With hygiene a growing concern, brands are having to adapt, from hotels performing ‘safety theatre’ to retailers getting creative with in-store design. In the fashion space, a number of brands are releasing clothes made with virus-fighting textiles, hinting at a future where fashion and hygiene merge.

People are moving away from flashy fashion statements in favour of pared-back styles that could be deemed as more appropriate in the face of economic downturn. Amid lockdown, job losses, and a looming recession, understated style is replacing bold fashion brands and statements.

The concept of ‘defensive dressing’ might once have evoked images of Kelvar vests or plate armour, but in 2020, protective apparel and accessories have become commonplace as people look to minimise their exposure to COVID-19. How is a desire to stay healthy and safe impacting style choices?

Restrictive social distancing measures and an increase in remote working have seen the spaces for sartorial self-expression shift from public to private. In the post-pandemic era, how might people use clothing to define their identities, and what kinds of garments will they come to cherish?