One Dress, Five Ways – How to #WearTheChange by Making Your Wardrobe Go the Distance
- Words by Peppermint
How many times have you stood staring at an overflowing closet, lamenting the fact you had absolutely nothing to wear?! It’s a sad reality that the average woman only wears 20% of her wardrobe – the horror of being labelled an “outfit repeater” often leading to wear-it-once purchases that then stay hidden, collecting dust till the end of time. So, while we wait patiently for the Clueless technology of our dreams to become a reality, inspired by The Social Outfit‘s Wear The Change challenge, we tasked our digital editor, Lauren Baxter, with styling one of our free sewing patterns – the Peppermint Bardon Dress – five ways over five days. Because just like the loveable Lizzie McGuire, we’re all outfit repeaters ‘round here.
An ethical fashion challenge set during Refugee Week (20-26 June), Wear The Change aims to raise funds for The Social Outfit’s non-profit community programs. Participants style one garment five ways over five days to shine a light on the problems of fast fashion all while supporting women from refugee and new migrant backgrounds with training and employment pathways in the fashion industry.
“Wear The Change means having the opportunity to support women from refugee and new migrant backgrounds with crucial training that can ignite fulfilling careers and lives,” 2021 ambassador Nina Gbor shares. “In addition to raising funds for The Social Outfit’s community programs for these women, it’s a chance to invite society to learn and engage in the lived experiences and realities of migrants and refugees. Ideally, it might foster more communication, empathy and more harmonious connections between various communities.”
If you want to get involved alongside changemakers like Nina, Jan Fran, Montaigne, Clare Press and more, head to the link here to register your interest and then get creative! There’s a tonne of prizes to be won by fundraising or just playing along on Instagram. Bonus points from us if you choose a Peppermint pattern to style!
LOOK ONE – LAYERS ON LAYERS
When layered over a simple black turtleneck and paired with boots, a bright print can go from summer to winter in a flash. Add a jaunty baker boy hat for bulk hipster points.
LOOK TWO – SUMMER LOVING
A gorgeous design on its own thanks to the lovely patternmaker Elbe Textiles, with a sun hat and strappy heels and you’ll be ready for fun in the sun.
LOOK THREE – KNIT PICKING
We’re all for a cozy knit here – the bigger and chunkier the better in our opinion. Add a belt and hey presto your dress is a fun, new skirt.
LOOK FOUR – FRINGE BENEFITS
Putting on a jacket, particularly one as extra as this vintage number, can easily change up your look. Talk about fringe benefits.
LOOK FIVE – BUTTONED UP
Don’t be afraid to wear your loud and proud pieces to the office. Whack on a collared shirt underneath and hello business-casual.
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Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 🙌🏼
⭐️ We made it!!! ⭐️
Happy New Year, friends. To those who smashed their goals and achieved their dreams, and to those who are crawling over the finish line hoping to never speak of this year again (and everyone else in between): we made it. However you got here is enough. Be proud.
It’s been a tough year for many of us in small business, so here’s to a better year in 2026. We’re forever grateful for all your support and are jumping for joy to still be here bringing you creativity, kindness and community.
We’re also excited to be leaping into the NY with our special release sewing pattern – the Waratah Wrap Dress!
How great are our fabulous models: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress and @Tricky.Pockets - and also our incredible Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker! 🙌🏼
Ok 2026: let’s do this. 💪🏼
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
Putting together our annual Stitch Up brings on all the feels! We feel humbled that you’ve chosen to sew Peppermint patterns, we feel inspired by the versions you’ve created and we feel proud of you.
Where to begin?! As always, there has been a plethora of Peppermint patterns flooding our feeds this year, and we wish we could showcase more than just a handful of magnificent makes from you, our clever community. We encourage you to flip through the me-made items in your wardrobe or scroll through your grid and remind yourself of the beauty you’ve created with your own two hands (and maybe a seam ripper and some choice words). Congratulations to all of us for our creative achievements this year!
We’ve put together some (but absolutely not all) of our favourites from 2025 over on our website. We hope it inspires your next make!
🪡 Link in bio 🪡
Pictured: @FrocksAndFrouFrou @MazzlesMakes @KatieMakesADress @_Marueli_ @IUsedToBeACurtain @Nanalevine.Couture @PiperInFullColour @MadeByMeJessieB @SarahMalkawi @Made.By.Little.Mama
#PeppermintPatterns #SewingPatterns #MeMade #MeMadeEveryday
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For Perth photographer Amanda Battle, the deep blue has brought sisterhood and second chances. Growing up in Shoalwater Marine Park, the ocean was both her playground and sanctuary, and a balm for body and soul during challenging times. Born from her own healing journey, Amanda’s @WomenOfWaterProject, book and documentary showcases a community of women who found belonging and connection in shared experiences in the ocean.
“Every single woman arrived with her own story – grief, trauma, joy, resilience – and every single woman showed up exactly as they were in that moment. Photographing over 100 women in the ocean for the Women of Water book has been the most humbling privilege of my life.”
Discover Amanda’s work and story in ‘Saltwater salve’ in issue 64, at newsagents and stockists now!
#PeppermintMagazine #WomenOfWater #OceanTherapy #DeepBlue #OceanPhotography
