The world of fashion is changing all the time. In fact, it’s changing so much that many trends only hit certain pockets of the world. That means some crazes pass us by and we never notice them. One day you could reading a magazine and suddenly discover a brand new style you missed! But what are these styles? And which have you missed? Here are some fashion trends you may never have heard of and how you can jump on board.
Glamorous Comfort
Coming in right at the top of the list is glamorous comfort, sometimes called “glam-leisure.” Strictly speaking, it’s not a completely new fashion movement, but a combination of ideas that came before: glamor and comfort.
Glam leisure is essentially all about giving your regular jogging pants some sparkle. Followers of this trend aren’t afraid to “glam up” the dullest of garments and turn them into something special. Embellishments, lavish fabrics, and stylish details are the norm. For example, you might have a sweater with a giant, sequined logo on the back or a piece of loungewear made from vibrant and colorful materials. You might also wear leisure clothing with a non-traditional cut to be more (or less) revealing, depending on the statement you want to make. Ultimately, glamorous comfort is about celebrating and enjoying your loungewear. It’s for people who want to experiment and enjoy their regular clothes even more.
Eco-Friendly Elegance
Another fashion trend that might have passed you by is so-called “upcycled chic” or “eco-friendly elegance.” These sustainable fashion options make use of older fabrics and transform them into newer, unique pieces.
Interestingly, the idea isn’t to use new materials but instead, reuse what’s already available. It is a lower-impact, lower-energy use activity for a superior impact. Eco-friendly elegance emerged from a backlash to rampant consumerism. Adherents wanted to leave behind the throwaway culture and embrace something more sustainable. Making new clothes out of older items is a way to achieve that.
Neon Minimalism
You might also have missed the trend toward neon minimalism. Yes, it sounds like something out of a cyberpunk epic, but it actually came to the fore just a few years ago. For many people, minimalism feels a little sparse. Sure, it can feel good to let go of complicated colors and fanciful designs, but, in some cases, it can be too severe.
Neon minimalism is a way to try to marry styles to get the best of both worlds. Minimalism provides the backdrop, while neon colors offer visual interest. Strangely, minimalist colors work well in this context. Despite being bright, they are not overly complicated, meaning they can work well with flat or neutral designs. The movement ultimately proved that simplicity doesn’t require muted tones. You can still be extravagant, even if you are trying to reduce the disorder in your life.
Deconstructed Denim
Another trend that might have passed you by is deconstructed denim. You may have heard or seen classic recipes being ‘deconstructed’ on restaurant menus. What does deconstructed denim mean in terms of fashion? Well, it’s pretty simple. The idea is essentially to take ripped or mismatched denim items and recombine them to make a statement look. Including denim material in an otherwise normal garment immediately makes it stand out, which is why this movement gained some traction. The trend is also synonymous with sustainability and eco-friendly living. Reusing denim is an excellent way to live more sustainably.
Y2K
Do you remember the Y2K fashion movement? If so, you’re not alone. Occurring in the early 2000s, the people involved wore low-rise jeans, bold makeup, and bedazzled accessories. It’s funny that we’ve almost forgotten this movement now, characterized by the likes of Danny Dyer who were popular at the time. It’s a unique fashion throwback, but without the indelible effect on our collective consciousnesses that the eighties brought.
Dark Academia
Dark academia is almost certainly another fashion movement that passed you by. The idea was to combine intellectual charm with a hint of mystery, creating a superfluous, almost Illuminati-style look. Followers of dark academics often wear tweed blazers, tailored trousers, and turtlenecks. Many also wore patches on their elbows and dark V-neck jumpers to heighten their intellectual acumen. The movement was a kind of counterbalance to the seriousness of the regular academic world. Participants would often change their behavior based on what they wore to fit in with their new look.
Permanent Accessories
The permanent accessories movement is something that you probably recognize but didn’t know was a thing in its own right. The idea is to wear permanent jewelry or similarly valuable objects to prevent you from losing them or to remind you of something important in your life.
When wearers say these accessories are permanent, they mean it. Many actually get artisans to weld bracelets and necklaces together, removing the clasp entirely so they always remain attached to their bodies. It’s similar in concept to tattoos.
Cyberpunk Streetwear
We also have cyberpunk streetwear: the fusion of conventional streetwear and props that look like they are from a Star Trek film. Again, the idea is to create outfits that look “future punk” offering a glimpse into one version of the future. As you might expect, this trend is all about pushing boundaries and doing things with clothes that people wouldn’t usually do.
Cottagecore Couture
Finally, we have the rather strangely-named cottagecore couture. The idea is to indulge in the rustic nostalgia of simple living. In practice, many adherents of the movement wear floral patterns and vintage accessories to reminisce over earlier, more straightforward times. The cottagecore movement is essentially a return to the perceived innocence of the past. People want to relive days gone by and return to the lifestyles of the past.
Which of these trends did you miss and which are you happy have passed you by?
