LIFE
D.C. DESIGNERS REACT TO POST-PANDEMIC
fashion Trends WORDS BY AMANDA WEISBROD
At this point, everyone has a favorite pair of sweatpants — the triedand-true ones that served as a sort of security blanket during a time of tumult and uncertainty. But as the world enters a postpandemic era, fashion experts wonder whether these beloved sweatpants will walk into the future of fashion or be left behind in a donation pile. Elka Stevens, associate professor and coordinator of fashion design at Howard University, says it could go either way. Some people will trade in their comfy clothes for more elaborate statement pieces, while others will continue to shop for comfortable yet stylish clothing in the form of athleisure wear and loungewear. In particular, Stevens says the work-from-home video call behavior of dressing to impress from the waist up while wearing comfy bottoms is a trend that will continue in the future. “I think in part, there are going to be remnants of Covid that [will] stay because we have this phenomenon of dressing [from the waist] up. I think there’s going to be additional attention to dressing up from the waist up because of online engagement, [and] in turn, that means casual athleisure. Comfortable clothing from the waist down is going to be around for a long time as a result of this.” The fashion professor prophesizes this dressycasual fusion will be heralded by innovations in the performance textiles department due to the growing need for material that presents a polished image while remaining breathy and comfortable. DISTRICT FRAY | 73
