As I have said before our carbon footprint has now become a day to day priority for many of us, and more pressingly for most of us, so has our fuel bills. We hear of numerous ways by which to reduce our carbon footprint through, ‘how we travel’, ‘how we act in our homes’ and ‘how we eat’, however we don’t hear so much about how, ‘what we wear’ can help reduce our carbon footprint and our energy bills.
Much of what I am about to tell you will appear ever so familiar to advice given to us by our parents or grandparents, advice often given in jest, however it is solid advice, that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and the dreaded energy bill this winter.
1. In winter wear an extra jumper, jacket, scarf or gloves, rather than turning up the heating. This is simple advice but applying an extra jumper will mean that you don’t need to turn the heating on or up.
2. Exercise on those cold winter mornings wearing sportswear that can be worn more than once. Loose jogging bottoms and a cotton sports t-shirt would be ideal. In the cold winter mornings it is difficult to get out of bed if it is cold outside, and when you do the heating almost certainly goes straight on. Instead pull on your running gear and head for a run or walk outside. The heat generated by your body through the exercise will soon warm you up and when you return there will be no need for the heating, just a lukewarm shower to cool you down and freshen you up. Wearing loose jogging bottoms and t-shirt allows the hot air to circulate round your body to heat you up faster. Also as the clothes are loose they will not become as sweaty or let’s face it smelly, so you won’t have to wash them after one use hence reducing your electricity bill. This all has the added bonus of getting a little bit fitter, possibly loosing any excess weight and giving you a spring in your step for the day ahead.
3. Thermals and underclothing can significantly increase body temperature and body comfort in the winter months. A set of winter warmer body wear will cost you significantly less than an increased energy bill. ‘Long johns’ may not be the most attractive of underwear but it sure will keep you warm and reduce the need for heating. When all is said and done I would rather be toasty and have more money in my pocket.
4. Wear warming colours and dress children or loved ones in warm colours too. Surrounding ourselves with warm positive colours can change our mood dramatically. If we are surrounded by cold blues and greens we feel cold. However if we surround ourselves with warm red’s, orange’s and yellows we shall feel warmer. The mind is a funny thing and the inclusion of warm colours around can warm you up so that the heating doesn’t have to.
5. Wear a fashionable cap, beanie, hat or ear muffs. Up to 55% of human body heat is lost through our heads. Without doubt the easiest way to keep ourselves warm over winter without turning on the heating is by wearing some type of headwear. This is not only practical; it is a sensible and stylish choice. There are so many wonderful hats of all types available that we can stay warm and make a great winter fashion statement.
6. Wear your hair down or simply grow it if you have short hair. Hair is our body’s natural insulator so it is sensible to keep this natural insulator as long as possible. Without our natural insulator, our body has less ability to keep warm. For those of you thinking we don’t wear our hair, think again! Our hair can be the foundation for the fashion statement of the winter.
7. If you have washed your hair, use a towel to towel dry your hair. Also wait for your hair to completely dry naturally before going outside into the cold winter weather. Many of us I am sure have experienced the effect on our bodies when we have wet hair in cold temperatures, our bodies become cold. If we wait until our hair is dry and we are wearing a hat to go outside, then less heat is going to be lost through our heads. ‘Don’t let your hair wear you, wear your hair to keep you warm and funky this winter.’
Stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
What price must we pay for originality in fashion?
The power of originality in fashion could be described as an intrinsic and necessary requirement. However to what extent does what we find on the high street or on e-retail websites fulfil your desire for originality?
With the buzz of London fashion week still in the air, and having watched the best of UK and world fashion talent displayed, I should be excited by the prospect of what will be found on the high street, or in my local high end fashion label store?! London fashion week was a shining success, the artistry meshing colour, fine lines with exquisite detail and high quality, but will any of this really translate to what we can buy on the high street?
The simple answer is partially yes. The more complex, far foggier answer is no. London fashion week showcased the talent of individuals and fashion houses of the future. Where as top end labels that we have become synonymous with our retail lives, through high street outlets, department stores or online retail, have lost their drive for originality and regularly churn out expensive garments that have as little originality as a jam sandwich, while marking the price for a fillet mignon, due to the label that is contained inside.
This is not to say that there isn’t originality, style and high quality products to be found, they just take a different guise. Brands such as Topman/Topshop, Zara, River island and Republic offer far more in terms of originality and innovation, than many high end brands and they do it at affordable prices. ‘Is this the start of a revolution, affordable style, style that is unique and full of charisma in high street own branded products?’ ‘Has the affordable high street learnt more about the needs of the population?’ ‘Are our high street brands just better in touch with what is required?’ Our high street brands are primarily what keep the population from petering out into a mass of dullness. It could be accurate to say that there is far more originality to be found in more affordable high street names than there is from their cousin the expensive exclusive high street fashion label.
The problem is related directly to the labels that once were desired for their uniqueness. They haven fallen into half hearted attempts to draw originality by plastering their brand name in different directions, fonts and sizes across their garments. ‘Does the purchaser really desire to be a walking advert for a label?’ In some cases yes they do, as this is a means to express to the wider public their wealth, or good fortune to have the ability to purchase that label, it becomes a statement of the wearers prosperity. However ‘have the labels miss placed the essence of fashion?’ Fashion was, and I hope still is about producing garments that are original, funky and fresh. Fashion is not about unimaginative brand advertising at ludicrous prices. Fashion labels owe it to the public, who supported them for so long in their rise to the pinnacle of their trade, to stop wallowing in their success, to stop producing mediocrity in their new designs and to stop using the public; who once believed in these brands because the garments they did produce made people stop and look; to reproduce this magic in their current work. Or if they choose not to produce garments that are original and unique, to reduce their prices to a level that is coherent with the level of innovation.
There is no danger in recapturing the innovation and imagination that brought such brands to the forefront of their industry, as by doing this they shall see sales and public opinion soar. The reason for the procrastination is unclear, however it must lie in the fact that there are enough people in the market who wish to make a public statement about their prosperity by wearing clothing massacred by the labels name or logo so that the brand need not seek originality in it’s work, or it could simply be fear of not living up to the previous levels of brilliance.
It is a simple fact that human kind actively seeks ways to express their uniqueness through, clothing, hair, body art, accessories and any number of different median. It appears imperative to me that this be met by those who we seek our inspiration from, with an equal amount of effort and desire to fulfil the publics yearning for originality and vibrancy. Our population can only hope that the fashion labels upon whom we place our trust move forward to the uniqueness and vibrancy of their past.
By James McAloon
Excentree Fashion Collections
With the buzz of London fashion week still in the air, and having watched the best of UK and world fashion talent displayed, I should be excited by the prospect of what will be found on the high street, or in my local high end fashion label store?! London fashion week was a shining success, the artistry meshing colour, fine lines with exquisite detail and high quality, but will any of this really translate to what we can buy on the high street?
The simple answer is partially yes. The more complex, far foggier answer is no. London fashion week showcased the talent of individuals and fashion houses of the future. Where as top end labels that we have become synonymous with our retail lives, through high street outlets, department stores or online retail, have lost their drive for originality and regularly churn out expensive garments that have as little originality as a jam sandwich, while marking the price for a fillet mignon, due to the label that is contained inside.
This is not to say that there isn’t originality, style and high quality products to be found, they just take a different guise. Brands such as Topman/Topshop, Zara, River island and Republic offer far more in terms of originality and innovation, than many high end brands and they do it at affordable prices. ‘Is this the start of a revolution, affordable style, style that is unique and full of charisma in high street own branded products?’ ‘Has the affordable high street learnt more about the needs of the population?’ ‘Are our high street brands just better in touch with what is required?’ Our high street brands are primarily what keep the population from petering out into a mass of dullness. It could be accurate to say that there is far more originality to be found in more affordable high street names than there is from their cousin the expensive exclusive high street fashion label.
The problem is related directly to the labels that once were desired for their uniqueness. They haven fallen into half hearted attempts to draw originality by plastering their brand name in different directions, fonts and sizes across their garments. ‘Does the purchaser really desire to be a walking advert for a label?’ In some cases yes they do, as this is a means to express to the wider public their wealth, or good fortune to have the ability to purchase that label, it becomes a statement of the wearers prosperity. However ‘have the labels miss placed the essence of fashion?’ Fashion was, and I hope still is about producing garments that are original, funky and fresh. Fashion is not about unimaginative brand advertising at ludicrous prices. Fashion labels owe it to the public, who supported them for so long in their rise to the pinnacle of their trade, to stop wallowing in their success, to stop producing mediocrity in their new designs and to stop using the public; who once believed in these brands because the garments they did produce made people stop and look; to reproduce this magic in their current work. Or if they choose not to produce garments that are original and unique, to reduce their prices to a level that is coherent with the level of innovation.
There is no danger in recapturing the innovation and imagination that brought such brands to the forefront of their industry, as by doing this they shall see sales and public opinion soar. The reason for the procrastination is unclear, however it must lie in the fact that there are enough people in the market who wish to make a public statement about their prosperity by wearing clothing massacred by the labels name or logo so that the brand need not seek originality in it’s work, or it could simply be fear of not living up to the previous levels of brilliance.
It is a simple fact that human kind actively seeks ways to express their uniqueness through, clothing, hair, body art, accessories and any number of different median. It appears imperative to me that this be met by those who we seek our inspiration from, with an equal amount of effort and desire to fulfil the publics yearning for originality and vibrancy. Our population can only hope that the fashion labels upon whom we place our trust move forward to the uniqueness and vibrancy of their past.
By James McAloon
Excentree Fashion Collections
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