Trends Come and Go but Style Always Stays
Image Courtesy: Media Timeout
What distinguishes trends from timeless fashion? Time is an obvious indication, but how does one truly achieve a timeless style while keeping up with trends? Fashion is a powerful tool of personal expression and identity. When looking at fashion evolution over the past few decades, specific trends quickly come to mind, defining the fashion landscape of each era.
Image Courtesy: Victor Plazma
From bedazzled leather jackets to neon bodysuits, the ‘80s radiated prominent flashy pieces. The ‘80s brought us legwarmers and corset belts, welcomed sequins with vibrant colors, and made it mandatory for blazers to have shoulder pads. Post-punk and new-wave music groups influenced male and female fashion in this era. This was a unique decade in which style went in wildly different directions: punk, athleisure, glam-rock, or a combination of them all at once. With an endless stream of mixed patterns and colors, fashion was more prominent than ever.
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The ’90s was the era of streetwear. Overalls with one strap down were all the rage—the baggier the better. Jeans were always two sizes too big and likely paired with a graphic tee. ‘90s fashion was also heavily inspired by popular hip-hop artists who rocked bomber jackets, gold chains, and snapback hats. What made this time so iconic was not just the clothes worn, but the personas behind the fashion. The '90s had a much more down-to-earth and urban style that was not only inspired by the popularity of grunge music but also by skate culture, which accounts for the rise of baggy clothes and streetwear.
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The 2000s birthed y2k fashion with micro miniskirts, tracksuits, and crop tops. This era was unlike the rest in its confusing but iconic pairings: jeans worn with dresses, tiny tops with low-rise jeans, and chunky belts accompanying every outfit. Accessories such as shoulder bags and bedazzled sunglasses were prevalent in this era. Fashion icons such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton thrived in this time full of femininity and fierce looks.
While trends change with each passing decade, true style stands as a timeless form of self-expression. Trends change rapidly and can be influenced by factors such as celebrities, social media, or cultural shifts. Genuine style seamlessly incorporates elements of trends to curate a wardrobe reflecting your authentic self while drawing inspiration from various eras to shape a timeless expression. As one experiments with different trends, they not only stay attuned to contemporary fashion but find pieces to discover their individual tastes, contributing to the evolution of an everlasting style. While trends are short-term, elements and inspiration drawn over the years curate a true style that embraces elements of a trend while embracing individuality. Fashion is truly subjective; there are no limitations to curating a unique style that depicts one’s confidence and inspires others.
Strike Out,
Writer: Bella Ferretti
Editor: Cristina Angee
Tallahassee