No lie, we’ll all be wearing tie-dye
NORMALLY, FESTIVAL FASHION has as much in common with real-life clothes as Cabinet meetings do with harmonious working relationships. And Coachella
– the two-weekend-long step-and-repeat board for influencers and It girls in the desert – surely takes the flower crown as the one that’s surgically removed from reality.
But even a stopped clock is right twice a day, and this year one of Coachella’s biggest style hits is also set to be a wearable wardrobe headliner for the rest of us. Yes, really.
We’re not talking about body glitter, belly chains or bra tops – praise be! – but tie-dye. The colourful print was out in force in the Californian desert with Ganni’s denim iterations (as seen on Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner) the biggest hit, and mesh tops by young London-based designer Asai Takeaway the surprise scene-stealer.
Back in the real world, tie-dye’s been gaining momentum. Shown on the S/S ’19 catwalks at Proenza Schouler (oversized shirts), Prada (waspy skirts and neat handbags), Stella Mccartney (denim), Paco Rabanne (slogan tees) and more, Lyst reports searches for the swirly stuff are up 88% since January.
There’s a sense of psychedelia sweeping the shops right now – and it’s a good trip. ‘We’ve seen really strong success with Story MFG since its recent launch. The collection is made from natural dye and the dresses are a perfect go-to style for a fun and easy summer look,’ says Matchesfashion.com’s head of womenswear buying, Cassie Smart; while R13’s grungy T-shirts have been a surprise hit for Net-a-porter. Even Polo Ralph Lauren has swapped East Coast prep for West Coast cool with its capsule of tie-dye sweats that are going strong with cool girls like Adwoa Aboah. And options range from the bargain (see Topshop’s £16 tee) to the budget-busting (The Elder Statesman’s £1,195 cashmere knits, performing well for Matchesfashion.com).
So what’s the appeal? ‘I love tie-dye! It gives instant summer feeling, especially on grey days,’ says Veronika Heilbrunner, a fan of those Polo hoodies. There’s no denying the feelgood factor of the print, which sings of farflung travels. ‘It’s a fun way of adding excitement and playfulness to your outfit and reflects the idea of a carefree youthfulness,’ agrees Cassie.
Still worried about looking too ‘dreamcatcher’? Just opt for an accent to give it a grown-up spin. ‘Wear only one piece of tie-dye at a time to keep your look elevated,’ says Cassie. ‘You could pair a tie-dye tee with a tailored suit like Stella Mccartney. I will also be wearing the Suicoke tie-dye socks with their chunky sandals.’ And as Veronika points out, ‘It almost works like a nude – you can combine it with every shade.’
We love it with navy and camel.
Tie-dye’s also the gateway into this season’s Cali-girl vibes. ‘You can’t namedrop Venice beach without mentioning tie-dye,’ says Ben Matthews, creative director of Ninety Percent (which donates 90% of its profits to charity). ‘We’re obsessed with it this season.’ Even better, the brand’s versions are printed on organic and sustainable Tencel. In other words, all-round good vibes, dude.