Family ESSENTIALS
Spring 2021 Collection
There has been a lot of discussion on the question of what a post-lockdown wardrobe looks like. Or, indeed, what life post-lockdown (and eventually post-pandemic) looks like. With so many having had a taste of working from home, there is pressure on larger companies to allow for more flexible working options moving forward. A shift in working habits would inevitably lead to a wider societal shift in terms of how we view the working week and thus in how we divide and prioritize the various sections of our wardrobes. Even if we do have some upswing in tailoring and dressing up clothes, I think that the newfound appreciation of loungewear is not going anywhere anytime soon. There is a comfort (both psychological and somatic) in being able to pull on something cosy to wear at home or for supermarket and weekend coffee runs. I view this as distinct from the athleisure wave we saw not that long ago, because it prioritizes comfort to a greater extent and has a far more muted application.
My personal preference for loungewear during lockdown was from the Essentials line by Jerry Lorenzo. I have a pair of polar fleece sweatpants in particular that I absolutely love, because not only are they super soft and warm, but the cut is also more engaging than the typical shapeless cotton fleece sweatpants one often encounters. The cuts in general from Essentials are ones I find flattering for my body, with slimmer sweatpants and wider relaxed tops, providing a distinctly Lorenzo vibe (for want of a better description!). I will admit that I dislike prominent logos, but tonal logos do not bother me too much, especially for clothing I am only really wearing around the house anyway. Thankfully Essentials has more low key pieces, which suits me fine. To be honest I actually enjoy Essentials far more than Lorenzo’s mainline Fear of God (which for most still bears the burden of having provided the fuck boy aesthetic du jour a few years ago).
I have posted the Spring 2021 collection lookbook, which features Lorenzo and his family, with Essentials for children making its first appearance. I think there is always a question mark over buying designer or high end clothing for children given how fast they grow, but Essentials is priced significantly lower than the mainline - the retail pricing for the children’s pieces ranges from $30-$100. I love how comprehensive Lorenzo’s approach to his Essentials line is, for as the name suggests, he seeks to provide affordable and easily wearable pieces that you can mix and match in your wardrobe. This drop in particular highlights his comfortable relaxed loungewear, now provided for the whole family, and to put it simply, I find it super cute. The neutral colour palette means that the pieces can be easily adopted by most wardrobes, and depending on how you choose to style it, you could obviously make the final looks as colourful or as muted as you wish.
I have also posted Jerry Lorenzo’s recent interview with Kerwin Frost, which I would highly recommend watching for anyone interested in Lorenzo’s work. Past the fashion, he seems like a genuinely likeable person, and I appreciate that, because it is not always a given when you enjoy someone’s work. I like the fact that he operates on his own terms, putting his family first when it comes to the decisions he makes, and the fact that he wants to build his brand and his career his own way. Fear of God operates outside the fashion calendar, with collections dropping when they are ready, and Lorenzo says his priority is to be able to work while being present and available to his family. I also enjoy his approach to creativity, especially when it comes to accepting and embracing who you are, which is an important message for any creative. Do watch it if you have the time!
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