The Redesigned Rationale of Dressing!
Do you recall that moment - as a child - where just before you were heading out on stage at your annual talent show? Do you remember the dizzy spells, the jitters, and well the nerve-wrecking anxiety? Don’t answer that — I KNOW that it’s a YES! I only know that for two reasons. One: You were always told to not be shy, and that nothing could go wrong – some pieces of wisdom may have been along the lines of “imagine everyone in their underwear”. And two: with years passing by, we’ve found ourselves dressed in that exact same distress only now we’re adulting our way through life.
Remember how we mentioned that bit about imagining everyone in their underwear – and how that thought used to make us giggle as kids? Well my fellow big kid readers welcome to Twenty-Twenty 2.0. In this version our wildest imaginations have not pondered off so far, as much as they have now become our virtual reality! This year imagining everyone “Dressed to a T” is by far the most distant memory!
In the brave times of encouraging endurance amidst a world with still so much unknown, the world has redesigned; reforming itself to reconnect to its core – to bring soul and comfort to all that it still doesn’t know. When you wake one day to a world of imposed restrictions and the reality of revolving days; we see that in any way and by any means possible we cater to our wellbeing; and we’ve found comfort quite comfortably.
Our lives are settling in to it’s new normal, but how do we dress for it? Truth be told, there isn’t one way. The pandemic has merely progressed the shifts that had already taken place. The past year the fashion industry has seen somewhat unexpectedly expected changes. These variations only now visually scream through our screens. Thankful thoughts go out to every zoom meeting that have paved the possibility of “waist-up dressing”. So what is waist-up dressing and is it really a thing? Well if articles of clothing could speak you would have heard almost every item in Prada’s Spring show squeal “look at me – I’m oh so subtle but I’m definitely still here!” The top half of our outfit has more significance than our bottom half. Miuccia Prada stated, “Fashion is about reacting to reality” and so it comes with no surprise that their tunic tops and turtle necks have an embedded triangle logo to catch your eye! These small shifts in details lead us to believe that despite their decrease in sales (with the pandemics effect on the economy) they will adapt with us; they will adapt for us.
Luxury loungewear, tracksuits and active wear are a few; needless to say foreseen trends. Life in imposed lockdown means that people are spending more time at home and obviously taking on dressing up in lounge wear – however, this virus also means that people are more focused on their health. Brands of the likes of Dior and Gucci have taken that into the utmost of consideration. “ Dior Chez Moi” designed during the confinement period, celebrates the art of living at home in style. The latest collaboration ‘North Face x Gucci’ makes the great outdoors ever so vibrantly appealing!
A noteworthy mention is that we have turned to investing in versatile pieces - more classic and effortless styles with a focus on essentials. We are now investing in wardrobe-staple pieces that have a timeless appeal. It could be a white shirt that can be styled in endless ways, or little dresses to dress up or down throughout the day. These investments (‘forever pieces’) are a means to feel well and hopeful, and can be used through lockdown and well beyond.
We are now seeking pieces with the same longevity and endurance that we have – and so perhaps that’s the redesigned rationale of dressing, be it with our bodies or through our minds.
