The Effect of Quarantine on Fashion
Image Courtesy: Strike FSU
It is no secret that 2020 was a year of constant, and unprecedented, change. This uncertainty has manifested itself in every aspect of life, including fashion trends. As a product of quarantine, there has been a dramatic shift in the societal view of what it means to be fashionable. Modern fashion has a track record of focusing on simplicity and minimalism. As demonstrated by the VSCO girl trend of 2019, it also serves as a way to fit in and express a sense of comfort and relatability. This notion of fashion as a security blanket directly contrasts with current trends that rely on bold patterns, colors, vintage pieces, and eclectic accessories as a way to look unique and express individuality. Furthermore, comfort is comparatively much less of a concern now than it was prior to lockdowns. I think we can all see this exemplified by the exchange of high-rise jeans for a lower waisted alternative, as well as through the recent rise of corset and lingerie style tops.
This shift in meaning that fashion has undergone in the past year is directly indicative of the various government-issued quarantines. During these lockdowns, fashion took a more comfortable route, as the inability to publicly participate in the social, academic, or professional realms of life resulted in the ability to wear pajamas all day. As life slowly began to return to a state of normalcy, every opportunity to leave the house became an opportunity to finally express oneself through fashion. Isolation similarly allowed consumers the ability to develop their own sense of style, as people became less concerned about what others would think about their clothing and more focused on putting together outfits that they thought were cool and reflected their individuality.
Image Courtesy: VSCO
Besides quarantine itself, Tik Tok is another obvious contributor to the increase of eclectic fashion. The platform has been a means of finding community in the midst of a global pandemic. An example of this is how the users on this platform have facilitated the rise of “alt culture,” as users longed to distinguish themselves from the platform's main user base, known as “straight Tik Tok”. This group was characterized by their focus on posting thirst traps and dancing videos rather than humorous content. Similarly, the rise of “straight” content houses seemed to generate a specific sense of basic style, which “alt” creators directly sought to combat. In turn, this subculture created its own sense of style that was focused on thrifted fashion and clothes that stepped outside of the status quo. This led to high acceptance of nonconformity and an increased appreciation for non-conventional styles. These trends, however, eventually began to gain public traction, and the bold style that once defined a certain group spread like a wildfire and was absorbed into the societal sense of fashion.
Lastly, these trends were also facilitated by the dramatic increase in online shopping and selling that took place over quarantine. Due to everything being closed, consumers were able to save money on experience-based luxuries such as going out to eat, or salon services. Thus, online shopping became more justified, safe, and appropriate. Similarly, quarantine offered a lot of extra time for online small business owners to establish themselves as brands, since consumers were no longer able to shop at malls. This combination of isolation as well as an increased desire to shop and express one's individuality thoroughly transformed fashion trends and general attitudes about what constitutes a fashionable outfit. In this way, fashion in 2021 is a direct and collective response to the constant upheaval known as 2020.
Strike Out,
Writer: Annamarie Simoldoni
Editor: Alyson Brinkley
Graphics: Madison Karram
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