Do you follow fashion weeks and current trends religiously? I’ve never been interested in what’s on trend, my personal opinion on my style has always weighed more. But I do love watching fashion shows, because they might offer surprising inspiration.
Except lately I’ve lost my interest towards the Fashion Weeks completely. Once you’ve been watching Fashion Weeks for 10 years you realize that they actually never change. The same styles are walked down the isle year after year.
The fashion industry is going through a very interesting period in history: it’s one of the most polluting industries, and its ability to regenerate itself has been in rapid decline for years. Big changes need to happen for this industry to exist.
Trend-wise I can’t see too much space for change though. A hundred years ago the way we dressed was almost opposite to today’s style. But because the way we dress was ‘freed’ decades ago, what groundbreaking is there left to bring out anymore? WE determine our own styles, not the fashion weeks.
I talk about shopping your wardrobe a lot, I even arranged a challenge around the subject end of last year. And today I’d like to give you a very solid example of why you honestly do not need to do anymore hauls clothing-wise. The styles that are on top this coming Spring/Summer season already exist in your closet.
Fashion Weeks: Solid Proof That You DON’T Need Anything New
Neon colours
Neon colours were “invented” in the 80’s and the 90’s. And ever since then you’ve seen them re-appear on the Fashion Weeks again and again, and again, and again. This year was no exception. There they were: neon dresses, tops and trousers.
This is a trend that divides opinions a lot! There are those who hate neon colours, and those who love them. If neon does not appeal to your eye, remember that it being on trend isn’t a reason to waste money on such pieces. You won’t wear them anyway.
And if you do like neon tones, I’ll bet you anything you’ve already got such garments in your wardrobe. I’ll give myself as an example: I’ve got one bag and one top in neon pink, and another bag and a top in neon yellow. I’m on trend ✔
White, flowy dresses
…Really? Wasn’t this trendy last Summer as well? And the Summer before, and before, and before, and before, aaall the way to the 1860? Yes, it was! And we’ve all got a white Summer dress in our collections already. IF it fits our personal style.
Those who do not find a girly dress appealing probably don’t have such a dress, and they don’t need one either.
Tailored suits
with shorts…wow. This trend was seen on the catwalks just 2 years ago. So, whoever found this style appealing, they’ve already got everything one needs to rock this trend.
Personally I’m not a fan of these “over-sized” shorts. I like a suit to be crisp, prestigious and demand respect. But that’s just me, I’m quite particular with certain styles anyway.
Another shorts-related trend this year seemed to be hot pants… I’m speechless. As if they weren’t on trend EVERY SUMMER!
Bare skin
Yep, show dem boobs, peeps! Low-cut cleavages and great big holes gaping around the midriff area were flying across the catwalk once more. This is another trend we just witnessed a year or 2 back, so just dig out those garments from your wardrobe again. No need to hit the shops.
Bra-tops were another big phenomena on this year’s fashion weeks. Basically, if you own a bikini, you’re covered for this. Although I was left confused where this outfit would be appropriate?
The bra-tops were paired with blazers, which I see as work garments. But I’ll bet you anything you’d be sent home to change if you turned up to the office in a bra-top ;)
Trench coats… REALLY??
I’ll just leave it there, I’m too frustrated to even discuss this SELF-EVIDENT “trend”…
Double-denim
Another obvious thing that we really didn’t need to see on this year’s fashion weeks. Denim is a super unsustainable fabric, we don’t need any more excess of it!
We’ve all got multiple pairs of jeans in our closets, and most of us have a denim jacket. Mine is an 80’s classic that I nicked from my mum’s closet, and I love it! So, make sure to wear ALL of them out before you buy any new ones.
Here’s why: making one pair of jeans uses up 2 000 gallons of water. To put that in context, that’s the amount of water an average person drinks in 2 years’ time. Denim production causes drought, which causes famine in poor countries. As if they weren’t struggling enough already.
So, do think twice: do you actually need a new pair of jeans?
Tropical florals
You’re thinking it. I’m thinking it! I’ll just splash it here:
“Florals? For Spring? GROUNDBREAKING!”
– Miranda Priestly, Devil Wears Prada
‘Nuf said! Oh, one more thing: we’ve all got multiple floral dresses and skirts in the closet, so no, you don’t need a new one.
See-through fabrics
It was 1996 and the Spice Girls were conquering the world. They made me believe I could do anything (because they did too), and in our dance show I chose to be Posh Spice. The stars were aligned that day.
I vividly remember the group photo of this superstar crew and Victoria was wearing a black, sheer crop-top. And ever since then the style has popped up at fashion weeks on a regular basis. I no longer own a top like this, and let’s be honest, I shouldn’t either. Should you?
The classic shirt
…. I just can’t…
Well, I know you’ve got one (or multiple) in your wardrobe, and so does your friend, and your relatives, and your enemies. Save money and the environment, wear the ones you have, don’t buy new.
Ruffles and fringes
I’ve got a fringe skirt. I bought it years ago from a fast fashion store sale and can only wear it during Summer. But that’s fine, I’ll wear it during Summer then.
Some of us love ruffles, others fringes, and we’ve all already got a piece that fits this style in the closet. At this point I’d like to point out I’m getting seriously bored with these repetitive “trends”, so let’s start wrapping things up…
Seventies re-run
This sums up the entirety of what the Fashion Weeks offered this year (and last year, and the year before, and the one before that…): RE-RUN! Nothing new, absolutely NOTHING!
And that means that we’re all bloody trendy!
Fashion Weeks – Conclusion
Here’s the most important lesson: the styles that were seen on the runways, but which you don’t own, YOU DON’T NEED THEM.
There was only one item in this year’s trend list that I don’t own, and that’s a vest. And no matter how ‘trendy’ it may be, I don’t need one. At the end of the day, it’s a useless piece of garment, that doesn’t go together with my personal style, or many other pieces anyway.
Don’t allow an outside institution to dictate how you dress. Especially when that institution isn’t interested in your benefit whatsoever. All they want is to stash as much of your money in their own pockets as possible. Make up your own mind and style.
Did you follow Fashion Weeks this year? Did you like the trends for the coming S/S? I’d love to hear which was your favourite trend this year? Comment below ♥
Follow me on Instagram and use #styleoutlandish to showcase your style! I’m always on the lookout for outfit inspiration.
