What Is A Fashion Trend and Why Trendy Fashion Matters So Much

Fashion trends are temporary movements in style, rooted in the Old English word ‘trendan’, meaning ‘to revolve’.

These fleeting preferences for clothing, garments, footwear, accessories, and outfits reflect societal shifts and individual expressions of identity.

Fashion trends are characterised by their temporality, lasting less than a fashion season, which distinguishes them from enduring styles.

They exert significant cultural influence, shaping and being shaped by subcultures, values, and societal norms.

Interestingly, trends exhibit geographic variability—a trend in London may not necessarily catch on in Tokyo, highlighting the importance of location-specific styling.

Fashion Trend Origin

Fashion trends often originate from various sources. Trendsetters and influencers play a crucial role, drawing inspiration from music, art, films, or socio-political events.

Celebrities wield considerable influence, with their personal style choices swiftly adopted by the masses.

Runway shows continue to be a wellspring of trends, with high-fashion presentations trickling down to mainstream retail.

Additionally, street style has become increasingly important, giving rise to organic trends arising from urban subcultures.

Fashion Trends vs Fashion Styles

It’s crucial to differentiate between fashion trends and fashion styles.

While trends are temporary by nature, fashion styles depict specific ways of dressing belonging to well-defined communities and subcultures.

Examples include Punk, Preppy, and Goth, each with its unique aesthetics.

Fashion trends revolve around time-bound ‘trendy’ clothes, garments, footwear, or accessories.

In contrast, historical fashion styles (not to be confused with personal fashion styles) are built on outfits with similar aesthetics, reflecting past subcultures’ beliefs, values, and lifestyles.

Consider the example of everyone wearing pink polo shirts with jeans and loafers, copying the look of a character in a recent film about American high society.

This would be a temporary fashion trend, albeit one that replicates elements of the Preppy style characteristic of the longstanding Preppy subculture.

Fashion Trends vs Fashion Fads

Another term often used in conjunction with fashion trends is ‘fashion fads’.

The word ‘fad’ derives from the 16th-century term ‘faddle’, meaning trifle, or a thing of little value or importance. While similar, fads and trends have distinct differences.

Fashion trends typically last for a season and are sometimes recorded in history for their impact and symbolism.

Fashion fads, on the other hand, have shorter lifespans, briefly garnering attention before fading into oblivion.

Examples of Fashion Fads

Examples of fashion fads in menswear include:

1. The ‘Mullet’ Haircut – Popularised in the 1980s, this ‘business in the front, party in the back’ hairstyle quickly became a cultural phenomenon before falling out of favour.

2. Slap Bracelets – These snap-on wristbands were a brief craze in the early 1990s, worn by men and women alike before disappearing almost as quickly as they arrived.

3. JNCO Jeans – These extremely wide-legged jeans had a moment in the late 1990s but quickly became a cautionary tale of fashion excess.

4. Livestrong Bracelets – These yellow silicone wristbands were ubiquitous in the mid-2000s but fell from grace along with their namesake.

5. Shaped Facial Hair – Intricate facial hair designs, such as the ‘monkey tail beard’, occasionally go viral on social media but rarely last beyond their 15 minutes of fame.

Notable Fashion Trends

Logomania

The Logomania trend flourished in the late ’90s and re-emerged in the mid-2010s, coinciding with a booming global economy where conspicuous consumption became a public declaration of social status.

Originating in luxury fashion, the trend was championed by houses like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Fendi, which produced garments featuring oversized logos as central visual elements.

For men, this manifested in logo-emblazoned t-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories.

Brands like Supreme capitalised on this trend, creating a cult following around their box logo designs.

The appeal lay in the overt display of brand affiliation and the perceived status that came with it.

Athleisure

The Athleisure trend became an overnight sensation in an increasingly busy, health-conscious, and comfort-seeking Western society.

Peaking around the mid-2010s, athleisure presented an amalgamation of athletic wear designed for exercise and casual clothing for general use.

This trend broke down barriers between clothing categories.

For men, this meant incorporating technical fabrics and sportswear silhouettes into everyday wardrobes.

Joggers paired with blazers, performance sneakers worn with suits, and technical jackets layered over button-down shirts became acceptable, even fashionable, in various settings.

Athleisure’s influence extended beyond casual wear, infiltrating workplaces and even formal events.

It reflected a shift in societal values towards comfort and functionality without sacrificing style.

Normcore

Contrastingly, the Normcore fashion trend emerged in the early 2020s as a counter-narrative to the ostentation of previous decades.

Originating in Western urban centres, Normcore arose from a collective yearning for simplicity and authenticity, pushed by the pressure to stand out.

For men, Normcore popularised everyday apparel. Unbranded straight-leg jeans, plain crew-neck t-shirts, and minimalist sneakers became the epitome of the movement.

Unlike Logomania, which celebrated the recognition of status-symbol labels, Normcore turned its gaze inward, centring on personal comfort and the notion of universal attire.

The trend found its footing amid a societal undercurrent that began questioning the constant spectacle of consumerism.

As values leaned towards authenticity, mindfulness, and eliminating unnecessary complexities, Normcore’s straightforward approach to clothing became the fashion world’s response.

Gorpcore

‘Gorpcore’, a portmanteau of ‘gorp’ (trail mix) and ‘normcore’, emerged as a significant trend in the late 2010s.

It saw men embracing outdoor and technical wear in urban settings, blurring the lines between function and fashion.

Key items that defined the Gorpcore trend included technical jackets from brands like Arc’teryx, performance trainers from Salomon, and insulated puffers from The North Face.

The trend gained momentum when style icons such as Frank Ocean and Shia LaBeouf were spotted sporting these utilitarian pieces in everyday contexts.

Gorpcore’s appeal lay in its practicality and comfort, resonating with men seeking versatile wardrobe options that could transition seamlessly from outdoor adventures to city life.

This trend also reflected a growing awareness of sustainability and durability in fashion, as consumers began to prioritise well-made, long-lasting garments over fast fashion alternatives.

Global Perspectives on Fashion Trends

While some fashion trends seem to sweep across the globe simultaneously, many are shaped by regional influences and cultural nuances.

Understanding these geographical variations provides insight into the complex world of men’s fashion and not only.

Regional Trend Differences

Fashion trends often manifest differently across regions.

For instance, the athleisure trend in New York might lean towards sleek, minimalist designs in muted colours, while in Tokyo, it could incorporate loud colours, local patterns and avant-garde silhouettes.

Similarly, streetwear in London might draw heavily from its music scene, while in Seoul, it might blend with more traditional Korean elements.

Cultural Influences

Local cultures play a significant role in shaping trend adoption.

In some Middle Eastern countries, traditional dress like the thobe remains a staple, influencing how Western trends are incorporated.

In Japan, the culture of kawaii (cuteness) affects even men’s fashion, leading to trends that might seem out of place in Western markets.

Economic Factors

A region’s economic situation greatly impacts trend adoption.

In emerging markets, fast fashion trends might dominate due to affordability, while in more affluent areas, luxury and sustainability-focused trends might take precedence.

The ‘luxury streetwear’ trend, for example, gained more traction in cities with a high concentration of wealth.

Climate Considerations

Geography and climate significantly influence menswear trends.

While lightweight, breathable fabrics might trend year-round in tropical Singapore, layering and heavy knits could be perennial favourites in Scandinavian countries.

The popularity of Gorpcore, for instance, varies greatly between urban and rural areas, and between regions with different climates.

Fashion Capitals

Fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, New York, and Tokyo continue to be major trendsetters, but their influence is no longer absolute.

With the rise of social media, trends can now originate from anywhere.

However, these fashion capitals still play a crucial role in refining and amplifying trends through fashion weeks and as homes to major design houses.

Fashion Trends Globalisation

Despite these variations, the internet and social media have accelerated the global spread of fashion trends.

A street style look in Seoul can influence wardrobes in São Paulo within weeks.

However, these global trends are often adapted to local tastes and contexts, creating unique hybrid styles.

Understanding these geographical nuances in fashion trends allows you to appreciate the rich diversity of global style while making informed choices about incorporating trends into your wardrobe.

It also highlights the importance of considering local context when adopting trends from other parts of the world.

Why Fashion Trends Matter

Understanding and engaging with fashion trends offers several benefits for men looking to dress classic while ensuring they’re modern and relevant:

1. Self-expression: Trends provide new avenues for personal style evolution and self-expression as an excellent way to add your own sprezzatura touch.

2. Cultural awareness: Keeping abreast of trends helps men stay connected to broader cultural shifts and societal changes.

3. Professional image: In many industries, demonstrating an awareness of current trends can enhance one’s professional image and perceived relevance.

4. Confidence boost: Wearing trend-aligned pieces can provide a confidence boost, knowing one is presenting a contemporary image.

5. Versatility: Incorporating trends judiciously can add versatility to a wardrobe, allowing for more diverse styling options.

6. Conversation starter: Fashion can be a great icebreaker, providing common ground for social interactions.

7. Investment guidance: Understanding trends can inform better purchasing decisions, helping to distinguish between fleeting fads and worthwhile investments.

In conclusion, while blindly following every trend isn’t advisable, having a working knowledge of current fashion trends empowers men to make informed style choices.

It allows for a balance between timeless style and contemporary flair, ensuring one’s wardrobe remains relevant, personal, and expressive.

Practical Guide to Incorporating Trends

Understanding trends is one thing, but applying them to your wardrobe is another. Here’s how you can incorporate the latest fashion trends thoughtfully:

Start small: Begin with accessories or single pieces rather than overhauling your entire wardrobe. A trendy watch, shoes, or jacket will update your look without changing your personal style.

Consider your lifestyle: Choose trends that align with your daily activities. If you work in a conservative office, subtle nods to trends might be more appropriate than bold statements.

Balance with classics: Pair trendy items with timeless pieces. For example, wear a trendy oversized coat from Burberry with classic cut trousers, loafers, and a white shirt.

Quality over quantity: Invest in well-made trend pieces that will last. Even if the trend passes, quality items can often be repurposed or stored for future trend cycles.

Authentic integration: Only adopt trends that genuinely appeal to you and fit your personal style. Forced adoption of trends often looks inauthentic.

Trend layering: Combine multiple trends thoughtfully. For instance, pair a Gorpcore technical jacket with Normcore-inspired plain trousers and minimalist sneakers.

Seasonal consideration: Some trends work better in certain seasons. Plan your trend adoption around the weather and your wardrobe needs throughout the year.

Remember, the goal is to use trends to enhance your style, not to be enslaved by them. Your personal taste should always be the guiding principle in your fashion choices.

Style Like A Pro for Free

Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share:

First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.

Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant, heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.

Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style, in less than 5 minutes, by yourself, for free, thanks to our 3 simple steps, below:

1. Find Your Body Shape

Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.

To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.

Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.

2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette

Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours and you have to make sure that each hue complements your natural colour.

For that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.

3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style

By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.

The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.

4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU

And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.

Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.

Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.

Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste – the first styling assessment is on us!