Do you still dress like you’re on lockdown? Here, new clothes for the new normal

Just ask Nicola Roberts, who was caring for a newborn during the lockdown. The London-based food stylist, 38, said she has rediscovered the joy of dressing: “I’m trying colours, shapes and styles that I would never have before.” Aimee Majoros, 51, has experienced her reawakening. Before Covid, Ms Majoros, a publicist in East Greenwich, NY, mostly stuck to a uniform of a turtleneck and jeans. But after closing — and after being treated for breast cancer — she’s drawn to the kaleidoscopic vintage dresses she once would have rejected. “Wearing colors and prints made things feel warmer and more hopeful to me,” she said. “I wanted to continue that feeling once the world started to open up.”

Boredom, too, can catalyze a style evolution. During his time in solitary confinement, Jon Gabrus, 40, felt free to experiment with a look he describes as ’80s movie boy. “I was dressed in a completely nonchalant way around my apartment,” the Los Angeles comedian said. Now he asks: “Why was I so hesitant to dress like this in public? The pandemic was like a test.”

“We’re seeing an emphasis on self-expression and unique personal style,” said Sasha Skoda, women’s director at consignment retailer RealReal..

Jenna Gottlieb, an editorial shopping marketer at Instagram, sees a number of factors at play: “There’s a mix of dusting off and rediscovery [and] buying new things because we have somewhere to wear them.” But not everything deserves a review. Some pieces are dated. Others are not suitable for real-life interactions. And, as Rajni Lucienne Jacques, global head of fashion on Snapchat, “We might want something to differentiate between pandemic and post-pandemic style.” Here, fashion experts weigh in on what looks are best left in the past — and what to try instead.

TRENDS FOR WOMEN:

Instead of: Mom Jeans

Try: Long and loose denim

A pre-pandemic and lockdown favourite, ‘mom jeans’ – with their distinctive high waist and straight leg, should be shelved. “They can feel unimaginative and, at times, just too random,” Ms. Gottlieb from Instagram. Meanwhile, Mrs. Snapchat’s Jacques blames their lack of comfort: “I want a jean that’s not so restrictive,” she said. Her shift: denim with a wide, elongated silhouette. “This season’s longer legs and baggy legs have a cool vibe,” said Ms. Gottlieb, who considers them ideal companions for great boots. “They also beg for a belt, which is such a great and often overlooked aspect of the outfit.” Play up the elongated shape of these jeans with a cropped or rolled top.

Instead of: Puffy sleeves

Try: Another way to celebrate at the top

The need for “bulging shirts” fueled the trend for puffy sleeves, a style that embodies the “party on top” approach. It’s still important to prioritize fashion over the waist, said Aya Kanai, head of editorial at Google Shopping. “Hybrid work looks like it’s here to stay, so it makes sense to have a statement tip about video calling,” she said. But an updated approach is in order. “The puffy sleeve is Brigerton and should be put to bed,” said Mrs. Jacques. Plus: Such sleeves are awkward. Stylist Britt Theodora called them “tricky,” “not the most flattering,” and difficult to fit into a jacket. The exchange? Statement knit tops with pops of color, prints and textures like mohair. “I like pairing [them] with a mini skirt and a low heel,” said RealReal’s Ms. Skoda.

Instead of: Cottagecore

Try: Elegant columns

Women who made it through the jam by spiraling down Zillow, consumed by country house-buying fantasies, gravitated toward clothes that supported such pastoral dreams. The result: the rise of cottagecore, a sly aesthetic that found expression in floral prints, bright country dresses and a whimsical, Laura Ingalls Wilder-esque nostalgia. While yearnings for the countryside continue, a smoky nap dress suits a bucolic weekend better than the office. Consider a sleek column silhouette instead, Ms. Skoda said—a look that can be structured or more flowing. The former pairs well with layered knits and flat boots; the latter, which ideally has more give, can be a nice counterpoint to a more fitted top.

TRENDS FOR MEN:

Instead of: Dad sneakers

Try: A smart poop

The sneaker game of late has been dominated by the “daddy,” a clunky kick known for its comfort and quirky, visually cluttered look. But Mr. Berkowitz believes the evolution of men’s trouser silhouettes — from the kind of slim lines associated with skinny jeans and sportswear to “more voluminous pants” — could make that bulky shoe irrelevant. He noted that while tight pant cuts lend themselves to sturdy shoes, wider pant cuts do not. The update? Classic loafers revamped with new hardware, prints and materials. “They are a utility player and work for many situations,” said Mr. Berkowitz. Their combination of slightly tight trousers and white socks, he added, is very much of the moment.

Instead of: Fisherman’s Vests

Try: Pockets inside a bag

Pandemic fashion relied heavily on utility, which led people down some absurdly “practical” paths. See: the proliferation of pocket-laden fishing vests. “A lot of pockets can feel functional, but they can quickly get crushed,” said Ms. Theodora. If you’re still in the mood for a top-up, why not switch your luggage to an actual load? “This past year we’ve seen increased men’s demand for handbags,” said Alex Tudela, head of menswear at RealReal, who welcomes this as a sign of a more relaxed approach to personal style and “a sign of the collective effort to eradicate gender norms.” Justin Berkowitz, director of men’s fashion at Bloomingdale’s, said “innovation is key.” He suggested two-tone bags and those with cute accessories.

Instead of: Tired Tie-Dye

Try: Wild patterns and prints

For some, tie-dye is not just a style that took off during the pandemic, but an indicator of the entire pandemic mood. “It brings back memories of peak boredom during lockdown and [making] DIY fashion to pass the time,” said Mr. Tudela. The makeover: professionally made clothing in cheerful colors and prints that are far superior to the t-shirt you tried to tie but actually just turned purple on a lonely Saturday night. Mr. Tudela pointed out Priya Ahluwalia’s knits with African textile-inspired patterns and Dries Van Noten designs in raver-like hues and prints. Depending on your personal style, he said, you can pair tops in limited editions of these prints with simple tailored pants or go for “a complete head-to-toe pattern clash.”

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