How To Wear Tie-Dye In Real Life, According To R29's Junior Fashion Editor

Once the preserve of the peace-loving children of the '60s and Californian salty-haired surfers, tie-dye has undergone somewhat of a transformation this season. For spring/summer 2019, we'll all be dressing like scumbros Justin Bieber, Jonah Hill and Pete Davidson thanks to labels spanning Aries and Ashley Williams, Topshop and Prada going all-in on the homespun DIY print.

But what if you don't live in LA and swear by CBD oil? How can you incorporate the revival if you have a slightly more put-together approach to style? What if the thought of psychedelic rainbow hues brings you out in hives? The SS19 catwalks refreshed the trend in a plethora of ways, from paying homage to the OG hippy aesthetic to a sleek (and dare we say office-appropriate) take on tie-dye.

Here's how I wore the playful trend, three different ways. Cowabunga, dudes!

If you're looking for a softer, more palatable approach to tie-dye, pastel hues are the answer. Collina Strada nailed it with peaches, lilacs and sky blue, while MSGM went for blush, sherbet yellow and mint green. I've paired this barely-there purple UO rollneck with a matchy-matchy suede skirt, and kept the ice-cream theme going with pistachio accessories. Tie-dye's not so scary, after all.

Alternatively, if you're rarely seen in colour but still want to tap into the wavey pattern, you can take the trend in a more Matrix-esque direction. Prada gave a masterclass in this darker interpretation of the usually sunny tie-dye, with shocks of colour immersed in inky blacks. This Weekday rollneck is ideal; to up the ante, I paired it with this leather shirt from Topshop.

Of course, I had to pay homage to the original tie-dye-wearing California beach bum (Harmony Korine's upcoming film has inspiration aplenty), but I wanted to make it feel more contemporary than Jonah Hill's current out-there acid look. This Aries tee is dreamy paired with a satin slip skirt and some platform sandals, and has just the right amount of blissed-out Cali vibes. Now I just need the sunshine to make an appearance.