While it is most often seen on ski slopes, the balaclava is fast becoming the unlikely fashion trend of the season – with prices ranging up to a hefty £840.
Secondhand clothing site Depop has reported a 145% increase in searches for balaclavas in the last month alone, while global fashion platform Lyst has seen page views for the knitted headgear rise 18% each month, The Guardian reports.
Lyst reported that Kim Kardashian’s controversial anti-fashion statement made at Met Gala (a strange Balenciaga couture catsuit & head covering) saw search for the item increase 62% in just 48 hours.
Lyst’s Content Lead Morgane Le Caer stated that “wider fetish facial wear” has gained traction over the last few weeks.
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Cecilie Bahnsen’s Gigi wool knit balaclava, which retails at £305 (pictured)
Urban Outfitters’ stripe balaclava (left) and (right) green balaclava – both £20
Loro Piana’s Achillea Balaclava, which is made from cashmere and comes with a hefty £840 price tag
But Depop credits generation Z and TikTok with helping to’reclaim’ the trend by including the’retro accessory’ in fashion tutorial video.
Justin Bieber wore the unorthodox fashion accessory while performing at The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating America: A Lexicon Of Fashion, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on September 13.
Balaclavas have also played a starring role in new collections from the likes of Stella McCartney and Stone Island, with prices starting from £150.
While Prada’s co-creative director Raf Simons has incorporated them in his collections since the early 2000s, other designer brands have since jumped on the bandwagon – including Givenchy which is selling a £340 Mesh-mohair Balaclava with built-in Horns Cecilie Bahnsen’s £305 version, which has a frilly neck.
Meanwhile, Loro Piana’s Achillea Balaclava, which is made from cashmere, comes with a hefty £840 price tag.
Greater Goods from London has launched three collections of hand-knit balaclavas in multi-colored colors this year. They sold out each within days.
The 100 per cent Japanese wool garments come with a price-tag of £129 and are described online as ‘inspired by the great outdoors.’
On the other end of the price scale, Sweaty Betty is selling a £45 knit which is available in a black and grey leopard print pattern, while balaclavas at Urban Outfitters retail for as little as £20.
Highsnobiety’s editorial director, Christopher Morency, who brands rappers such as Skepta and Pa Salieu as modern-day pinups for the garment, added: ‘Shoppers are getting more comfortable with taking sartorial risks.’
“Now that fashion has taken over as a business, it is clear that growth is now the acceptable measure of performance in fashion. This means that brands are willing to sell any product that has a long life.
“I believe therefore that the balaclava is likely to be around for quite some time. It might be worn by a group that changes, but the item won’t.
FEMAIL spoke with Rochelle, a celebrity stylist, in February. Rochelle said that even though some associate knitwear and ‘gangs’ and ‘crime’ with ski wear, she predicted that balaclavas will be the accessory to the year.
Rochelle pointed at the Beyonce choice of wearing the headcover when promoting her new Ivy Park line as an indicator for the fashion’s popularity.
Cecile Bahnsen’s Gaia mohair and silk hat, £259 (left) and right, the pink version, which retails at £260
Loro Piana’s Achillea Balaclava, which is made from cashmere and comes with a hefty £840 price tag
Left, the Sweaty Betty Balaclava and right, the sold-out headpiece by Greater Goods
Justin Bieber wore a balaclava to perform at the The 2021 Met Gala, Celebrating in America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art September 13th 2021 in New York
Stone Island’s ribbed knit wool balaclava, £285 (left) and right: Marine Serre’s crescent moon-print balaclava, £193
Beyonce wore a balaclava adorned with diamonds under a brightly colored hoodie to advertise Ivy Park x adidas.
The stylist said that the popularity of the Balaclava Fashion could come from many factors, including celebrity fashion and brands.
She pointed to the global pandemic as another reason fashion-lovers might be looking to cover up, adding: ‘With the rise as mask-acne, this is a new way to be safe but practical.’
The stylist suggested that shoppers might be prompted to wear warm clothes because of Britain’s cold snap.
Rochelle white, Stylist, pointed to Beyonce’s adidasx Ivy Park advert where the singer was wearing a diamond-encrusted Balaclava
Balaclavas have been back in fashion thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and a cold winter.
Rochelle suggested, “The combination of the Covid-19 crises and the current cold weather have prompted the sudden surge in popularity” for face-coverings
The trendy headgear will be more prominent and popular than ever by 2021, according to Rochelle White (stylist).
Rochelle stated that the weather lately has played an important role in my desire to be warmer and feel more comfortable, which is why this article fits right now.
She added: “Brands like Stone island and Ivy ParkxAdidas created fashionable fashion balaclavas, with social media being an important driving factor regarding popularity.”
Rochelle stated that the pieces could go out of style in the long-term, once the global Covid-19 crisis and winter have ended.
She predicted that accessories would be hot again next winter and said: “I think some people still will see the items as fashion or not essential because of the connection to gangs crime and even ski wear.
“But, as the year progresses and the popularity of the item rises,” he said.