5 Ways to Know if a Fashion Trend is for You

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I’m sharing 5 ways to know if a fashion trend is for you. Incorporating a few fashion trends each season into our wardrobes keeps us looking modern and stylish. However, it can be difficult to know which fashion trends are truly for you. Plus, keeping up with trends can become costly, and sometimes feel exhausting.

In the past, I have bought into plenty of fashion trends that just really weren’t right for me, my wardrobe, or my personal style. Plus, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has regretted a trendy purchase or two. Maybe, you can relate?

While I love looking at all the latest fashion trends, I’ve become much more selective about which ones I add to my own personal wardrobe. Through blogging, I’ve learned a lot about what I really enjoy wearing and which styles suit me best. Even so, I still have to be careful about what I let take up space in my own closet, especially in this line of work.

So, that’s why I’ve come up with 5 questions to ask when out shopping for new clothes each season. These 5 ways to know if a fashion trend is for you helps save money and curate a closet full of clothing that you love to wear.

5 Ways to Know if a Fashion Trend is for You

Do You Like this Fashion Trend?

The first way to know if a fashion trend is for you is do you like it. This one is pretty simple to answer. You probably won’t give the trend a second thought if you don’t like. At least, I hope not! And at this point in my life, I also feel pretty confident about not needing to participate in every single fashion trend that comes along. I hope you feel that way too!

However, as someone who likes clothes and fashion, my bigger problem is I often like more of the new trends each season than not! Yet, that doesn’t mean that every trend I do like is necessarily right for me. This is where the rest of these questions can give each of us clarity on what fashion trends to wear or not wear.

A couple of the trends I do like this season are the vest trend and Mary Jane flats trend.

What’s a fashion trend I don’t love right now? I stated in my post on fall fashion trends for 2024 that I don’t really like super wide leg jeans. And please don’t be upset with me if you love them – we are all going to have different opinions here! I do think they look great on many other people, but a really wide leg doesn’t flatter me very much, which brings us to the next question.

Does this Fashion Trend Flatter Me?

There have been many trends that I’ve really liked, but in hindsight, they didn’t flatter my body shape very well. As much as I loved the style, I wish I had said no to it. Most often, it didn’t take long to figure out that it wasn’t right for me. Intuitively, I wouldn’t reach for that piece of clothing very much or ultimately feel as confident wearing it.

Before assuming that something won’t look good on you though, it’s worth trying it on in several different brands to be sure. There are many other trends that I thought would not flatter me but was pleasantly surprised when I tried them.

How can you tell if something is flattering? It’s good to know your body measurements in general, whether you have broader shoulders or wider hips, and whether you have a defined waist or not. This helps us know what features to accentuate or possibly downplay. It also helps us balance out our proportions.

You can look up online how to find and dress your body type, but I wouldn’t stress over it too much. I personally feel I’m sort of in between two different body types depending on any weight gain, loss, or placement at certain times. So, trust your gut the most as to how comfortable or confident you feel when trying on a different style.

Does this Fashion Trend Fit My Current Wardrobe (Style Aesthetic) or Lifestyle?

This is where I often get tripped up the most when it comes to fashion trends. I love the trend and it’s flattering on me, but does it really fit within my style preference, which is modern, classic, and feminine. This question will probably give you the most insight to truly know if a fashion trend is right for you.

Also, taking your current lifestyle into consideration is very important too. For instance, do you work at home or in an office? Do you have younger kids at home or are you an empty nester? What types of hobbies do you participate in? How much formal clothing verses casual clothing do you need?

Of course, each of us will answer this question differently as far as lifestyle and personal fashion style preference goes. I can remember years ago buying a piece of clothing that had a very edgy vibe to it. I liked it and thought it was very cute. Yet, I hardly ever wore it! It just didn’t feel like me when I did. In fact, I felt very uncomfortable wearing it. It certainly did not give me the more classic or feminine look I really prefer.

Here is another example using the current vest trend.

I really love the vest trend, and it’s a flattering look for me as most come in V-necklines – my most flattering neckline. I’ve seen so many ladies wearing a very tailored suit type vest that looks so great on them and matches their style aesthetic perfectly. While modern and classic, a tailored suit vest doesn’t play into the more feminine styles I typically like though.

On the other hand, a sweater vest is a little softer than the tailored suit type vest. It gives me more of that modern, classic, and feminine look that fits into my current style preference.

Will I Feel Comfortable Wearing this Trend When It’s no Longer Current?

If budget and longevity are important, you may want to only purchase fashions that you feel comfortable wearing for many seasons – even when it falls out of favor down the road.

Leopard print is a great example of a fashion trend that seems to be everywhere for a few seasons and nowhere to be seen the next several. Yet, it’s considered a classic staple. If you love wearing leopard prints, you can feel confident wearing it whether it’s trending or not.

Of course, I think many of us wear a fashion trend or two each year that have short life spans. Once the fashion trend cycles out or feels dated, we will usually want to stop wearing it. For fashions I won’t feel comfortable wearing once they are no longer trending, I don’t invest as much of my clothing budget in them. This leads to the final question of 5 ways to know if a fashion trend is for you.

How Does this Trend Fit Within My Clothing Budget?

If I really love a fashion trend and feel comfortable wearing it for many years down the road, I’m willing to invest in something that’s higher quality. And if I think the trend is something I will wear often, even if for a season or two, I will spend more for something that will hold up to wear and tear.

However, I typically don’t invest a big chunk of my budget in fashions I know I will pass along once they feel dated.

Again, each of us will have different opinions and budgets to consider. In the end, it really goes back to knowing your personal style aesthetic and what you really enjoy wearing. After all, fashion should be fun and unique for each of us! It would get pretty boring if it weren’t.

Working through these questions has really helped me make more thoughtful decisions about what I keep and what I don’t for my wardrobe. I hope it does the same for you, so be sure to save this post for the next time you are wondering if a fashion trend is right for you.

Fall 2024 Fashions