SS22 trend report: Bodycon, but make it body positive
To get a real sense of next season trends, I like to look at Acielle’s (Aka Style Du Monde) Fashion Month street style photography. Not so much the super-peacock types, but the ones wearing denim with interesting tops and choice accessories. That’s the best way to see a more ‘everyperson’ way of wearing fashion.
My big takeaway for SS22 is the almost universal appetite for barely-there, bodycon and cutaway clothing. It was first evident to me at Collina Strada and Eckhaus Latta at New York Fashion Week. What was interesting about those designers’ treatments was the body positivity expression. Eckhaus Latta especially took a 1990s influence and added a decidedly inclusive 2020s interpretation (below).
In London, it was mostly represented in the classic tall and thin trope, but very beautifully executed at Nensi Dojaka, who has arguably led this about-turn from oversized modesty-dressing ever since her first collection with Fashion East last year. For SS22 her signature spaghetti strap lingerie dresses and corsetry pieces are accompanied by immaculately finished tailoring that expresses a bold attitude.
But on the street is where we see the real looks play out. Granted, many of these are off-duty models, but here we see a decisive move to unclothe the midriff at any opportunity, bare the back, and show off the shoulders. As Fashion Month progresses, we’re seeing yet more bodycon, disco-tastic wear – at Fendi, Versace and even Prada for example – and off the runway I expect we will see it translated in gym-wear and even certain areas of menswear.
Why this, why now? I’m not sure but I’m guessing it’s a combination of Y2K mania (Christina Aguilera scarf tops, anyone?) and a reaction to finally being let out of our Covid cages. Young people especially want to reaffirm their existences and showing some skin is one way to do it.
To be continued…
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Acielle/Vogue; Eckhaus Latta/Vogue x 3; Nensi Dojaka/Vogue x 2; Acielle/Vogue x 4
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here
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