Esposito: Falling for fashion trends

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By Alexandra Esposito

Friday, September 25, 2009

Remember gaucho pants? You know, those pants that made wearers risk looking like a hippie or a pirate. The must-have piece in the ‘70s that somehow made their way back into fashion a few years ago. They were all the rage circa 2005, despite that they didn’t look good on most everyone.

The world of fashion is a complicated one. The industry can be broken down into facets such as designers, manufacturers, buyers, seamstresses, marketers and of course the fashionistas who allow the industry to thrive. But there is a dark side to the world of fashion that’s only goal is to sell, and sell as much as they can. They are the mass marketers who produce trends.

Each season a few designs are chosen to be mass-produced must haves, only to be kicked out of the style world faster than last year’s Jimmy Choos. Trends are designed for the now and are not designed to stay in style for long, forcing consumers to buy new trend pieces every year.

It’s easy to fall for a trend. When an article of clothing has been mass produced to appear in every store, it seems logical to own it. And now that the fashion merchandising industry tells you what to wear, it’s so convenient to just pick it up and put it on.

The concept of trends is flawed because it’s impossible to design something that will look good on every body type. Trends are expected to be worn by the masses, but, like all clothing styles, they don’t look good on everyone. If you wear something that doesn’t work for your body type, it’s not going to look right just because everyone else is wearing it.

Think before you buy. Before spending your money ask yourself, “Will this trend last?” Think scrunchies. Yes, it’s fun to match your hair to your shirt, but they don’t hold hair well and are a little obnoxious. It’s OK; I miss them, too.

Timelessness, versatility and functionality are characteristics of trends that last. When celebrities arrived at the 2006 Academy Awards in gowns with pockets, many viewers did not approve. But once the convenience of putting your cell phone and lip gloss in a pocket instead of having to carry around a clutch was noted, pockets began, and continue, to appear on everything from sun dresses to formal skirts.

Think carpenter jeans. Sure, they’re convenient if you’re working on a construction site. But other than that, what’s the point?

Don’t underestimate the power of a trend. Slap a trusted brand name on the most obscure thing, and it will somehow find its way into your closet. (I bet you never thought fanny packs would make a comeback.) Don’t buy something just because it’s all the rage — your money is better spent on something you actually like. Never be afraid to go against the trends; individuality is always in style.

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