You've tried knitting, napping and snacking, but your lockdown mood is still hovering around ‘meh’. What about tie-dye? It’s the fashion equivalent of a Berocca – pretty much guaranteed to make you feel as sunny on the inside as you look on the outside – and definitely ticks the ‘escapism’ box more than beige does.
Maybe this explains why Free People’s tie-dye sales are surging. It’s been such a strong search term on its website that the brand has created a special ‘Tie-Dye Shop’ so that their 51 swirl-printed products can sit together.
But why now? ‘Tie-dye has connotations of happier times. It celebrates craftsmanship and being creative, while also being unconventional,’ says Matchesfashion’s fashion buying director Natalie Kingham. ‘It’s a great print to lift our spirits and it also stands out in a crowd.’
On that note, it’s probably been jumping out of your Instagram feed. Busy Philipps’ balcony selfie of a paintbox-bright dress came with the caption, ‘If you can’t find a rainbow, wear one.’ Alessandra Ambrosio, meanwhile, has spent lockdown making TikTok videos with her daughter. Their costumes? Matching tie-dye sweatshirts in mood-lifting tangerine.
It seems as if we need fashion to make us feel good right now–and designers such as Story MFG, Arizona Love and The Elder Statesman, who all have tie-dye in their DNA, major in pieces that will make you smile as soon as you put them on.
‘Tie-dye is special because it’s always a little surprising,’ says Story mfg’s co-founder Saeed Al-Rubeyi. His Olga dress, with raspberry ripple swirls and a strip of hand- crocheted patchwork, will work like a natural high every time you wear it.
People are also responding to the handcrafted side of tie-dye. ‘[They] want something that feels unique and tells a personal story,’ say Baum und Pferdgarten’s creative directors Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave. ‘There’s also a longing for a more simple era where we have time to create our own garments or customise.’
If you want to flex some creative muscle, there’s a world of YouTube videos waiting. We rate Highsnobiety’s ‘How to tie-dye T-shirts: 3 easy methods to try at home’ tutorial – and note that you’ll be in excellent company. Kendall Jenner has already tie- dyed, while, last week, Victoria Beckham posted photos to Instagram of her afternoon spent ‘spicing up’ her white tees. All you need is a pair of gloves, an apron, natural dyes, rubber bands, old clothes – and plenty of patience. You’ll be happier in no time.
A Step-By-Step Guide To At-Home Tie-Dye
BUY: The Best Tie-Dyed Clothes To Cheer You Up
BUY: The Best Tie-Dyed Clothes To Cheer You Up
1 of 13Arizona Love, Alma Tie-Dye Cotton-Twill Dress, £208
2 of 13& Other Stories, Square-Neck Tie-Dye Swimsuit, £35
3 of 13Baum Und Pferdgarten, Aubree Dress, £175
4 of 13Gerard Darel, Tie-Dye Pouch, £55
5 of 13Hosbjerg, Rina Tie-Dye Pants, £71.85
6 of 13Electric Fields, Tie-Dye Parka, £388
7 of 13Ninety Percent, Organic Cotton Long-Sleeve Tie-Dye T-shirt, £65
8 of 13J.Crew, Tie-Dyed Wide-Brim Bucket Hat With Frayed Edge, £55
9 of 13Purple And Green Tie-Dye Socks, £6
10 of 13Pinko, Cashmere Tie-Dye Pullover, £355
11 of 13Story MFG, Olga Dress, £620
12 of 13Gascoigne London, Tie-Dye Cotton Cargo Trousers, £100
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