THE FASHION TRENDS OF LOCKDOWN

So despite the fact that we're bordt in the house, bordt in the house, bordt; with plans amounting to little more than a Zoom call and a weekly trip to the supermarket, trends are still emerging. A concept I'm sure is hard to comprehend for those of us whose lockdown brag amounts to having successfully extended the time between hair washes by an extra two days, and whose lockdown uniform has so far been whatever is clean and/or to hand. But influencers gotta influence and that they have. 

I now feel my fashion proclivities tugged in three very different ways. And whilst contemplating what to wear during the current climate may seem shallow, having very little control over the global situation has given new weight to even the most inconsequential of decisions. So deciding which variant of lockdown attire I wish to co-opt, is something that I can control and that, I welcome with gusto. 

The first notable trend of lockdown is one that I worry is almost too obvious to mention. However, it would be remiss to ignore the newly gained notoriety of tie-dye. Saturating instagram feeds with splotches of colours and unifying the likes of celebrities and your next-door neighbour, its psychedelic prints bridging the differences of the masses. 

Tie-dye has long been the uniform of the rebel, being inextricably linked to the swinging sixties. Later to be adopted as the choice look for those who operated on the fringes of society. A troupe hijacked by pop culture and used as a visual characteristic of the anti-establishment type, think Travis in Clueless - loveable but a "loader", or more recently the reinvention of Justin Bieber, his look described by the New Yorker as, "Seventies post-hippie burnout with Nineties Orange county skater". Tie-dye soon found itself masquerading down the runways at the likes of Proenza Schouler and Stella McCartney, elevating the DIY to couture. And now the newest rendition of tie-dye, that of the homebound.

When puzzles have all been pieced together, when all available furniture in your house has been coated in foam and your hair is now the colour of a troll doll; DIY tie-dye is the obvious next step. The abstract swirls of tie-dye seem to capture the tumultuous uncertainty of now, the accidents and irregularities of colour creating patterns as unique as the individual wearing them and their individual responses to the situation.

With almost as much prevalence as the aforementioned tie-dye, smock dresses abound as everyone seems to be appropriating a hybrid image of girl on the prairie/ milk maiden / vision of nature incarnate. As social activities have been downsized to the bare minimum, daily walks have become the significant part to most people's day. Leaving behind four walls to embrace the fresh air and appreciate the surroundings that we all too often ignore. 

Gucci eschewing the fashion calendar for a season-less schedule, made to order clothing, repurposing waste fabrics from previous collections, exploration of ethical replacements, are just a few of the ways that change is being explored in an effort to slow down the culture of consumption. And it would seem that this return to nature and a simpler way of life has infiltrated the proclivities of the masses. Whilst floaty dresses for Summer - in the words of Miranda Priestly - are hardly ground breaking, it is the accoutrements and attitude that go with it that have created a whole new aesthetic. 

These dresses are worn whilst gallivanting through fields. Hashtag 'frolicking' is now a thing and despite baskets having been an influencer favourite for some time, instead of riling against their domestic origins, these origins are now fully embraced, being festooned with flowers and used to carry fresh fruit and loaves of bread. Hemlines are midi in length, demurely swishing about the calf, necklines are sweetheart in shape, sleeves are voluminous and bodices are cinched. Offering a softer silhouette against today's climate of seriousness, evoking youth, innocence and the freedom that we all crave so much right now.

As perhaps the most similar to what my lockdown attire has been thus far, athleisure has garnered new relevance. Your usual uninspired, 'put on out of sheer comfort and stretchability', 'typically Sunday or any day that you're not expecting company'-wear, now being featured on the grids of instagram. 

The stripping back of facade that the pandemic has inadvertently had on life, has been somewhat of a leveller. There is no more FOMO, or YOLO, just stay at home. A prescribed antidote that applies to all, without prejudice. We really are all in this together. And despite my wanting this statement to hold gravitas, it takes great strength (that I do not possess), to not trill it like the Zac Ephron loving, 'High School Musical' wannabe that we all secretly are. However, it does hold great truth. 

As the basics of life are stripped back, so too are our wardrobes. The function of clothing has come to new significance as comfort has taken precedence. Schlepping around the house, partaking in an online exercise class or going for a brisk walk, all require practical clothing. If influencers are to be believed then New Balance are the only footwear of choice to navigate the troublesome terrain of now. Chunky sport socks replace the delicate anklets typical of summertime. Baseball caps are both accessory and practical means of disguising anything above eyebrow level. 

This duality of clothing is epitomised in brands like 'Sporty and Rich' - the name succinctly summing up the zeitgeist. Their aesthetic being one that encourages a flip-flop between looking good and practicality, put-together and slobbing about. Even fabrications reflect this renewed focus on wearability, note the revival of Prada's nylon bags and the unexpected embracement by Chanel of spandex in the form of their double 'C' centric leggings. It would seem that in a reactionary move, the comfort of clothing has increased in direct relation to the imposed restrictions of life now. As life gets harder, we dress comfier. 

Being predominantly indoors, now is the time to alleviate external pressures. The prevalence of the above trends during this lockdown are based on a need for comfort - both in its literal and figurative sense. Forgoing clothing that is constrictive and instead opting for items such as those of athleisure, afford one literal comfort. Whereas, the renewed embracement of tie-dye and obsession with prairie dresses, draw upon a deep sense of nostalgia. With our rose tinted glasses firmly on, we can look back fondly on the past from the present viewpoint, knowing that whatever the trouble, it was overcome. A comforting notion during these times of deep uncertainty. 

Whether you choose a dress to swish around in, or spandex to stretch in; let the discomfort of now be alleviated by the comfort your clothes afford you and hopefully we will all be #frolicking soon. 

(Images via: unknown, @mathildadjerf, @cinziabayliszullo, @lucywilliams02, whowhatwear.co.uk & unknown)