Why Trends Matter

One of the ways a period of time is defined is by what people wore. Even though fashion trends may seem random and arbitrary, they actually are a reflection of the zeitgeist. or "spirit of the times".

1920's

1950's (although this came out in 1947)

1980's

No matter what the fashion industry puts out on the runway or in the market place, if it doesn't match what is going on socially, politically and economically, it doesn't stick. That's why trend forecasters work so hard to predict what people are going to be into at least a year in advance. Designers and retailers use these predictions to create what they think we'll want.

One of the biggest trends right now is thrift. A lot of us are going back to that Great Depression Era and WWII mentality of reduce, reuse and refashion.

I believe creativity is a great alternative to massive spending. This not only applies to one's wardrobe but also to home decorating, party planning and meals. For now, though, we'll just stick with clothes and accessories. In the meantime, start looking through fashion magazines and see what is being consistently shown. Don't forget about your local library for free magazine browsing.