Buzz
We often envision labor clothing as a set of rugged, worn-out clothes, with crumpled t-shirts stuck with patches of faded paint, worn alongside dungarees or ripped denim jumpsuits. Or in the workplace, it could be tailored trousers paired with a button-up shirt made of polyester fabric and a dull green tie.
Labor attire and the latest fashion trends
However, in recent years, labor clothing from offices, workplaces to construction sites, has become a significant source of inspiration for fashion. Many designers have refreshed them with creativity, bringing forth countless practical and eye-catching designs.
Originating from Vetements
The upscale streetwear brand Vetements heated up this trend in 2015 with its iconic acid-yellow DHL t-shirt, selling for £185 (and reselling on platforms like eBay for several times that amount) – a prime example of leveraging working-class culture to create high-end designs.
Many perceive this as a hoax, convincing customers to pay large sums for anything (even postal worker uniforms) as long as the brand claims it to be fashionable. Surprisingly, the owner of the DHL brand, from which Vetements borrowed the idea, Ken Allen, found it delightful and even wore this t-shirt. At that time, work attire was gradually spreading from the runway to the streets.
Endorsement by rapper Drake
Since then, workwear for farming, fishing, and carpentry has risen in popularity with brands like Carhartt, Dickies, and Red Wing, which were prevalent in the 90s. Noteworthy is the collaboration between streetwear king Stone Island and rapper Drake. The brand witnessed a surge in sales thanks to this partnership, with chunky knit sweaters, delivery worker pants, and bomber jackets constantly flying off the shelves and being hunted by Drake's trend-savvy fans. Not only easy to mix and match with various items, the designs are made from materials like thick denim, knit, and waxed cotton with the original purpose of being usable for a very long time.
Construction style
Designer Heron Preston with his eponymous brand based in New York is famous for bringing the image of construction workers to the catwalk. In 2016, he even collaborated with the New York City Department of Sanitation to create a collection of jackets, bombers, hoodies, and cargo pants. He hopes to contribute to honoring the workforce and highlighting the city's recycling issues.
Involvement of luxury giants
Office attire has been dominating numerous runways from Milan to Paris in recent seasons. Under the direction of Alessandro Michele, Gucci has rejuvenated many legacies and styles from the 70s era. Wide-brimmed ties, flared trousers, or sweaters have been refreshed alongside various unique accessories such as gold-plated ear cuffs, leather loafers, and military-style belts, offering countless choices for enthusiasts of Florence's eccentric, avant-garde style.
Stepping out of the office realm
Recently, British designer Paul Smith brought down the Spring-Summer 2020 runway with a collection inspired by 80s London gentlemen, emphasizing a strong office vibe. From pinstripe double-breasted vests, checkered blazers to corduroy double-breasted blazers,... they surely can satisfy even the most demanding executives.
However, in a surprising turn of events, sporty drawstring backpacks slung over the models' shoulders with shiny athletic sneakers appearing on their feet, as if the men had just stepped from the office to the gym. And the cowhide-patterned shirts in lavender and buttercup yellow inject a fresh and youthful feel to the collection.
Conclusion
Workwear is beloved for its familiar feel (in street fashion) and its practical, comfortable nature. It allows designers to restructure and blend the utility of this type of clothing with the latest fashion trends. Workwear will continue to be extensively explored in the near future as streetwear continues to dominate both the runways and the streets.
Posted by: Hoang Thi Lan Anh
Keywords: From laborer's attire to new fashion styles
