One of the biggest trends we saw on the runways recently at NYFW was “escapist glam.” And you probably don’t even realize that you already know and love what it is. What is escapist glam? It’s art in fashion form. It’s frivolous and fun. It’s over the top and cheeky. Here’s some of our favorite escapist glam looks we all know and love:

Look familiar? And while you might not be able to head into the office wearing Lady Gaga’s infamous “meat dress,” escapist glam is becoming more accessible to the masses. At its core, escapism glam is a political stance and a movement. Over the past decade especially, fashion designers have been using the runway as their platform to speak on politics, women’s rights, immigration, refugees, environmental rights and LGBTQ rights. They’re using their artform to express frustration.

But escapist glam isn’t about declaring your beliefs to your audience. It’s the opposite. Escapist glam is about daydreams and distractions. It’s an excuse to close off the real world and enter into what world you want. For those following the escapist glam trend, the goal of these clothes is not to stir the mind, but to soothe the soul. Fashion has given in to one of its most fundamental purposes: to bring the wearer joy. To delight and amuse. To open a door and invite you to escape. Sometimes, that role seems silly or superfluous. But for some, in this gloomy era, it has arguably become essential.

Happy fashion can be a form of mental salvation—and help alter your mindset. We already know that what we wear can shift our moods—the fashion industry has dubbed this “dopamine dressing.” Because when you’re covered in sparkles and frills and whimsy, who wouldn’t feel transported? Escapist glam trendsetters understand the power of dreams and fantasies. It has the ability to create a narrative that indulges in creative energy and take you outside of your reality.

Rodarte

So if you’re looking for a bit of an escape, or just bringing a bit of relief and joy to your life, it might be time to shake up your wardrobe. There are no ground rules for escapist glam, other than it should be over the top enough to transport you to another mindset. For me, that’s definitely going to involve a lot of glitter and ruffles a la Rodarte. For others, it may be the cheeky designs of Viktor & Rolf.

Viktor & Rolf Spring 2019 Couture

Whatever your style, the most important part of the trend is that it brings you joy. Not sure where to start? Here are some of our favorite escapist glam-esque pieces you can add to your wardrobe today: