Just as the years come and go, so do fashion trends. The 2023 year brought with it many new trends: from brands to hairstyles and clothing styles. What people fail to see is the harm that temporary trends can bring.
Trends can be trivial. They can symbolize society at their time and have existed just as long as clothing has. Dating back to the Regency Era fashion, the slimmer, less extravagant gowns represent the financial state of Great Britain. They were amidst the war over the colonies; therefore, fabric was limited and expensive.
The trends today mirror a similar reasoning. Nowadays, they seem to pass by quicker than ever. This past year has seen its share of trends come and go; however, they should be kept timeless.
Many are not aware that there are consequences to hasty clothing purchases that will only be worn once or twice in the span of one season. Not only can it be financially despairing to an individual, but it can contribute to the large mass of clothing waste that just continues to build up. While trends contribute to waste, they can also be utilized to prevent it.
A trend that prospered in 2023 was thrifting and purchasing from sustainable clothing brands. The trend embodies the concerns and priorities of the current society. As climate change becomes a much more discussed topic, the dedication to prevent it has taken to fashion. Trendsetters doubled as activists to bring sustainable fashion into this year’s trends.
A catalyst of this sustainable fashion movement is Emma Watson. Her many upcycled clothing articles have made appearances in some of her iconic looks. Being in the spotlight so often, Watson, along with a handful of other celebrities, keep the importance and presence of sustainability alive.
Trends which have furthered this movement can be present in one’s wardrobe already. This past year, neutrals have made appearances in the outfits of influencers. Whether in the form of solids or stripes, a neutral color palette is timeless and goes with just about anything. Purchasing neutral clothing articles is a good investment that can be actively reused in outfits.
A brand that gained much popularity for its high quality, comfort, sustainability and variety of styles are UGG boots. The company has highlighted its mission to recycle material using environmentally conscious practices. Their products’ high quality and comfort make the shoes long-lasting. Their products can last their owner a long time, making the money all worth it.
Certain clothing pieces, when made to have high sustainability, can be staple pieces in a wardrobe. Jeans are an example of this. When in a timeless style and bought at high quality, such jeans will last a long time, giving their consumer no need to purchase lower-quality, trendy jeans which would become unwanted in no time.
Trends, being both harmful and not, must be utilized in a way that will benefit our world in the future. The lack of attention to sustainability in the past years has been crucial in contributing to clothing waste, and the only way to combat fast fashion trends is to make environmentally conscious ones.
