Speed-Dating Fashion Trends
Fashion fads - and microtrends - are anything but new. Whether it’s pops of colored eye shadow and teased hair from the 80’s or (prepare yourself) chevron everything from the early 2010’s, styles have come and gone - as is the way of fashion. We look back at trends from decades ago with a nostalgic eye, but most past trends are just that - in the past.
However, in recent years, microtrends are putting an even bigger emphasis on the micro element of their name. Trends are becoming shorter and shorter - no longer a year-long affair, but now a seasonal, month-long, or even week-long style to pursue. Staple pieces are becoming less of a closet necessity in favor of trendy, statement pieces. Take a stroll down memory lane as we highlight a few of these microtrends from the past couple years:
Y2K Resurgence
In 2021 especially, Gen Z-ers everywhere popped on their “sunnies”, wore rhinestone-bedazzled tank tops, accessorized their hair with claw clips or butterfly clips, and revived the looks that premiered when they were only toddlers.
THE ITEMS:
The butterfly top - It took social media by storm during 2021, when worn by celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo and due to its colorful sequined look that’s a direct callback to 2000’s style.
Chunky rings - Colorful and funky in pattern, the perfect statement accessory to any outfit.
Phone charms - More of an accessory microtrend than fashion one, beads of all sorts string together to make a perfect phone-customizer (reminiscent of the charms that decorated flip phones in the 2000’s).
Unique Patterns and Prints
The last few years have been majorly about standout-fashion - achieved in part by bright colors but also by mixing and matching patterns and prints.
THE ITEMS:
Cow print - With music stars like Kacey Musgraves and Lil Nas X showing off western-inspired looks and demonstrating how the looks could be modernized, cow print in particular became popular.
Patchwork tops - With the seams obviously stitched on the outside of the shirt rather than the inside, this style provided a slightly edgier twist on a classic.
Fuzzy purses - Small over-the-shoulder purses in this recent microtrend featured animal print and a distinctly fuzzy material - creating a soft look despite the louder pattern.
New Twists on Old Favorites
Classic items that used to be viewed as strictly feminine or masculine are now being worn regardless of gender identity and used to give (or remove) an edge from outfits. These classic items are also being styled in new ways to completely transform outfits.
THE ITEMS:
Sweater vests - Gaining popularity in the 1970’s UK, these used to be strictly associated with golfers (or dads) but are now making a comeback - particularly cable knits, argyle patterned vests, and even cropped sweater vests.
Corset tops - In 2020, these were a popular item to add a touch of femininity to an outfit; now, the signature boned structure of a corset has found its way into many tops sold at popular stores.
Tennis skirts - Much like the sweater vest with golfers, these pieces have transformed from being associated only with tennis players to now becoming a fashion statement for all.
The Effect
These microtrends, as they become more mainstream, are mass-produced by fast fashion brands to meet demand. Fast fashion refers to the practice of replicating high-fashion designs, producing them at low material and labor costs, and selling them at those low costs at retail stores... all before the design goes out of style, hence the “fast” terminology. Popular fast fashion brands can exist either in person or entirely online, with popular brands including H&M, Forever 21, Zara, and the online giant Shein.
Within the fast fashion industry, there are several ethical issues at hand. In order to keep prices so low, brands must reduce material costs (resulting in poorly made clothes) and labor costs, resulting in exploitation of factory workers overseas who are mostly women and children. Even worse, most fast fashion companies don’t readily disclose this information to the public, resulting in scandals being uncovered. A 2021 study found that 3 in 5 fast fashion items end up in a landfill within a year of when they are purchased. The fashion industry is a major contributor to emissions that prove devastating to the environment - nearly one tenth of all greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the industry.
What Can You Do?
Shoppers, at an individual level, have their own opportunities to stop the explosion of fast fashion. If we each do our own part, this social and environmental epidemic might soon become a microtrend of its own. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Don’t purchase as many fast fashion items. Don’t worry, we get it, those prices and the element of convenience are tempting. But even just making the choice to purchase a few items from Shein every so often rather than doing extensive hauls on a regular basis, it can make a huge difference. Instead of only shopping at fast fashion stores, try to seek out small businesses in person or online so you can shop sustainably and support your community - TikTok is a huge platform for many women and minority-owned businesses!
Donate clothing items you don’t wear anymore. Rather than throwing old pieces away, donate your old items. This gives your clothes a chance to end up with someone who will wear them rather than piling up in a landfill - and it helps you out too! It can clear up closet space, go to a good cause, and even make you some money (if you’re donating to resale shops like Plato’s Closet and Uptown Cheapskate)!
Invest in long-term pieces. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in trends and fads on occasion, but it’s a better investment to spend your money on classic, timeless pieces that can be worn yearly. Having lots of timeless items makes your select few trendy items really pop when you wear them!
Do your research! If sustainable fashion and environmental/social causes are important to you, consider doing the research when choosing where to shop from. If you’re a more informed shopper, it’s easier to find pieces you love and feel good about when it comes to what’s going on behind the scenes at that store!
Written by: Bella Correa, Photography: Angel Frando, Design: Josh Carley, Social Media: Ferrell Tugman