Underwear may just emerge as the lone clothing survivor of a bygone fashion era when we emerge from lockdown later this year.
As the way we live and work has fundamentally shifted over the last 12 months, so too has our appetite for clothing and specifically underwear.
Major fashion houses around the world struggles to adapt to this new world during recent fashion weeks, while underwear brands prospered. Body inclusivity and feminine empowerment have been the driving force behind many brands underwear offering.
Case in point, the 2020 Savage x Fenty underwear show created the single biggest buzz of any fashion show the other year, as lingerie lovers and wearers across the globe embraced being sexy at home.
Given this new taste for our bodies and empowerment in the way we dress, it is no surprise that underwear as outerwear looks set to be a major trend post-quarantine. Done well, the trend can take your outfit from glib to glam, giving you a decidedly chic aesthetic.
Laid-back cool
For an effortless daytime look, pair your bustier with a simple shirt over slim jeans with a casual cotton jacket. This look works best if you keep the colours tonal. Think cream bustier with a white/off-white shirt or t-shirt, light jeans and a pair of simple, suede pumps.
Wear a lace bra in any style with a chunky cardigan and boyfriend jeans for day-off underwear as outerwear. This look works especially well with a messy up-do and a pair of converse hi-tops.
Amp up office glam
Wear a bustier or body suit exposed under a blazer for high-octane glam that makes a statement. Pair with cigarette pants, elegant clutch and statement heels to amp up the glam level. Sleek, shiny hair and seductive make-up will leave you feeling like a goddess.
If you are heading out straight from the office, expose your underwear by opening your shirt and French tucking into high-waist pants in a luxe fabric for a laid back, day-to-evening look.
Lady in the streets
Wearing your bed clothes outside to run errands or meet friends for coffee might feel a little odd, but a silk nightie or negligée is an effortlessly chic way to raise the style stakes in spring. Pair with a midi-length belted cardigan for cooler weather or slip under a chic trench for evening glam.
For those of us who are a little less brave, select a sating slip instead. These can be worn similar to silk night dresses, or over t-shirts with slip-on loafers for effortless daytime dressing.
Keep it active
Your workout routine is an opportunity to up the style stakes, especially when there aren’t many places to go. Pairing a sartorial sports bra with matching yoga pants is one way to keep it glam while you work out.
Whatever your look is or wherever you might be heading to, why not evolve your style this spring/summer and try underwear as outerwear?