Ananya Ranjit
“I think we will see a broader acceptance on how to dress for any occasion, whether that’s wearing leggings and trainers to the opera or full drag into the office”, said Andrew Ibi, co-founder of FACE, about post-pandemic fashion. Now, as the world begins to reconcile with the Coronavirus, his words seem truer than ever.
With lockdown restrictions being alleviated in several countries, people are finally reclaiming the streets as their runway. And they’re thinking…BOLD. From the colours to the silhouettes, the fashion trends of 2022 are charged with optimism, zeal, and dollops of nostalgia.
Living in Technicolour
Okay, I’ll be honest here. As someone who finds comfort in the versatility of neutrals, I wasn’t completely on board with bright, pastel colours that became oh-so-trendy last year, at least on myself (although everyone else seemed to be pulling these off effortlessly). I think it’s great that I’ve had my reconciliation since then because these vibrant colour palettes seem to be spilling over into 2022. From Versace to Emporio Armani, the fashion shows for Spring/Summer 22 had several eye-catching monochrome and colour blocking moments that were evocative of early Y2K fashion with their capricious yet composed vibe. Prints render a lot to this aesthetic too, from the evergreen florals to more modern patterns inspired by geometric shapes, artistic brushstrokes, and even intricate-looking Bohemian artwork. Animal prints continue to remain part of the mix as well, however, in 2022, we’ll be trading in the leopard and the snakeskin for the tiger and the cowhide, the neutral palette of which provides the perfect contrast to the vivid colours of the season, all while keeping the whimsy alive.
However, this pop of colour isn’t limited to clothes. For those like me who bear an unwavering loyalty to the timeless blacks, whites, and beiges in our closet, a great way to hop on the technicolour bandwagon is through makeup, especially considering that colourful eye looks are all the rage right now. From winged liners to smokey eyes, let’s give our overused nude shades a rest this season, and reach instead for lilacs, pinks and teals for a colourful twist.
All about the Fab-risks
From tulle and mesh to faux fur and fleece, the new year is spoiling us with choices when it comes to textiles. Of course, we have some classics like leather and satin that remain as trendy as ever, but tis’ the season for some wild-card entries. Starting with perhaps the most eye-catching one of the lot; the glitter/sequined fabrics. Perfect for the number of cocktail hours, club nights, and fancy brunches we need to catch up on after almost two years of staying indoors, this fabric is sure to add that extra bit of ‘oomph’ to your outfit. Mesh is another emerging trend in this regard, with its roots in the 90s. This stretchy, gauzy fabric perfectly conforms to your body in a way that’s both comfortable and chic and thus can be dressed up or down based on the occasion.
Silhouettes
After more than a year of staying indoors, mostly in loungewear, it’s quite clear that comfort will be non-negotiable, even as we step outdoors. It’s safe to assume then that a relaxed silhouette will be quite popular this year. Flared pants, boyfriend jeans and wide-legged trousers will be wardrobe staples and will be paired with form-fitting yet stretchy tops to create a balanced A-line silhouette. All the same, the cinched silhouette continues growing in popularity through trends such as midriff flossing and garments with creative cutouts, the unexpected positioning of which adds an element of surprise to the overall look. Corsets, which re-emerged with the resurgence of the 1970s cottage core aesthetic, will also continue to keep waists snatched and silhouettes cinched. Later in the year though, as the weather gets chillier, boxy silhouettes are expected to be all the rage, as everyone begins layering with varsity jackets, blazers, leather or Afghan coats.
Bonus: Euphoria High
Perhaps a case study of sorts for all the aforementioned fashion trends of 2022 is Euphoria, the show notorious for its grim storylines and avant-garde outfits. Since its initial release, the series has been both influential and reflective of Gen Z fashion. Its second instalment was released in January and quickly revived the buzz around its costume design, with users taking to Tiktok and Instagram to flaunt their own versions of the outfits they’d wear to Euphoria High School. Arguably the most influential character for this trend was Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie), whose bold personality and sartorial edge enraptured viewers since the very first episode. Her style is heavily reminiscent of the 90s, with her monochrome sets, flared pants and floral slip dresses. The glitter and rhinestones she frequently incorporates into her looks (hello iconic prom dress I’m looking at you) and makeup, give off a vibe I can best describe as “retro-glam with hints of street style”, and is quite likely to be trendy in 2022, especially considering the iconic status her character has received.
However, the homage to vintage fashion doesn’t end there. Costume designer Heidi Bivens put together a rich collection of striking outfits for all her characters, each embodying different aesthetics based on their personality. Kat Hernandez’s post-transformation era is my personal favourite in this regard. Even though Barbie Ferreira’s character absolutely rocked geek-chic fashion, there was something so powerful about the mesh tops, leather skirts, and the BOLD makeup looks, which she frequently ties together (literally) with latex and leather harnesses and corsets for an absolutely snatched look.
Then, of course, is Rue Bennet, whose functional, yet trendy, style, is a striking contrast to all the glam we see in the rest of the show. She wears darker, neutral colours (although we do see a subtle splash of blues and greens every now and then) with baggy pants and Converse for the perfect skatercore look. Of course, these aesthetics are intrinsically linked to the backstories of these characters but through them, Bivens takes us through the whole gamut of vintage-inspired fashion that help reignite the nostalgia that has been a defining element of our own ‘roaring 20s’.
Featured image courtesy of Becca McHaffie on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
