Fashion trends can be exciting, but do they actually help us develop personal style, or do they just make us spend more money?
I consume a lot of fashion-related content; my YouTube feed gets flooded with trend prediction videos which I enjoy watching in hopes of getting a finger on the pulse of the fashion world. Are skinny jeans actually back? Is quiet luxury finally dead? Should I even care? Fashion trends cycle so fast that it can be hard to keep up.
According to Neural Fashion, “A fashion trend represents a set of preferences, styles, or patterns that become popular within a specific period of time.” Historically, trends have occurred in a 20-year span, but technological innovation in media and clothing production has exponentially shortened the length of the cycle. Nowadays, it seems there is a new fashion trend popping up on TikTok every couple of months.
Despite the shortened lifespan of trends, they still follow the same five stages:
- Introduction
- Rise
- Peak
- Decline
- Obsolescence
The first stage of a trend is when it is introduced, usually during a major fashion show event. For example, during the Fall/Winter Fashion shows that recently debuted, vibrant shades of green were featured in the Hermes, Prada, and Saint Laurent collections. If you’re interested in reading more about some potential trends introduced during fashion week, check out this InStyle article.
Journalists, writers, and influencers then combine these recurring themes into collections to predict a trend. The trends get talked about online and eventually worn by celebrities or influencers popularizing them, which leads to the second stage: the rise.
Once the trend becomes popular, it also becomes more accessible. Major retailers begin reproducing the trend so that everyone can get their hands on it. This is when the trend peaks.
After the peak, the trend inevitably declines and usually becomes obsolete. However, this is not always the end, as trends occur in broader cycles and most eventually come back into popularity. Just as high-waisted jeans went in and out of style in the ’70s and ’90s respectively before returning in the late 2010s, the same parallels can be drawn for other trends such as the recent return of voluminous silhouettes and vibrant colors reminiscent of the 80s.
Trends can be a great way to try something new and experiment with your style. Some people enjoy following trends because they keep fashion exciting and provide fresh inspiration. Others may feel pressure to keep up, even when a trend doesn’t align with their style. So, why do we follow trends, and when does it make sense to resist them?
While trends can be fun, their rapid turnover raises an important question: Are we embracing trends because they truly resonate with us, or simply because they’re everywhere? Some people enjoy experimenting with new trends, while others prefer to develop a more individualized wardrobe.
To explore this further, I asked students on Instagram how they feel about fashion trends. Their responses revealed a mix of perspectives: some see trends as a way to refine personal style, while others feel they take away from individuality.One student offered a balanced view, sharing that they, “Take inspiration from [trends] to narrow down on [their] personal style.”Another disagreed, saying “No! It’s fine to get inspo from them, but trends take away from the statement/message of style.”
Others saw trends as a tool for brands rather than individuals, with one response noting, “Yes and no. I think trends are ways for brands to set themselves apart.”
Another respondent echoed this mixed perspective, saying, “Yes and no, I think personal style is more important and more financially sustainable. Trends can be fun to participate in, but waste so much money.”
Clearly, there’s no right answer — whether to follow trends or not depends on how they align with your values, budget, and sense of self. Personally, I watch trend reports but rarely ever choose to follow them unless I think they fit with my personal style.
Fashion should be fun, not a constant chase. Whether you embrace trends or forge your own path, the key is to make choices that align with your own style and values.
