"Does 2013's style trend spell end of trendy?"

Angie's guidance and the YLF forum conversations certainly bear this out: "We're going to spend more time thinking about what it means to buy something, and we're much more engaged about what our clothing says as our signature," she says.

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/does.....nance.html

Some more quotes from the article:

"NEW YORK (AP) — The biggest trend in fashion for the new year might just be that there isn't anything especially trendy.

Based on runway and retailer previews, the must-have look in 2013 could be menswear-inspired and tailored, or ladylike chic. Colors are bold and bright, or graphic black and white; fabrics are slinky and silky, or textured and tough.
And pick your silhouette: There are both short sexy minis and long flowing maxis to be had. Check off dressed-up shorts, jumpsuits and slinky mermaid gowns."

"Remember the days when a new fashion season meant a new must-have and a corresponding closet purge? Out with boy-cut jeans, in with skinnies. Out with skinnies, in with bell-bottoms."

"One style might be more "in" than another, but nothing is quite "out."

"Of course, the Internet has played a huge role in this. Shoppers see new styles more or less at the same time as the retailers and editors sitting in the front row, so fashion has become more democratized. There's still a role for insiders, but it's more as style interpreters instead of final arbiters.

Stores have a much bigger selling space with their websites, so they don't have to choose between the wide-leg pants or the skinny ones. And consumers don't have to wait for the big deliveries a few times a year. There's always a rolling supply of new items — and things headed for clearance racks.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing for fashion."

I think this is a great time to enjoy and be interested in style and fashion.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Woohoo! Bring on the variety!

lyn*

(website)

Whoo! I love "do your own thing" ... then everyone can have as much freedom (or as little freedom) as they desire

Karie

Great article, thanks for sharing!

deb

Wonderful article. Thank you for sharing!

cheryl

I love that anything goes! I was just talking to a friend yesterday about how much I love being able to get any type of jean I want. Flares, bootcut, straight, skinny, jeggins, dark, light, colored. If you want it you can find it. It's a beautiful thing.

Marley

Thanks for sharing this article! I love the "anything goes" philosophy!

Another supporter of more personal style than heavy handed trends blanketing all the stores.

catgirl

I find this fascinating. I totally support the idea of personal style and love a variety of availablity, but what does this do for those who crave the cutting edge? I'm less and less so, but I can see how it could be an issue. Or it could make people solidity their personal choices without having to panic that what they love will not be around, or doesn't exist at the moment.

Jaime

I didn't buy it when Fukuyama said it was the end of history and I do not believe that this is the end of trends either. Fashion is more accessible and perhaps there is more to choose from, but it is quite clear that, for the fashion conscious, everything will NOT go.

I do agree it is a great time to be interested in fashion because of the access to blogs and merchandise on the internet and I love that!

Anonymous

Claudia, great post. I loved your excerpt and I'll have to go read the article in its entirety. I'm trying to think of a down side to all this, and I really can't come up with one. I'm all for variety!

rae

I also wonder what effect this will have for the people who LIKE to be trendy and part of a group. Perhaps local or regional trends will still emerge - interesting to watch which ones the people choose after so long of having trends dictated.

Deborah

Great article. I like the idea of the consumers having more choice and say about we/they are wearing so to speak. I agree the Internet has made things more accessible, including fashion and it allows us to make our own minds up about what we want to wear. I don't think this will change the fact that trends will still come and go. I see many trends directed towards young girls who are not yet mature enough to have developed a sense of their own style and still need to "fit in" by looking like all there friends:) A lot of these trends are also cheaply mass produced for that market specifically.

ManidipaM

It should be interesting to watch what comes out of brands that specialize in of-the-minute looks, like Zara, in this context.

Personally, I relate to what Una said about not needing to panic over availability of preferred styles --- I, for one, will find it a relief to not have to stock up desperately and risk datedness, or do without new things because I don't like this season's colours and silhouettes.

Day Vies

I love the idea of choice -- I think it allows everyone a little luxury -- which to me means the ability to have what you want when you want it. Consumers for the most part don't have to wait until their favorite items are "in" before they can buy/replace them.

Another point I wanted to address is that the fashionable are not always trendy. Anyone who is put together with a balance of elements (color pattern texture and shine) will always command my attention and praise. It has always been more appealing to me to see different interpretations of the same trend. I love creativity.

jenanded

Yes like all media things with the internet, while more is available we will still rely on a few to make comment on interpretations and meanings because the world is too big for us to interpret it all. So that is great, we can take what works for us but there will still be some interpretations of how to wear it I would suspect... will be interesting to watch!!!

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