Guest Post: The Correlation Between Comfort and Clothing
It’s not just the first impression –
it’s everything from asserting dominance, exuding confidence (even if we don’t yet have it in the amount we wish), all the way to giving off a particular vibe. What we wear every day has become much more than a merely practical decision, as it needs to reflect our personality and be adjusted to each situation. As a result, we naturally wear heels to meetings where we need a confidence boost, or a little black dress to a dinner.
However, there have been shifts in perspective lately when it comes to labeling clothes as acceptable and stylish, even though they do not fit the original idea of high-end. Known by many names, such as street style or urban wear, this mindset change has altered our fashion priorities and brought comfort into the spotlight.
The Celebrity-Driven Switch
If you have either been to, or at least followed the crowd style of the latest Coachella, you know that Beyoncé has once again nailed the street-inspired look with her choice of a yellow hoodie, distressed denim shorts, and a pair of fringe boots – all of which have likely made history thanks to Queen B. But that wasn’t her first or last encounter with the look, as she launched her own sporty collection back in 2016, by the name of Ivy Park.
Then came Rihanna, whose own Fenty x Puma collection brought the world to its knees, and we are eager to see her bold pieces strut down the streets this spring. Add to that the impact young ladies such as Kendall Jenner and the Hadid sisters have with their own off-the-runway preferences, and the world is overflown with athleisure, which is first and foremost, synonymous with rebellious comfort.
Emotions As Our Guiding Stars
Once upon a time, you’d wear that same yellow hoodie after a tough breakup, but definitely not to a spectacular concert of your favorite performer. Ever since brands have introduced their leisurely sporty collections, supported thoroughly by supermodels and celebrities alike, the world has gone insane. The personification of haute couture now, alongside sparkly dress, is the rugged military pants look with sturdy boots, and some spunky top.
What used to be synonymous with sadness and only home-friendly wardrobe has now transitioned into the realm of pure perfection. In fact, these comfortable, saggy, or simply urban items can even be combined with the staples of luxury. You can now easily wear your favorite Adidas shoes blended with jeans, a shirt, and a luxe bag by Chanel; it would all be considered brilliant and daring.
Comfort On All Levels
Another aspect of fashion that has been affected by this latest comfort craze is the changed behavioral patterns of the most numerous consumers on the planet, with millennials at forefront. Unlike the traditional shopping experience tied to the notion of brick and mortar, these young folks are eager to peruse and shop online, look for reviews, and read previous buyers’ feedback to make sure they’re making the right choice.
Even though nothing can replace the ritual of window-shopping and browsing before you lay your eyes on that one perfect dress, the modern lifestyle demands a faster, more convenient way of shopping. This has enabled yet another level of comfort to become an indelible part of the fashion experience, not to mention the access we have to world-wide blogging websites and influencers sharing their opinions and style ideas. Nowadays, significantly less effort is required for each style choice we make, starting from the very realization that you ought to look for a new pair of anything.
Form-Fitting vs. Oversized
If that wasn’t enough for the modern-day comfort-seeker, fashion has found another way to reflect the need to be free. Freedom of movement, no more form-fitting rules to guide your look for any occasion, and no more insisting on pieces that outline your figure. In all fairness, there will always be leggings and tops that still maintain their level of comfort without being constricting, but the idea of oversized has nonetheless become a fashion favorite as of late.
Starting from impeccable maxi dresses with asymmetrical form and curious patterns, and wrapping up with coats and jackets that keep you warm in their embrace, massive and chunky have become must-haves in any wardrobe. Infused with texture and intriguing patterns and hues, such as Tom Ford’s extravagant jackets in animal print, they are all party-perfect and eye-catching to say the least.
All in all, we have a very comfortable, free-spirited season to look forward to, with a whole range of quirky pieces, timeless essentials, and unexpected add-ons all coming together in perfect harmony!
.Guest post written by Claire Hastings – Claire is a wanderer and a writer. She writes as long as she can remember, and she is very passionate about fashion, running, other cultures, and her cat.