Fashion: The infinite and limitless highway of trends, style and fads – and we’re all riding it. Though trends come and go, there are some that gain more attention than others, both deserving and undeserving. Based solely on my personal opinion, a few of these trends will be categorized into such groups. But beware and take my word with a grain of salt – just wear what makes you happy.
On the positive end of the spectrum, we have the styles I would deem “underrated.” These include dress pants, “babydoll” tops, belts and heavily layered jewelry.
Starting off strong, dress pants are super chic and easy to dress up or down. If you think leggings are comfy, you haven’t met a good pair of wide-leg dress pants!
I like pairing dress pants with babydoll tops as well. This term has gained popularity on Pinterest and other social media platforms, but they’re flowy tops that flare out to create a “feminine” cut. They give a more mature twist on a nostalgic 90’s look.
Getting into accessorizing, bulky vintage belts can put the lock on a stylish outfit. Tying it all together, their unique and emphasized buckles add another dimension to your regular, old blue jeans (or whatever else you’re planning on wearing) by adding accentuation and creating a good focal point, as well as providing obvious security. A good jewelry arrangement is also always appreciated. Both show some care in an outfit, giving you and the outfit a clean, put-together impression.
On the other hand, we have our overrated trends. We’re talking “name brands,” Birkenstock shoes, camo, shirts with a location and big band tees.
Most of the time, name-brand clothing seems like one big scam. One clothing piece for the price of three, and most of the time, the three are just as good of quality. I especially don’t get the judgment some people receive for making the more economical choice.
Birkenstocks, as they just so happen, are one of these overhyped brands. Some are okay, but there is a recent emerging model (called the “Boston Footbeds”) that I’ve been seeing everywhere, and not for good reason. If you aren’t familiar with this pair, just imagine one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs, and you’ll get a pretty good idea.
With the rise of casual streetwear, camo has been making a huge comeback as well. But we’re not hunters, and this isn’t the military, so I’m not sure where all the support for this trend is coming from. The camo colors aren’t super flattering, and camo is definitely more functional than fashionable.
Next up, we have a trend that’s been apparent for a while now – shirts with a place/location written on them. Though the hype is dying down, I believe these shirts should be solely designated as souvenirs. It’s a little funny to see people representing a place they’ve never even been to before.
And last, but certainly not least, we have band tees. These can be great and telling of character, but we’ve all seen people wearing a band’s merchandise before ever listening to one of their songs. Bands and music in general, are meant to be remembered for their sound and message, not their shirt and tote bag designs.
All in all, fashion is meant to be enjoyed and expressive; everyone’s identity and mindset is apparent in how they dress and carry themselves. Trends are not just progressive/evolutionary in society, but in the development of our own styles as well. Trends are fun to partake in, but you should learn to adorn your body in whatever makes it feel confident, and don’t let trends dictate what you wear!
