10 Easy and Empowering Ways to Celebrate Fashion Day 2024: Embracing Sustainable Elegance

Fashion has always been a powerful means of self-expression, allowing individuals to communicate their unique identities, values, and aspirations through their sartorial choices. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, the significance of Fashion Day, celebrated annually on July 9th, has only grown stronger. This year’s festivities, themed “Sustainable Elegance,” will shine a spotlight on the ways in which fashion has become a catalyst for self-empowerment, social change, and cultural dialogue.

When and How Did Fashion Day Originate?

Fashion Day is celebrated annually on July 9th, with the first celebration believed to have taken place in 2016 on social media. Since then, the day has gained popularity, with about 4.67 thousand posts filed under #fashionday on Instagram alone.

The origins of Fashion Day are not entirely clear, but it is seen as a kind of public revolt against high fashion, mainstream trends, and popular styles conceived by fashion houses and corporations that have sidelined or excluded representation of certain communities. 

Theme of Fashion Day 2024: “Sustainable Elegance”

“Sustainable Elegance” serves as the central theme for Fashion Day 2024, highlighting the increasing significance of environmentally conscious and responsible approaches within the clothing and style sector. From the excessive use of natural resources to the problem of textile waste, the fashion sector has come under scrutiny for its contribution to climate change and pollution. Thus, the theme highlights the significance of sustainable fashion as an essential move toward protecting the environment without sacrificing style or elegance.

While sustainability is a core focus, the “Sustainable Elegance” theme also emphasises the continued importance of style and elegance in fashion. The aim is to showcase that environmentally responsible clothing can maintain high standards of beauty and craftsmanship.

How Was Fashion Day Celebrated in 2023?

In 2023, Fashion Day was celebrated in many parts of the world on July 9th, a Sunday. The day was marked to commemorate the unique aesthetic sense of identity that everyone can express through apparel or accessories. Fashion serves as a significant medium for preserving and transmitting cultural heritage across generations in multicultural societies with varying gender and age norms. Simultaneously, it can act as a tool for individuals or groups to break away from conventional practices, asserting their unique identities or embracing new collective expressions.

Iconic Fashion Trends Emerged in 2024 So Far

Some of the most notable fashion trends that have emerged in 2024 so far include:

• Athletic prep: A resurgence of the preppy look, influenced by Miu Miu’s trendsetting fashion shows and a renewed interest in traditional items such as polo shirts, athletic zip-ups, and oxford-style shirts. This trend is also influenced by the sporty “tenniscore” look.
• Boho 3.0: A remix of the boho aesthetic, with new takes on crochet, fringe, and flowy tops that feel cooler than ever before. Brands like Chloé, Ulla Johnson, and Ralph Lauren have embraced this trend for spring 2024.
• Sequins: Sequins are making a comeback, adding a touch of glamour and sparkle to summer fashion.
• Raffia accessories: Raffia is bigger than ever, with the material being used in various accessories like bags and hats.
• Polished kitten heels and Mary Jane flats: These comfortable yet stylish shoe trends are popping up everywhere, offering a chic alternative to high heels.

Fashion Day 2024 is an opportunity to celebrate the evolution of fashion and the emergence of these exciting new trends. By embracing the theme of “Sustainable Elegance,” individuals can express their personal style while promoting eco-friendly practices in the fashion industry.

Significance of Fashion Day

Clothing and accessories become a canvas for personal expression on Fashion Day, a notable event where people display their distinctive tastes and sartorial inclinations. The day fosters a celebration of individuality, a development of personal aesthetics, and a fun exploration of diverse styles, encouraging people to embrace their uniqueness and enjoy the creative process of fashion expression.

Fashion Day is seen as a general revolt against mainstream fashion trends and norms that have traditionally marginalised or excluded the representation of certain communities. As a result, Fashion Day has become particularly popular among LGBTQIA+ groups who feel free to wear what they want without fear of criticism or judgement on this day. Fashion Day allows the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate their unique fashion sense and express their authentic selves through their style.

Fashion Day provides a platform for the LGBTQIA+ community to showcase their fashion and have their voices heard. The day allows them to amplify their presence in the fashion industry and culture, which has historically underrepresented or stereotyped LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

10 Ways to Celebrate Fashion Day 2024

• Find your authentic style by exploring fashion magazines, YouTube videos, and Pinterest for inspiration.
• Get a fashion makeover by purchasing apparel pieces or accessories that represent your style and individuality.
• Give your old clothes a new lease on life by upcycling or getting a tailor to help modify them.
• Host a swap party with friends to find clothes and accessories you have outgrown or evolved from.
• Pay tribute to a style guru or fashion icon by watching a film or documentary featuring them, reading about them, or buying iconic designs or cosplay modelled along their lines.
• Embrace sustainable fashion by supporting brands with eco-friendly practices and exploring upcycling or thrifting options.
• Organise or attend a fashion show to showcase sustainable designs or personal style.
• Participate in fashion-related workshops, such as design, styling, or sustainable fashion.
• Binge movies and documentary features that delve into the workings and impact of the fashion world.
• Subscribe to fashion magazines to stay up-to-date on trends and industry news.