Post Covid19 Fashion Trends

It is a fact that major world events influence fashion. Major world leaders have created new fashion trends-The Modi Kurta(Narendra Modi), The Nehru Jacket(Jawaharlal Nehru), The Madiba Shirts(Nelson Mandela), Jackie-O Glasses(Jacqueline Kennedy), etc

Historically, the major wars have had a huge impact on the evolution of fashion and dress. During WW1 as more and more women were forced to work, they abandoned the corset and voluminous petticoats for clothes that were better suited to those activities. As the unfortunate occasions to grieve the dead increased, black became a staple in most wardrobes.

The Great Depression of the 1920’s followed by WW2 and the rationing of fabric meant that sombre dull drab colors became the norm, extravagant styles went out and the only way a woman could flaunt her wealth was by donning a stylish hat. This gave a new life to millinery (hat making).

Closer to home, the face covering and purdah by women was adopted to (supposedly) safeguard them from waves of foreign invaders who would loot, plunder, rape and murder the vanquished.

Now, in 2020, we find ourselves in the middle of a worldwide battle. There are war zones in hospitals and markets - casualties of battle against a virus and more significantly fear. And this too will redefine fashion as we know it. We could assume that newer trends would include an even larger shift to increasingly comfortable, easy to maintain clothing (WFH impact) and more frugality when it comes to spending on luxuries. However, if the early reports from China are any indication (Hermes store in Guangzhou billed $2.9mn on 1 day of reopening) a deeply disturbed, deprived population is rushing to indulge in luxury spending as soon as stores are reopening. Perhaps to assuage the impact of the traumatic events, perhaps to seize the day or simply to celebrate the fact that they survived. Human beings are strange like that!

But I want to talk about a small piece of fabric which is becoming the "must have" to step out in public (pun intended).

The face mask!!

WHO and governments across the world are issuing advisories asking everyone to wear face masks when they step out in public to protect themselves and prevent spreading of the virus. This doesn't need to be a medical-grade mask. Using disposable masks would be wasteful since they shouldn’t be re-used. A mask made of 3-ply breathable fabric which can be washed at home and re-used is ideal and there are multiple videos and step-by-step instructions doing the rounds to make your own masks.

The mask which used to be a curious sight (seen commonly only in Asian countries which have experienced other coronavirus outbreaks like SARS) has now become an indispensable part of the world’s wardrobe.

In the past, the fashion forward community has definitely experimented with the mask as a fashion accessory.

Now major fashion & luxury houses like Prada, LVMH, Kering, Ralph Lauren, Anita Dongre, Masaba Gupta, etc are using their production capacity to produce masks for the medical community and relief efforts. These are made from leftover fabrics of the previous collections.

And there are still others who are converting these objects of necessity into coveted, novel forms of self-expression. Many designers introduced masks into their spring-summer2020 collections.

The humble face mask has found a permanent place in the modern vocabulary of necessary fashion accessories in the Covid19 world.

Color Coordinates Face Mask to Dress — President Zuzana Caputova of Slovakia

Fashion industry experts predict that once the pandemic passes the mask will become a staple an “it item” as easily available as a pair of jeans. Covid-19 might create a new trend towards preparedness gear or as an extension of the luxury outdoor collection (that includes ski goggles, hiking boots, etc) as a result of the need to feel reassured. This along with hoods, combat inspired shoes, more form-fitting, body covering clothes,etc which have been part of the post-apocalyptic inspirations which the designers have been showcasing in recent times.

The fact that the mask is to be worn at all times in public and covers more than half your face means that it will definitely become the dominant focal point of any outfit you might wear.

So what is your personal style?