In many industries, it is safe to say that times are challenging and uncertain. Having been in the fashion industry for over 40 years — first in Italy, then in Paris, France and, now, in Los Angeles, California — it is interesting to think about and understand the choices people make in what they want to wear in relation to what goes on around them.
Even in uncertain times, such as what is happening around the world with COVID-19, people are gravitating toward tailoring their clothing or purchasing custom clothing because the garments are universally flattering, comfortable and make excellent investments. This might seem counter-intuitive based on the trends in loungewear and the stories of people not getting out of their pajamas for days on end, but for many, the trend is to embrace the next phase of self-expression through clothing.
When people first started to work from home, they felt little need to “get dressed for work,” yet the alternative, which is staying in sweatpants all day, is no longer fully embraced by many. What we are now seeing is a new way for people to express how they are feeling through what they wear because the selections that they are making no longer fit into the categories of “weekend” and “work.” It is a new time and place for both men and women.
While trends are the markers of time for fashion, it is people who are changing — not the fashion. It is my belief that designers change their designs to meet the needs of the people. Throughout my career, people have always told me that my custom creations look timeless — that they cannot put a date, or even a decade, on when they first wore the piece. This is the ultimate compliment, as not only does the clothing look new, but the style is timeless and unique enough to be of its own moment.
The timeless styles that people are now craving are classic, essential pieces that are perfectly-tailored and never look dated. When a person is wearing a tailored garment or has taken the time to tailor — even the length of their shirts — it can be emotionally powerful. People are now dressing for themselves and not necessarily for others. I believe that when a person loves what he or she is wearing, it gives them a sense of empowerment and confidence — something that we are in tremendous need of today, when there is uncertainty about everything from our jobs to our health.
Women have long since discovered what men are learning now: that the way clothing fits makes you feel better about yourself. The impact is based on how the person carries themselves in the clothes they wear. We can instantly tell if the clothes are wearing the person or if the person is wearing the clothes.
Many experts agree that in order to have an efficient day, you must start as you mean to continue. Get up, do your exercise, and get dressed. Because of the level of comfort custom clothing brings, many feel that these investment pieces make a good impression on Zoom and when no one is watching.
Men are also discovering that they don’t need to dress like soldiers wearing a uniform (whether the uniform is a dark suit and tie or khakis and a blue oxford shirt); fashion is a way to express who you are and what makes you different. If you look back in history, men’s clothing has not changed very much, especially when you compare it to women’s styles.
People should not feel that they have to be like everyone else. Men are understanding that they can experiment with colors, patterns, lengths of jackets, etc. I hope to send the message that men shouldn’t settle for something that is merely average; they should be passionate about what they wear and how it fits. I believe that as we change to “working from home,” this idea will be further engrained in people’s minds.
For too long, men have been wearing navy, black and gray. They should experiment with color, patterns and fabric because it is the best way to stand out and get noticed. We know that colors symbolize different things in gemstones and flowers, like love, friendship and kindness. As people search for ways to express how they feel through what they wear, color will take on greater importance for both men and women.
Since the beginning of time, fashion has been an expression of our surroundings and our emotional state. What rarely changes is how it makes us feel. As we embrace yoga to keep us calm and better diets to keep us healthy, our fashion choices will also be adapted to bring out confidence and focus on what we can control — the way we look.
Saverio Pisano began his training as a fashion designer in Italy. He developed his talent in Paris, France and Milan, Italy and then spent several years in Argentina dressing first ladies, diplomats and other members of high society. He founded Pisano, a fashion design school in Argentina, and is the author of “The Tailoring Bible.” Today, Pisano is focused on the Los Angeles, California fashion scene.
