The environmental impact of Deb's gown in fashion terms
Secondary school students can make their Deb's (debutante) events more sustainable and cost-effective by implementing a few simple strategies. These measures not only help reduce costs but also lower the event's environmental footprint and create a more inclusive, community-centered celebration.
One approach is to organise preloved dress and tuxedo exchanges or rentals. Encouraging students to offer their debs dresses and tuxedos free of charge or at a discount promotes reuse and reduces environmental impact associated with new garment production. Instead of purchasing new clothes, borrowing dresses and accessories from peers or family cuts down on waste and expense.
Hosting the event or fundraising activities in affordable or donated spaces such as school halls, local parks, or community centers can also help reduce venue expenditure. Organise activities such as dance-a-thons, bake sales, or art nights where participants pledge donations or pay nominal entry fees. These generate funds to support the event budget while fostering community involvement.
Using reusable, natural, or DIY decorations that can be repurposed for future events is another way to minimise waste and cost. Involving community and volunteers, such as older students, parents, or local organisations, can help reduce professional service fees and build goodwill.
The "Once Upon a Debs" event in Wicklow County Council is a prime example of these practices in action. This dress and tuxedo swap encourages attendees to travel by bus to the venue, to ask the venue about locally sourced, in-season food, and to avoid plastic cups and utensils. The event also advises against using glitter which has microplastics and suggests using biodegradable helium balloons instead.
The high costs associated with debs events can be a significant financial burden for many students. A new debs dress can cost hundreds of euros. Borrowing a debs dress or tuxedo from charity shops, vintage shops, resale sites like Depop and eBay is being suggested as a more sustainable option. Some schools are even considering offering preloved debs dresses and tuxedos for free or at a discount.
The debs season can include events for both transition year and Leaving Cert students. Boys' expenses for a debs include a tuxedo, shirt, bow tie, dress shoes, and possibly a haircut. The endless cycle of shopping causes water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill. By making conscious choices, students can help break this cycle and create a more sustainable future for their events.
This trend of communities and county councils promoting more sustainable options for debs events is on the rise. The "Once Upon a Debs" event follows this trend, demonstrating that with a little creativity and community spirit, debs events can be both memorable and eco-friendly.
- To further reduce environmental impact, secondary school students could consider engaging in educational workshops focused on sustainable living and personal growth during their Deb's events.
- By incorporating environmental-science lessons into Deb's events, students can raise awareness about climate-change issues and discuss solutions related to home-and-garden, such as composting and energy-efficient practices.
- In addition to sustainable fashion, integrating educational components related to lifestyle and education-and-self-development can empower students to make informed decisions that promote a more sustainable environment.
- As more communities embrace sustainable living, it's essential for schools to foster this mindset in students, expanding the debate around Deb's events from just costs to environmental sustainability and community involvement.
