To judge whether the economy is good or not, you don't need to look at GDP or read research reports.

Just look at one thing — the color of the clothes people around you are wearing right now.

Sounds ridiculous? Not at all.

Let’s start with the conclusion:

The more prosperous the economy, the brighter the clothes; the more sluggish the economy, the more muted and conservative the clothes.

Looking back at history makes it clear.

In Japan during the Showa era, housing prices were high enough to buy half of America, and Tokyo was filled with flashy neon advertisements. Every frame of Sailor Moon was colorful.

That was the confidence brought by explosive economic growth.

The same was true for the United States after World War II.

In the golden age, the most popular item was the Hawaiian shirt.

Even factory workers wore floral shirts to go out for drinks after work; that atmosphere reflected a certainty about life.

China was no different.

In the 1980s, people finally stopped wearing gray jackets, and skirts came into fashion.

In the 1990s, the Hong Kong style was pursued, with high heels, earrings, and exaggerated makeup.

In the new millennium, the wardrobe of those pink ladies was basically a sample of the colors of an upward-moving economy.

But when the economy is uncertain, income anxiety runs high, and consumption shrinks, what do people wear?

The answer is very pragmatic:

Black, gray, white.

Neutral, safe, easy to match, versatile, and error-proof.

This reflects a psychological “defensive mode.”

After the pandemic, what do people consider when buying clothes?

They need clothes that can be worn to work, that can be worn to go out, that can be worn for travel photography, and preferably can withstand wind and UV rays.

Easy to match, durable, and not flashy — maximizing cost-effectiveness.

It’s not laziness; it’s a lack of security.

Businesses are the same.

In today’s environment, who would dare to blindly produce colorful designs?

Sticking to black, gray, and white is safer; if they don’t sell, they can carry over to next year, providing a more stable fallback.

Ultimately:

The act of dressing is never about aesthetics; it reflects real economic emotions.

The colors of clothes are a thermometer of social emotions.

When the streets once again become colorful, and everyone dares to wear floral patterns, to stand out, to be bold —

That will signal the return of an era.

Let’s hope that day comes soon.