'Function over fashion' will remain the mantra for a post-pandemic world


By AGENCY
After a whole year spent in ultra comfortable – even shapeless – clothes, life is getting back to normal, more or less. Photo: AFP

Homewear still has a bright future ahead of it, but now it's getting a boost with chic, elegant or punchy accents.

It makes for a nice transitional style, as the Spring/Summer season approached, to help you stop moping around on the couch all day long and get your style game back on track.

After a whole year spent in ultra comfortable – even shapeless – clothes, life is getting back to normal, more or less. But function will still hold sway over fashion.

With the new season's approach, internet users seem to want to put a little bit of verve in their wardrobe. And while we're not done with the comfortable pieces, they are now elevated with more sophisticated elements or accessories.

Read more: Wearing a corset in an era marked by body positivity and self-love

According to the latest report from the global fashion platform Lyst, sportswear chic is still very popular, with a renewed interest in sports bras (+108%) and biker shorts (+95%), but also blazers (87%) to add that chic touch we've missed so much in recent months.

Other sources of inspiration are emerging as well. Such as the functional pieces influenced by military uniforms.

This translates into an increase in searches for cargo pants (+63%), bomber jackets (+40%), uniforms (+39%), so-called "tactical" vests (+38%), or nylon parts (+30%).

Internet users also seem to be interested in pieces decorated with ties and cut-outs around the waist, known as midriff flossing, with an increase in searches of +57% since the beginning of the year for this type of clothing.

Seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses In response to these gloomy times, consumers also seem keen to bring colour into their lives – at least in their closet.

Read more: How fashion at work is now different: 'I saw someone wearing just their socks'

Pink is emerging as the flagship colour of spring, and even more so fuchsia pink and bright pink (+80% since the beginning of February). Acid bright colours such as yellow (+47%), orange (+45%) and apple green (+40%) have been unanimously acclaimed since the beginning of the year.

On the men's side, comfort is more important than ever. Farewell ties and fitted suits, effortless tailoring is seducing men, who are mainly looking for oversize suits (+146%) but also pieces directly inspired by homewear.

As a result of working from home, these men are now moving towards a more casual fashion, and particularly towards daytime pyjamas (+336%), which are very fashionable.

Lyst focused on Spring/Summer 2021 fashion trends by analysing the search behaviour of the 27 million consumers who visited its platform over the last three months. – AFP Relaxnews

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fashion , trends , Spring/Summer 2021 , WFH , Covid-19

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