Psychedelic Patterns 

By Giovanna Lino 

Fashion is always trying to reinvent itself. During the pandemic, various fashion trends were revived. One in particular was psychedelic patterns. Inspired by the 70s, this type of print was first popularized by counterculture teenagers in the midst of social and political turmoil. The 'LSD fabric' made of colorful lines refers to a 'hallucinogenic’' pattern that became the inspiration for other psychedelic shapes, and made it possible for the pattern to be produced quickly and appear as a 'groovy' style in movies. These patterns are known for their bold colors, sinuous lines and natural shapes.  

In 2021, with the use of social media, this style is back in action. Tie dye is one of the most popular psychedelic patterns that has been revived. According to the trend-forecasting company Heuritech, during this Winter season, tie dye trends are expected to increase more than 6% when compared to previous seasons.  High end brands, along with local boutiques, have embraced this sense of nostalgia and have created collections based on this style. Brands such as Tom Ford, Collina Strada, Lecavalier, and Raf Simons have embraced the tie dye and other psychedelic prints in their Spring/Summer 2021 collections. 

Raf Simons used colorblocked and defined swirls. The collection was named 'Teenage Dreams' inspired by the 1979 film Hair, which resembles the feeling of uncertainty and change that people are living nowadays. The pandemic has had a major impact on the return of the psychedelic. Dennis Nothdruft, head of exhibitions in the Fashion & Textile Museum in London, said that there is a feeling  of civil unrest and change that correlates with the use of different prints. There is nothing more 'youth revolt' than what occurred in the 70s and the current moment we are facing. With the return of these prints, there is an evocation for community and participation, providing sensory experiences to the fashion community. 

One fashion commentator said that during the pandemic, people got used to looking at social media all the time. For a brand to stand out, it requires a creative collection, and nifty patterns are a way to achieve that. Ideally, a user would stop scrolling and wonder more about the brand when coming across a stylish psychedelic pattern dress. Psychedelic patterns are here to bring back that sense of revolt and freedom that people need in 2021, a freedom that is colorful and bold.