By Orlaith Melia
A pandemic driven trend? Or a category set to define the fashion world?
Loungewear is here to stay while we are jetting away! This past year we have seen a shift in fashion, with brands creating more wearable and comfortable clothing. This momentum towards a streamlined sense of comfort and utility has been a long time coming. We have seen a more elevated approach to loungewear with cashmere sets to knitted trousers and chic jogging bottoms. Loungewear sets which were once only worn in the comfort of your home have taken on a new meaning, they now double duty as pieces you can style outside your front door, booking your trip and catching the flight. When fashion meets function, there’s nothing better!
The pandemic has brought about a slow movement where we have time to evaluate our lives and slow down life’s pace. Even Savile Row tailors Richard James and Huntsman who are renowned for their made-to-measure suits are designing bespoke loungewear for clients in a bid to stay relevant. The fashion world as we know it has been permanently affected. Sales of loungewear and activewear continue to soar along with ‘above the keyboard’ dressing. Loungewear sets continue to sell out online, particularly for Irish unisex brand 4th Arq by Irish influencer Rosie Connolly which sold out in a matter of minutes on the day of its launch in December last year.
4th Arq
Fashion and beauty influencer Rosie Connolly launched her brand 4th Arq in December of 2020. A unisex brand that celebrates personal identity and the importance of being you. Inclusivity is very important for the streetwear brand as they stock size 6-24, which we love. ‘The paradigm of beauty has shifted, the standard for what we should look like and how we should dress has changed. There is no one standard anymore, the world is now open to all expressions and forms of beauty.’- 4th Arq
Theo and George
Theo + George was founded in 2013 by Katie O’Riordan, a busy working mother of three. Katie, originally from Philadelphia, honed her craft by managing the outerwear department for a leading multinational sportswear company in the US, before settling in Ireland. Progressive and self-starting, Katie was determined to create a brand that shares her values of simplicity and sustainability while also being durable and easy to wear. Theo + George promotes buying less but choosing well and provides a timeless collection of wardrobe essentials that make Everyday Effortless.
Lucy Nagle
Creative director Lucy Nagle’s transition from interior design to fashion was a no-brainer. Her love of colour, wool, and cashmere, and her flair for mixing textures culminated in her first capsule collection in 2013, which was quickly snapped up by leading luxury retailer, Brown Thomas. Lucy believes cashmere doesn’t have to cost the earth, that’s why this quality yarn is such great value. The brand is synonymous with wellbeing – the Lucy Nagle wearer wants to live her best life, in the healthiest way possible, feeling good, and looking good too. A Lucy Nagle sweater moves with your body as you move through your busy, daily life.
