Lacy Aprons and Door Mats: How Sandy Liang Home Explores Domesticity in a Modern Setting
Sandy Liang has undoubtedly been a breakthrough brand in 2023. From the label’s highly coveted satin ballet flats, to silver jewelry, flower-shaped scrunchies, and of course, ribbons on everything, Sandy Liang has solidified the brand identity into a style Harper’s Bazaar labels “downtown coquette.”
On October 30th, Sandy Liang released her Home collection as the brand’s take on trends this fall and holiday season. On top of several new garments, the 15-piece line debuts loungewear and home decor for the brand. The Home collection fits comfortably within Sandy’s catalog, expanding its breadth while incorporating her most recognizable motifs. Furthermore, the drop explores the evolution of femininity. By recycling a style seen in mid-century American housewives, Sandy Liang revives traditional aesthetics with a modern twist.
The Contessa Apron, Loaf Apron Dress, and Perez Knickers make up a three-piece navy gingham apron set. The set meshes well with the rest of Sandy’s catalog, which has incorporated the print many times before. Additionally, gingham naturally fits well with the theme of the collection, since it is associated with mid-century domestic Americana (think: tablecloths and picnic blankets). The Perez Knickers resemble a modernized version of bloomers, which were first worn by women in the mid-19th century. An alternative to the norm of constricting dresses, bloomers came to represent female autonomy and nonconformity of unrealistic societal expectations. Nodding to this history, Sandy Liang refuses imposed domesticity for fans of her label while incorporating traditional feminine designs.
Sandy Liang Home introduces the first loungewear pieces of the brand, consisting of six pieces, all constructed with white linen and accented with pink rosettes. The Toonie Top, Loonie Pants, and Sesame Undies are styled together as a set. An effortless but elegant pairing, the loungewear’s loose silhouette matches well with other Sandy Liang pieces. The set is a logical addition to the Home collection, as they’re sold alongside furniture and shot in a casual setting, reminiscent of a housewife caught in her nightgown. Meanwhile, the Penny Dress, Sid Dress, and River Top offer more formal alternatives to the set, sporting the same materials in more dressy silhouettes. The pieces are still reminiscent of loungewear, with a relaxed fit, but include more peplum details that make the pieces perfect for both a casual day out or a picnic date. However, these items share a straighter silhouette that hides the figure, deviating from an appeal to a male gaze. Instead, these pieces offer style over objectification, making the idea of domesticity liberating rather than intimidating.
The Toonie Top and Loonie Pants. Courtsey of Sandy Liang.
The headlining pieces in Sandy Liang Home were her first three furniture items: the Ribbon Runner, Princess Doormat and Princess Lighter. Out of the three items, the Ribbon Runner encapsulates the essence of Sandy Liang. A simple and feminine piece, the runner features a long pink ribbon. Sandy Liang is largely credited for starting the ribbon trend, which has since been replicated by brands like Urban Outfitters.
Photos courtesy of Sandy Liang.
With a price tag of $75, the Princess Lighter fetches a pretty penny for collectors of the brand. The lighter is an unassuming silver Zippo lighter with SANDY LIANG engraved on the front. Similarly, the Princess Doormat is a simple coir mat with the typography “I’m going to be my own princess.” The duo captures how Sandy Liang perfected “downtown coquette:” although the items - kitschy and unapologetically plain - deviate from the typical style of the brand, they work together in juxtaposing an urban aesthetic with stereotypical femininity.
The Subu slippers are Sandy Liang’s take on the recent slipper trend, with viral pieces from Uggs and North Face. Offering three special prints, Sandy Liang ties in some recognizable details without drifting from vogue. The slippers lean into the trend with its silhouette – slip-on shoes with puffer panels – but Sandy Liang makes the slippers her own with embroidery. Several other pieces in her catalog incorporate strawberries and rosettes, and the pawprints reflect a homey vibe that permeates throughout the collection.
Sandy Liang is a label that caters to the ingénue, and the Home collection is no exception. However, the revival of this traditional aesthetic comes with many nuances: could it compartmentalize femininity into the domestic sphere? Or is Sandy Liang’s new spin on the style liberating, providing domesticity without matrimony? Sandy Liang Home is projected to be another successful collection for the brand, exploring these themes through an emerging trend: domestic couture.
