2021 JANUARY
QUARANTINE FASHION
REPORT 2
Written by Genevieve Redding
As the pandemic drags on, we examine how people have adapted to this new life of social distancing. A modern new fashion category, workleisure, combines comfort with our need for structure in our home office. After months of staying home, we want an excuse to dress up again, in opulent pajamas or at a virtual cocktail party with a fashion theme. Finally, we look for ways to prioritize our mental health while social distancing by finding new hobbies and getting out into nature.
Quarantine life has created a global disruption in fashion and unique opportunities for designers to consider these new norms of dress. It is a diverse look that thrives on the in-between; wardrobe essentials not just for him or her, day or night, work or leisure.
As the workplace quickly shifted from the office to working from home, a new category emerged: the workleisure wardrobe. Workleisure is all about being comfortable while preserving a sense of professionalism. Not making an effort to dress up while working from home will slow you down and disorient you. Workleisure is about combining elevated loungewear or casual athleisure basics with a more structured piece thrown in the mix. It is balancing comfort with a tailored fit.
The key elements to the workleisure wardrobe include: tailored joggers with a tapered leg, loungewear pants in premium materials, such as, cashmere, wool or silk, premium tshirts, lightweight fleece sweatshirts, button downs, and high-end cashmere hoodies, topped with a blazer or a wool overcoat. Footwear consists of velvet slippers or luxe white designer sneakers.
This modern loungewear look is tailored (nothing oversized or baggy). The colors are neutral and the tones muted (no bright colors). Luxury or technical fabrics are applied to casual clothing. Clever design and technology are combined with wearability. This general trend away from the structures of formal dressing for work will continue after the pandemic is over. We will continue to see a rise in luxury loungewear and a desire for comfort above all else.
Staying home is a trend among millenials, so what you are wearing during your downtime is more important than ever. This growth in luxury loungewear (the chill-luxe trend) was magnified by the pandemic. Tailored cuts and cashmere weaves brought hoodies and sweatpants into the luxury market.
Millennials cannot stay home for long without a pair of opulent pajamas. Luxury pajamas are all about piping, prints, premium fabrics (tech or luxe) in retro styles. Men are wearing pajama tops as shirts, and women are wearing matching pajamas, as well as, retro quilted coats and robes.
There is no denying the comfort of round-the-clock athleisure, but occasionally, we want an excuse to dress up. The virtual cocktail party provides a reason for a wardrobe change to get you in a party mood or as a palatte cleanser from weeks spent in casual clothes. Fashion themes for virtual cocktail parties include: a pajama party, a Zoom gala (formalwear), loungewear with a dresscode of luxurious robes, and accessories themes, such as, major jewelry, hats, or beauty (hair and make-up).
Days spent indoors have taken a toll on our mental health and happiness, so we have had to look for new ways to keep our moods up in light of social distancing. One antidote to isolation is to get out into nature. Being physically active outdoors will reduce stress and anxiety. Many people have a new appreciation for nature during quarantine, and have taken up outdoor activities including, fishing, boating, hiking, gardening, or just walking on the beach or in the woods. People find solace in nature, and boost their mood by being outdoors and being physically active. This pandemic has overturned longstanding cultural norms and made us realize that we need to prioritize our mental health. A dose of nature is our daily green fix to cope with the uncertainties of life.
Many people have a new appreciation for nature during quarantine, and have taken up outdoor activities including, fishing, boating, hiking, gardening, or just walking on the beach or in the woods. People find solace in nature, and boost their mood by being outdoors and being physically active. This pandemic has overturned longstanding cultural norms and made us realize that we need to prioritize our mental health.