Fashion Trends

Fashion is full of trends. From platforms to ponchos, most of us can admit to falling into the pitfalls of a mindless trend now and again. In the past, looking fashionable meant following a set of rules and definitions. In order to fit in, one was required to dress within the parameters of a certain style, or abide by the rules of fashion set forth by the media. However, I believe that the styles and designs of the future will not hold to these rigid standards. In the past, these standards have set aside something that today’s style hungry can no longer live without: Personality. I believe that contemporary design is headed into a period of unpredictable originality.


Contemporary designs are beginning to reflect the public’s desire to look original. Rather than have clones upon clones of a handful of well known styles, the clothing and accessory options available in stores has grown dramatically over the years. In the past, the most popular styles were limited to a few ‘personalities’ as far as schools of dress. Emo, preppy and skater are different terms that come to mind when I think of old designs. While the stores that cater to these various tastes still exist, they have grown and no longer cater to the very specific crowds they used to. Consumers that would limit themselves to one store or another are breaking out of their shells and trying something new. The kids with closets full of polo shirts are trying on a pair of skate shoes or a studded black tank top. As the rainbow streaks of last season fade, wardrobes look less like single store catalogues and more like a fantastic hodgepodge of fashion.

In terms of clothing itself, the demand for unique pieces can be seen in the success of stores like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. With designs like no other, consumers save their hard earned cash to look like no one else, owning that one-of-a-kind piece they covet. Online shopping, away from the crowds of style following shoppers, has also changed contemporary fashion. From the comfort of your own home, there is no salesperson telling you to go for one style or another. Shoppers are no longer required to bring along a friend for moral support as they navigate shelves and racks of clothing. No approval is necessary as one browses online. Browsing turns into buying and, after a few weeks shipping time, there is a new design piece waiting on the doorstep. By taking the judgmental looks of others out of the equation, modern design with a unique twist has been able to flourish.

Design of other things, such as house wares and home décor, has also taken a turn for the more unique. More than that, consumers are worried about the conditions under which their house wares and appliances have been made. Gone are the days when one could purchase goods made with devotion to domestic labor. We have gotten over the shock of a ‘Made in China’ sticker, but what chemicals could that label harbor? With lead paint being found in things like children’s toys and food, among other alleged toxins, more and more people are opting for products made in natural environments. The green movement sparked by modern day hippie Al Gore’s documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is going strong some years later. Somewhat branched off from the initial worries of global conservation, consumers are clamoring for products bearing labels like ‘organic’. Fabric is made from recycled materials, as well as design pieces like cell phone cases and mixing bowls. If it can be reused, it is being reused by today’s generation.

Another issue influencing contemporary design is the economy. The effects of the recent economic turmoil are far reaching, with a hand in the pocket of every nation. Not a single household is unaffected by the harsh economic times. Due to the fact that more and more people are losing their expendable income, once used to buy the latest, greatest design pieces, companies have to be smart with their marketing and products. Luxury has no place in this new world of frugality. Anything more than necessary is viewed as wasteful rather than special. Instead of creating a new line of luxury items, designers are rethinking their collections and making them more affordable for Jane Doe. Gone are the days of bling and Hummers. The gas conserving Prius is king of the road, for as many miles as it can squeeze out of that gallon of expensive gas. Those expensive diamonds and other gems are being swapped, or tragically sold, for inexpensive costume pieces. Business is booming for low-end stores like Forever 21. Initially trying to bring expensive contemporary design to the masses, commercially available designs in these stores are the new dictators of fashion in the best possible way. Culture is no longer fixated on the exclusive but the original.

Contemporary design has gone through many transformations over the years. From finding its appeal to more sensual tastes, shortening skirts in the 20s to preparing for years of economic difficulty, contemporary design reflects the personalities of the times. In a world of unique individuals, style is more one-of-a-kind than ever before.