Written By : Hannah Corbett
Out with the old and in with the new. That’s how the saying goes, and it stands to be true, especially when talking about fashion trends. One minute, we’re draped in cheetah print and fur coats, channeling opulence and untamed glamour. The next? We’re pulling on chunky knits, brooding by rocky shores, my hunter boots from 2015 and calling it “fisherman aesthetic.” Boho chic is making yet ANOTHER comeback, Isabel Marant is commanding the spotlight (again), and “castlecore” has become a word I actually use in a sentence.
How did we get here? More importantly, how are we supposed to keep up? Is it even possible to embrace all these trends without losing sight of who we are? Let’s digest.
First things first: let’s make it so that we all know that trends are trends for a reason, they’re supposed to come and go. The fashion cycle has always been quick, but now it’s hurtling forward that we cannot make it functional. Trends used to last entire decades, and now they last 6 months? A year? Every week, there’s a new aesthetic vying for our attention, leaving us with two choices—jump on or get left behind. But here’s what I think: keeping up with every microtrend isn’t just exhausting; it’s unsustainable. The trick isn’t to follow every fleeting idea but to understand the “why” behind them. When you know what resonates with you, you can stop playing catch-up and start dressing for yourself.
Some trends are worth embracing, while others are best admired from a distance. That’s where “slow trends” come in. Unlike the flashier, fast-burning trends, slow trends have staying power. They’re rooted in practicality or timeless appeal, making them feel less like a costume and more like a wardrobe staple. It’s all about asking yourself, “Will I love this next year?” If the answer is no, let it float by.
Once you’ve identified what speaks to you, the next step is to make it your own. Forget about trying to nail a trend head-to-toe; that to me is like I might as well be wearing a costume. Instead, pull the elements that work for you and blend them into your wardrobe. If you love the drama of castlecore but don’t want to live in a fantasy novel because you have to go to your corporate job—try incorporating puff-sleeve blouses or rich textures into your everyday looks. Or, if the fisherman aesthetic feels too rugged, or literally not in season since its January, opt for just the sweater and leave the rubber boots for actual fishermen. Fashion is about interpretation, not imitation.
Something else that's been on my mind is the elusive concept of personal style. In a world dominated by fast-changes, it might feel impossible to define your own look. But personal style is simply the throughline connecting all the pieces that make you feel like yourself. Start with what you know. The clothes you’ve had forever that you know you’ll keep on wearing for years to come. I think with trends, it’s important to just change the way you wear your clothes, instead of changing your clothes all together.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, consider this: the most stylish people you know, don’t follow trends—they set them. Pay attention to the cultural mood. Right now, it’s all about sustainability, escapism, and comfort. These themes are shaping the aesthetics bubbling up. Instead of copying what’s trending, why not reinterpret it?
At the end of the day, the moment you put your spin on it, it stops being a trend. It becomes a look. And that is forever in fashion.