some super cute outfits while in Italy — and we took notes. Source: Instyle Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook CREDIT: COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Selena Gomez rang in her 27th birthday in the dreamiest way: vacationing in Capri, Italy, wearing comfy clothes and, according to sources, munching on delicious food (pasta included, of course). Looking at the pics from her trip, we can’t help but feel a slight pang of jealousy, but even so, the star managed to give us a gift of own. It came in the form of both style and packing lessons, which we picked up after seeing Gomez’s easy, breezy getaway outfits . From the versatile staples she wore multiple times to the pieces that would work for whatever she had planned, here are five tips Gomez likely used when stuffing her suitcase. We’ll definitely be keeping these in mind ahead of our next trip. 1. Pack “Easy” Outfits For this particular trip, Gomez opted to wear a variety of long, breezy dresses — AKA one-and-done outfits that no doubt fit nicely into her suitcase. When she did mix things up, it was with denim Bermuda shorts , a staple she could easily throw on with a tank top and a jacket. Source: Instyle Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook CREDIT: CIAO PIX / BACKGRID There is nothing easier that summer knits….there is no need to iron. At best just a little shower steam will do. 2. Bring Versatile Jewelry Gomez didn’t go all out with her accessories, either. Instead of packing her whole jewelry collection, she was spotted wearing her classic hoops on repeat. These gold earrings made enough of a statement without being a distraction, and were the perfect trendy choice for a laid-back getaway. 3. Find a Neutral Bag And  one that’s easy to carry. For Gomez, that was bucket bag, a white and brown crossbody that was big enough to hold the essentials. It paired well with all of her looks, and, if she had wanted to dress up, wouldn’t look out of place with fancier outfits — such as an LBD or even a suit — either. CREDIT: SELENAGOMEZ/INSTAGRAM 4. Don’t Go Overboard With Footwear From what we saw, the shoes Gomez packed were casual yetcool, and worked for a variety of occasions. Her camel-colored Ancient Greek Sandals looked great with both dresses and shorts, and their neutral coloring had a leg-lengthening effect. The star’s white platform sneakers also combined the best of both worlds, since they were walkable yet stylish. 5. Think Versatility It seemed as if Gomez thought about which outfits would make the most sense for sightseeing, relaxing, and occasions that required her to be a bit fancier. She chose long, easy dresses that could quickly be amped up with extras, and shorts that she could rewear if needed. Her shoes, jewelry, and bag were also styled with multiple outfits. It’s all making us rethink our packing list ahead of our next trip. Now that the end of the pandemic seems to be in sight, where will you go for summer fun? What easy, versatile fashion options will you choose? Where is your summer fun destination. After COVID-19 you deserve it! Share the love with your fellow fashionistas by sharing this post with 3 friends and family members today! #fashion #5styletricks #summer2021 #women #covid #knits #styling #instyle #COVID19 #style #pandemic #packing #summer #knitting #stylist #spring #coronavirus #vacation #magazine #womensfashion #season #fashionmagazine #packingforvacation #springseason #selena #knit #selenagomez #gomez #shidonnaraven #knittops #shidonnaravenfashion #summerknits #corona #tops

By Steven McIntosh December 27, 2023 Source: BBC Photo Source: Unsplash Here are eight of the biggest fashion trends set to dominate 2024. 1. Polka dots We counted every single polka dot at every fashion show this year, and can tell you that the total came to 12,487,396. The runways, in other words, were packed full of them. The pattern is often popular in summer, but really the prints are a timeless and versatile trend which you're likely to see a lot of throughout the next year. "Polka dots can be relied upon for elegance and impact," said the Telegraph. "Spots are playful; they don't take themselves too seriously. Even the name, polka, suggests joie de vivre. "This time around, we are making them our own. They're big and bold, they're imperceptibly small, they're punchy, they're muted... This is a print for everybody: it's genderless, classless, ageless and timeless. It's time to join the dots." 2. Cherry red With the exception of the annoying stone you have to spit out at the end, we love everything about cherries - and this season they provided the runways with a distinctive, vibrant and confident colour. Some fashion houses put forward designs which were cherry red from head to toe, while others kept it limited to a skirt or jacket and combined it with other colours to make an ensemble. "Fashion's obsession with bright red has been impossible to ignore in recent seasons, seen on the runway but also the red carpet," said Vogue's Alex Kessler. "Spring/summer 2024 [collections] brought a noticeable shift towards deeper and more opulent versions of the shade." 3. Metallics Several designers took inspiration from the pipes under their kitchen sink for this next trend - a variety of outfits and dresses with a metallic sheen. One of our favourite Met Gala themes of the last decade was 2016's Man vs. Machine, which saw A-list guests dress in silver, futuristic colours with robot-inspired accessories. Metallics became prominent once again in 2023 as fans dressed up for Beyonce's Renaissance tour. The trend looks set to continue into next year and dominated during Paris fashion week, with Net-A-Porter noting: "Swathes of shimmering metallics glistened across the SS24 runways." But if you're opting for gold, careful not to overload. "Metallic gold can have a gladiator look," pointed out StyleCaster. "If you want to tone it down, pair metallic gold with alternate materials like denim or leather." 4. Knitwear In the UK, the weather is so appalling that frankly a nice cardigan or jumper never goes out of fashion. According to Who What Wear, the SS24 collections acknowledged that "knitwear is a year-round staple, but one that should be no less fabulous than the rest of the items you wear". "Erdem's embroidered cardigans were some of the most beautiful pieces we saw," they added. Elsewhere, W magazine suggested: "Cardigans and fair isle knits were the most prominent knitwear trend this season." 5. Snowflake patterns We admit these beautiful and intricate designs are a bit more sophisticated than the snowflakes we made in school with some paper and a pair of scissors. "Designers got crafty this season," noted Drapers, "and the Paris runways were aflutter with super-size lace and broderie anglaise designs for SS24". (Don't worry, we've already Googled it, broderie anglaise refers to patterns with small round or oval holes cut out of the fabric, providing the snowflake look.) Several of the outfits on display during fashion weeks saw the snowflake design put front and centre, while others displayed them through an outer layer of sheer. 6. Bows and ribbons If you're reading this in a room surrounded by discarded giftwrap, make sure you scoop up those bows and ribbons before they reach the rubbish bin. Giant bows showed up in the collections of several major designers during the various fashion weeks, so we could be seeing them adorn a variety of dresses next year. "Oversized and opulent bows, spotted at shows like Sixdo and Aknvas, added a touch of whimsy to looks that were otherwise simple or unadorned," according to InStyle. But not all fashion houses went for large and conspicuous designs - others opted for much smaller bows and ribbons to decorate, accessorise or tie together outfits. "The dainty accessory creates a soft, romantic look no matter how it's worn, acting as garment detailing for a slew of different silhouettes," suggested Nylon. 7. Short shorts If you already feel overloaded by the number of tabloid headlines which use the phrase "leggy display", then you may want to skip this one. This summer will likely see an explosion in popularity for short shorts in a variety of colours, styles and fabrics. "Those leg days at the gym are about to pay off," said Net-A-Porter, "because if the recent runways told us anything, it's that seriously short shorts are set to be the ultimate power-dressing move come summer '24." 8. Upcycled, pre-loved or sustainable materials Arguably the most important fashion trend we could all adopt in the coming year is green . But not the colour. Sustainability has long been a concern in relation to the highly-polluting fashion industry. A huge number of consumers buy something cheap, wear it a few times, and then chuck it out. Tiny steps are being taken to address the industry's carbon footprint, such as the increasing popularity of websites which specialise in "pre-loved fashion", but many feel a great deal more needs to be done. we applaud the designers who are putting sustainability in the spotlight - either by changing their working practices, or by incorporating used materials into their designs. Examples highlighted by British Vogue include Stella McCartney's use of Kelsun, a seaweed-based fibre that is said to have a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional fibres. Eckhaus Latta, meanwhile, showed a series of trousers that were 3D woven from yarn, cutting out the fabric-making process and reducing the amount of excess stock by making the manufacturing process more agile. "Waste materials and deadstock are given a second life as new garments," said Fashion United. "Materials destined for landfill are rescued and reworked . Pieced, patched, and layered together with imperfections and signs of wear and tear celebrated rather than hidden." As consumers' awareness of their carbon footprint increases, perhaps the items many will choose to wear the most in the coming year are the clothes already in their wardrobe. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Heirloom COLLECTION: ( Environmentally Friendly ) Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Lindy Segal  and Jake Smith September 23, 20192 Source: The World Bank Photo Source: Unsplash The garment industry is one of the most polluting in the world, but some clothing makers and consumers are calling for a more sustainable industry. How much did you pay for the clothes in your closet? If you have the receipts, you can calculate this. However, there is a cost behind each dress, pair of jeans, shirt, and sock that goes unnoticed by most people: the cost to the environment. According to figures from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it takes 3,781 liters of water to make a pair of jeans, from the production of the cotton to the delivery of the final product to the store. That equates to the emission of around 33.4 kilograms of carbon equivalent. If that is for just one pair of jeans, imagine the environmental cost for everything in our wardrobes. The following statistics, published by the UNEP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation , give us an idea:  Every year the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water — enough to meet the consumption needs of five million people. Around 20 % of wastewater worldwide comes from fabric dyeing and treatment. Of the total fiber input used for clothing, 87 % is incinerated or disposed of in a landfill. The fashion industry is responsible for 10 % of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. At this pace, the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50 % by 2030. If demographic and lifestyle patterns continue as they are now, global consumption of apparel will rise from 62 million metric tons in 2019 to 102 million tons in 10 years.  Every year a half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. The danger? Microfibers cannot be extracted from the water and they can spread throughout the food chain. Fast fashion The fashion industry’s operating model is exacerbating the problem by stepping up the pace of design and production. Collection launches are no longer seasonal; the replacement of clothing inventories has become much more frequent. Many low-cost clothing stores offer new designs every week. In 2000, 50 billion new garments were made; nearly 20 years later, that figure has doubled, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The dizzying pace of apparel manufacturing has also accelerated consumption: the average person today buys 60 % more clothing than in 2000, the data show. And not only do they buy more, they also discard more as a result. Less than 1 % of used clothing is recycled into new garments. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that every year some USD 500 billion in value is lost due to clothing that is barely worn, not donated, recycled, or ends up in a landfill.  The industry should reinvent itself The fashion industry is key for economic development: it is valued at some USD 2.4 billion globally and directly employees 75 million people throughout its value chain. It is the world’s third-largest manufacturing sector after the automobile and technology industries. This makes it a challenge for clothing makers to grow without being an enemy of the environment, to become allies of the climate while also promoting better conditions for workers in the sector. In 2017, the Boston Consulting Group took the pulse of the fashion industry. With a score of just 32 over 100, the management consulting firm found that the industry is slow to improve its sustainability. Some mid-sized and large companies have made strides, but half of the market has done little to become more sustainable in production. The study found that most fashion executives had not made environmental and social factors a part of the guiding principles of their corporate strategies.  Foundations like Ellen MacArthur and initiatives such as the recently formed UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion , in which the World Bank’s Connect4Climate program and other organizations participate, are calling for a new textile economy. The goal is to explore the use of new materials to make clothing more durable so it can be resold or recycled into other products, helping to reduce pollution. Some leading brands have answered this call and are working to identify fiber alternatives and develop more eco-friendly processes. Technology and research are playing a key role in making the industry more sustainable. Athletic shoes and attire are getting made out of materials extracted from the plastic dumped into the ocean. Fish skins and natural dyes are replacing chemicals, fruit skins are substituting furs, and backpacks and purses are getting made out of discarded canvas. Some companies have a return policy so they can recycle the consumers’ garments after they have worn out. In Latin America, the industry’s transition to a sustainable model is gaining momentum. Designers are exploring possibilities to use the region’s biodiversity in marketing sustainable brands. Events are being organized and alliances formed to promote the purchase of eco-friendly clothing and accessories. Initiatives such as Hilo Sagrado and Evea , which received World Bank support through competitions organized by the Young Americas Business Trust, are working on this. While a lot still needs to be done, it is encouraging that some companies are becoming involved when a decade ago there was little talk of sustainable fashion. What can consumers do? To make the garment industry more sustainable, all actors must get involved, from designers to manufacturers, critics, and consumers. Without consumers making a change, the efforts are in vain. They must become aware of what they buy. How? Taking these small steps can help: Before buying, ask if the manufacturers used sustainable criteria to make the clothing. Be creative in combining garments and recycle them after they wear out. Repair clothing. Donate what you no longer use. Buy only what you need. In some countries, 40 % of purchased clothing is never used. Consider quality over quantity. Every additional year a garment is worn means less pollution. Cheap clothing often doesn't survive the wash cycle, meaning that in the long run you don’t save money compared with buying better quality garments? Buy second-hand clothing. Be a smart laundry manager — wash full loads and use non-abrasive detergents, for example. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Heirloom COLLECTION: ( Environmentally Friendly ) Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. All Rights Reserved. Copyright. Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion, Chevron Cowl . All Rights Reserved. Copyright. Be entered to Win one of our sizzling spring, summer and fall and season cowls or scarves when you submit a comment on one of our E Magazine posts and complete our survey . Limitations apply* Which one will you choose the scarf or the cowl? Who will it be for? Will you gift it for a special occasion? Share the love with your fellow fashionistas by sharing this post with 3 friends and family members today!

January 21, 2024 Source: The Vouge Photo Source: Unsplash, The oldest and most revered fashion week, known for its escapism and grandeur, catwalk shows have even transported audiences 3,500 years back in time (see John Galliano’s spring/summer 2004 collection for Christian Dior, inspired by ancient Egypt). Vogue breaks down the facts and figures behind the elaborate craft. Originating in late 19th-century Paris, haute couture – which, translated into English, means “high dressmaking” – is fashion at its most refined. “Haute couture is a spearhead in terms of creation – a fantastic laboratory of both craftsmanship and design innovation,” Ralph Toledano, president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, tells Vogue . “[It] is a land of free expression for designers, as well as an image builder for brands.” Ahead of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week spring/summer 2024, we break down the numbers behind the elaborate craft of couture. A Vogue illustration of a model wearing a brown and black floral patterned gown with a cross back by Charles Frederick Worth, 1939. 1858 The year British designer Charles Frederick Worth – regarded by many fashion historians as the father of haute couture and the first couturier – established the first couture house at number 7, rue de la Paix in Paris. 1868 The year the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) was founded. The FHCM promotes French fashion culture by presiding over Paris women’s and men’s fashion weeks. It also endorses designers who exhibit a quality of craftsmanship that meets the level required to show on the official Haute Couture Fashion Week schedule. 150 The average number of hours required to create a simple couture dress or suit from start to finish. 1,000 The average number of hours required to create a piece involving fine embroidery and other embellishments. 1,600 The number of hours it took to complete Chiara Ferragni ’s Dior haute couture wedding dress designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri. 6,000+ The number of hours required to create the most elaborately embroidered and embellished couture gowns. 4 The size of the team dedicated to creating a single couture garment at Chanel; consisting of one première (head seamstress) and three seamstresses. 10 The number of fittings it can take for a heavily embroidered, one-of-a-kind gown to be customised for a client. Simpler garments adopted from runway models require fewer fittings – often only two – and take six to eight weeks to deliver. Some couture clients have a mannequin made to their measurements so that they don’t have to travel to Paris for repeated fittings. 70 The number of seamstresses employed in Valentino’s Rome atelier; this expands to 80 during the collection period. 2,200 The number of seamstresses who are qualified to work on couture worldwide. The collective is called les petite mains , which literally translates to “small hands”. 2 The number of times fashion houses present their haute couture collections each year. Spring/summer collections are shown in January, while autumn/winter collections are shown in July. 4,000 The estimated number of haute couture clients around the world, which includes Queen Rania of Jordan as well as Debra L Lee , former CEO of Black Entertainment Television. 9,000 to 1 million In euros, the cost of a simple haute couture dress to a more elaborate gown. Unlike ready-to-wear, haute couture garments don’t come with a set price tag – rather, the final bill tallies the cost of each material and the number of labour hours involved. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

Source: IPCC Photo Source: Unsplash, How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Chloe Mac Donnell December 28, 2023 Source: Guardian Photo Source: Unsplash, Fashion is abandoning prim and perfect for a look that feels disorderly and real. But can we really believe this vision of simulated authenticity? G reasy hair, overspilling bags and crumpled clothing. The mood on the spring/summer 2024 catwalks last September was anything but polished. Who cares, some might say. But after having stealth wealth shoved in our faces for months, this was quite a vibe shift . Fashion is often hailed as a clairvoyant, using its hemlines and, more recently, hairline indexes to predict everything from economic downturns to rises in populism . While it would be unwise to rely on it as a sole indicator of the general direction in which the world is going, just like music and art, fashion does indeed reflect the times we are living. And for 2024, that mirror effect is looking quite distorted. To put it frankly, it’s chaotic. But it’s not exactly chaos. Instead, it’s a type of curated chaos as celebrities, influencers and brands attempt to be more relatable through faux realism. The paradigms of this shifting zeitgeist are abundant. It’s models walking down the catwalk with unzipped, overflowing bags cradled under their arms at Miu Miu . Look a bit closer and you realise this so-called paraphernalia is only a singular high heel poking out and some stylish branded pants. A real commuter knows the reality is orange-stained Then there’s GQ putting Kim Kardashian on the front cover of its men of the year issue eating a bag of Cheetos while wearing an expensive, luxe suit. While she’s supposedly licking orange dust off her thumb, the rest of her fingers remain clean – an impossible feat, anyone who has eaten the corn-puff snacks will know. Not to be outdone, her half-sister Kylie Jenner promotes her debut clothing line, KHY, while posing with a half-eaten burger and can of Coke. The burger is carefully sliced rather than gnawed at and there is not a trace of sauce on Jenner’s meticulously lined lips. Another dead giveaway? Full fat rather than Diet Coke. It’s happening online, too. Gone are well-lit DSLR photos of avocado on toast. In their place are blurry shots of smeared dinner plates and wine stained tablecloths and plenty of unfiltered crying. This laissez-faire attitude is spearheaded by influencers such as the 22-year-old Emma Chamberlain, who the New York Times says “invented the way people talk on YouTube … particularly the way they communicate authenticity”. Then there’s Julia Fox, who has been known to embrace slob style . “Everyone is a little scared of being too perfect online,” says Rachel Lee, a global insights strategist at the London-based agency the Digital Fairy. “We have reached the tipping point. Being messy is now the default.” This new chaotic mood is less of a surge and more of a gradual shift. In December last year the public chose “goblin mode” as its Oxford word of 2022 . The term refers to “a type of behaviour which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations”. Then this summer “bed rotting” became popularised. Hailed as a form of self-care by gen Z, it advocated for shunning productivity and instead lying in bed all day. There’s also been “feral girl summer” and “ugly core” with grotesque rather than neat nails . Some hail it as echoing a wider tumultuous mood. Lee describes it as “a coping mechanism” yet also a backlash against the “clean girl” and “boss bitch” aesthetics of being carefully controlled and advocating for 4am starts, latte dressing and mouth taping . “There’s an idea of undoneness. It’s an evolution from the blinginess of Y2K to its darker side. People are co-opting the messy aesthetic side of it. It’s an almost fatalistic attitude. That ‘I don’t care if I look bad, the world is burning anyway.’” However, just as millennial pink, doughnut walls and terrazzo tiles became synonymous with a certain Instagram look, curated chaos is not without its own style signifiers. It may be hailed as an anti-aesthetic but it is still an aesthetic. Every blurred selfie involves taking a selfie. Every photo dump means selecting and ordering up to 10 images from a camera roll. On TikTok there are even guides on how to curate a feed that looks messy. The fact that brands and individuals are now co-opting it to sell product feels even more chaotic. Ultimately, the aesthetic should come with a caveat: buyer beware, authenticity cannot be bought. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By Lindy Segal  and Jake Smith December 21, 2023 Source: Glamour Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion, The Versitile I-Cord Ribbon (The Ribbon that Keeps Giving * Environmentally Friendly ). All Rights Reserved. Copyright. It’s shaping up to be the year of the sequin. The best 2024 fashion trends are already taking shape, thanks to the spring runway shows and some boundary-pushing red carpet style—and just when we were starting to get tired of our current wardrobes, anyway. In 2023, the biggest overarching fashion trends—Y2K and quiet luxury—seemed to be at odds with each other. The latter championed simplicity over sparkle, and investment pieces over one-season wonders. The other was pure fun and nostalgia. So what do the experts—and the runways—foresee for 2024? “I think if prices for luxury goods continue to remain as high as they currently are, we’ll see the ‘quiet luxury’ trend stick around for a bit longer,” predicts Emilia Petrarca, who writes the fashion Substack Shop Rat . “It’s just too expensive to take risks on pieces that you might not like five, ten years down the line. Timeless pieces are perhaps a better investment." Still, she doesn't think we're headed for a year of unexciting clothes. Instead, "People are interested in trying a timeless sort of elegance or opulence—not just a boring beige minimalism that’s perhaps safer.” One safe bet: Secondhand fashion will continue to be hugely popular. But Petrarca thinks we'll move away from the Y2K aesthetic. As does Jenny Walton, writer of Jenny Sais Quoi on Substack. “I’ve been waiting to see if there will be a sort of 1920s resurgence, followed by a 1930s long silk bias cut dress resurgence,” she says. In the meantime, Walton (and seemingly everyone else on Instagram) has eyes for one dress in particular. Girlcore Everything is currently covered in bows, and we’re certain that they’re going to get even more popular as 2024 fashion trends take shape. We also saw countless rosettes, ribbons, and ruffles on the spring runways, meaning we’re in for a year of feminine, girlish fashion. Let’s call it what it is: girlcore. Sequined Everything Another repeated motif on the 2024 runways has been high shine—especially sequins. Once relegated to New Year’s Eve outfits, paillettes are now showing up in looks destined both for the dance floor and the office. Why not make this your flashiest year yet? How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Heirloom COLLECTION: ( Environmentally Friendly ) Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

By BOF TEAM , MCKINSEY & COMPANY December 7, 2021 Source: BOF Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion, The Versitile I-Cord Ribbon (The Ribbon that Keeps Giving * Environmentally Friendly ). All Rights Reserved. Copyright. The State of Fashion 2024 explores how the frequency and intensity of extreme weather-related events are leaving the industry’s value chain increasingly vulnerable. With climate risks worsening, the fashion industry can’t hold off any longer on building resilience into its supply chains. KEY INSIGHTS Fashion is responsible for between 3 percent and 8 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, extreme weather events could jeopardise $65 billion worth of apparel exports and eliminate nearly one million jobs in four economies that are among the most central to the global fashion industry. According to The BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2024 Executive Survey, fashion leaders are expecting other challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and inflation to vie for their attention ahead of climate risk in the coming months. For many fashion businesses, addressing climate-related risks is often a priority that is eclipsed by other challenges they deem more urgent or imminent. However, due to the geographic footprint and structure of fashion’s supply chains , it is especially vulnerable to extreme and increasing climate volatility. In 2024, a mindset shift is needed across the industry to acknowledge that maintaining the status quo is no longer an option and climate risk cannot be viewed as a long-term project to be tackled further down the line. The past year has provided ample examples of why climate de-risking needs immediate action given fashion value chains’ exposure to extreme weather conditions around the world. De-risking will not be the sole responsibility of manufacturers — brands will also need to revisit their supplier standards and invest to ensure they are sufficiently addressing new climate-related dimensions. Globally, 2023 will likely be remembered as a year of climate-related disasters, and the frequency of these disasters is only expected to increase due to climate change . Soaring temperatures around the world will make 2023 one of — if not the — hottest years on record, which scientists say is the result of both El Niño weather patterns and global warming. Sweltering temperatures, wildfires, torrential rain and flash floods have devastated communities around the world, leaving behind death and destruction. Few regions seemed to be spared. Though the human and environmental tragedy looms large, it is also hard to ignore the economic toll. The US , for example, had suffered an annual record, at $23 billion, of climate-related disasters even before 2023 comes to an end, surpassing 2020′s record high. And drought in Argentina in 2023 could cause the country’s economy to shrink by 2.5 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund . Beyond the Americas, China lost more than $7.6 billion due to severe drought in 2022. Globally, the cost of each climate-related disaster is estimated to have increased 77 percent over the past 50 years, reports the World Economic Forum . As global warming exceeds its current level of 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, productivity growth is set to fall. With global warming levels potentially reaching 2.2°C by 2050, global GDP levels could be reduced by up to 20 percent, while warming of up to 5°C by 2100 could lead to “economic annihilation,” according to Oxford Economics. The BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2024 Executive Survey found that executives expect other challenges — notably economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and inflation — to be vying for their attention ahead of climate risk. Yet, the past year should be a wakeup call for fashion. With fashion still responsible for between 3 percent and 8 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, a mix of short- and long-term strategies can help companies address the climate challenge. Companies, for example, may look to de-risking the value chain and revamping structural and operational legacies, or doubling down on sustainability. Outsized Risks for Fashion’s Value Chain Every part of the fashion value chain is affected by the climate crisis, not least because so much of the industry is reliant on the countries and regions most directly impacted by climate upheavals, signifying an outsized risk for fashion in comparison to many other industries. By 2030, extreme weather events could jeopardise $65 billion worth of apparel exports and eliminate nearly one million jobs in four economies that are among the most central to the global fashion industry — in Bangladesh , Cambodia , Pakistan and Vietnam. One part of the fashion value chain that is particularly exposed is the production of raw materials supplying manufacturers. Consider cotton , which is sensitive to both droughts and flooding. In India , the world’s second-largest cotton exporter, extensive rainfall and pest invasions have reduced its supply to the extent that the country began importing it. Pakistan, too, has been hit by extreme monsoons, while in contrast, drought has hit Texas’ cotton producers, leading to abandoned crops and steep production declines. For manufacturers, flooding is also a growing risk, forcing temporary or permanent factory closures. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 55 percent of apparel and footwear manufacturing sites could be exposed to rising sea levels and flooding by 2030. Not only are the livelihoods of factory workers impacted, but their health and safety as well. Factory workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, report suffering headaches, exhaustion from dehydration and lack of sleep due to high temperatures, while 53 percent of surveyed Cambodian workers reported becoming unwell due to heat stress. Meanwhile, as temperatures climb, productivity is expected to fall significantly, estimated to decrease at about 1.5 percent for every degree that temperatures rise above 25°C. Climate is also impacting fashion’s logistic strategies. Across all industries, 90 percent of exported goods are reliant on shipping to reach their final destinations, but an estimated $122 billion of economic activity at ports is at risk from disruptions caused by extreme climate events. The summer of 2023 saw Europe’s worst dry spell in 500 years, with ships navigating the Rhine River forced to reduce the weight of cargo in order to continue their journeys. A similar narrative played out on the Panama Canal. In China, drought slowed traffic on the Yangtze River, forcing companies to move goods through alternative, often more expensive routes. Weather-Proofing Strategies in 2024 and Beyond Fashion executives in 2024 and beyond should embed climate strategies across their businesses. They may do so by first identifying direct value at risk from potential climate impacts as well as material second- and third-order impacts — such as supply chain disruptions, damage to infrastructure, or financial and job losses — and implementing thorough scenario planning for these possibilities. Boosting resilience up and down the value chain, particularly in climate risk “hotspots,” is critical. Nimble processes are needed to swiftly offset weather-related pressures on suppliers and inventories as well as consumers. Alongside these operational changes, other adjustments must be considered, including sourcing strategies and locations to ensure they also enable flexibility and speed in times of extreme weather events. This may require trade-offs between risk mitigation and cost, speed, capacity and availability of materials. Action by manufacturers must take the form of prioritising worker health and safety. This can be actioned through operational shifts such as offering more frequent breaks, rehydration amenities and proactive temperature monitoring of the factory floor, alongside capital investments in fan systems. Longer term, and most importantly, companies should invest in innovation across the value chain aimed at helping to reduce fashion’s impact on the planet. This will touch on all areas of the value chain, from new material innovations such as lab-grown fibres, more efficient and ethical product reuse and recycling, and a shift from encouraging make-take-waste consumption culture. Industry-wide initiatives will be crucial to facilitate progress at scale. Joining pacts such as the Fashion Pact, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the Fashion Charter is a strong first step, but action must follow alignment. Individual company adaptation should be supported by urgent collaborative change. This article first appeared in The State of Fashion 2024 , an in-depth report on the global fashion industry, co-published by BoF and McKinsey & Company. How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Hierloom COLLECTION: ( Environmentally Friendly ) Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.

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By Sara Goddard November 5, 2021 Source: Green That Life Photo Source: Unsplash, Make 2022 a Green New Year: 30 Easy and Effective New Year’s Resolution Ideas Buy Bulk Make it a green new year by buying bulk! Whether you’re shopping for a blowout party or just for yourself, keep your purchases eco-friendly by buying bulk for food, produce, and household items. Bring your own reusable bags and containers, or simply leave items loose in your cart. Buy Local Minimize the carbon footprint of your shopping trips by shopping at local stores. Not only will you support local businesses you’ll also lessen the environmental impact of your purchases through reduced vehicle travel time. Even better, walk or bike to the shops. Buy Used Instead of buying new, consider purchasing pre-owned items. The pre-owned market is booming, making it possible to purchase pretty much anything you want at second-hand stores or online. If you still want to buy new, consider purchasing products made from recycled and post-consumer material. A Green Dry Clean Keep dry cleaning green by using a reusable garment bag. You can also recycle your hangers. Most municipalities will take hangers curbside as part of their scrap metal collection, or you can return them to your dry cleaner. A Green New Year in the Yard Make it a green new year with a healthy yard! Transform Your Yard into a Healthy Yard The perfect way to make this year a green new year is to make your yard into a space that’s healthy for people, wildlife, and the planet by using natural remedies for combating pests while feeding the soil and plants with natural fertilizers and soil amendments. Even if you live in an urban setting, there’s always space for plants in an apartment, small yard, or rooftop. Native (With Your Plants)! Native plants are more resilient and they’re also beautiful! Wondering what to plant now that you’re committed to a healthy yard? Plant native plants and trees to attract wildlife. They’re also more resilient and able to withstand diseases and pests. That means less maintenance and lawn care for you! You can also try creating a well-being garden in part of your yard to optimize the therapeutic effects of nature. Install a Rain Barrel or Rain Garden Install a rain barrel to capture water from your roof to use for watering the lawn or indoor plants. It’s a terrific way to conserve water and it’s free! Another way to conserve water and control excess water is to install a rain garden. For tips on how to build a rain garden in your yard. Get the Dirt on Composting Compost your food and you’ll be rewarded with nutrient-rich soil! Composting, or food scrap recycling, is an excellent way to repurpose food waste, transforming it into nutrient-rich soil for your yard or potted plants. (It also makes an excellent gift!) Say No Thanks to Leaf Blowers Leaf blowers blow! Not only are they a noisy nuisance, but they’re also a significant source of air pollution . Part ways with that noisy leaf blower. Instead, mulch, rake, or compost your leaves and grass clippings. Be-Leaf in Yourself: Leaf Mulch! This fall, instead of raking, blowing, and bagging, mulch your leaves! Learn the what, why, and how of leaf mulching here . Reduce Your Carbon Footprint First, if you don’t know what carbon footprint really means, take a moment to read all about it . Then use one of the carbon footprint calculators to determine your own overall footprint (or even your food footprint, using food labels generated by My Emissions calculator ) so you can work towards reducing the environmental impact of your actions. Make a (Regular) Date With Nature Even if it’s cold and damp outside, spending time outdoors has powerful healing effects , acting as a stress reliever. Take a look at these resources for nature-related experiences: Nationwide trails: visit Hiking Project and All Trails directories. Nature-based activities: try a nature scavenger hunt or the iNaturalist app , a social network of over 750,000 scientists and naturalists where anyone can record, discuss, and share their photos of living things. Kids’ activities: visit the NY Department of Environmental Conservation’s Nature Activities page or Natural Start Alliance’s guide to Nature Play. Learn Something New (and Green) A simple but effective way to go green this year is to learn something new about the environment, sustainability, or climate change. Join a Cause Make 2021 a green new year by supporting an environmental cause. The simplest way to help is through donations and financial support to worthy causes, but you can also volunteer your time, in person, or virtually. Where should you volunteer your time? Think local: a community-based environmental activist group; a local nature center or conservation organization; a municipal sustainability or environmental committee. Start Something New If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, start something new this year in support of an environmental issue. It could be as simple as starting a climate change conversation with friends and neighbors to raise awareness about our climate crisis; or encouraging them to join you in pledging to reduce the use of single-use disposable items this year. You could take it to the next level and become a Climate Change Community Champion . All are worthy and necessary endeavors. At this point, it’s all hands-on deck: whatever you can commit to environmental protection or climate action is welcome. The planet needs you! How can you shop sustainably for your home? How can this impact the environment positively? Why? Share your comments with the community and this post with 3 of your family and friends.