Designers Are Bringing the Comforts of Home to the Runway With Actual Pillows and Blankets

In troubled times, the greatest luxury might just be staying home. Between the fraught political climate, a string of natural disasters, and the nonstop terrible news around the world, having a warm, cozy sanctuary to return to is as comforting as it gets. Perhaps it explains why everyone is so into hygge, and why furniture stores are selling out of Mongolian lamb pillows and sheepskin rugs (all the better to binge-watch Netflix). I also recently saw an advertisement on Instagram for a 20-pound blanket that costs almost $300 and is designed to “reduce stress and anxiety by mimicking the sensation of being hugged or embraced.” That sounds sort of like wearing your dog’s ThunderShirt, but then, who isn’t feeling anxious these days?

Now, the allure of surrounding yourself with fluff and warmth at home is trickling up to the runways. Last season, it started with duvet-like puffer coats, upholstery fabrics, and, most curiously, actual blankets folded over models’ arms at Céline. This season, designers are bringing the comforts of home to the catwalk in ever-more-literal ways: Mother of Pearl’s Amy Powney gave models plush pillows to clutch as they padded through the early-morning show (a few were functional bags with zippers across the top, but others seemed to be actual throw pillows). Anya Hindmarch had tufted, cushion-like bags in her show as well; some were teeny-tiny, but others were large enough to actually rest your head on, should you need a little break from reality.

Raf Simons revived the fashion blanket at Calvin Klein with his vibrant, logo-covered quilts, which we’re already imagining draped across our sofas. As for the clothes you should wear to wait out the storm (literally and figuratively), here’s an equally plush option: Just wear a robe. Vaquera’s was puffy, pure white hotel terrycloth with a wedding dress–inspired train, while The Row’s blush version was styled as an über-luxe coat with sneakers. The dream, of course, would be to wear it at home with a good book and a cup of tea—and if you needed to run downstairs to the bodega, you wouldn’t even have to change.