Special Report Talking trends: T
he cyclical nature of fashion means that we’re used to seeing fashion inspiration from past decades popping up in our current trends.
Trends repeat themselves on average every 20 to 30 years so it makes sense that right now, fashion is obsessed with all things Y2K.
Most fashions are quite short lived, however this retro trend has been big news for a few seasons now and is showing little sign of waning, so what makes this different and how can you ensure you have this covered in your product offer?
While it may be a not so-distant memory for some of us, for those of you young enough not to remember first time round, here’s a brush up of Y2K fashion and the key styles for 2023.
For menswear, take inspiration from the hip hop super stars of the day. The key look is oversized styling, baggy tees and sweats with a strong American sportwear influence accessorised with beanies and trucker hats. You also can’t ignore the strong grunge influence; shirts are worn looser, the bigger the better over long sleeve tees adorned with band artwork. Logos should be big and showy. For ladieswear, look at extremes of silhouette, tees and sweats should either be super oversized or shrunken and cropped. This was the era of bling so expect crystal and stud effect prints and hot seals to make a comeback. Gender neutral dressing is a key theme. And after a few seasons of neutrals, expect colour to make a comeback (bolder pinks and purples will be especially important by summer).
So why is this trend enjoying such longevity?
A lot of it is down to timing, the pandemic and global financial uncertainty
| 72 | February 2023
Retro and nostalgia in a post pandemic world
In this article, Clare Dwyer, product manager at Kustom Kit, takes a look at the cyclical nature of fashion and how this relates to the printwear industry.
Kustom Kit’s KK500 Hunky tee is the perfect oversized silhouette for recreating Y2K looks
has touched all aspects of our lives. In times of uncertainty, it is natural to be nostalgic and look back at the early 2000s as a simpler time.
While we were all forced into our homes due to social distancing, digital platforms such as streaming services and social media became the main source of entertainment, a source of comfort to many was retreating to nostalgic TV series and movies from their youth. The late 1990s and early 2000s became an easily accessible cultural reference point. This coincided with the huge rise in the platform TikTok where style savvy gen Zers inspired by the past created viral
content which in turn influenced what we buy and wear. Such is the era’s popularity searches for Y2K fashion on social platforms are currently topping over half a billion!
The pandemic has also allowed for a time of reflection, with most people purchasing less clothing than before the lockdown, consumers have become more conscious and aware of the environmental implications of buying fast fashion that will very quickly end up in land fill. This has led to a popularity in vintage clothing and people choosing styles that will last rather than a fad fashion trend.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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