Spring/Summer Sees the Return of Tie-Dye

Trends come and go but tie-dye seems to be one that is here to stay. Popularized during the heyday of hippie culture in the '60s and '70s, the artsy-psychedelic motif gained popularity once again in the '90s and early '00s. As the trends of that era have been sweeping the fashion scene, tie-dye has been making a serious comeback of late, particularly on the Spring/Summer 2022 runways.

The Jason Wu show saw tie-dye featured in a green-blue mix that swirled together creating summer-perfect hues reminiscent, of clear, turquoise waters while the Genny show featured tie-dye in darker, grungier hues on a floaty, feminine kimono style dress. The Nicole Miller show saw tie-dye pay homage to its origins, where saffron orange and deep coral pink were splashed on a '70s-esque bell-sleeved crop top and a rich purple that faded into a deep turquoise adorned a delightfully chic, halter mini dress.

Comfy, cosy yet still stylish, the influencer-favourite loungewear trend gets a retro twist, drenched in eye-catching, statement colours. Italian blogger, model and fashion designer Chiara Ferragni was seen in a vivaciously girlish, bubblegum pink tracksuit set accessorised with a spring-perfect light pastel pink bag that perfectly matched the floral background she posed in front of. White sneakers complemented the girlish street style feel while a black Chanel baseball cap featuring the interlocking CC logo added a touch of edge, lending a hint of contrast to the sugary pink hues. 

Fashion editor and editorial stylist Jessica Minkoff put an '80s spin on tie-dye lounge. The former fashion content editor at Bergdorf Goodman was seen in a white-based, cropped, slightly oversized fit, tie-dye hoodie splashed with rainbow colours that mingled with an edgier black, giving it a slightly punk-esque feel. Glossy neon sky blue pants cinched with a zebra print belt and a neon yellow handbag added to the feel of the era while the crisp white base and raw hem of the hoddie ensured that the look was still cool and contemporary. 

For summery, Cali-cool, surfer girl vibes, take inspiration from TikTok star and Instagram model Anna Astrup who was pictured wearing a trendy turquoise-hued twin set that featured a slouchy, oversized sweatshirt and matching shorts. Perfect for summer evenings at the beach.   

The oversized knit sweater gets a Y2k twist with pastel-rainbow tie-dye in these two looks by Austrian blogger Karin Teigl and Norwegian style influencer Marianne Theodorsen. The soft yet vibrant hues were paired with oversized jeans in light-wash denim that further enhanced the Y2k aesthetic of these delightfully colourful, retro-esque street style looks. 

To not overwhelm the looks, Teigl and Theodorsen chose accessories that picked up on the colours of the tie-dye motif. Teigl opted for a powdery blue, wide-brimmed hat which, when teamed with a navy blue, Hermès Kelly bag, lent a touch of contemporary polish and structure to the ensemble while her golden yellow-orange, white and dusty purple Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG sneakers added a touch of on-trend, retro-athleisure. 

Theodorsen on the other hand, went for a more playfully casual look, accessorising with a bright-pastel lime green beanie, layered necklaces that featured pearls and the Y2k bead necklace as well as a slouchier feel tote and '70s vibe via grandpa trainers. All of the accessories came together to create a totally cute, unique '90s/Y2k meets '70s, retro-athleisure street style look.  

If you're not one for feverishly bright colours, the grunge tie-dye look, seen on fashionistas like Sami Miro and Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat is one for you. Grunge was huge back in the '90s so you get two trends in one. 

To get the grunge look, opt for tie-dye in a darker, duskier hue. Fashion designer Sami Miro's jacket and matching pants set featured tie-dye in shades of black, grey and dark beige. she glammed up the edgy look by teaming it with sky-high, platform stilettos, creating a unique contrast and glamour-grunge look. Influencer Danielle Bernstein also went for a more glamourous grunge look, teaming her tie-dye skirt that featured a vivid orange with a corset style zip-up top and '90s shoulder bag.

For something a little more casual, take cues from fashion bloggers Veronica Ferraro and Annabel Rosendahl and Tippie-Maya Høgh. Rosendahl pairs an oversized, dusty-grey-blue hued oversized shirt with a white tie-dye effect with shorts and a cute scarf tied as an accessory around her neck. She added a pop of colour to the look with a vivid orange shoulder bag and colourful sneakers, adding a touch of '80s retro to '90s grunge.

Ferraro went for a more contemporary-grunge look with a set that featured olive and mossy green tones against crisp, bright white. The look had a cool, model-off-duty athleisure meets grunge vibe. If you just want to add a smidge of tie-dye to your look, take cues from Høgh, who pairs tie-dye effect, flared jeans with chunky black platform heels and a basic, black top. The choice of bellbottom style flared jeans and chunkier heels hinted at the era in which tie-dye first emerged as a popular print, lending a real sense of nostalgia to the contemporary meets '70s retro look. 

Sultry, feminine, girlish and flowy, the slip dress is the perfect canvas to show off your favourite tie-dye colours. This summer-perfect garment is a sexy, alluring way to wear tie-dye, taking away from the heaviness of the classic tie-dye t-shirt. It is a great way to add a little sassiness to a summer outfit as it blends the sensual, body-skimming silhouette of a slip dress with the edgy rebellion of the '60s and '70s. The tie-dye slip dress has been spotted on singer Halsey, German television and radio presenter, Verena Kerth and fashion/beauty blogger Emily Kammeyer Sumner.     
Halsey was seen in a timelessly trendy outfit that would not look out of place at Woodstock or Coachella. Her dress featured a mesmerizing psychedelic mix of saffron orange-yellow and blue with hints of magenta pink. Getting with the '90s nostalgia, she matched the dress with a saffron-hued, slightly oversized shirt which she tied up in a knot at the front. The look was accessorised with black, western-style boots adding an extra dose of Americana to the look.  

The Y2k trend is certainly one that is here to stay and what better way to get a Y2k summer look than by infusing your outfit with tie-dye. Some of Instagram's hottest influencers, including Julie Sariñana of Sincerely Jules, Swedish model and former Victoria's Secret Angel, Elsa Hosk, Chloe Lecareux, Maggie McCormack and Barbra Perez have been spotted in tie-dye looks that are just perfect for the upcoming warm-weather season. 

The many vibrant hues and prints of the Y2k style are a far cry from the clean, minimalistic neutrals of contemporary fashion but choosing the right colour mixes is key to getting the look. Purples, blues, oranges, greens yellows and hot pinks are a good place to start, with all of these hues featuring in these summery outfits.

Hosk was spotted in an oversized, pink, purple and blue tie-dye Celine t-shirt which she teamed with a cute, tie-dye sunhat that picked up on the colours of the t-shirt to create a cohesive look. The hat also included a yellow hue, adding a pop of summer sunshine to the look. Sariñana went for a Y2k meets contemporary chic look, adding a pop of tie-dye that featured swirls of muted pastel green and orange, lemon yellow, sky blue and a faded magenta pink to a minimalistic black, satin effect mini skirt and oversized white shirt look. Dark sunglasses, gold-tone earrings and strappy white sandals added a touch of luxe.