People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

Fashion app Lyst released its quarterly rankings, finding that half of the most popular products were luxury flat-soled shoes. High heels and other sartorial staples are being pushed aside, highlighting the growing desire for the convergence of comfort, indulgence, and luxury.

Satiating the desire for nostalgic fashion and casual comfort, Kohl’s has partnered with Levi’s to resurrect the latter’s SilverTab line, which was originally popular in the ‘90s thanks to its loose and baggy cuts. The collection allows Gen Zers to create authentic and fauxstalgia-fueled ‘fits.

The pandemic and climate change have shone a light on Americans’ fashion habits. Sustainability remains a key priority for consumers as they expect their clothes to last longer, be kind to the environment, and work harder for them. How are fashion brands evolving to cater to this new utility?

The Nike Air Monarch sneaker often appears on ‘best-selling’ lists, and pairs have flown off the shelves since its inception. It’s not associated with any leading athletes, resembles something a dad would wear, and costs just $65. As the sneaker market gets ever more style-conscious, why are brands embracing comfortable, ugly shoes?