Elgin Fashion Show

Whether it’s fitting into your victory outfit, seeing warm coats on your kids' backs or just spotting that perfect pair of shoes to match your favourite top, new clothes can make us feel good. For those who have gained or lost pandemic pounds, fancy a change of style, are looking for gifts or are just seeking a few different glam outfits for nights out, the season of shopping is surely upon us. But could 2022 see the season of sustainable shopping?

Whether you have your collar turned up against the wind or have to do the salsa to get into your skirt and tights, now is a great time to be considering a wardrobe upgrade. But with the cost of living crisis and an ongoing problem with fast fashion, what options are there for looking great whilst on a budget?

Elgin Museum was the recent location of a sustainable fashion shoot which was the idea of local photographer Mark Smith. He comments, “My idea was a case of visiting the museum and thinking this would be a good place for a fashion shoot.”

Claire of Elgin Museum highlights that the museum is an ideal venue for such events as the fashion shoot. She says, “Elgin Museum is Scotland’s oldest continuously independent museum. It opened in 1843 and, inside, the main gallery features a double-height space with horseshoe gallery at first floor level reached by a beautifully ornate T-plan staircase. The large triple windows fill the room with light, creating a unique space well-suited to events of all kinds. In the past we have played host to weddings, drinks receptions, musical evenings and have acted as a backdrop for photoshoots.”

Photographer Mark Smith continues, “Fast fashion seems to be on its way out of fashion. As for stylising the model and general wardrobe I can't take credit there - the model, Justine, I've met a few times for shoots before and could see she had style so decided she would make a good job of choosing her outfits. With each outfit change we went to a part of the museum that I thought suited the particular look.”

Three Elgin charity shops, Cancer Research, Red Cross and Oxfam, allowed Lifestyle Magazine and photographer Mark Smith the pick of their many clothing donations for Justine Montgomery to model as pictured.

Hayley of the Red Cross in Elgin comments on how important it is to support sustainable fashion, saying, “Sustainable fashion is at the heart of what we do in the Red Cross shop. The clothing donations we receive are all utilised, even if they don't make it on to the shop floor. The clothes that we can't sell are all recycled! A lot of people are now coming in looking for their warmer winter knits and we have lots available at amazing prices.” Val at Cancer Research highlights, “The shop is fortunate to receive a lot of good quality donations. We have a wonderful selection of autumn and winter clothing for all ages and also accessories at reasonable prices.”

Oxfam Shop Manager Julie Mellis echoed a similar sentiment, commenting “The rapid, mass production of ‘fast fashion’ is depleting natural resources, polluting the environment and contributing to climate change, putting many of the world’s poorest people at risk. The circular economy – in which waste is transformed into raw materials for new products – offers a vital solution to keeping clothing in use for longer.”

Charity shops and other second-hand clothing outlets are a great way to upgrade an outfit or to create a completely new one. Perhaps you have bought a perfect pair of new shoes from one of the area’s many independent shops. Could you make the entire outfit more sustainable by opting for a preowned accessory or item of clothing? Often older or branded and well made clothes are a budget-friendly option whether you are hunting for party outfits this winter or even for gifts.

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