Fashion and clothing trends pop up fast and often go out of style just as quickly. However, fashion is cyclical, and understanding that fact can help you make sustainable decisions and avoid overconsumption. Here are three trends that are expected to be popular this Spring season, as well as their fashion history and origin. Remember to always make sure you’re buying clothes that you like and to avoid impulse purchasing; this will help limit waste and allow you to have clothes you are excited to wear!
The first trend I noticed gaining traction was gingham. Vox reports that this pattern was originally created in Malaysia or France, but it evolved from stripes to checks as it traveled the world’s trading markets in the 1600s. It became mainstream in the 20th century by celebrities like Brigitte Bardot and Doris Day. This year, gingham will return as it did in the 2010s, the 1950s, and the 1960s, but will probably take on a more modern silhouette.
As a part of the uprising “Americana” or “cowboy” aesthetic, as shown by artists Beyoncé and Lana del Rey announcing country-themed albums, there’s likely to be an increase in pieces like cowboy boots, suede, and double denim according to the website Tecovas. These are all clothing items made popular by their functionality in the Wild West, or the American Frontier–hence the term “Americana”. Fabrics and styles like these were very popular in the 1940s and 50s. There was a slight resurgence in the 2010s as well.
Cosmopolitan magazine also predicts the rebirth of fringe. Fashion Gone Rogue, in an article on the embellishment, says that it was created in ancient Mesopotamia, but became popular in the 1920s and again in the 50s with celebrities like Elvis Presley wearing it. In the 1970s, fringe fashion took inspiration from Native American clothing. Fringe can be seen as an extension of the “cowboy” trend, although it’s expected to manifest in ways more similar to the 1920s era.
Taking inspiration from modern styles, color palettes, and fabrics, these three trends will be all over social media and clothing stores this Spring. If any of these styles sound like things you want to wear, go ahead! But don’t throw out your old clothes just yet–you never know what trends will return and you should keep items you like, regardless of what’s popular. As we’ve seen, clothing is always taking inspiration from itself. It’s better to be happy and comfortable with your own style than to obsess over relevance.
