It’s easier to shop when fashion trends align with your sartorial needs and preferences. Conversely, it’s harder when trends are not your cup of tea, and work against your personal figure flattering priorities. Trends sometimes stick around for years, or even decades. That’s why I’m making a point of affordably stocking up on my favourite silhouettes and colours when they’re on trend.

Right now I’m stocking up on the following items, in this order.

1. Midi and Midaxi Dresses

The writing has been on the wall for a couple of years. Shorter hemlines are all over the runways, and there are plenty of mini and above-the-knee dresses at retail already. I am not wearing a short dress again, unless it’s worn like a tunic over pants. I love wearing dresses that are knee-covering, hitting me in the middle of my lower leg. I find the length elegant, and need the coverage for sun protection. 

Remember when it was impossible to find knee-covering dresses twelve to fifteen years ago? I went without dresses for years because they were too short. Now I’m stocking up while I can find them.

2. Lime Green, Citron and Orange Items

I can’t remember the last time acidic lime green items were in abundance, and it’s one of my favourite colours. Really hard to find. Citron items were easier to find about a decade ago, but not so much now. Dutch orange items are hard to find because orange is not a popular colour. I love wearing these sour brights, so I’m prioritizing their purchases when I see them in the right items.

3. Higher Rise Roomy Bottoms

I mentioned recently that I love the current jeans and pants trends with relaxed thigh fits, wider leg silhouettes, and, above all, higher rises. For the last seven years or so it’s been easy to find pants and jeans with 10 to 11 inch front rises in roomier silhouettes. I don’t want this trend to disappear when lower rises make a big comeback and most leg silhouettes are once again slim. Although retail is providing us with a pretty good mix of rise lengths and bottoms silhouettes at the moment, I can’t help but feel that the pendulum can swing the other way. So I’m stocking up a bit, not a lot, on bottom silhouettes that make me extra happy.

Although underwear is not as affected by trends, my new favourite bra is almost out of stock everywhere. I took it as a sign that they were discontinuing the silhouette. I bought two more and feel relieved that I now have great bras for a good long while.