Why Following Fashion Trends Can Hurt Your Wardrobe

It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of trends when it comes to my wardrobe. It’s not that I’m anti all trends; occasionally, one comes along that I will buy into. It’s just that I don’t believe it’s an authentic or practical way to build a wardrobe, and here’s why.

MONEY  

Firstly, it’s expensive. It may seem like a cheap way to update your wardrobe, especially if you are buying from fast fashion brands such as Zara, H&M, and Primark, but in the long run, it’s actually more costly. When your style is predominantly trend-led, your wardrobe will date very quickly; you are looking at a maximum of six months' wear out of each item, often a lot less. You will be on a constant conveyor belt of chasing the next trend in a bid to keep up, and your wardrobe may as well have a revolving door with items constantly going in and out of it. This is a really expensive way to style yourself if you have to constantly buy new clothes to keep your look current.

ENVIRONMENT   

I don’t even think I need to explain this one. Every garment made impacts the planet negatively in one way or another. The more clothes you buy, the larger the impact. Plus, if you are moving your clothes on when they are no longer on trend, where are they going? Off-trend pieces aren’t appealing to pre-loved buyers; chances are that they are ending up in landfill.

YOU WON'T HAVE A HARDWORKING, VERSATILE WARDROBE   

If you are buying all trend-led items, chances are you will find creating outfits hard and often quite limiting. You may also feel hugely overwhelmed when you go to your wardrobe, as there is not one distinctive style but a mishmash of items that don’t all work together. You need a good range of wardrobe staples or a cohesive style of clothing in order to have a hardworking wardrobe. Chances are that you often fall out of love with your wardrobe, but this is fixed with a shopping haul of more trend-led items.

AUTHENTICITY   

When you’re following trends, I don’t believe you are dressing authentically. You are dressing to fit in or because you are feeling a bit lost in your own style, and it’s easy to wear the same as others. Your style is a way of saying who you are; it’s a way of expressing yourself without even having to speak. You are not the same as everyone else; you are you, and that’s your superpower, so why dress the same as everyone else? 

WHEN TRENDS ARE OK

Sometimes trends will come along that will spark some joy in you. By this, I mean when you see an item and you can feel the excitement rise as you know that it’s just ‘so you’. When an item or trend screams your personality and you know you will be wearing it for years, long after the trend has passed, that’s when you should jump on a trend. That’s when you’re dressing with authenticity.

HOW TO BREAK THE CYCLE   

First of all, invest in some really good basics: simple tees, jeans, and jumpers. Items that will form a good foundation for your forever wardrobe by standing the test of time. Secondly, start to discover your own personal style. Think about what you like and the items you are drawn to. Do these items match your personality, and what do they say about you? Create a Pinterest board of outfit inspiration, looks, or items that inspire you. Look for common themes in these items, such as are you someone who likes florals, floaty dresses, or structured/tailored items. This will start to give you a good sense of your personal style. Don’t hold back with it either; be bold, be brave, and be authentically you. Dressing for your own style is where the magic happens.

If you and your wardrobe are stuck in a perpetual trend-led loop and you want to break the cycle, then I would love to help. My Style Consultation will help you discover your personal style, or my Personal Shopping Experience will transform your wardrobe and see you building an authentic forever wardrobe. Contact Karen to book