Make Do And Mend

Trends change and fashions come and go but for 2014 fashion will keep within the speed limit instead of racing ahead in throw away styles. In times of oil price increases and employment levels decreasing fashion is taking a ‘make do and mend’ approach.

Back in the days when wedding dresses would be passed down through generations, trousers would be patched up several times before being remade into kitchen clothes and buttons and hems would be fixed with the simple method of using a needle and thread. It is now time to take a leaf out of the older generations’ book to teach the young how to knit, stitch and patch things up.

In our society we are heading back to following the motto of quality not quantity! Food will be made from scratch instead of a student’s lazy routine of having day to day ready meals and household objects and clothing will be reused, recycled and revamped.

Three trends for 2014 are all within the theme ‘Make Do and Mend’. ‘Nature’s Stamp’, the trend that uses patterns from our environment along with natural dyes to make floaty, lightweight garments a garden full with spring colours. ‘Patch it Perfect’ is the next trend, a re-used and recycled ‘look’. It will make the old look new, whilst keeping each piece looking feminine and delicate. Patchwork pieces, embroidered patterns and intricate beading to make each look achieve that unique factor. My third trend is ‘Reverse and Reuse’, the trend that uses old favourites; by crafting old furniture and clothing into different pieces we can save those loved textures and fabrics to use in a completely different way. This trend is for the household and clothing; whoever said a suitcase can’t be made into a stool or an old bunk bed can’t be made into a children’s desk?