In an obvious bid to shake off the perils of 2020, the 2021 runway collections were bursting with colour and free-flowing silhouettes.
While WFH-attire has reigned supreme of late, fashion is now moving towards a lighter approach, with designers reflecting the desire for a more optimistic sartorial future. So how can you bring more joy back into your own wardrobe? Here, we offer some styling advice for getting out of your 2020 clothing rut.
1. Embrace colour
The warmer weather is the perfect incentive to embrace colour. Studies show colour can directly affect your mood, so why not apply the sentiment to your clothes? This season, tonal, earthy hues are having a moment. It’s a palette embraced by Kmart, with the store’s new summer collection reflecting the beauty of the Australian landscape and lifestyle.
“When designing, we wanted to bring that sense of optimism and joy into the range, and develop timeless yet versatile pieces that can be layered and added with your existing wardrobe,” explains Julie Miller Sensini, Kmart’s General Manager – Apparel & Design. “The new range features elevated finishes with soft-touch fabrications with a focus on consistency and comfort in fit. Also more natural and breathable fibres with linen as the foundation of the range.”
2. Play with prints
Nothing screams “festive” quite like prints! Shake off your all-black wardrobe and embrace the season’s bright, bold aesthetic with floral prints that are positively ground-breaking. This season, look to designers including Isabel Marant and Gucci for print inspiration.
If you’re wary of wearing head-to-toe prints, opt for a patterned dress and match with tonal accessories, or invest in this season’s must-have: a two-piece set, which will supply you with endless mix-and-match opportunities.
3. Dare to dress up
Has your diary been looking sparse since March? Even if things remain dire on the social front, summer is the perfect time to embrace the statement dress. This season, almost anything goes—from midi to mini, floral to free-flowing—you name it, it’s time to wear it.
For on-trend pieces at low prices, look no further than Kmart. The brand has been on an extraordinary journey of change over the last few years, so if you’ve not popped in to the fashion section recently, now is the time to do so. Kmart employs an in-house design department of over 50 designers and a buying team of over 100, who collaboratively work together to bring the Kmart vision to life. They also pay close attention to global runway trends, ensuring each collection is at the forefront of style. This season, the dresses are totally on point and have nearly every occasion covered.
4. Buy sustainably
Now more than ever, consumers want the option of buying sustainably. In fact, 70% of shoppers agree that addressing climate change is more important than ever, and sustainable materials play a large part in this.
It’s a sentiment shared by Kmart, which prides itself on responsible manufacturing and smart fabric choices. This season, the brand is heavily focused on linen blends and cotton fabrications – for ease of wear, comfort and breathability in the warmer months, with linen being a durable fibre, made from the water efficient flax plant. Cotton continues to play a major role, with all Kmart’s in house designed Anko brand clothing, bedding and towels sustainably sourced as Better Cotton, organic or recycled.
“We’ve partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) to make cotton production better for the environment it grows in, and better for the people who produce it, both here and abroad,” says Miller Sensini. “We’re also growing our organic cotton offering which provides our customers with assurance that the cotton has been grown without use of harmful chemicals, whilst keeping our incredibly low prices.”
Knowing that you’re making smart fashion choices will surely spark a little joy in your life.
Brought to you by Kmart