Positive Pandemic Lessons
Left to right: @devapollon, @chloepearll, @shaemde, @lvdiv
If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s to wear whatever you want without worrying about other people's opinions. Reflecting about a year that was hated worldwide has led me to deliberately search for positive experiences in my life. One of those positives has been my relationship with clothing and fashion. After spending an entire year in sweatpants and “casual sets,” I miss the days I had to wear uncomfortable shoes for a work obligation. Nowadays, my roommates and I put on clubbing clothes and drink wine just to feel something again.
I started to move away from safe choices and gravitated towards clothing that made me feel cool; these are choices I wouldn’t be caught dead in pre-pandemic. I wasn’t seeing anyone outside of Zoom and everything in my life had turned upside down, so why wouldn't I wear velvet disco pants with a Juicy jacket? Before the pandemic, I was always trying to chase an aesthetic that I didn’t fit into completely or got confused while deciding who I wanted to be. Now, one day I can be a y2k chick if I want. The next day, I can dress as if I am waking up to milk the cows at 5 in the morning. I’ve realized it doesn't matter as long as I feel good. That's why this spring, I declare everyone should wear whatever the hell they want.
Left to right: @everysingleoneofmyoutfits, @itswilmahansson, @laurenlicup, @laurenelson
As things open up again and life returns to normal bit by bit, the joy of dressing up is something I’m looking forward to. Now more than ever is the perfect time to wear colors you never thought you would, try on pieces you think “wouldn’t look good,” and be the baddest bitch you can be. As London Fashion Week designer Halpern told Vogue, “It’s about having fun—I didn’t want to do fantasy and ignore what’s happening in the world. Fashion should prop people up and give people a break, especially when they’ve been having such a terrible time.”
TikTok and Pinterest have been two of my primary resources in curating fashion ideas for spring and summer 2021. I screenshot anything that excites me and put it on a Pinterest board. Following creators like @wuzg00d, Devon Carlson, Emma Chamberlain, and other fashion accounts has challenged me to push my style in directions I haven’t explored before. I don't spend much money and try to look for sustainable fashion pieces that will last me a long time rather than whatever is trending on Princess Polly. Depop can be great for this (I bought my vintage coats there), but be careful of scammers who try to re-sell fast fashion brands.
Major fashion trends from the Spring 2021 runway demonstrate that we will be seeing bright colors, netting and holes, open backs, rising hemlines, light sheer fabrics and bras on show. I’ve seen this from the creators I follow too! Throughout this article are some photos I’ve curated and examples of the things I want to wear. Remember, it's all about finding what you feel cool and comfortable in. Wearing whatever the hell you want is about loving yourself and the energy you want to bring to the world!
Left to right: @temiojora, @wuzg00d, @giuli.lin, @devonleecarlson
By Isabella Buoscio
University of Utah student. Passionate about food, fashion, and finding myself in unexpected situations. I write to gather shared experiences and make the world a bit more connected.
Note: Cover Image - Stefan Moertl