Embracing comfort as couture
Ana Hernandez
The trend toward commodious clothing all started before COVID-19 swept across the globe, influencing both the streets and clothing designers’ inspirations. From Balenciaga to Molly Goddard and Marc Jacobs, the shift to loose and comfortable clothing became inevitable throughout the pandemic, and four years later, comfortable wear still clouds a majority of the seasons’ lookbooks.
Today, models sashay down runways in slouchy and oversized silhouettes. This shift in style has not only made a staple in streetwear, but it has also made its presence felt in office wear . As the pandemic presented an increase in remote jobs, people adopted a more relaxed approach to their clothing. According to an article from the industry fashion, a 62% majority of UK shoppers have now prioritized comfort over fashion trends.
Carven Fall Ready to Wear 2024 | Image Credit: Vogue
As for footwear, comforting and cozy sneakers have also made a return to the shelves. This fall, sneakers such as Adidas, Sambas, Converse, and Vans have made their comeback as a wave of nostalgia from the 2000s hit current fashion portfolios. These shoe styles, once staples of casual wear, have now become essential pieces in a majority of wardrobes, binding comfort and style seamlessly.
Sustainability is another motivator driving the comfort-over-trend movement. Shoppers have grown increasingly fond of environmentally friendly clothing, and fibers such as cotton and linen are becoming more common in 2024 collections.
Consumers gravitate to the comfort-over-style movement not just because it’s practical, but because they feel like comforting clothing helps them move through life with a stress-free ease rather than holding uncomfortable garments just for appearance.
Image Credit: Pinterest
From the rise of athleisure promoting comfort rather than style-driven fashion to soft sneakers and oversized silhouettes to oversized “emotional support bags” that hold everything you need for work and give you something to snuggle up with, the comfort-over-style trend is here to stay. This has shown that consumers are now tending to prioritize their well-being, which is something we all need to strive for.
Strike Out,
Ana Hernandez
Editor: Carla Mendez
Ana Hernandez is an aspiring author with articles featuring topics such as human rights, psychology, and fashion. She has prior experience with Strike Magazine Boca and was also a copywriting intern for an eyewear brand. Her hobbies include writing heartfelt reviews about books, with the majority of their genres being romance, literary fiction, and mystery. She is a student at Broward College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English with a track in writing and rhetoric. You can see her portfolio here.
