The article examines the current state of fashion and its relationship to the tumultuous 2020s. As the decade reaches its midpoint, the writer reflects on how the era’s chaos and uncertainty have influenced fashion trends. The pandemic, wars, and climate crisis have led to a desire for comfort and practicality, with loungewear and elastic waists becoming staples. The article notes how the rise of androgynous fashion, with men embracing baggy jeans and oversized blazers, and the blending of workwear and daywear, has brought about a renewed interest in comfort dressing. The trend towards soft, neutral colors, particularly neutrals, has become a staple, with even basics being elevated. The article also highlights the growth of subcultures, such as cottagecore, Trad Wives, and prairie-esque styles, which are often at odds with each other. The piece concludes that despite the chaos in the fashion world, the common thread is a desire for comfort, practicality, and homogeny, with the “look of the 2020s” being a black top, light-blue jeans, and black boots.
