What Clothes Will We be in Fashion When the Pandemic is Over?

There was a collective ‘agreement’ that activewear and sweatpants would be our official uniforms throughout the pandemic. It’s something we support strongly most days. If we don’t have anywhere to go, why dress up? If we spend the day at work, why wear jeans? Why we need to buy a new top, or capitalize on a fashion trend when it is not yet over? Sometimes, dressing up is what we miss the most. We miss being inspired by favorite designers and trying new brands or styles–just because. Sincerely, we miss the compliments of friends and strangers.

You’re not the only one. You can think of all the people you saw dressed up for routine grocery store visits or vaccine appointments. The ability to express oneself and our interactions with the world through clothing has been a part of human history. Experts and fashion historians predict that people will continue to express themselves through their clothes when it’s possible to get outside like before. According to Dr. Sonya Abrego (NY-based fashion historian), “People seem pretty excited to get back out in the universe. Shopping can also be a social experience, so perhaps we’ll see more.”

One question remains, however: How do you dress in a world that has drastically changed after 18+ months of dressing from waist down? Are the same rigid workwear rules applicable if you return to the office? Are we able to take advantage of the comfort many of us have found over the last year? Let’s talk.

Comfort will remain elusive

Because… where were they going? Comfortable clothes reign supreme. Abrego says, “We saw sweats, leggings and comfortable pajamas pants. People made fun of it at first–never having had to dress–but then it gnawed at us.” People used bright colors to inject serotonin into their home wardrobes in an effort to combat this. Tie-dye was a popular trend for several months last year. Virginia Craddock, co-founder of Untitled in Motion, says that “Cottagecore” exploded and that there was a growing obsession with crafts and handmade things.

The truth is that comfortable clothing will never disappear, no matter what happens in the “after-times”. However, it will be fashionable for inside and out. Dalia MacPhee (CEO of the namesake brand Dalia MacPhee) says that “all things fashionable athletic wear and even matching dog wear flew off shelves.” People are mixing and matching formal pieces with casual wear, such as yoga pants with a sandal heel or loungewear with a tailored jacket. The bottom line is that comfort and practicality should be the priority.

MacPhee predicts a rise in extraordinary fashion when it comes to returning the office. She says that “We all have been through something life-changing. When individuals come back to work, I believe there’ll be inspiration to wear one’s finest threads.”

Mindful Shopping

You don’t have to spend a lot to get the best clothes. People have learned to live with less. You will spend less money. Fewer social outings. There is less physical touch. The pandemic gave us the opportunity to reevaluate how we shop and to make sure we have the basics we need to live and enjoy happiness. Abrego states that the pandemic forced people to reevaluate their consumption and how much they eat. “I hope that the pandemic will make people think twice about thinking they can’t rewear clothing or that clothing should only be worn once.

Online shopping may open up more options for vintage and resale. You can find better quality items at a lower price and it won’t contribute to the rapid fashion cycle and new production.

Thredup estimates that 33 million people found secondhand in the wake of the pandemic. A large 76% of these first-time buyers plan to keep buying secondhand over the next five year. As consumers are more concerned about quality and carbon footprint, the stigma surrounding thrifting delicately worn goods is slowly disappearing.

MacPhee agrees that living with less was an important theme of the pandemic. She predicts that there will be more support for high-quality fashion and independent designers who are focused on doing good in this world, from sustainability to ecological-consciousness.

The fun of trying new trends

Six months after the pandemic, we rediscovered love for jeans and began wearing them again. They reminded us of our life before the pandemic. Jeans made us feel normal. We eventually added more “normal” items, such as crop tops, dresses and heels to the wardrobe, which allowed them to have a positive effect on my mood and mental health.

MacPhee states that “privileges with shopping were not fully appreciated prior to the pandemic. The ability to go into any store at any hour, touch, test, and buy in New York within a matter of minutes was gone.”

We predict that consumers will be more excited to shop once they have recovered from the financial hardships of the pandemic. It is possible to find clothing that goes beyond the living room. This includes dresses that can be used for both dining out and couch-based cocooning. Also, stylish jeans with good elastic bands or sneakers with extra flair will soon become a fad. Fashion lovers are in fashion withdrawal after the past year, which offered very few opportunities to dress up.

The Fall 2021 fashion shows showed a way to make up the time lost by wearing multiple patterns, fabrics, and colors simultaneously, no matter how dissimilar they were. Both high-end brands and fast fashion are encouraging optimism about our long-awaited return to society. People who have never been interested in fashion or trends will love it. Even fashion-averse people will find a new way to see the world from inside. There is so much visual content online, as well as social media, that it is easy to find the next, best, and most exciting thing.

Show-stopping Fashion

The way we see ourselves through clothing has a major impact on how we feel about ourselves. It affects three categories: who we are now, what we want to become, and who we fear becoming. Because we have the ability to choose between these three versions, our relationship with clothes is enjoyable.

MacPhee expects a rise in resort and designer wear, as well as a shift in some tastes during the pandemic. “Have your seen how busy airports are?” She says. While travel is slowing down due to the Delta variant causing new spikes, MacPhee states that this constant pandemic has given rise to “a new appreciation for fashion.” As an indicator, we can look at the fashion boom that emerged just after the 1918 pandemic. It’s called the roaring 20s.

This is a good example: You will find more occasions to wear your favorite pieces. Experts say there is a growing demand for elegant dresses, crop tops and tailored jeans.

The greatest form of liberation in “after-times” is “Revenge-buying,” which is the act of buying things to make up for lost times. It’s possible to do it. People will finally be able to express themselves after months of being stifled by their creativity.