Tie-dye is trending: these are the must-haves
If you’d like to add a dose of mood-boosting colour into your wardrobe today, there’s an abundance of fashion-forward buys to suit everyone’s style.
By Jenny Brownlees
Tie-dye has been a staple feature on the summer runways for a number of seasons, with designers from Stella McCartney to Prada adorning the print across a wide variety of garments and silhouettes.
The instantly recognisable dye evokes a real feeling of individuality, as the unique process means no two prints are ever the same. The technique is nothing new, it began as early as 4000 B.C in a number of cultures across Asia and Africa. In modern-day, tie-dye is best known for its prevalence in the 1960s, favoured by the young people who were embracing the societal shift to a new, bohemian lifestyle. Showing its ever-lasting trend power, the print has seen yet another spike in popularity – becoming the go-to DIY trend during quarantine.
If you’d like to add a dose of mood-boosting colour into your wardrobe today, there’s an abundance of fashion-forward buys to suit everyone’s style. Whilst the psychedelic print is still heavily inspired by the free-spirited hippie movement, with swirling prints in acidic tones, if your style aesthetic leans more towards the minimal, there’s still a tie-dye piece that’s right for you. Many designers are offering modern, pared-down versions of the traditional print for any colour-phobes out there. Even if we won’t be dancing under the sun on a far-away shore this summer, we can still have our very own Woodstock moment at home, be it in our own back gardens or a local haunt. These are the stylish pieces we’re snapping up now.
Pastel slip dress
This chic slip dress is a prime example of the evolution of tie-dye. Updated in soft, muted pastels on satin fabric, this dress was inspired by the RAT & BOA founders’ trips to the Far East. This printed dress offers a perfect, polished way to work the trend with sophisticated elegance.
Bleach Mom Tapered Jeans
We’ve spotted tie-dye jeans on the Instagram feeds of influencers galore. To take some style-inspo from the experts, work the print into your wardrobe via Topshop’s bleached Mom jeans. Denim is the perfect way to nod to the trend with a laid-back look of nostalgic ease.
Jenna Bra
If you are a fan of trendy activewear, Weekday’s Jenna bra is a great way to switch up your plain gym gear by adding a tie-dye flare. Mixing the relaxed style of sportswear with a must-have print is an easy way to create a wonderfully casual yet on-trend outfit.
Ella Belted Cotton Mini Dress
RHODE’s mini dress is one of our favourite tie-dye pieces around RN. Ballooned sleeves are the trend for S/S 20 – this, paired with the mini’s mesmerising colour will mean your OOTD is onto a winner. This is how to do surfer girl chic – the fashion way.
Batik-patterned Shopper
It’s not just clothes that are getting the tie-dye treatment, accessories are an easy way to channel the trend. Add a touch of boho-chic to your weekend wardrobe with this patterned tote, complete with cute tasselled handles.
Mariana Jumpsuit
A true standout piece, we love this jumpsuit’s dusty pink hue, blending effortlessly into vibrant yellow – a stylish, 2020 update to the harsher, psychedelic print of the sixties. The slightly pleated fabric, bow waist detail and ruched neckline elevate this from standard jumpsuit territory.
Palm Tree & Tie-Dye Yellow Ankle Socks
If you’re weary of fully committing to tie-dye, why not tip your toe in the trend with these palm-detail socks, for an easy way to inject some colour into your outfit.
Meja Dress
Bold colours, not your thing? You can still work the tie-dye trend in monochrome. Our pick is Weekday’s Meja Dress – an effortless throw-on-and-go midi you will wear again and again.
Old Skool Trainer
California classic brand Vans was founded in the sixties, so it’s no surprise that they’ve opted to adorn their classic, comfortable yet style trainers in a tie-dye print. Easier to pull off than you might think, pair these with plain jeans and a white tee – allowing the trainers to be the statement item.
Ribbed Maxi Dress
Minimalists can still wear tie-dye, promise. This simplistic take moves the print beyond its OTT hippie-centric origins into laidback weekend-wear.
Fine-knit Jumper
If your outfits are feeling a little lacklustre of late, this printed top will provide you with an abundance of ways to style some colour into your look. Wear alone or layer up for an outfit that’s begging for the sun to shine.
Dusk Tie Dye Denim Jacket
This jacket is perfect to throw over a dress for cooler nights in the garden or to wear when popping to the shop. The slightly shorter, boxy jacket is made from organic cotton that’s been up-cycled from Weekdays older collections. Stylish and sustainable.
Hully Cami Tie-Dye Print
4th and Reckless have nailed it with this delicate cami top, given extra fashion points for its asymmetric button detail. The pairing of sage and white is a big hitter for S/S 20, and if you’re as obsessed with this colour combo as us, this print comes in a skirt and dress version, too. Nab it while you can.
Sabrina Eyelet Tie Dye Kimono
Even if you can’t hit the beach atm, bring the feeling of being by the sea to you by layering this pretty kimono over shorts and a vest, a skirt and tee or even jeans. The long, flowy silhouette paired with the tie-dye print gives a nod to the prints relaxed, flower power origins. Nostalgia aside, we love the cover-ups pretty cut out details and trending puff sleeves.
Tie-dye print T-shirt
A tee is probably the most classic way to wear this trend. Versatile and easy to style, you can’t go wrong with a tie-dye tee and denim jeans. We love the acidic colour palette, whilst the text detail gives it an extra edge. This tee is a S/S must-buy – trip to the beach, optional.
Padded headband
Padded headbands were a huge hit on the runway last year and are going nowhere for S/S 20 and beyond. Accessories are a great way to experiment with new looks, so step out of your comfort zone by adding this tie-dye band from ASOS to your off-duty outfit.
Organic Cotton Denim Shorts
We’re hoping for some more of the June sunshine we’ve been experiencing, and what better way to embrace the warmer weather than with a new purchase in the print of the season?
Sade Tie Dye Denim High Waist Skinny Jean
French Connection’s Sade denim offer a wearable way to inject some colour into your jean-game. The playful print will update your usual jeans-and-white-shirt look no end.
Chore Jacket
We have it on good authority that the tie-dye trend will be around throughout 2020 and into seasons ahead. Snap up BDG’s pink and blue-dyed denim to wear all summer and beyond.
HIIT Bralet and leggings
Bag an activewear co-ord to feel put-together when working out – be it at home or outdoors. We don’t know about you, but looking the part helps us to feel extra-motivated.
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