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.

Chunky sneakers, dubbed ‘dad shoes,’ are increasingly popular with younger generations, offering both comfort and nostalgia. Prized for their practicality over their appearance and commonly donned by lawn-mowing fathers, the shoes are fueling resale markets online and inspiring contemporary designs.

Research has found that nostalgia can alleviate people’s perception of pain. As cultural memory shortens and identity becomes more nebulous, Gen Zers are confused about who they are. As such, they're turning to nostalgic familiarity as an anchor for their identity, as well as a source of comfort.

Marc Jacobs’ Heaven collection taps into nostalgic sentiments and trend revivals to pull at the heartstrings of young consumers. As people long for simpler times and a sense of familiarity, can creative approaches that blend the old with the new appeal to modern fashion mindsets?

People are giving new meaning to their clothes and finding joy in how they dress. Termed ‘dopamine dressing’, the movement reflects a recalibration of our relationship with the physical world and signposts the growing intersection between how people link mental and physical health.