Know Your Fashion

Quick—what's the first thing you think of when you hear the words tie-dye? Hippie culture and the free spirits of the Sixties and Seventies likely come to mind. With its colorful, creative and DIY roots, tie-dye became synonymous with rejecting the norm and embracing self-expression.

But did you know the look didn't actually get its start with the counterculture crew of Haight-Ashbury, Woodstock and Deadheads? The dying technique goes back centuries, used by numerous cultures in varying forms. Here, our CliffsNotes primer on the trend, which returns to the forefront for this stay-at-home summer of 2020—from tie-dye denim to fun manicure versions spotted all over the 'gram.

Shibori
Originating in Japan, this method involves a manual resist-dyeing technique, an intricate process that’s been practiced for over 1300 years and passed down from generation to generation. We’re in love with its detailed look, which is often seen on luxe silks and includes myriad different methods to create the style.

Bandhani
Another ancient technique, this time from India, Bandhani is created by plucking the textile with fingernails to create a delicate design. Typically seen on the traditional Indian sari, the print is named after the Hindi word for “tying."

Onikan
From Nigeria, Onikan is a labor-intensive indigo style that involves tying raffia around tiny pebbles or corn kernels—the result is a beautiful allover circular motif.

Ikat
The popular ikat print, present in cultures as far-flung as Ecuador and Cambodia, involves an elaborate process. The first step is binding the yarns into a tight wrapping, then comes the dye, and the result is used to create a new pattern… followed by yet another round of dye. This cycle gets repeated several times for a multicolored look and then, finally, everything is woven together for the final product.

Batik
Another popular method of tie-dye is Batik, which hails from Indonesia and features wax-resist dying. The artist "draws" a pattern in hot wax over fabric, which is then placed in a color bath. For fans of this style, bookmark October 2nd on your calendars; that's the country's National Batik Day.

From left: the Kinley jacket and Kallie jeans