From ironic memes to economic doomerism, recession indicators have become a cultural language of their own.
Credit: KC Green
Have you ever gone shopping and thought, “Mmm, that skirt screams recession”? Me neither – but apparently, it does.
One of the first people to bring this up in SEED CLUB was Antònia Folguera, who shared that her grandma – who used to be a seamstress – would always say, “In times of recession, skirts get longer.”
This idea actually has a name: the Hemline Index. It’s been around since the Great Depression and suggests that skirt lengths reflect the economy – shorter in boom times, longer in downturns. Its accuracy is up for debate, but it’s undeniably a fascinating lens on fashion and finance.
Fast-forward to 2025: office fashion is back. It’s all about versatility – finding a dress that works for both the office as well as a night out with friends. Search “Office Siren” on TikTok or Instagram and you’ll see it everywhere. The look has even hit the runway. As Vogue Business puts it:
“Stella McCartney said the theme of her Autumn/Winter 2025 collection was ‘from laptop to lap dance’. McCartney was making a point about women existing both in the workplace and outside of it. Yet the look on the runway – an ’80s Working Girl meets 2020s oversized blazer-wearing millennial – revived the same ‘business casual to the club’ style from 15 years ago.”
Neutral tones are dominating. And recession core is all about investing in basics – timeless, mix-and-match pieces in neutral colours that outlive seasonal fads and last longer in your wardrobe (and your wallet). Another SEED CLUBBER, Mike Evans, brought up the subreddit r/throwingfits where “Tariff Tailoring” appears among some other timely terms:
It’s not only in the world of fashion that we are seeing this. According to The Wall Street Journal, searches for “press on nails” are up 10% since February, while blondes are growing out their roots and calling it an indicator of the US economy. The “lipstick effect” – the idea that consumers prioritise little treats when money is tight – appears to be in full swing, with makeup sales up in Q1 for major brands like L’Oréal.
The signs are everywhere, if you’re paying attention.
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