Yes, those of us of a certain age may associate tie-dye with bell-bottom trousers, peasant tops, dream catchers and all things hippy. But this beautiful print effect is making a major comeback this season. In fact, it’s one of the biggest trends we’ve seen for SS20, with the vibrant pattern dominating the SS20 catwalks, and gracing the catwalks of major fashion houses including Versace and Dior.
If you don’t know what tie-dye is, here’s the scoop:
What is tie-dye?
Tie-dye refers to a dyeing process known as resist-dyeing. During the process, the fabric is typically folded, twisted, pleated, crumpled or bound with rubber bands and then a colourful dye is applied. Due to the treatment before dyeing, certain parts of the fabric resist the dye. This results in a colourful, mesmerising and sometimes strangely symmetrical print pattern. In recent years, additional steps have been added, including multiple dye sequences, stitching and stencilling.
The resulting print effect is a beautiful swirl of colours, and it’s a great way to break up and soften a strong pink or deep teal.
Where do you usually see tie-dye?
You typically see tie-dye on t-shirts and blouses but the random and beautiful colouring can be used for any item of clothing, from tops and jeans to bags, hats and sneakers.
Can I tie-dye at home?
This preserve of the 60s and 70s is back in a big way in 2020. The reason it’s so popular? Not only is it all over the catwalks, but it’s also something you can easily achieve at home. Given that so many of us have had time on our hands, what better way to make good use of the downtime and save some money by upcycling some old clothes? If you’re interested in having a go at it yourself, there are a number of tie-dye kits available, as well as YouTube tutorials.
What should I buy this season?
Let’s face it, we’re not all domestic goddesses who can turn our skills to all things ‘arts and crafts’. If you’re more interested in ready to wear, here are our top picks for 2020:
Tie dye bucket hat at Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters is known for its bohemian, indie inspired clothing so it’s no surprise that some of the best tie-dye clothing can be found in store. We love love love this bucket hat – it suits everyone and is essential for your summer wardrobe, whether you’re sunbathing in the park or hitting the beach.
Tie-dye joggers at Urban Outfitters
These cotton-blend tie-dye joggers come with an elasticated waist and gathered ankle cuffs; they’re super soft and cosy yet bang on trend and equally at home with a plain fitted tee or cropped top. It even comes with a matching hoodie for the full athleisure look!
Sunshine tie-dye t-shirt at Urban Outfitters
This oversized t-shirt looks fabulous with shorts or tucked into your jeans. It’s beautiful, vibrant colours will definitely brighten up your day, and it’s a ‘Dad-fit’ so is very forgiving!
Bias cut midi skirt at Urban Outfitters
Mid-length skirts are so elegant, and the beautiful tie-dye pattern on this skirt mixes sophistication with eye-catching glamour. We love it! Pair it with a plain tee and sneakers for the ultimate fashionista look.
If you’re lucky, you might still find these beauties at Schuh or Office. However, they’ve been so popular they’ve flown off the shelves. But don’t panic, they’re still available to put some pep in your step, just check out the Vans online store.
Hope that’s helped you brighten up your wardrobe, we all need to add a little sunshine and cheer into our lives these days. Don’t forget, if you need a little help post-lockdown fitting into those tie-dye outfits then here at Elle Courbee, we have a fantastic range of plus size lingerie and shapewear. From control briefs to shaping bras and corsets to shaping slips, we can make sure you step out with confidence and ready to take on the world!
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