Messed Up Clothes

November 22, 2024

Embracing Freedom for the Busy Modern Individual

To all you busy souls cherishing every minute in the morning: we have some good news. If getting up early for work leaves you scrambling for breakfast, much less a carefully curated outfit, it might be time to pay a little attention to what’s unfolding on the runway.

 

No More Stressing About Wrinkles

Wrinkles have long been the bane of our existence both on our skin and in our clothes. Despite being a natural occurrence, we’ve never liked these annoying imperfections. Why have we been so quick to dismiss their charm?

 

©9gag.com

    

Crisp, ironed clothes have traditionally been seen as a symbol of self-care. So what’s with the recent explosion of wrinkled garments on the runway? As someone who believes that five precious minutes in the morning are worth an entire hour at dawn, you bet I couldn't be more thrilled by this trend. I’m already practicing in the mirror for the time I get to excuse my unironed attire with a casual, “It’s supposed to look like this.”

     

Let’s Embrace Those Wrinkles

Why do our clothes always have to be ironed? This is an intriguing question because it challenges norms we’ve always just accepted. Long seen as something to avoid, and designers are now intentionally showcasing creased clothing on the runway, with PRADA leading the charge. Seeing the models on the runway for the first time had me questioning my own eyes. Take one more look at those shirts, cardigans, and trousers, you might say they look like something pulled right out of a suitcase.

      

PRADA SS25 ©prada.com, ©vogue.com
  
One of the most critical tasks as an editor who also styles is to steam and press garments until they’re immaculate. A wrinkle-free outfit has forever been considered a hallmark of a competent stylist, and I wasn’t quite sure how to feel upon seeing intentionally wrinkled pieces on a stage being watched by fashion lovers worldwide.
  
Let’s ask, why are designers showcasing wrinkles in their clothing? A glance back at the 2023 SS PRADA show notes offers a few clues. Co-designer Raf Simons described the creases in the collection as “gestures of error” in the artwork of life. In other words, the choice not to iron isn’t a sign of carelessness, but rather a profound statement that proclaims “I am alive.”
      
With her cool demeanor and wrinkled skirt, Miuccia Prada seems to proclaim, “Successful women don’t sweat the small stuff.” ©vogue.com

      

This shift in perspective shows that wrinkles are not something to be eliminated but rather celebrated as possible stars of the show. Miuccia Prada’s take on discovering aesthetics in the crease is also evident at MIU MIU, where she elegantly crafted an intentionally-wrinkled gown as a pattern and styled a checkered top with deliberately rolled sleeves, tucked messily into trousers. At this point, it’s safe to declare that "imperfection" is officially trending.
          
MIU MIU FW24 ©vogue.com, MIU MIU 2025 SS ©vogue.com

  

At BOTTEGA VENETA SS25 collection, wrinkles have boldly taken center stage, leaving their shunned past behind them. Creative Director Matthieu Blazy infused this collection with memories of moments of curiosity and excitement rummaging through his parents' wardrobe and trying on their clothes. By embracing the creases in traditionally polished pieces like suits, trench coats, and jackets, Blazy delivers a refreshing sense of naturalness and liberation. Like an act of rebellion from a timid office worker trapped in a monotonous routine, embodied and expressed by the wrinkled unironed garments.

  

BOTTEGA VENETA SS25 ©vogue.com

 

When PETER DO's signature clean and precise tailoring meets the charm of wrinkles.

 

PETER DO SS25 ©vogue.com

 

Acne Studios brilliantly translates the texture of crushed and crumpled wrinkles onto a jacket, while FERRAGAMO serves up a trench coat that looks like it might just get you a playful smack on the back from Mom for not ironing it. The surprising twist? Both looks are crafted from leather.

 

Acne Studios SS25 ©vogue.com, FERRAGAMO SS25 ©vogue.com

    

An oversized shirt worn over a skirt. THE ROW's look with natural wrinkles in the clothes giving both a comfortable feel and a sophisticated impression at the same time.

    

THE ROW PRE-FALL 2025 ©vogue.com, ROCHAS SS25 ©vogue.com

 

Enter ABRA, a designer who embodies the mantra "wrinkled and torn is perfectly fine." With a boldly crumpled pink off-the-shoulder dress and a look that appears as if it’s been ripped straight from a wrinkled fashion magazine, she showcases daring creativity. This is the essence of freshness that less-than-perfect garments convey.

       

ABRA 2025 SS ©vogue.com

     

The Allure of Raw Aesthetics

Wrinkled or worn, it’s all perfectly fine. These imperfections become style statements in their own right. Take the grunge-inspired check shirt, intentionally detailed with a vintage, weathered look, which exudes an effortless vibe. Acne Studios and R13 shine with their unique styling that showcases natural wrinkles through a mix of different materials.

      

Acne Studios SS25 ©vogue.com, R13 SS25 ©vogue.com

 

ANN DEMEULEMEESTER perfectly illustrates the essence of elegant grunge by layering a delicate lace dress over a torn T-shirt.

 

BOTTEGA VENETA SS25 ©vogue.com, DIESEL SS25 ©vogue.com

 

So the next time someone asks, "What's up with your clothes?" please feel free to respond, “It’s supposed to be like that.” True self-care isn’t solely reflected in perfectly pressed outfits; it’s about embracing the essence of life, which is inherently filled with uncertainties. Let’s keep wrinkled, worn, and torn garments close by, allowing ourselves a little room for imperfection. After all, as Raf Simons said, imperfection is the very truth that proves we are alive.