Tie-dye is back in a big way. We see it everywhere we go, and it’s flooding our social feeds. But why? What has given this 60s inspired trend new life? It was sort of a pandemic-fueled perfect storm.
When we all suddenly found ourselves quarantined and working from home, our wardrobes needed an update. We traded in our pencil skirts and heels for sweatpants and slippers. But just because comfort became a high priority, doesn’t mean we had to give up fashion and style. Google searches for matching sweatsuits became a lot more popular.
Even Hollywood stars were stuck at home. J. Lo, Hailey Beiber, Taylor Swift, and some Kardashian/Jenners, just to name a few, were seen wearing tie-dyed outfits and loungewear around their homes. These looks were a lot more realistic to us than some of their fancier outfits for big events. Although most of us still can’t afford the hundreds of dollars they spent on their pandemic attire, most of us could reasonably create something similar for a lot less.
While stuck at home, many of us turned to crafting and DIY to fill our time. While some went with baking bread, many more turned to our roots and went tie-dye crazy. Searches on Pinterest for “tie-dye crafts” and “tie-dye at home” went up nearly 500% during the pandemic.
Between Hollywood stars, fashion influencers, and crafting influencers, tie-dye began taking over our social media feeds. It was everywhere! While we were all living separate from each other, it felt good to have something to bring us all together. Tie-dye was the perfect way to connect us to one another while still giving us the freedom of individuality. While we were unified in a similar trend, every piece of tie-dye is original and different from the next. It was the perfect way to blend in and still stand out.
But why tie-dye? Why not just plain colored sweats? I think the answer there lies in the nostalgia of tie-dye. Research shows that nostalgic trends are good for our mental health because they transport us back to our carefree childhood days and offer us the feeling of comfort and security from our past. And younger generations are always down with a vintage/throwback vibe. Tie-dye offered us a creative outlet during our lockdown days, and the bright colors and patterns helped lift our moods.
When thinking of swag for your team, tie-dye is a great option right now. But there is so much more than t-shirts and sweats! Backpacks, fanny packs, and other tote bags look great tie-dyed. You can find tie-dye water bottles and sunglasses. Blankets and hats and many other accessories also come in tie-dye prints.
Need help figuring out the best tie-dye swag for your team? Give us a call and let’s talk!