Fashion has evolved beyond simple attire into a medium of expressing our identities. Today, clothing choices are influenced by a variety of factors and a key aspect of the fashion industry is change. It can be prompted by new music, videos, books, movies or television, however, is it possible to truly understand the mechanisms behind a fashion trend?
A fashion trend is classified as a specific style or expression distributed over a population in a given period of time. It is often transitionary, since countless variables impact them, including climate, creative explorations, or political, economic, social, and technical influences. Fashion trends nowadays follow a cyclical pattern, drawing ideas from earlier eras and reworking them to suit the tastes of the present. For example, Y2K fashion gained popularity once again through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and people everywhere were dressed in baggy pants, cropped t-shirts and bejeweled accessories. From chunky sneakers to scrunchies, every fashion trend makes a comeback at some point- it’s just up to the people whether it lasts or not. A decade ago, clothing trends that were ‘in Vogue’ are now deemed cliched and ‘cringe’. Just take a look at skinny jeans- a staple in every millennial’s closet yet a taboo in Gen Z households.
As a result of this phenomenon, trend analysis has become a crucial profession in the fashion industry. Designers, writers, models and even photographers rely on these tastemakers to predict the next big trend in fashion. First, analysts evaluate the patterns in consumer behavior to see which styles are favored by the public. Based on this information gleaned throughout the season, designers develop spring and fall collections. However their role isn’t limited to only producing fan-favorite items. Designers need to come up with fresh new ideas too, which can depend on the predictions made by trend analysts about which styles will make a comeback. Eventually, neighborhood malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques catch on to the upcoming fashion trends and create their own selections. While some of these collections remain unique to a specific region, others start to spread around the world after they get picked up by celebrities or through mass media.
Even though the idea of #trending and wearing the latest design has become the ultimate goal, it is imperative that you make sure that the style suits you and is a reflection of who you truly are. Because at the end of the day, every single trend will fail if it loses its originality and uniqueness.
