The Biggest Trends of Our First Post-Pandemic Summer

Although the past year stunted several aspects of our personal growth, many people were able to take advantage of this time to be introspective and discover their sense of style. Without the anxiety-inducing possibility of being judged in public, quarantine allowed us to explore fashion and find what we actually like without the constraints of a dress code or social acceptance. 

Warm ’70s inspired tones such as these are a summer staple. 

However, quarantine also meant not wearing anything but sweatpants all day. Much of our summer wardrobe never left our closets, except for an occasional Instagram post. We never got the chance to express this creative growth during the summer season. This summer is the chance for all of that to finally come out. 

The best place to look for style inspiration is on the street, which is exactly what NYC Looks does. New York City street style is very in touch with shifts in the fashion industry, so photographing and interviewing New Yorkers is an efficient way of staying up to date. Although many of the featured people are still dressing for the colder city weather, certain elements of their style will also be seen in the upcoming warmer months. These are the trends that are the most likely to last throughout the summer season. 

After being cooped up for so long and the constant stream of bad news, people are channeling the desire for positivity into the way they dress. This can be seen in the rise of bold prints, such as the Lisa Says Gah cow print pants seen on Isa. These statement pieces are rising in popularity and will only get bigger this summer. These prints are representative of our need for liveliness and expression after months of being isolated. 

Gender expression in fashion has also risen over quarantine, with many people exploring their identity and how it affects their style. Androgyny and breaking fashion gender roles will also influence our summer clothing, as seen on Cory. Women’s clothing will incorporate flowy silhouettes and loose bottoms, and men’s clothing will include traditionally feminine color palettes and fabrics. 

These trends mirror the roaring ’20s era when boldness and gender exploration dominated the fashion industry. The Guardian explains that after the 1918 pandemic “in the era that followed – the roaring ’20s – fashion reflected a society driven by hedonism and a desire to look youthful.” The article also mentions this era’s rise in acceptance for bold self-expression and androgynous clothes. Clearly, our response to the pandemic and the direction we have taken with style is very similar to the roaring 20s. 

Another current trend in the fashion world that will continue to be seen over this summer is nostalgia. This is obvious in the ‘Y2K’ trend that has become popular over the past year, with many taking inspiration from the style we grew up with. Low-rise pants and platform shoes are seen in multiple outfits on NYC Looks. This yearning for the past has also led to a surge in ’70s style. Although many of us were not even alive during this era, the clothing of this time period also saw the boldness and free gender expression. The revival of these elements shows how we are seeking out the idealized, indulgent lifestyle that existed in the 70s. Daniela’s headscarf and tan leather jacket paired with a long white dress and black boots are the perfect examples of how to look authentically vintage. Warm ’70s inspired tones such as these are a summer staple. 

Several other classic items from this era will be popular this summer. V Magazine mentions flare pants, tinted eyewear, trouser suits, and bold prints as some of the trends that will make a comeback this year. Many of the people featured on NYC Looks are showing different ways to style these items. 

Trends tend to be reflective of current events and societal changes, so in the summer months we will seek out the creative expression we have been deprived of. This upcoming season will be an opportunity to branch out and experiment with style. As a result of people having the time to grow but also limited ways to communicate this growth over the past year, the biggest trends this summer are reflective of us channeling our emotions and responses to the world around us into the way we dress.