I’ve been watching people for quite some time now, from London to NY and now Sri Lanka; I like keeping my observations global. Respectfully (and sometimes shadily) judging how everyone dresses. So, isn't it ironic that the Universe has led me to this point? Writing this article on a subject that should spark a little controversy: How Sri Lankan style has reinvented itself in recent years. Glow up or fade out? Let’s explore.

Serving History

Let's start with some iconic Sri Lankan traditional processes — it seems they’re being seen through a new lens as of late. The modern use of batik, beeralu lace and brass brought forth by a more progressive wave of thinkers, reimagined and developed for the ready-to-wear market, should be recognised as one of the major shifts in Sri Lanka's style story.

Brands like Lakpahana (no longer your normcore pit stop for thothal) and Batiks By Salt started reworking this Sri Lankan art form into modern geometric patterns. Even a batik naysayer like me (unpopular opinion, I know) can’t deny the beauty in this modern approach. Veterans like Sonali Dharamawardne have created a unique signature of patterns, paving the way for numerous new batik brands in recent years.

Beeralu lace, placed in oversized cotton work shirts, by international brand KUR, for example, provides an approachable stylistic touch (ahem, I’ll take one in a large, please), while the modern use of ancestral metals is giving the term “bold as brass” a whole new meaning. Brands like ASALT and Hobo Beautiful are adorning bags with oversized brass handles, and brands like EIRA have even gone as far as to create entire bodices and statement belts from the material.

Flash Fashion

In the past decade, really within the last five years, something major seems to have shifted. I mean, have you seen how many brands have popped up on your Instagram lately? COVID-19 sparked a boom in brands, and with it came endless options to buy easy and comfortable everyday looks. Brands like Cult Original and Absolute Basics provide the Sri Lankan market with stylish everyday basics at affordable prices.

Spinning out monthly collections, flash fashion brands like Mimosa and Nils seem to roll out new looks, non-stop, and although I do love that we finally have options here in Sri Lanka, it's also important that the quality doesn’t get lost in the “add to cart” frenzy.

Hype Train

It really should be said, though, when I think about the most remarkable shift in style, it needs to be awarded to those who have literally shifted culture. Before COVID, the youth of Sri Lanka lacked a distinct style identity. No, I'm not talking about the future heads or 1% of Colombo rich kids who are lucky enough to travel and be inspired by Western brands. I'm talking about everyone as a whole. Like the entire darn nation. How did they dress? Shirt too small, jeans too tight (sorry, not sorry); but that's the truth. Aimlessly wandering around with no style guidance.

Then came the emergence of streetwear in Sri Lanka. Underground brands like Life of Kings (yeah, I said it) started bubbling, pushing the boundaries of subculture through their graphics, oversized cuts and unexpected content. Brands like Uppercuts emerged and started using Sri Lankan elements and phrases on their garments. Oversized cuts became the norm, and edgy digital content began rolling out. The cultural uprising had begun, and with it came the emergence of the biggest shift in Sri Lankan youth culture yet: athleisure meets streetwear.

Brands like Carnage, PEPPER ST, and F.O.A literally created a mould on “how to dress” for everyday. They built an entire community centred around what it is to be fit, healthy and a part of something bigger.

Motivation through style: this is not gymwear; it's flexwear, and their drop frenzy culture means the entire youth nation lines up just to get their hands on their goods. I mean, have you seen those lines?

With it came a guideline for people to follow, and an endless stream of new active and streetwear brands emerged, giving the market options that allow people to feel represented in a safe way. I mean, let's be honest here, activewear isn't pushing boundaries in individual expression, but it is giving a nation of young people a way to dress confidently, and I lowkey like that.

Sri Lanka seems to have gone from meh to marvellous! I see people everywhere in their new ‘fits, serving looks, and it's giving… confidence.

We don't need to be a copy-and-paste nation, and we can innovate new ideas instead of mimicking what the West is doing. We have everything we need right here to create a plethora of style-driven brands that fill all the holes in this market. But we need designers who see that vision and are ballsy enough to just go for it. I'm excited to see what you crazy kids can do! Keep creating, keep innovating — go forth and prosper.

CAMPAIGN FROM ABSOLUTE BASICS