A/W20 from a Sociological Perspective

Looking into how society and culture holistically drive trend and fashions for the season of Autumn/Winter 2020, paying particular attention to collective and generational political opinion throughout youth culture. Written by Rae, Imagery via Pinterest.

Via Pinterest.

The Punks are back. Although not in the literal sense, the turmoil of 2020 has created a hostile political and societal environment. We've seen the further rise of anarchy, especially here in Britain, driven by youth opposition to the politics of the Conservative party, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and, of course, the deterioration of the racist and paedophilic Royal Family. With COVID, adding to the frustration and economic uncertainty, yet helping the youth of today express their opinions on real-world issues through platforms like TikTok and Twitter, opening up the conversation to the future of our country and giving the youth a voice, reminiscent of the reclaimed voice of the Punk era. These rebellious attitudes and frustrations mirrored through clothing and trend, particularly this upcoming season with Fashion Week turning gender-neutral, androgyny becoming the new normal and outrageous looks being right on-trend.

The current social movements, rise of social media and acceptance of real trials and tribulations shown through mainstream media (with the rise of TV series like Euphoria and Sex Education) making the issue of mental health, gender and promiscuity more widely accepted and discussed within youth culture. The Punks turned into E-Girls and E-Boys, and all we have to be thankful for is the fact that we're not quite living in America. The 1970s subculture has translated through to our 2020s daily life and is thus shown through trend and fashions, expressing our individual identities with check prints, short haircuts and a range of genderbending styles hitting a mass audience.

The ageing of the Millennial consumer and future growth of the Generation Z and Alpha consumer has allowed for the shift of ethics among our society, leading to the complete breakdown of gender. The rise of the LGBT community and mainstream acceptance of the varied gender spectrum has also impacted our Autumn/Winter 2020 trends, with womenswear turning to masculinity and menswear visa versa. Womenswear has grown to love the suit, and other typically masculine, oversized silhouettes sported by icons like Billie Eilish, as well as short, loud haircuts like the popular mullet or 'skunk-dye'; whereas menswear is seeing more light knits, crop silhouettes, painted nails and male cosmetics, like heavy eyeliner, made popular through icons like Harry Styles and Yung Blud. Going back to the Punk aesthetic, both genders are loving leather coats, trench jackets and large chunky boots too, this Autumn/Winter, evoking and reviving the modern Punk image.

More than just image, the 2020 society mirrors Punk attitudes too - non-conforming, anti-discriminative, anti-establishment. This isn't just a case of rebellious teens or Millennials simply kicking their toys out of the pram, but instead down to a shift in norms - the birth of the widespread open-minded outlook.

Until everybody's on board, until we're fully inclusive and accepting, and until economic and political uncertainty settles, we will be rebellious in identity and in nature.

"You've fucked with the last generation" - The Raven Corps, Instagram