Why I No Longer Shop All Fashion Trends

As someone who has always been interested in fashion, spotting trends has always been something I enjoyed. I enjoy reading magazines, following style icons I admire, and browsing Pinterest for fashion inspiration. However, with the onset of social media and our fast-paced society, the fashion cycle has taken a big turn.

Historically, fashion designers would release two seasonal collections - a spring/summer and an autumn/winter release. Now, with the onset of fast fashion, retailers release as often as weekly collections. This new way of communicating fashion is one way that your wardrobe can quickly become overwhelming.

Throughout college, I embraced a mindset of following as many fashion trends as I could; I went through fast fashion pieces rapidly. Being a fashion major, I felt the pressure to be the most stylish person in the room. What I didn’t realize is that I could be the most stylish in the room in a different way - by having a clear, defined personal style - and that didn’t require spending tons of money trying to keep up with all that was popular and trendy.

I began to feel this overwhelming feeling - something that became very unattainable. I couldn’t afford to shop every trend - and I didn’t have the closet space to do so. I decided it was an important time to make a change in the mindset of how I dressed and how I consumed clothing. I began researching the concept of a capsule wardrobe and recalled what I learned in school about the dangers of the fast fashion industry. I began implementing some of the practices described in my other posts and honing in on a more intentional way of consuming and participating in fashion. In my journey to a capsule wardrobe, I allow myself some room to test fashion trends. However, I try to find these more fashion-forward pieces second-hand on sites such as Poshmark. This allows me to be more mindful and conscious about these pieces that may be less of long-term investments, while still avoiding fast-fashion retailers.

Now, this is not to say that you cannot participate in fashion trends - there is definitely a way to incorporate trends into your wardrobe in a sustainable way. However, since defining my style in a more clear way, I no longer feel the pressure to test every fashion trend I see; rather, I can pick and choose a trend or two to test each season. It is not only more sustainable, but it feels much more freeing, and less overwhelming to not feel the pressure to represent every fashion trend.

— Kenzie