While we all use the post-lockdown period to rethink and promptly reset, the fashion industry is primarily pushing on the limits of ‘ready-to-wear’ after the pandemic fractured the system. Extensive changes have been made to the needle and thread, with adaptability being the key word.

“Buy less, choose well, and make it last” has been the slogan of most sustainable designers around the world. Over the past year and a half, with no board meetings or parties to attend, we have reoriented the way we dress towards comfort. We have discovered the luxury of relaxed silhouettes and good quality fabrics, and are refusing to give them up anytime soon. Wellness clothes give us a feeling of contentment. Soft textures and democratic tailoring are what consumers are looking for today. This particular willingness to collaborate on styles and try something new is the best possible result of an isolated and special world.

There is a dance factor in the clothing with baggy shirts, poufier sleeves and slacks with more legroom. Thinking outside the usual realm and creating clothes that resonate with functionality is what propels fashion forward.

The clueless state of mind of Covid-19 has led to epiphanies, stories of mindfulness and banana bread. At the same time, there was a flow of individual storytelling, awakenings and connections, with an introspective design. Designers and brands are focused on dressing a wider range of people with different personalities and characteristics, and it all comes down to one simple word: gratification..

Courtesy of: (LR) Brandon Maxwell, Oscar de la Renta

There has been a more tactile approach to clothing construction and manufacturing, using skin-friendly finishes and environmentally friendly recyclable fabrics. A number of brands have adopted versatile styles that exemplify the fashion escape with languid dresses that seem almost mercurial to 70s-inspired denim. The art of dressing is celebrated on these rare occasions with possibly a pop of color just to cheer us up, while remembering that comfort is essential.

Courtesy of: (LR) Rahul Mishra, Nehera, Sacai

At one point, the words “sustainability” and ‘biological’ were buzzwords used by public relations and marketing agencies. However, this past year has amplified awareness of ‘ethical fashion’. The industry has recognized the detrimental effects it has caused in worsening conditions on our planet and made an effort to educate itself on the environmental crisis. Fast-fashion designers and brands are striving to reduce their carbon footprint and water consumption. Brands are encouraged to ban single-use plastic, introduce climate-positive projects and organize responsible shows. There is a commitment to be respectful of the environment; manufacturers and buyers have recognized the importance of upcycling (creation of new clothes with recycled materials). Conscious clothing instills a feel-good factor in consumers.

Courtesy of: Michael Kors

For those of you who want to inject feel-good chromotherapy into your closets – red, hot pink, green, and yellow have made their return to the Pantone charts. Try out these bold, upbeat colors with coordinating ensembles, loungewear, and sports recreation. Looking good and feeling good is something we can all agree on, and we are honestly spoiled for choice thanks to the number of fashion brands that have dabbled in functional fashion.

Courtesy of: (LR) Plan C, Marques’Almeida, Off-White

Priyanka Khanna is a fashion designer, stylist and creative consultant. She is also a visiting faculty member at the Indian School of Design & Innovation (ISDI) in Bombay and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Kolkata.