Even though it appears that some people observe this holiday all year round, Wear Something Gaudy Day actually falls on the 17th of October. On this day, people are encouraged to wear something that’s too bright, too showy, and extravagantly tasteless. It’s a day to strut your stuff and have a little bit of fun with it. Of course, how far you want to take it depends on whether you want to really bowl people over or not with something truly outrageous.

The History of Wear Something Gaudy Day

This holiday goes back to a 1970s TV sitcom known as “Three’s Company,” or more specifically, to a character on that show. The character, Larry Dallas, suggested that Wear Something Gaudy Day be celebrated in an episode of the show. Although this holiday didn’t immediately take off after the episode aired, some people discovered it and began to celebrate the holiday in real life. Over the past few years, it has really begun to take off.

Fun Facts About Fashion (Or the Lack of Fashion)

Since this holiday is simply a statement on fashion, we thought it would be fun to lay down some fashion facts. This holiday might be an excuse to ignore fashion and be outrageous, but the rest of the year, most people worry about what they’re wearing. With that in mind, consider the following fun facts about fashion.

Napoleon’s Responsible for Sleeve Buttons

Have you ever wondered why dress shirts or jackets have buttons on their cuffs? It’s actually because of Napoleon. He got tired of watching his soldiers wipe their noses on their sleeves, so he had buttons added to their jackets.

Cotton Has Been Around for a Long Time

Cotton has been used to make fabrics for a very long time. Just how long? Well, for over 7,000 years, people have made cotton clothing. Another interesting fact about cotton is that one bale of cotton can make over 210 pairs of jeans.

Fashion Models Didn’t Become a Thing Until the 19th Century

One thing that many people don’t realize is that fashion models didn’t exist before the 1850s. So, how did fashion designers show off their new clothes? Well, one way was for them to put them on miniature dolls. This method of showcasing clothing for a designer was especially popular during the 16th century.

Observing Wear Something Gaudy Day

Celebrating this holiday is as easy as putting on your gaudiest clothes and hanging out with friends. You can also take the time to watch some 1970s TV shows that feature characters wearing gaudy clothing—particularly shows like “Three’s Company.” While observing this holiday, be sure to use the hashtag #WearSomethingGaudyDay to show the world some pictures of your gaudiest clothing.