Within the last few years, trends have gone on and off of the market quickly. Flare leggings, cargo pants, and coastal grandmother aesthetic are all examples of short lived trends that people were quick to hop on - these are called microtrends. It is exhausting to keep up with what style is in and what styles are out. The contribution that microtrends have on the earth may be even more stressful. Here is a guide to understanding microtrends, the impact they have on our society, and developing a personal style to avoid being overwhelmed by microtrends.
1. The Environment and Waste
Microtrends have the ability to have a negative effect on us and our environment. Most of the time, the cheap clothing that we are buying is created with materials that are not meant to last. Hence, why they are affordable and go out of style so quickly. Consumers and businesses both get instant gratification from this exchange - this is the idea of fast fashion.
However, the amount of waste from microtrends is becoming more and more detrimental for our environment. If you take a look at the information tags on a cheap top from amazon, you are most likely going to see “polyester” which is a synthetic fabric. When discarded, it is broken down into microplastics that are harmful to our ecosystem and wildlife. Which, in return, is harmful to us.
2. Lack of Creativity
Microtrends are also contributing to a lack of creativity within ourselves. Fashion was created on self expression, and how people can use it to communicate their thoughts and demonstrate their personalities. You may notice that fashion designers create designs that fit their personal style but are different from other designers’ work. This is what makes fashion fun and creative. Microtrends take that away.
3. Developing a Personal Style
Developing a personal style can combat the overwhelmingness of microtrends, and there are several great ways to do that.
- Pay attention to how certain pieces make you feel when you are in the store or see them on other people. Does it speak to a part of you?
- What aesthetics are you interested in?
- Work on understanding your body and what cuts and styles compliment your shape.
- Pay attention to your routine and the places you go often. If you do not go clubbing, it is
- Another great way to shop for both sustainable and practical clothing is to look at vintage
- Pay attention to patterns that you like, and colors that compliment your skin tone. Pay attention to how certain fabrics feel. Some people don’t mind cotton leggings, I could never get on that trend.
- Do research on different “eras” of clothing that you may be interested in. For example, the 90’s. Do you like 90’s RnB style or 90’s “Rachel from Friends" style? This can help you decide what fits you best and create designs using examples.
4. Just be Yourself!
It is helpful to have inspiration from others and use other people’s styles to develop your own. The quickness of trends, however, can be exhausting to follow. Which is why it may be easier to
start developing a style that is personal to you, so you’re saving more money and never have to worry about going “out of style”.
It may seem impossible to escape microtrends considering that they are all over our feeds, all of our friends have the same top, and because the prices are unbeatable. However it feels good to develop a style that looks good on you, feels like a way of expression, and costs more but lives for a long time in your closet. It feels good to get attached to a piece because it reminds you of you.
Written by Avia Banks
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