The balaclava or the fashion trend we didn’t expect, despite the pandemic (and the cold)

Has the pandemic gotten us so used to masks that wearing a balaclava every day in the city seems easier than ever to adopt?

In any case, it is an accessory usually reserved for the mountains that we have found a lot on the catwalks of recent seasons, and increasingly on the heads of fashionistas on the streets today.

From the disaster scenario to the reality of the pandemic, the neighborhood is catching up with us

When Raf Simons, once head of Calvin Klein, put them everywhere in his autumn-winter 2018-2019 show, it seemed like science fiction. And for good reason: the collection is inspired by the science fiction film Safe (1995) directed by Todd Haynes, starring Julianne Moore as a housewife who is allergic to the environment and therefore forced to wear a hood.

A few months later, this collection resembled a critical dystopia the entertainment society faced with a burning planet has ended up becoming a pandemic of Covid-19. Many people began to want to overprotect themselves, particularly by covering clothing, including gloves and hoods.

Obviously, this health and social anxiety has been perceived and reinterpreted by many creators, accustomed to capturing the clothes of tomorrow in the era of times. In addition to opera gloves, the balaclava is also trivialized and glamorized, in particular by Botter, David Koma, Heliot Emil, Louis Vuitton men, Nina Ricci, Annakiki, Jacquemus, Marc Jacobs and even Miu Miu.

Since we still have to wear masks, the cap helps keep them in place without it being too difficult, as well as keeping warm in the face of an autumn-winter that promises to be as chilling as the 2022 presidential elections.

Put on your hood against the cold, pollution, video surveillance and idiots

In addition to the topic of protection from the cold and pollutionas Marine Serre, a pioneer also in the field of masks, has been advancing for years, the hood also ensures anonymity.

It’s not a miracle cure for street harassment, as idiots annoy everyone regardless of their clothing, but maybe it helps a little.

Plus, as video surveillance and facial recognition technologies advance around the world, it’s a problem growing anxiety that fashion suggests wearing a more or less confused hood thanks to plays of prints and materials with an optical effect.

Presenting balaclavas on the catwalks also facilitates the identification of modest fashion customers, without the negative connotations linked to the perception of the hijab by Islamophobes.

How to wear a balaclava without looking like a thief on the run?

A set of arguments are therefore created that could explain the neighborhood plebiscite. But how to adopt it without looking like a thief on the run? Opting for colors and/or patterns can liven up the meeting.

As with the rest of the outfit, it is also better to avoid the total black look, which would only draw more attention to the hood. Better to choose it in 100% wool, whose naturally antibacterial and anti-odor properties will prevent you from overcooking. Otherwise, even balaclavas made of technical material with a second skin effect can be very elegant, as long as you wash them regularly.

Please note that officially, according to French law:

“It is forbidden hide or completely cover your face in a public place : public roads and places open to the public or used for public service. But there are exceptions, particularly when the face is hidden by an object imposed by the authorities. »

In the city it is therefore better to wear a balaclava under the chin.and save your mouth and nose coverage for skiing and extravagant nights out. Finally, keep in mind that most knitted patterns can easily be made into a neck warmer or hat.

Front page photo credit: Brak.

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