Years ago, utility clothing was introduced for economic purposes. Utility wear was worn by workmen as a part of their uniform. If you have been following fashion for the past few seasons, this military and workmen-inspired trend has been spotted everywhere. Now, basic chore jackets, vests and boiler suits have been redesigned to make it more functional. Utility wear is easy to wear and is a trend worth embracing in 2019.
The trend borrows elements from the uniforms of manual labour roles and reimagines it into a modern trend. The biggest benefit of the trend is functionality. The right piece can easily work into your everyday attire. Whether you are thinking of what to wear for an event or a festival, this trend has got you covered.
Workwear-inspired pieces are marching down the runway as well. Trade your basic tees and jeans for modern utility wear. The earthy colour palette, military undertones and sand dune hues took over the runway.
Boiler suits, safari jackets, sharp collars, loose silhouettes, fanny packs, and chunky trainers are all part of the utility wear trend. The “It” bag of 2019 is the fanny pack, which started out as a street style trend worn by the pop culture icons. The fanny pack from the ’80s is making a designer comeback thanks to the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and other great fashion houses.
Here’s a list of must-have pieces if you want to make your wardrobe more utilitarian-friendly.
The Utility Jacket
(Phipps)
A practical key piece with pockets aplenty. What’s not to love? The utility jacket can be worn over a t-shirt or turtleneck. All of them are easy to layer and you probably own some of these already.
The Utility Vest
(Boramy Viguier)
Transform yourself into an ultimate workwear tradesman by wearing a utility vest. The utility vests can be worn on long-sleeved T-shirts, hoodies or under a jacket as well.
The Belt Bag
(Alexander Mcqueen)
The fanny bag or bum bag is a key piece that has made a comeback. It’s super functional and you can easily go hands-free with this accessory. These bags have become a favourite accessory of street-style fashionistas.
The Buckle Belts
(Heron Preston)
The long military-inspired belts have been a popular style for a few seasons. These belts give a light finish to your everyday outfits.
Chunky Sneakers
(Balenciaga)
Every trend needs the perfect shoe to complete the outfit. A pair of chunky trainers would be the best addition to have all your utility fashion needs in place.
(Header credits: Snow Peak, matchesfashion.com)
