Last year, I observed “the arrival of colorful knitwear with intricate patterns, landscapes and famous artwork” and predicted they would be paired with “’70s printed designs” in 2021. Although I have not seen as many Renaissance paintings knitted into clothing as I would have liked, there has blossomed a homely new connection between streetwear and knitwear. While streetwear was never against knitwear, it hardly employed the material — growing from skater culture, streetwear material primarily comprised denim and nylon. However, streetwear’s appreciation (and borderline obsession) with vintage clothing has burgeoned as the formerly “grandma” material has permeated the community.
What this seems to indicate, as far as I can tell, is that pop culture is flirting with intimacy. The Billboard Hot 100 is full of songs with quite conspicuous themes of intimacy: Coldplay and BTS provide a corny yet cute anthem for one’s love with “My Universe” (2021); on “Stay” (2021), The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber express regret and admiration for their lovers; Ed Sheeran reflects on his bad habits and their consequences on “Bad Habits” (2021); and Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow combine and interweave personal revelations into the boastful rap we know on “Industry Baby” (2021). While music is always made to entertain, the emotion and intimacy employed must be acknowledged.
Locally, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston has selected some brilliant, sensitive pieces for exhibition, includingSamantha Nye’s masterful “My Heart’s in a Whirl” (2021), the collaborative space that occupies the Community Arts Initiative “Patterns of Greatness” (2020–21) and “The Banner Project” (2021–22) by the timeless Lauren Halsey. Diverse in technique and powerful in message, these exhibits share insights into human intimacy.
In media, "Squid Game" (2021–) presents a form of morbid intimacy, but intimacy nonetheless — combining classic children’s games and ruthless horror. Along with the Korean hit, shows like "Sex Education" (2019–), an all-too familiar tale about teen puberty, modern cartoon revivals like "My Little Pony" (1986–) and "Pokémon" (1997–) and more serious releases like "Maid" (2021) all reflect outreaches to unique points of intimacy for a general audience.
Now, I do not mean to say pop culture has not been intimate in the past, but I must recognize the noticeable influx of exceedingly close and intimate media in recent years. For instance, "Bridgerton" (2020–), "Pose" (2018–21) and "Euphoria" (2019–) all struck chords in my heart — these shows all center around something familiar, perhaps something from our childhood or something we are currently dealing with. Either way, they represent an intimacy that I have not seen before, where the emotions of the past arise and beautifully appear in the present.
Circling back, this intimacy has reached streetwear. Undoubtedly influenced by youth pop culture, big-name brands like Supreme and Heron Preston have taken notice and added vintage-style knit cardigans to their collections. While vintage clothing has been in for a few years now, it is fascinating to see the revival of pieces most accurately described as “homely” rather than “vintage” — cable knit sweaters, fluffy socks and sun hats. Streetwear has followed media and music in their recent admiration for homely intimacy and exemplified once more how adaptive and groundbreaking the community can be.
