What Workwear Core & Utilitarian Style Say About The Economy

via Dickies

As we stepped into 2025, the state of luxury fashion felt like a tug-of-war: quiet luxury was quietly ascending while loud, logo-heavy luxury seemed to be fading fast.

According to fashion data analyst and the creator of Data, But Make It Fashion Made Lapuerta, this shift wasn’t just about aesthetics — it was a mirror reflecting deeper economic tremors. Looking back, one can’t help but wonder: were these style shifts whispering warnings about a year shaped by soaring inflation, and unpredictable tariffs?

It’s important to remember that fashion trends rarely appear out of thin air; they emerge to reflect, respond to, and sometimes even rebel against the mood of society.

Take workwear, for instance. Back in 2019, before the world ground to a halt during the pandemic, workwear dominated the streetwear scene. But back then, it wasn’t an omen of economic downturn. Instead, it embodied a hyper-productive, capitalist spirit — a world obsessed with efficiency, comfort, and functionality.

Loose denim overalls, rugged boots, and sturdy jackets allowed for a kind of utilitarian freedom far removed from restrictive pencil skirts and towering heels.

@corriebecoming “Classic Utilitarian Chic” Cool. Collected. Casually commanding. Giving grown woman style —effortless, intentional, and fully owning her space. Shop my LT linked in the bio. Pant & shirt : @carhartt Scarf : @madewell #UtilitarianChic #carhartt #MidlifeMuse #SummerStyle #over50 #StyleAtEveryAge #Over40style #HowlDressAt52 #agelessstyle #losangeles #classicstyle #fypage #modestfashion #fypシ #corriebecoming ♬ original sound – Corrie Harris | corriebecoming

Fast forward to today: workwear brands, such as Carhartt and Dickies, are staging a powerful comeback, but this time its meaning has shifted. The global workwear market is projected to surge from $10 billion to $19.5 billion by 2031. But why?

A major driver is Gen Z, many of whom are turning to trade jobs — becoming plumbers, electricians, mechanics — in a bid to find security in an era when AI threatens white-collar jobs. But is this purely about job choices? Or does it run deeper, tapping into economic and social anxieties simmering beneath the surface?

Growing up amid skyrocketing rents and the fading dream of homeownership, Gen Z is acutely aware of financial precarity. Saving money feels less like an option and more like a necessity.

Here, utilitarian clothing — reliable, comfortable, and affordable — becomes more than just a style choice; it’s a quiet manifesto. Durable fabrics and reasonable price tags make this aesthetic irresistibly practical, yet still undeniably cool.

A parallel movement can be seen in the surge of vintage and resale fashion. This trend shares the same rough-around-the-edges, utilitarian spirit: think oversized, worn-in leather jackets, stretched sleeves, and frayed hems.

 

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In the 1960s, thrifting blossomed into a countercultural statement, a sartorial rebellion against rising social and political instability. Today, Gen Z wears vintage not only to save money but also to visually narrate their economic and geopolitical disillusionment — a textured language of collective unease.

And what about the so-called “quiet vs loud luxury” debate? Quiet luxury is decisively winning. Over the past six months, understated, minimalist fashion has seen a sharp rise in popularity. This isn’t just about minimalism for aesthetics’ sake; it’s also about discretion and financial prudence.

Rather than flaunt wealth in flashy logos, young consumers are gravitating toward subtlety. Brands like COS, & Other Stories, and Massimo Dutti embody this blend of humble sophistication and accessibility. Even high-end houses like Chloé, Celine, and Loewe have pivoted toward refined, logo-light designs — completing the “recession chic” look that embraces modesty and economic uncertainty.

In essence, the revival of quite luxury and utilitarian fashion trend isn’t merely a trend – it’s Gen Z’s visual manifesto. As economic uncertainty weighs heavily on their shoulders, fashion becomes their silent rebellion, and a means of expressing political beliefs and anxieties about a future that’s anything but stable.

Words by Dana Shmyha