Lounge Act

FENDI pieces from spring/summer 2021 runway.

(Photos courtesy brands.)

Move over 2020 and rejoice in the new year! There’s only so many pairs of sweatpants a person needs and many designers are banking on it. With a gentle nudge, designers’ 2021 spring summer collections are hoping to steer us away from purchasing yet another pair of leggings and move us all toward something a little more stylish. Not only were fashion shows reimagined—many were livestreamed without an audience—but so were the direction of the collections. The trends of the season generally fell into two camps: fun and frivolous or comfortably luxurious. My joy this season lies with the latter.

Behind a computer, lounging on the sofa or having to brace the outside world, women do not want to be restricted anymore and we are being shown a multitude of fun options to fit our comfort level. Loose dresses, pajama sets as daywear, summer knits and comfortable footwear have a sense of ease steeped in refined luxury. Many of the season’s silhouettes are wonderfully unrestricting and unequivocally favor discretion over the bold. There were plenty of draping styles, from Dior dresses to the loose fit of Brunello Cucinelli pajama looking sets. A tried-and-tested look from the fashion archives included oversized button-down dress shirts. Standing out was the bright pink version from Valentino but there are plenty in more muted tones like the pale blue option from The Row. Another classic style reimagined into a high fashion look is the khaki pant. Hermès, Thakoon and Tory Burch all gave us their versions of this comfortable slouchy pant. Take a look at these classic styles and remind yourself why they have stood the test of time and found new footing in today’s climate.

But for me, my coveted look of the season is a cream ultra-long basketweave cardigan from Fendi. Be still my beating heart. This season’s takeaway was that in this new era, clothing is not just show fodder but actually need to be wearable.

Kim Smith has been a professional wardrobe stylist in Honolulu since 2004. Born a true Londoner, Smith had a successful career in public relations in the fashion industry in London for more than eight years before moving to Hawai‘i in 2002. Smith’s work spans a vast array of magazines, retailers and television as well as working with individual clients on their specific style needs. See her work at kimsmithstyle.com.