A Return to Maximalism: How Fashion Fights Back Against COVID-19
Life during a global pandemic is delineated by a sometimes excruciating sense of minimalism. Days that were once infused with connection and excursion have been reduced to Zoom dates and socially distant strolls. As we near the one-year mark of the coronavirus’ presence in the United States, it feels impossible to imagine life before the threat of a serious illness. We often find ourselves berated with the questions: What did it feel like? What did it sound like? And most importantly, what did it look like?
Enter pre-pandemic fashion. Less was certainly more. Simple blue jeans and sartorial elegance were celebrated as the pinnacles of the style continuum. Statement pieces only emerged from the depths of our wardrobes on special occasions and color was adorned in careful moderation. This adoption of a restrained way of dressing was born out of the recognition of stand-out brands such as The Row and Jacquemus. Their polished runways showcased clean lines, classy neutrals, and only necessary pops of color. These young brands cultivated the belief that casual was chic, and embodied the art of graceful tailoring. However, when coronavirus forced us back into our homes with an impending sense of uncertainty, minimalism took on a new form. Loungewear became the new blue jeans and accessorizing simply meant holding your phone and laptop at once.
As expected, this collective fascination with coordinated sweatsuits was outlived by the desire for more. While the pandemic continued to jeopardize our conception of normalcy, it never once subdued fashion’s ability to inspire and evolve. Designers all over the world, confined to the same isolation, persisted in their mission to create. It was within the melancholic darkness of the pandemic that the maximalism movement was reborn as a source of light. In a matter of months, vivid color and funky styles reentered international ateliers, insipid closets, and fatigued mindsets.
Maximalist methods of dressing are not new to the fashion realm. Major brands such as Comme des Garçons, Gucci, and Schiaparelli have continuously embraced the maximalist dogmas of extravagance and spectacle throughout history. However, the return to color, texture, and bold silhouettes has been equally orchestrated by all of us at home. Pandemic-imposed idle time has been filled with viral fashion challenges and explorations of personal style. For example, TikTok became flooded with videos explaining how to create your own statement rings, novelty sweaters, and colorful patchwork tops. Those of us who have never picked up a knitting needle became finetuned designers and maximalist style gurus. Chunky sweaters met neon tights and funky hairstyles, while faux feathers and beaded jewelry cemented themselves within day-to-day dressing.
The 2021 runways eloquently captured this collective appreciation for the eccentric and out of the ordinary. Vibrant colors, kitschy prints, sequins galore—nothing is off limits. From metallic pink Valentino boots to Virgil Abloh's wearable cityscapes for Louis Vuitton men's, current designers are infusing hope into their pieces via maximalist touches and escapist attitudes.
Fashion has always been a reflection of culture. In the case of the pandemic, the revival of maximalism was created as the contrary reaction to the mundanity of isolation. The extremity of the maximalist style aims to bring light into the dark places while reminding its followers that even within a time defined by smallness, we have the unparalleled power to take up space.
