Over the last fifty years, the income of the average person has shot up. Today, we’re more productive and have more money in the bank than ever before, giving us the option of wearing pretty much whatever style we want. So, given this new wealth, many people find it strange that we’re not all dressed in the most fashionable garb we can afford. Many people still go with baggy clothes in their daily attire. Why?
It turns out that there are lots of reasons why the wearing of loose-fitting clothing is still with us. It’s not about “dressing down,” as many fashion gurus out there like to make out. Instead, it’s about making our wardrobe work for us. We’re the boss, not the clothes that we choose to wear. Here are some reasons why baggy clothes are here to stay.
Easy-Fit Pants Are In; Skinny Jeans Are Out
Skinny jeans hit the big time about ten years ago. Practically everyone was trying to wrap their thighs like German sausages. While it was fashionable, it wasn’t comfortable. The lack of blood flow to the feet was a deal-breaker for some. Now that we’re in 2020, though, the days of the skinny jean seem to be coming to an end. Even the top fashion houses now admit that baggy pants are the better option. They’re more flattering, more comfortable, and offer a bigger canvas for flamboyant embellishments.
Skinny jeans almost seem passe. As designer brand Kapital points out, today’s clothing is all about practical, authentic workwear. People don’t need to force themselves into garments that don’t fit.
Hardware Store Brands Are Becoming More Popular
If you’d told somebody ten years ago that hardware stores would become centers of fashion, they would have laughed at you. These clothes protect tradespeople; they’re not outfits. But as more women enter that line of work, these outlets have begun adjusting their offerings. Of course, it’s not about style on the surface at all – it’s about providing practical work-wear. But these baggy clothes also happen to look stylish at the same time, perhaps because of their rugged charm. And for that reason, they’re becoming more popular.
Big Fashion Designers Are Showcasing Baggy Clothes On The Catwalk
Most brands are in the business of trying to create new “fashion statements,” but many are now bowing out of the endless game of one-upmanship. It’s a pointless exercise that is moving fashion further and further away from the kind of clothes that people actually wear in real life.
Many brands can see this process playing out and don’t want to be a part of it. Instead, they’re looking for opportunities to transform traditional baggy garments into something that looks effortlessly stylish. Valentino, Lanvin, and others are experimenting with loose pants, shirts, jackets, and even dressing-gown style trenchcoats.
Big Shoes Are Making A Comeback
When it comes to sneakers, we’re in the midst of an arms race. Every manufacturer is aiming to make its shoes bigger and better than the rest. Statement sneakers, of course, have been around for a long time. But with the arrival of Nike Air Monarchs and copycat products, it’s going mainstream. People are wearing sneakers for fashion appeal, not because they’re jogging more. Plus, when you think about it, wearing big shoes makes a lot of sense in a culture embracing baggy clothes. You want to keep everything in proportion. Big shoes do that.
T-Shirts Are In Fashion, As Always
You might be better off asking when t-shirts weren’t in fashion. The iconic garment has been around for years and is still going strong. T-shirts are famously baggy, but more importantly, they’re also becoming more attractive. They’re no longer just the cheap option – they’re something that brands are developing more and more, creating cult followings along the way.
Some t-shirts have super short runs. This strategy is deliberate. The idea is to make particular t-shirts scarce, pushing up the price and making them more exclusive. It’s a bit like what Rolex and Jaguar do. Limiting supply can sometimes foster increased desirability.
So what’s the story here? Ultimately, we see a movement away from tight clothes to things that feel comfortable. This trend isn’t about being slovenly, though. It’s about trying to get the best of both worlds: looking stylish while also feeling comfortable and relaxed in the clothes you’re wearing.
Many of the biggest brands in the world are now onboard with the idea that baggy clothing is the future and launching exclusive lines. If you like wearing your clothes loose, it’s an exciting time.
Great article!!
I’ve been waiting for baggy jeans, large, boxy blazers to return! I’m thrilled about the new look!
I wish. I still have not seen relaxed fit clothing ANYWHERE in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Slim Fit, unfortunately, is still alive and saturated. It’s as bad as the 90s vomit colored grunge era when everything was mute vomit colored. Though, the 90s had the baggy fashion that I miss. If only we could combine the neon patterns of “Today” and the “80s” with the baggy fit of the 90s. I will stream the show “WINGS” from time to time and miss that fashion so much. Somebody find out how to bring back Bugle Boy! 🙂 I dont want parachute pants baggy, just relaxed.