When you think of cannabis-inspired fashion, what comes to mind? Once, images of tie-dyed t-shirts with Cheech and Chong’s face emblazoned across the front would come to mind. Hats with silly slogans and cheap plastic pot leaf necklaces have unfortunately been all that the culture has taken away from the concept of using cannabis, not only perpetuating social stigmas but leaving us with some really poor fashion choices.
Thankfully as minds across the world become more open to cannabis as a regular part of life, fashion designers have taken note. Rather than revamping the aforementioned shirts and making them slightly less tacky, notable names have integrated pot leaf patterns and unique accessories into their lineups to make a bold yet tasteful statement about weed.
Alexander Wang dedicated his entire Fall 2016 collection to the cannabis plant, being one of the first designers to give a high fashion twist to the so-called “stoner fashion”. Margot Robbie’s feature on Saturday Night Live exposed millions of viewers to one such Alexander Wang dress that screamed cannabis.
Instances of weed peeking through into the clothing world have been seen prior to Wang’s adoption of the pot leaf, but they have been far and few between. Those who wanted to communicate a more subtle message may have opted for a pair of Strathcona Stockings that incorporated various recognizable prints into knee-highs since 2011, and jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche has been making pot leaf necklaces, earrings, and clutches almost as far back as her inception in 2007.
When you really start looking for it, cannabis references have been in many places within the high fashion industry, with some being far more subtle than others. Celebrities have adopted this attitude in full force, with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky all wearing their weed garb at one time or another.
Cannabis-Inspired Fashion Means More Than a Leaf
The ways in which cannabis-inspired fashion can be integrated into luxury garments are more numerous than one may think. While coughing up several thousand dollars for a dress with a bold pot leaf print may not be up your alley, you can still enjoy the benefits of this new relationship. Rather than focusing on a visual representation of cannabis, other clothing brands are turning their attention to the raw material itself.
Ozma of California uses hemp to create comfortable and eco-friendly garments that are intended to transition from a beach vacation to a swanky city dinner in one day, offering baggy silhouettes in gender-neutral colors. Canadian designer Laura Siegel uses hemp as one of several materials to create her blended fabrics, offering clothing that tends to echo her philanthropic efforts.
Until recently, only the bold were opting to use hemp in their designs as the plant still lives in the murky waters of irregular legalization. However, with the promise of the 2018 Farm Bill and the hope that hemp will be treated as an agricultural commodity, the idea that hemp will become a mainstay in today’s high fashion circles is a real possibility. At this point, only those with the dollars and the guts are the ones who have taken advantage of this ability to express their love for weed directly on their chest, but as cannabis becomes more and more decriminalized, there’s no question that a wider range of fashion options will be readily available.
East Meets West
Cannabis-inspired fashion has taken on a global approach that may not be recognizable at first glance but is slowly working toward changing attitudes of individuals everywhere. South Korean born Dae Lim works with sister, Cindy, to develop Sundae School that makes clothing intended to elevate the smoking experience. While the duo does offer modern clothing including t-shirts and hoodies, their main staples include renditions on classic cultural fashion.
Overcoats are designed for an elegant smoke session and traditional unisex garments feature hidden pockets to keep your materials. The latest pieces in their collection will be sold at Barneys, but not everyone is such a fan of their bold sense of style. Cannabis still comes with a strong stigma in South Korea, and it’s not farfetched to say that older generations don’t approve much of Lim’s fashion taste.
Ultimately as the entire world continues to shift their attitudes toward weed, there’s no telling what kind of cannabis-inspired fashion will hit the runways and the clothing racks. One can’t help but wonder just how influential cannabis fashion may be on the rest of the world. Imagine if the right person were to wear the right item at a specific event; would cultural attitudes shift in any noticeable way? The best we can do is keep wearing our weed attire and hope that others will follow suit.
