How Tie-Dye Changed Quarantine Fashion for Gen Z by Jake Garbar

Tie-dye: the 1960’s trend that has been slowly coming back in style over the years. Throughout the past decade I have seen plenty of tie-dye, but it wasn’t nearly as popular as it has been recently. A lot of stores throughout time have sold tie-dye items, but their popularity seemed to spike when COVID-19 hit the United States. Tie-dye went from being something you would occasionally see on beach town t-shirts and band tees, to an everyday necessity for Gen Z. I mean, who wouldn’t want to look fashionable and put together while lounging in sweatpants in the comfort of home? How could anyone not love a loungewear set that’s cute enough to post on Instagram?

People have been tie-dying everything during quarantine, from socks to bucket hats to t-shirts. However, I think the most popular trend right now is tie-dye sweatsuits. Many teens and young adults have been rocking matching tie-dye sweatsuits on Instagram, and they have been everywhere on Pinterest over the past few months. Sweatsuits are the perfect everyday cute and comfy loungewear, so why not make it tie-dye?! On top of being able to rock the put together yet casual look from your home, you can customize it to make it your own!

The growing popularity of tie-dye has gotten to the point where big brands and small boutiques have begun to sell tie-dye sweat sets, along with other items; however, they are ridiculously expensive. Due to the shortage of dye and white sweatsuits in the country, these businesses have been able to capitalize off those who so desperately want a cute and comfy set to lounge around in.

After scouring the internet for a sweat set for months, I found some that cost around $90 for just the sweatpants (buying the matching sweatshirt will run you up about $180 plus shipping on your credit card). No one in their right mind should ever pay almost $200 for sweatpants and a sweatshirt, but I almost came close a few times out of desperation. Overall, the tie-dye trend definitely changed Gen Z fashion for a hot minute, and it’s still a popular trend to this day. Nothing like cute matching loungewear to break the bank, huh? I guess it’s all in the name of fashion!