What will the world of luxury look like post-pandemic? We’re starting to understand the impact that the global COVID-19 crisis has had on how we think about luxury goods and experiences. Which of these are passing fads, and which are permanent? Here’s our take. Our ace correspondent Jillian Tangen is sharing thoughts on the trend in post-pandemic luxury, including trends in experiences, travel, home décor, fashion, leisure activities, self-care and more.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world of luxury?
A little more than a year after the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world and we’re finally beginning to see some reasons for optimism. Every day, the population of vaccinated people is growing. Hospitalizations are on the decline and the number of new Covid cases is down from winter peaks. And on top of that, the weather is getting warmer by the day. By the looks of it, by mid-summer, most of the adult population in the US should be vaccinated.
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While we’re eager to get back to the ways things were pre-Covid – things like live performances and the care-free hugging of friends and family – we have to admit, there are a few things we’re not quite ready to leave behind.
In addition to things like increased social activism and a renewed focus on access for all to healthcare, 2020 saw many people reevaluating their lifestyles. Things like wellness and self-care are more of a priority than ever before. Out of coronavirus lockdowns also came creativity. Many of us finding new ways to connect with each other and the learning of new skills to fill out our newfound time. Then there was the bonus time with family – though at times it may have felt like anything but.
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It has been a year since having our lives turned upside down. We thought it would be fun to revisit some of the events of the past year and examine the ways they have changed our lives for the better. From discovering the joys of a nap dress to attending our first virtual fashion show and finally deciding to book that big family trip. Here are 6 ways we think lockdowns have changed our perception of what is truly a luxury.
6 ways in which luxury is going to be different post-pandemic
1. Post-pandemic luxury trend #1: DIY is actually fun!
After 12+ months at home, many of us have picked up new skills or habits out of necessity, boredom or a combination of both. A close friend of ours began mastering the at-home manicure in lieu of her weekly salon visits, while another took to puzzling through puzzles. Then there was the friend who decided to learn Norwegian in preparation for her upcoming nuptials.
Among our personal favorites though? Taking our newfound time at home to hone new skills in the kitchen. Don’t get us wrong, we won’t ever be one to turn down a dinner at Aska, but we’ve relished getting better acquainted with our kitchen – trying everything out from sourdough starters and focaccia gardens to our team’s tried and true favorites. And it seems we’re not alone in our newfangled love of cooking at home. According to a survey conducted by the consumer market research firm Hunter, 71% of respondents plan to continue cooking at home even after the pandemic.
With a fully stocked kitchen, we aspire to keep cooking as well and can’t wait to share the fruits of our labor with our friends and family at our post vaccination bash.
2. Post-pandemic luxury trend #2: leisurewear conquers the fashion world.
During the height of the pandemic, leisurewear took on a personality of its own, flooding our Instagram feeds and closests with everything from colorful and cozy tie-dye sweat sets and luxury leggings to darling nap dresses. Remember the time when we had no idea what a “nap dress” was? Now we can’t live without one.
New luxury skills learned post-pandemic 2021:
And with more flexible work schedules in the forecast for the future, we’re intent on fully embracing luxury leisure’s next phase of Ath-Flow consisting of pajama pants with feather trim, cashmere sweat suits, oversized boyfriend blazers and leggings with buttons – albeit with a roaring 20’s flare when we’re head out the door, of course.
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3. Post-pandemic luxury trend #3: experiences trump products (again).
Have a serious case of Zoom fatigue? Us too. Let’s be honest though, video calls haven’t been all bad. In addition to letting us work from the comfort of own homes (and if we are being really honest – our bed), video platforms like Teams, Houseparty and Hangouts have enabled us to keep up with school, have happy hours with friends, exercise, watch movies, attend birthday parties, host game nights and even enjoy live concerts and trips to the museum.
Beyond giving us a chance to show face at work and keep in touch with family and friends, streaming has lifted the veil on fashion weeks from far flung locations like Copenhagen, Paris and Milan, making them accessible to all.
And on the shopping front, brands like Chanel and MAC have adapted with new virtual tools to help customers try on everything from a bold red lipstick to face mask friendly eyeshadows from the comfort of their home. Video is not all bad, right?
4. Post-pandemic luxury trend #4: good self care requires fresh air.
Between the pandemic, working from home, remote schooling and all the other challenges, it hasn’t been easy to integrate self care into our daily lives. Thankfully though, we’ve been able to find a little time to indulge in an occasional pick me up, at-home spa treatment or hemp-derived CBD product to try and ease the stress.
But if there’s anything we’ve learned being cooped up for months, it’s that self care isn’t just about face masks and cbd oils. It’s also about getting outside on a regular basis for our mental health. Maybe it’s as simple as a long walk while listening to a podcast or a more robust hike through a National Park, but experiencing a daily dose of “me time” in nature (even if it’s just strolling by a pigeon on a NYC sidewalk) is something we’re not ever going to give up now that we’ve had time to enjoy it.
Post-pandemic luxury trends in travel, fashion, food, self-care, home décor and more.
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5. Post-pandemic luxury trend #5: our hearts are at home.
In the beginning, mandatory social distancing motivated us into doing some serious clean up and decluttering in our home – we’re talking everything from taking on the long overlooked junk drawer to a complete review of our closet.
Then, feeling lighter and brighter we found ourselves with the insatiable desire to redecorate. From refreshing the bathroom to repainting the bedrooms and ordering a cozy new couch perfect for late night streaming, we made our homes the perfect place to Netflix and chill.
Post-pandemic luxury trends in travel, fashion, food, self-care, home décor and more.
After tiring of hiding away in the closet on calls, we finally got to set up a more suitable home office complete with fragrance zoning, and for a lucky few an outdoor work pod for extra added privacy from the kiddos.
Post-pandemic luxury trends in experiences, travel, fashion, food, self-care, home décor and more.
Speaking of outside, we started a victory garden with our chic gardening tools and even turned our outdoor space into one of the best rooms in our home. After all those upgrades we’re fairly certain that there’s definitely no place like home in a post Covid world – until summer music festivals kick off, that is.
6. Post-pandemic luxury trend #6: when we travel, it has to be more meaningful.
The many crises of 2020 and 2021 have caused travelers throughout the US – particularly those of color – to rethink where, how and why they want to travel. Leisure travel went from being as popular as ever to grinding to a complete halt in just weeks. A reminder to us that you don’t really know what you’ve got until it’s gone.
Post-pandemic luxury trends in experiences, travel, fashion, food, self-care, home décor and more.
So as the world opens up, instead of focusing on quantity, we’re set on booking more meaningful travel. In lieu of luxury spa trips and sun drenched party weekends, we’re more interested in finally booking that dream vacay we’ve been putting off – like learning to make pasta in the Tuscan countryside a la Stanley Tucci in Searching for Italy. Or gathering for a long overdue family reunion, or hitting the road to explore National Parks and nature after so many months of confinement.
Post-pandemic luxury trends in experiences, travel, fashion, food, self-care, home décor and more.
And fortunately hotels and airlines alike have been putting a big emphasis on COVID-19 protocols and seclusion making it safe to venture into the unknown ahead.
What are the 6 new luxury skills post-pandemic 2021?
We are thrilled to see this chapter of COVID-19 coming to a close (fingers crossed). And it seems like a good time to stop and reflect on the handful of silver linings that made us slow down and reevaluate during this terrible time.
So, that’s our take on 6 ways in which luxury has been permanently changed post-pandemic, including trends in experiences, travel, fashion, home décor and more. How about you, dear reader? What permanent changes do you see in how you’ll think about luxury?
And now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got to go check on our chickens.
join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
