Over the course of the pandemic, many students stayed in the comfort of their own home focusing on their classes rather than the shirt you would see on a computer screen. Since the return of in-person classes this fall semester, you may find some students still in that comfort mindset being expressed by what they wear.
Revolutionizing the idea of comfortable clothing may seem impossible to many, but after spending months indoors mainly utilizing sweatpants and baggy shirts, some have gotten quite creative.
From workout wear to Crocs, these are a few of what became the staple pieces of an outfit over the past year and a half.
Trends of modern fashion constantly evolve every day and inspire so many to elevate pieces they already own, utilizing what they already have in their closet. Renovating pieces of clothing has become second nature to many when trying to stay on trend and even to those who don’t even realize it.
Wearing sweatpants with Oxford shoes no longer looks foreign to the eye because so many have adapted to the comfortable clothes we have been wearing. Even those who continue to “dress to impress” have found small ways to adapt to a more comfortable lifestyle. Rather than the newest shoes, you might find people wearing worn-out sneakers paired with chino pants or even a dress.
Not only is this change occurring here on campus, but nationwide, even in one of the biggest fashion capitals.
A piece written by The New York Times explains how many in Wall Street are now dressing down and trading in high heels for flats and suits for casual pants and a button-down shirt. Though Wall Street and university life may seem vastly different, the reality that we as a community opted to be comfortable in what we wear is undeniable.
With comfort taking over most of our closets, many might muse, “I’ve always dressed comfortably; I don’t see a difference.” It is impossible to ignore that we have not evolved in what we wear.
Let us not deny that not everyone prioritizes fashion, but working and completing the school year remotely for the past year and a half has affected us all. When shopping we might decide on a loose-fitting pair of jeans rather than the once popular skinny jeans because of how we prioritize comfort over style.
The pandemic has affected us in ways we did not even realize, our fashion being one of them, from our conscious choices of what we buy to what we decide to wear.
So, continue to wear your sweatpants to class. You won’t be breaking any secret post pandemic dress code.
Itzel Giron may be reached at [email protected]
