Tie dye – what is it?

Tie dye – what does it mean?

Tie dye is a technique for dyeing clothes. This term is used to describe colourful clothes with irregular, unique patterns, which can even be described as stains on the fabric, they're associated with hippie and boho fashion. Before dyeing, the fabric must be tied up, e.g. with an elastic band, and then dyed. It is precisely the uneven access to the fabric that creates the characteristic patterns – spots, stripes or swirling circles. This technique is used not only on clothes, but also on accessories – bags or shoes. There are different ways of dyeing that allow for interesting visual effects, but more about that later.

The origin of the tie dye motif

The tradition of dyeing clothes dates back to ancient times. These types of materials have been found in China, Japan and India. It was a very simple way to obtain original patterns without specialised equipment.

When did tie dye become popular?

The trend became particularly popular in the hippie era of the 1960s. It was directly linked to the hippie culture, where clothes were often dyed and cut by hand. Young people experimented with dyeing their clothes at home to create psychedelic patterns. The flower children wanted to break with the conservatism of the time in fashion and replace boring, grey clothes with something original. T-shirts and hoodies in all the colours of the rainbow were a staple at festivals, and emphasised independence and liberation from the trends of the time.

RIT brand, known for its dye production created an innovative paint that made it possible for anyone to dye clothes effectively, easily and with great results. The product gained immense popularity after being presented at the Woodstock festival, where it quickly became a hit. Soon, tie-dyed clothes began to conquer the market. Interestingly, they were initially a symbol of rebellion against fashion, but in a short time they became one of the hottest mainstream trends.

Since 2010, this technique of dyeing clothes has experienced a renaissance in streetwear and luxury fashion. Top brands such as Moon Boot and Deha regularly use the tie-dye effect in their collections. It is a great way to express your individuality by personalising your clothes.

This trend came to eastern Europe in the 90s. Back then, experimenting with clothes, altering, and dyeing them became fashionable. After the difficult times of communism, everyone needed a breath of fresh air and a dose of energising colours.

Tie dye effect – what is it about?

There are two ways to achieve a tie-dye motif. The first method involves applying a new dye to the garment in an irregular manner. The second method, on the other hand, involves using bleach to remove existing colours from the garment.

The first method is ideal for light-coloured clothes, while the second is better for dark clothes. What is the tie-dye effect and how do you achieve it? We present several methods.

Spots

To achieve this effect, the clothes are tied, pressed and pinched in different places to create patches. Then, dye is applied to the clothes in such a way that the colours mix to form abstract patterns.

Stripes

For this method, the clothes have to be tied up vertically or horizontally in several places or twisted into a tube. Then, the dyes have to be applied evenly along the previously tied areas. This will result in colourful stripes on the clothes. This technique involves dipping a part of the fabric into different coloured dyes. You can let your creativity run wild and dip the entire lower part of the garment into the dye or create gradients by gradually dipping the upper parts of the fabric.

Spiral

Lay a T-shirt or other piece of clothing flat, then take hold of the centre and start to twist it in a spiral. The next step in this method is to apply pigment in different colours to the fabric, creating radial patterns that develop from the centre outwards.

Folding

Fold the garment in any way you like, e.g. like an accordion, and apply the pigments to the folded garment. When you unfold it, you will get unique patterns.

Before you start dyeing your clothes, read the paint instructions carefully and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Also remember to protect your eyes and skin from accidental contact with paint. If paint gets on your skin, wash the affected area immediately with running water. If the symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

Tie dye motif in fashion

The tie-dye motif is not only seen at festivals, but is increasingly appearing in the collections of the world's biggest brands, gaining recognition in streetwear fashion as well as in luxury fashion. Designers are keen to use this technique, giving it a modern, often more sophisticated look. The effect is no longer associated exclusively with strong, saturated colours, full of contrasts and psychedelic patterns (although it can still be found in this form), but more and more often it also appears in a more delicate, pastel version. Styling with an oversized tie-dye T-shirt goes well with black biker shorts, giving them a fashionable touch.

Subtle shades of pink, blue, lavender or mint give tie-dye a more elegant and romantic look, which can be clearly seen in the collections of brands such as Deha and Kujten. The motif of dyed fabrics decorates cotton T-shirts, trousers, dresses, tracksuits and even accessories such as bags and shoes. Tie dye is also increasingly appearing on light, airy materials such as silk or chiffon, meaning that the technique is even permeating boho and elegant casual fashion.

How to wear tie dye?

It all depends on how bold you are. You can go for a classic outfit, e.g. a white T-shirt and black trousers, and break the whole outfit with tie dye Moon Boots, which will contrast this delicate look. If you are going to a summer music festival, you can go wild and wear a summer dress with bold, colourful patterns. However, don't overdo it - if you choose clothes with this motif, go for smooth shoes that will balance the whole outfit. Don't forget about accessories. You can add a brightly coloured handbag to a colourful outfit, e.g. orange or pink. The regular price of such clothes may vary depending on the brand and the quality of the material.

Tie dye T-shirt - how to make it?

The first thing to emphasise is that not every material is suitable for dyeing. Natural materials such as cotton, linen or silk are best suited for tie-dyeing. Avoid synthetic materials whose fibres are tightly sealed and do not absorb the dye, such as polyester or polyamide. Then rinse the T-shirt under running water until the water runs clear.

What do you need to dye a cotton T-shirt?

1. A T-shirt in a light colour, e.g. white or beige.
2. Get some tie dye paint – you can buy it at any haberdashery.
3. Prepare a bottle with an applicator and brushes.
4. You will also need accessories such as rubber bands or buckles, depending on which technique you choose (we have described the dyeing techniques above).
5. You will also need a plastic bowl and latex gloves.

Step-by-step dyeing instructions

1. Put on gloves and dip the T-shirt in water with baking soda dissolved in it.
2. Think about the effect you want to achieve and then tie the fabric accordingly. You can use rubber bands or buckles for this. The tighter you tie the T-shirt, the more visible the effect will be.
3. Let your creativity run wild and dye the fabric any way you like. Remember to be careful when working with dye. Protect your eyes and skin from contact with the dye. Then rinse the T-shirt under running water until the water runs clear.
4. Leave the fabric to dry, then wash the T-shirt on a gentle cycle. That's it.

Tie dye - summary

The tie dye motif is currently experiencing a real renaissance. Once a symbol of rebellion against the traditional approach to the world, today it is a symbol of joy, smile and freedom of self-expression. With the tie dye technique, you can be sure that no two patterns are the same, which makes them unique. It's a great way to emphasise your individuality and creativity. It is no surprise that designers regularly include tie-dye in their collections, responding to the growing popularity of this technique.