Just think, only a few short months ago, we had never even heard the term “social distancing”. Now it’s a permanent fixture inside our subconscious along with face masks and handwashing. How the times have changed. Fashion, as usual, has adjusted with the times as well. Outfits once viewed as eye-catchingly outrageous have become very True Fashionista on their own right. If it makes a statement from far away, it’s what you want to be seen in, from virtual runways to a modestly busy, fully-masked midtown setting.
OUTFITS GOING LARGE
Back in February, Vogue reports, a man was spotted strolling through a covered market in Rome wearing a six foot cardboard disk around his waist. OK, maybe it wasn’t exactly runway material, but it most certainly reinforced the idea of social distancing! The Fall ’20 runways had a few of their own socially distant ensembles, like the “Look 40” offering from Maison Margiela’s ready to wear collection complete with oversized coat and disc-shaped hat with beekeeper netting covering the entire head. Joanna Hillman reports for Harper’s Bazaar on a certain Alexander McQueen ensemble also spotted on the Fall ‘20 runway. Described as an outfit for the “modern warrior woman”, it featured a graphic tailored jacket with enough cloth piled on the arms to keep away the masses and skinny legging pants in black accented with Welsh bold red signifying protection, healing and strength. We could all use a bit of that at the moment.
Strangely, even before our new age of social distancing, huge looks featuring physical barriers were already happening on runways. Once again, fashion is ahead of the curve. The New York–based label Puppets & Puppets has been experimenting with the outspoken look for two seasons now. During their most recent show, singer Caroline Polachek strutted down the runway showing off the breadth of a side hoop contraption with outspread arms. That same season, Off-White also featured a massive True Fashionista “franken-hoodie” tent dress, while Comme des Garçons offered up fashion’s version of the protective suit: a cloak-like lace head covering and a bulbous skirt. Vogue themselves had the large-is-good idea for their New York Fall 2020 collections video starring Dua Lipa. The star singer was barely fitting inside a hallway while wearing one of Area’s gigantic heart-shaped pannier dresses.
FACE MASKS
Face it, face masks are here to stay for awhile, so might as well make them a True Fashionista fashion statement, right? It’s what Boston-based designer Erin Robertson has effectively accomplished. The winner of Project Runway season 15, Robertson had been designing masks for essential workers and the homeless when she decided to try making creative, fashionable face masks for everyone.
Robertson shared some of her mask visions with WBUR Radio Boston in mid-May, “Over the past few weeks, I've been developing sort of like this identity with masks. I've created this mask that has a bow — so you tie it behind and wrap it around a bun. It's just super feminine and a way to be again playful. Then I have art masks where I've reached out to a couple of local artists ... and I got their art printed on fabric and made them a little bit cheaper. Some of the proceeds go to the artists to support them during this time. But, then also the person who buys it, they can feel super unique with this custom fabric.”
THE WHITE DRESS
Summer’s official uniform is easily spottable at a distance, especially against a dark background, lol. Add a cute sandal, a couple pieces of jewelry and you’re good to go. The True Fashionista white dress can be as fancy as you want to be, like the Proenza Schouler Corset crepe midi, or Zoom gathering casual in a Theory belted shirtdress. The white dress can work literally 24/7, if say, your nightgown were white like the offerings from Hanro or La Perla.
Find what you need to be seen in from safely far away, either in person or online at True Fashionistas, at a fraction of the original price.