Peace and love style: patchwork is back And we love it.

A trend that’s appeared on the runways and quickly made its way to the wardrobe of the most stylish editors, models and fashion-enthusiasts this year is patchwork. With sustainability becoming a major cultural trend, it is only natural that patchwork is back. Besides being sustainable, the ‘70s-style quilts are the kind of blanket dressing we feel like wearing right now, after months working from home.

Fashion houses and patchwork

Designers like Prada, Stela McCartney and Miu Miu created beautiful numbers with patchwork. Additionally, Marine Serre, Ganni, MSGM and Rianna + Nina also imagined 2020 with colourful looks made of patches with mismatched patterns. And this trend will last throughout the year; Tommy Hilfiger presented comfy-looking puffers and poncho-like jackets with quilt pattern for Fall 2020.

Who can wear it and where?

Although the original patchwork was made in humble materials, this year’s trend come also in luxurious silks and satins, and with sophisticated silhouettes. So patchwork is not reserved for the young ones only, women of any age can wear this trend, even to formal occasions. Viktor and Rolf, for example, created haute couture pieces with a collage of brocade and lace for Spring 2020. The collection was made with their fabric leftovers and samples sent by suppliers over the years, showing how glamorous upcycling can be. Even garments that are not really made of patches sewn together but that have patterns that mimic patchwork, like this Rixo dress, still give the feeling of the sustainable vintage quilted pieces.

A bit of history

Patchwork first began as a way to extend the life of worn-out garments and was widely used during WWII because of the small ration of clothing coupons each person would receive. But it was during the ’60s and ’70s that it became widely popular with the hippies. Handicrafts were an alternative to mainstream fashion, and an inexpensive manner to add individuality to looks. Designers like Yves Saint Laurent and even Dior picked up the trend in the ’70s. Patchwork reappeared in the ’90s with the Grunge fashion and continues to appeal designer and street style fashion because of its romantic and sustainable hand-crafted feel.

DIY tutorial

I’m sure you’ve already owned a pair or two of patchwork jeans in your childhood, right? Now that patchwork is back, you can recreate at home the trendy look and on top, give your old clothes a longer life, making your wardrobe more sustainable. Just follow the DIY tutorial and have fun!

Title photo by Douglas Irvine, courtesy of Miu Miu. Check The patchwork DIY at @Honestlywtf