Whenever I prepared for my annual trip to Kerala, my mother would urge me to pack a few kurtas and some full-length skirts. Then it seems that I will not offend the feelings of relatives or stand out. )
And sure enough, I learned the hard way that even a casual T-shirt and jeans combo can attract unwanted attention. This was in the early 2000s. When I moved to Aluva about 10 years ago, I thought maybe things were getting better fashion-wise. Well, the situation improved slightly, so I remained hopeful.
By 2025, the state’s fashion scene will be completely transformed. Whether it’s anti-fit T-shirts, crop tops and white sneakers, bold prints and solid color combinations, or monochrome outfits, Gen Z certainly knows how to make a fashion statement.
Abhirami Charyadas, 21, a student from Calicut, says: But I always felt it was important to stay on trend. ”
Bakr | Label Clothing Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Social media sets the rules
With the dawn of the social media era, fashion has become dominated by social media, especially in the last five to six years. “COVID-19 has changed a lot of things. Social media, especially Instagram, has taken off in a big way. And it has brought about a wave of change in the fashion world, led primarily by a group of influencers, and a global And that’s what made the difference,” says Amit Mohan, 28, admin and video content creator at Kozhikode influencer community @kozhikottukaarofficial. .
Gayathri Mohan, a 31-year-old fashion content creator based in Mumbai, says the change is now easily visible. When she started working as a stylist in Kochi, fashion content creators were looked at with disdain. “Now everyone, including big brands, understands the value of collaborating with influencers,” she says.
Gayathri Mohan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
And even if you’re not an influencer, the popularity of dresses and skirts can create a ripple effect. As soon as a piece of clothing goes viral on social media, high street brands start recreating the design. “New trends are no longer limited to certain circles; they are everywhere, from offices and colleges to circles of friends and family,” says Poornima Indrajith, founder and designer at Pranaah. “If my daughter (Prartana) is wearing something, it’s not just her; many other girls of her generation are also wearing similar clothes.”
Salt Studio’s Diya John says social media has also blurred geographical boundaries. “Kids these days are wearing crop tops, loose-fitting or baggy T-shirts and shirts, and bomber jackets. When the latest trends hit New York or Paris, influencers sitting in Kottayam do the same at about the same time. It’s amazing to be dressed like that.”
Model wearing Bakr T-shirt | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Designers rely on social media to market their labels. “I tend to promote my brand on Instagram so I can reach the right people,” said Mohamed Hizkel, designer of clothing brand BAKR.
gender fluid fashion
The concept of gender in fashion has become more fluid and inclusive. “Young people are very aware of gender fluidity and are trying to wear whatever they want to wear. At the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (2024), where Salt held a pop-up, these ill-fitting shirts were worn by men. and women,” says Diya.
Conventions are also being broken. “Men these days aren’t afraid to choose colors like salmon pink or teal. Korean-style fashion — baggy T-shirts made from wrinkle-resistant, high-thread count fabrics, neutral colors, and straight-fits. Jeans and monochrome are trending in men’s fashion,” Hizkir added.
Comfort is key
Close-fitting or tailored clothing is certainly out of fashion. “Comfort is key and it’s all about layering and mixing and matching baggy separates,” says Poornima. Flared pants, cropped jackets, waist coats, flyback dresses, crocheted tops, denim skirts and more are on the rise. “Hip-hop culture plays an important role in today’s fashion scene,” she added. Young people are also keen on thrifting. “If you save money, you can get two or three good tops for ₹1,500, whereas in high-street brands, a good top costs between ₹1,200 and ₹1,800,” says Abhirami. says Mr.
Abhirami Charyadas |Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“We don’t have a concept of seasons, but Gen Z doesn’t seem to care. They choose to wear layers, even if they’re wearing light clothes,” says Gayathri. This season’s trending colors are black, white, olive, deep red, and maroon. Diya says florals and stripes are always in fashion, and “it’s so refreshing to see young people mixing and matching prints, layering prints on top of each other, or complementing them with solid colors.” thing.
Cultural change and availability
Step into the clubs, coffee shops and even the streets of Kochi and you will definitely see a change in style and culture, Diya says. “Parents aren’t body-shaming anymore. They’re more supportive and let their kids be in charge. That didn’t happen when I was growing up. My older cousins did fashion design. I remember that when I said I wanted to study, the elders in my family discouraged me from doing so.”
Availability is also important. “With brands like ZARA and H&M now having online stores, trendy clothes are now easily available. Younger generations are also into thrifting, especially since Y2K fashion has returned.” Diya says.
issued – January 9, 2025 2:39pm IST
