Post-Covid Fashion: Pick A Decade

We enjoyed working in our pajamas this year, but the end of that forgivable allowance looms as people return to the workplace. Men and women are looking in the closet to realize they’ve lost interest in their “old” work clothes or (gasp) they’ve changed sizes.

A dramatic overhaul in clothing is upon us. After a year of sweatpants and comfy jeans, the fashion industry is suddenly forced to re-invent itself—but it’s not ready yet. Major fashion magazines agree that post-pandemic clothing will be taking cues from history until a new style emerges.

What’s New is Old

Fashion has adjusted to every major world event in history, forcing people to make do with their clothes or alter them during the disaster. Without fail, once life normalizes, both women and men have emerged ready to “spruce up” their wardrobes. Don’t panic, getting a little fancier does not mean expensive couture!

Nationwide, second-hand stores are seeing increased sales as buyers look for high-dollar clothing at reasonable prices. Across Edmond and Oklahoma City, stores are consistently reporting a demand for vintage clothing. Here’s what’s flying off the racks:

1980s:

Puffy sleeves, ruffles, and oversized sweaters layered over button-up shirts. Pantsuits, colorful blazers, and, yes, shoulder pads are back!

After the relaxed-look of the seventies, 80s styles swung toward vivid, expensive-looking clothing, produced cheaply. The time to find these styles is perfect since many folks cleaned out their closets during the pandemic.

1960s & 1970s:

Tie-dye is huge right now! Also, loose tunics, bell-bottom pants, corduroy pants, platform shoes, boots, and anything with fringe.

Much of this era’s style came from post-French Revolution when poverty-stricken peasants layered any clothing in any color. It became a “look” now known as the Boho, and later, hippie style.

1940s & 1950s:

Simple dresses are still going strong for working women. A-Line dresses embellished with buttons or bows, and straight skirts with solid blouses, cardigan sweaters or peplum jackets.  

During WWII, women converted to plain, military-style clothes. It was a full year after the war before fashion switched to feminine elegance, with silhouette-hugging sheath dresses by night and full-skirted house dresses by day (think I Love Lucy). Although those styles are harder to find in vintage now, modern replicas had started trending before the pandemic.

So, pick a decade or two. You can’t go wrong right now.  

Clothes That Love the Earth

During 2020, consumers stayed home reevaluating their finances and the items in their closets.  The pandemic has heightened the Earth-friendly movements of “less is more” and “buy sustainable.” The fashion industry has taken gradual steps toward becoming more eco-friendly, but the impact remains profound. People are now seeking a few staple items with versatility, rather than investing in fast-fashion that will be gone in a year.

The New Look for 2021?

Following a rough 2020, designers will release a few conservative lines while trying to invent the new styles that meet our post-pandemic way of living. The opportunity to create never-before-seen clothing is upon us, because truthfully, we liked working in pajamas! The market is ripe for a hybrid of comfortable career clothing. Whether it’s athletic suits, dinner fleece, fancy hoodies or flannel office wear—you can expect that “soft” and “sustainable” will be major themes. Until we see which post-Covid styles stick—pick a decade.