A notable shift in fashion trends is taking place in Roanoke, Virginia, as local boutiques adopt a blend of comfort, creativity, and sustainability, influenced by the pandemic.
Roanoke, Virginia, is experiencing a notable shift in fashion trends, with local style setters embracing a blend of comfort, creativity, and sustainability. This evolution in Roanoke’s fashion scene, highlighted in the upcoming March/April 2025 issue of The Roanoker Magazine, reflects a departure from traditional Southern dressing norms.
The transformation in style preferences can be significantly attributed to the pandemic. Roxy Broom, manager of The Bird Cage Boutique in Roanoke County, noted that pre-2020, dressing for various occasions was the norm, with locally dictated standards for everything from office attire to dinner dresses. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift towards remote work and comfort-oriented clothing choices, many Roanokers began to favor more relaxed attire. “COVID changed everything,” Broom shared. The shift towards comfort has led to a new era where buttery-soft fabrics have gained popularity, and denim – once reserved for casual settings – is now making appearances in upscale venues.
Darcy Funk, the owner of Vivendi, emphasized this move towards comfort and versatility in the current fashion landscape. Speaking to The Roanoker Magazine, Funk stated, “In today’s world, a jean will take you to work, out to dinner, to church, to lunch with your friends.” This democratization of denim allows for wearing styles such as wide-leg jeans with dressier elements that can transition well from day to night.
The fashion mantra of comfort extends beyond just denim. Boutique owners are also witnessing a varied approach to styling, indicating a departure from the convention of matching outfits. Alyce Carlin, owner of New’d in Salem, shared insights on the trends personally observed in customer selections: “A lot of people have started pairing dresses with sneakers, or even tuxedos with sneakers.” Carlin remarked that this mixing of styles introduces a fun dimension to fashion, encouraging individuals to move beyond conservative choices.
Additionally, sustainability is becoming an integral aspect of fashion in Roanoke, with local boutiques beginning to offer sustainable and secondhand clothing options to meet customer demand. Robyn Gross, manager at La De Da, has noted a growing interest in sustainable styles, prompting the store to incorporate local designers into their offerings.
Another notable trend is the collaboration between casual and formal elements in personal styling. J Bohn Bishop of JBohnBishop Mercantile at Smith Mountain Lake shared her approach, blending feminine dresses with baseball caps for a laid-back look. “I don’t want to do my hair. I don’t always have time,” Bishop explained, further diversifying the modern wardrobe with her build-your-own hat bar that invites customers to create unique headwear.
Overall, Roanoke is witnessing a fashion renaissance characterized by individual expression, a departure from rigid style norms, and a focus on sustainable practices. This fusion of comfort and creativity marks a remarkable turning point in the local fashion narrative, reflecting broader trends reshaping the industry in various contexts. The article from The Roanoker Magazine details these emerging fashion rules, inviting interested readers to explore the latest styles and their significance in shaping Roanoke’s identity.
Source: Noah Wire Services
