The direction fashion trends take can be often surprising. Not so many years ago, a person hitting the street dressed in today’s trends would either be misunderstood or downright judged by the majority.
Although still considered inappropriate in some settings or cultures, these originally marginal styles are now not only widely accepted but becoming increasingly popular, and it’s safe to say that they have made it into the mainstream.
1. Athleisure
Back in the day, each sport had a dedicated attire, and you only wore it when actually doing the sport. Sports clothes might still carry the name of their original purpose: yoga pants, a baseball hat, basketball shorts or running shoes; but are now enthusiastically worn even by the most stubborn haters of sport.
Sweatpants and hoodies as a daily outfit reached their peak in popularity during the pandemic, but once many people realized how comfortable they were, they refused to let them go. Wearing a tracksuit in public is no longer a symbol of letting yourself go.
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However, wearing sports outfits when working or running errands is still less common in Europe than it is, for example in the U.S., where the comfortable style in everyday life blooms.
2. Clothing inspired by the past decades
Seeing the noughties fashion come back to popular stores evokes either a reaction of horror or pure joy in millennials. Especially the pieces that were considered out of fashion less than ten years ago.
One of the unwritten rules of fashion is that it keeps coming back roughly in the 20-year cycle. 20 years is a perfect time for a trend to feel nostalgic but not to be remembered too vividly and therefore be considered out.
There is even a known phenomenon of nostalgia for times before you were born, which might be the reason why retro fashion is so popular among young people, who are masters at combining pieces inspired by different eras to create a modern look.
3. Unisex clothes
Gender stereotypes are not in fashion, and gender neutral or unisex fashion is just another logical step that has been taken towards equality.
Many brands, such as Uniqlo hold a special category for unisex items, but more often you can simply find similar pieces in both the men’s and women’s sections. With these usually being comfortable and highly wearable for a day-to-day life, gender neutral styles are becoming increasingly popular and are already worn by the general public.
4. Sustainable fashion
Alarming information about the reality of the fashion industry and its carbon footprint spread at the speed of light in the era of the internet. The scandal with the Rana Plaza factory nudged both consumers and companies to follow a more ethical path when making clothes or purchasing them.
In other words, you aren’t considered a green freak if you care about the circumstances under which your garments were made. Also, businesses are becoming more aware of sustainability in general, either by moving physical branches online (seen in all sectors, from online casinos to virtual fitting rooms) or using innovative recycled or natural materials.
The fashion industry is no exception, and sustainable fashion is slowly finding its way to the masses.
5. Thrifted or second-hand clothes
In the past, you headed to the second-hand store as a solution when you were running short of money. Nowadays, buying your clothes second-hand doesn’t have anything to do with your financial situation. On the contrary, finding a designer piece at a fraction of its original price is not only considered a success but also seen as cool.
And it’s not just about the money, either. Vintage clothes and accessories have a certain added value about them, especially when they carry a personal and nostalgic feeling, like your mother’s purse from the 90’s or an original piece from your favorite jeans brand.
Apps and websites like Depop, Vestiaire Collective or Vinted allow people to buy and sell pre-loved clothes, and their popularity is rising.
Conclusion
When it comes to fashion, one thing is certain – whatever’s trending now, will be out in a couple of years. Today’s fast-changing trends are, however, pointing towards seeing clothes as a way of self-expression rather than wearing them just according to the occasion.
The diversity of contemporary fashion allows everyone to express their personality and mood, offering a wide range of styles. Some of them still seem to appeal to more people than others, finding their place in the so-called mainstream.