On Trend
By Margaret Rose O’Malley
Image by Andrej Lisakov via Unsplash.
The coquette craze has been in full effect for some time now, but what’s next? After all the bows and lace, where do we go? Red leather has had its moment this winter, and the clean girl aesthetic is fading. These are all considered micro-trends. Their life span usually lasts a few months or maybe a year. These trends are influenced by consumer behavior. As the clean girl aesthetic fades on the horizon, it is time to discover and embrace the micro-trends approaching this spring and summer.
Current Trends
The mob wife aesthetic has been the latest viral trend to debut on various social media platforms. Furs, layering fine chains, cheetah print, a pointed-toe shoe, teased hair and a perfect manicure characterize this viral trend. This edgy trend will undoubtedly carry the girls through Easter.
The mob wife aesthetic is inspired by characters such as Adrianna La Cerva from The Sopranos. Played by Drea de Matteo, Adrianna became a fashion icon after sporting a tiger print catsuit with large gold buttons down the front shortly before her character’s demise. A diva outfit may not be able to save your life, but it will be your legacy.
Influences on New Trends
Back in 2016, Coachella had the world in a chokehold. Kylie Jenner and Vanessa Hudgens, the undisputed Coachella queens, donned distressed denim and flower crowns to attend the desert festival. This year, tickets sold out the fastest they have since that era. As the hype for the event builds, we will begin to see the rise of Western chic. Boho Western wear paired with lace, maxi skirts and brimmed hats creates the perfect look for Coachella. Inspired by Coachella looks of the past with an elevated twist.
These claims can only be supported by Beyoncé releasing two new country singles during her Superbowl commercial with Verizon. As we observed during her Renaissance Tour, Beyoncé has demonstrated massive influence on social media and across generations. The Western chic aesthetic will pair perfectly with any concerts, dates and farmer’s markets you might attend this summer.
Buying Second-Hand
In a changing world, one urgent trend has presented itself: sustainability. Thrift stores have been pillars in our communities. However, platforms like Depop, Poshmark and Grailed have changed shopping for second-hand clothing into apps. Now it's easier than ever to make your closet more environmentally friendly. With 125 million users between all the apps mentioned, users can find almost any piece of clothing to exist.
Grailed focuses on high fashion, while Depop and Poshmark host a wide variety of brands and styles. Users can buy or sell the clothes they no longer wear. This keeps clothing that might otherwise end up in a landfill in circulation. If you have old clothes sitting around, downloading one of these apps might be your new side hustle.
Favorite sellers on Depop have tons of gems posted in their digital storefronts. Strawberry Thrift (@strawberrythriftt) sells vintage and Y2K pieces. They have the perfect selection to transition users from coquette to mob wife. Aura Palace (@aurapalace) sells unique vintage accessories. While some of these shops might have smaller followings, their stock speaks volumes. Just like the thrift store, it pays off to take a closer look and browse collections. Baby G (@baby_g_collections) often sells out their drops of lightly worn clothes, ranging from basics to Y2K statement pieces. These sellers are all contributing to a healthier environment.
Discover Your Style
When it comes to fashion, the best advice would be to cultivate your personal style. Through experimentation and even some questionable fits, you can hone your styling skills. Style is subjective. Wear what calls your name. At the end of the day, our clothes have done most of our talking for us without actually speaking. When you dress in a way that represents you, you attract like-minded individuals and develop a deeper connection with yourself.