With autumn comes this instinctive need for warmth and comfort. And in this regard, Belgian fashion, far from being satisfied with simple comfort, is reinventing itself through a highly stylized prism: Cocooning Couture. At the crossroads of chic and comfort, this trend captures the essence of the “hygge” spirit, this Danish philosophy of well-being, while revisiting “loungewear” with a touch of haute couture. Our Belgian designers, faithful to their know-how, have understood this well by highlighting fibers such as wool, cashmere and alpaca.
Nothing symbolizes Cocooning Couture better than knitwear, both comforting and resolutely elegant. Its texture, soft and enveloping, inspires stylistic daring while remaining an autumn classic. Among the designers who have glorified it, Valentine Witmeur Lab in Brussels stands out in the lead with sweaters with fluid and loose cuts, available in cream and garnet shades. BlackWool (Brussels) and La Laine des Coccinelles (Lahage), two other essential addresses, also perpetuate this art of textiles and wool with creations ideal for wrapping yourself up while remaining chic. Thick wool sweaters, oversized cardigans, wool accessories,… each piece is distinguished by a refined simplicity, where artisanal know-how meets sophisticated modernity.
Luxe alternatives
If knitwear is king for creating enveloping silhouettes, cashmere, for its part, introduces its dimension of luxury to Cocooning Couture. Coming from the down of Mongolian goats, this material embodies the spirit of this trend by offering it all the best: an exceptional textile, synonymous with sophisticated cuts and pieces designed to be also pleasant to wear to admire. In Wallonia, two creators stand out for their work with cashmere: Séverine Lagrange, in Lasne, who magnifies this fiber by integrating camel and yak down, and Pianori, in Rhode-Saint-Genèse, who reinvents ready-made -wear with a collection dedicated to women and men, in a luxury approach imbued with artisanal know-how.
And while knitwear and cashmere dominate Cocooning Couture, alpaca, with its hypoallergenic properties, takes the trend to the next level. Lighter than knitwear, warmer than cashmere, the fabric seduces with its natural luster and its ability to combine comfort and elegance. In this area, the Belgian brand BellePaga is the perfect illustration; she who appropriated this fiber to make a wool that is pleasant to wear, resistant and lanolin-free. Not far from there, in Belgium, L’Alpaga des Tilleuls in Sprimont is also a favorite brand, with pieces that combine flexibility and durability. Respectful of animals and local artisans, the two addresses enhance not only the art of dressing gently, but also the importance of savoring the quality of handmade products, the symbol of a conscious, sustainable and very cocooning wardrobe. . sewing!
A locker room that takes its time
Because ultimately, Cocooning Couture is much more than a trend: it is an ode to time, a celebration of materials and artisanal know-how, the antithesis of fast fashion. And in this season when everything invites us to slow down, it reminds us above all that taking care of ourselves begins with the way we dress: wrapped in pieces designed to last, in the image of this timeless elegance, and far from ephemeral dictates.
