It is believed that fashion trends have become so numerous that they may no longer carry as much weight in our wardrobes. Photo: AFP
They have made and unmade fashion for decades, before becoming ubiquitous, if not invasive, in recent months.
Fashion trends are everywhere, so much so that they're almost nowhere, if not floating around in the form of a hashtag in the virtual space. All of which raises the question of their real relevance, especially at the dawn of a new year in which self-expression and a more reasoned approach to fashion are expected to move to the forefront.
Trend is a word that's now used for anything and everything, describing micro-crazes straight out of social networks, Netflix series, and other virtual worlds.
It's no longer a question of following the seasonal inspirations set by major fashion houses, and the most established influencers, but to give in to whims and impulses that gradually just kill the said trends.
And this could be reinforced in the coming months as consumers look to a more committed and responsible kind of fashion, and to assert their own personality with a more singular style, far from the trends advocated by TikTok.
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So many micro-trends
Before the era of social networks and streaming – and, more precisely, of TikTok and Netflix – trends were already numerous, but seemed to be more or less under control.
Originating on the runways of New York, London, Milan or Paris, they emerged, then boomed, driven by public figures, on red carpets or in the street, finishing their frantic race into our closets for – at least – one season.
This cycle was already criticized by proponents of a more reasoned and restrained approach to fashion, but it at least helped set the pace, often accompanying large-scale societal changes.
But that was then. Now, trends – or should we say micro-trends – pop up here, there and everywhere, at a rate of one, two or even three per week.
A crazy pace that makes them all the more short-lived, and reduces their impact.
Barbiecore, balletcore, cottagecore, goblincore, kidcore, normcore, regencycore, Gorpcore and fetishcore are just some of the "trends" that have set the tone in 2022, scoring billions of views on TikTok.
All of which is enough to make users keep clicking in search of new things or ideas, determined to be the forerunners in the field.
And that's without counting on the influence of television shows on fashion, from the romantic comedy Emily In Paris to historical dramas like The Crown and Bridgerton, which are also the source of dozens of fashion inspirations, from corsets to berets, long gloves, wigs and other anachronistic accessories that the average person will probably never wear.
The trends follow each other thick and fast, bringing something new – or almost – at a frantic pace, to the point of becoming meaningless, if not to signify a pronounced taste for the fleeting and a diversity of styles.
How the 'weird girl' aesthetic is the anti-trend trend
The proliferation of trends is such that a new trend – possibly the last straw – has come about to call out the phenomenon.
Still following?
The "weird girl" aesthetic – also born on social networks, and with no less than 140 million views on TikTok – stands in opposition to this over-abundance of micro-trends by inviting everyone to adopt a unique and singular style.
The objective is not to follow trends, not to embrace the established codes, but to give free rein to your imagination and creativity, without worrying about what people will think.
According to the global fashion search engine Lyst, the "weird girl" look is even the fashion aesthetic of the year on TikTok.
Clearly going off-piste, and allowing people to approach fashion differently, this umpteenth trend could reflect a certain fatigue among social network users in the face of this non-stop influx of all kinds of fashion trends.
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Self-expression and the climate emergency
Still, trends – those that emerge from the runways – don't come about by chance, and are the result of in-depth studies, most often reflecting major societal changes.
Hence the fact that they originate not on one, but on several runways, and simultaneously in the four fashion capitals.
Indispensable for the entire industry, from luxury to ready-to-wear, they set the tone for the season, even if some critics still consider this pace too fast. Indeed, this could be detrimental in the near future, due to the new environmental issues that the sector must address.
And with slower fashion comes slower manufacturing, more likely encompassing notions of sustainability and eco-responsibility – terms in total opposition to the very principle of trends.
In addition to this general weariness in keeping up with too many trends, in the coming months, we can expect to see their impact diminish, with a return to a more basic wardrobe.
And this phenomenon is reinforced by people's need to express a more individual style – more in tune with their personality, rather than just the trends of the moment – emphasising not the expression of a predefined inspiration, but of oneself.
Both of these factors could contribute to the demise of fashion trends, or, perhaps, to a return to the more classic, broader seasonal trends.
It could even drive the emergence of these micro-trends in another world – the metaverse – where users could express all their inspirations and desires exactly as they wish. – AFP Relaxnews
