When we talk about creative outlets, fashion always takes the lead as the most accessible avenue. But with the COVID-19 pandemic driving people indoors, the future of getting dressed is a gray area. We traded our heels for slippers and stiff jeans for sweatpants and turned to comfy, around-the-house alternatives. While this revealed the no-frills side of fashion, it still got everyone thinking of when they will ever put on real clothes again.
2020 was a transformative year for the fashion industry. Gone are the days of dressy outfits and business formal wear. Instead, consumers are putting comfort as a priority as they spend so much of their time quarantined at home. Brands known for their laid-back styles and casual wear took the lead during the pandemic without sacrificing style. One of them is the American brand Guess that markets women’s tees, sweaters, jackets, and bottoms.
Despite initial fears that consumers would completely abandon style in exchange for comfort, people are still yearning to express their personal style through fashion. As we embark on the post-pandemic, it’s important to give yourself a headstart on how fashion will transition from confinement clothing. With that in mind, here are the post-pandemic fashion trends you need to watch out for.
Revenge buying
After more than a year of quarantine, consumers have plenty of pent-up emotions to let go of, and their best solution for it is revenge shopping. As the name suggests, revenge shopping is all about making up for the lost time through, well, shopping. In fact, experts are expecting that revenge buying will be a probable effect of the pandemic.
Prolonged isolation has taken its toll on people, and they turn to shopping to liberate themselves. The time they had at home got everyone realizing the things they lack and what products they should invest in to improve quality of life, and clothing is one of them. Consumers are likely to make more purchases to explore creativity and personal tastes, which had been suppressed because of the monotony of casual choices.
When it comes to shopping models, consumers are likely to go hybrid. While they have recognized the convenience of online shopping, their intense desire for the outdoors and social interactions will give a quick boost to physical stores. An immersive shopping experience is key to keep shoppers engaged post-pandemic.
Just because customers are shopping again doesn’t mean shoppers will make more impulsive purchases. Fashion seasons will no longer dictate personal style because consumers rely on social media to find inspiration. This will encourage mindful shopping trends as consumers prioritize value on their purchases without succumbing to retail therapy.
Comfort takes the stage
Comfort will remain an essential fixture of our closets, an aspect that people find hard to let go of. During the quarantine, oversized clothing and loungewear pieces became the new normal, which wasn’t surprising considering that people are locked up in their homes.
With more people venturing outdoors, the loungewear hype will probably take a backseat. Still, shoppers will remain vying for comfort for casual wear. This is where dopamine dressing comes in by combining coziness with quirky aspects, such as fun patterns, bold hues, and 70s prints. These elements will resonate with Gen Z’s desire for experimentation and nostalgia. The softcore subculture will also take the lead, a subtle version of dopamine dressing. It’s all about tactile fabrications, with natural and pastel hues on outerwear, knitwear, and co-ord sets.
Basically, the post-pandemic fashion tells us that staying comfortable doesn’t mean sacrificing fashion. Slippers, sweatpants, and tie-dyes will be more popular, with some homey aesthetic aspects.
A renewed relationship with consumerism
Gen Zs are making a move towards creating meaningful relationships with fashion brands and the clothing they consume. The younger generation is leaving fast fashion behind and upcycling old items instead. For this reason, innovation, sustainability, and creativity will be the focus of post-pandemic consumerism. In fact, many eco-friendly and sustainable fashion brands are becoming more and more popular today.
As consumers become more conscious of their consumption, they’re looking for products and clothing they can repurpose in unique forms. Small designers will go viral, especially those selling handmade and recycled materials.
It’s worth noting that embracing seasonless clothing has significant impacts on the fashion industry since brands must reevaluate their marketing perspectives to accommodate the resale and secondhand market. Nevertheless, brands should take this opportunity to reimagine fashion in a more consumer-focused way.
Fashion trends are rapidly changing, and clothing brands should take advantage of this to establish a stronger foothold in the industry in the coming years. This also offers an opportunity for consumers to enjoy the cozy side of fashion instead of sacrificing comfort to stay relevant. So hop into these hottest trends and find which post-pandemic fashion will reflect your personal style.
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