Let’s be honest, sustainable fashion has entered its “I’m not like other clothes” era. We’ve got linen suits for the office, capsule wardrobes for brunch, and neutral-toned knitwear for everything in between. But when it comes to going out out, to the club, to the house party in Soho, to the weird warehouse you stumble into under a bridge in Hackney.. Where are the eco-conscious fits?
Because if there’s any space that deserves the drama of sustainable fashion, it’s the club. But for some reason, sustainable brands haven’t quite stepped into the club. The moodboards are still too beige. And no one wants to sweat in a gingham co-ord when they’re trying to look like a Bratz doll in the smoking area.
So let’s talk about the gap. Clubwear has always been about creativity. The freedom to be loud, hot, rebellious and weird. But right now, sustainable fashion and nightlife culture barely speak the same language. Most of the eco pieces on offer scream daytime farmer’s market, not 3AM waking up on a random stranger's sofa, bra in one hand and slightly soggy pizza slice in the other. And while high street giants continue to churn out glittery fast fashion for £4.99, the planet (and your bank account) is paying for it.
But here’s the good news: something is shifting. A little slower than a BPM drop, but it’s happening. DIY club fits are on the rise. Deadstock mesh is having a moment. Upcycled ravewear is getting hot. People are cutting, stitching, flipping and fitting pieces themselves, and not just because they’re broke (although… There's also that - cozzy living). It’s because the dancefloor has always been a place for experimentation. And honestly, what’s more iconic than wearing something one-of-one you made yourself? If you back your sewing skills to survive a night out that is.
It’s not even new. In the 70s, people used to make their going out clothes. Sewing was a flex. Disco nights were full of handmade halters and custom flares stitched the same week. No one was trying to “go viral” for it, it was just normal. Punk kids in the 80s did it too. The early 2000s saw DIY everything—bleached jeans, hacked-up tops, corsets made from shoelaces and hope. Even Regina George knew the power of a fashion moment. Remember when she rocked the cut out holes in her tank top and by the end of the school day everyone was copying her? That’s the power of confidence. That’s how trends shift.
And maybe that’s what we need now. One confident person to show up to the club in something handmade, something reworked, something obviously stitched from a charity shop curtain and make it look sick. Because if we can normalise paying influencers in exposure, we can normalise wearing clothes made from old duvet covers.
Nightlife fashion doesn’t need to be perfect, or preachy. It just needs to be playful, personal and rooted in respect, for yourself, the scene, and the system. That’s where sustainable clubwear comes in. It’s not about looking “eco.” It’s about looking like you, while knowing your fit didn’t cost the Earth.
So maybe the future of fashion isn’t just green... It’s glittery, sweaty, upcycled, and held together with a prayer and a safety pin.