In a world where fashion trends come and go what feels like monthly, it can be hard to narrow down your personal style while still keeping your finger on the pulse.
Fast-fashion brands are ever-growing. With constant consumer demand, they continue to churn out inexpensive clothing at a rapid pace. Not only does this encourage frequent purchases by the average shopper, but it also feeds into an already alarming landfill issue.
Think about those almost-Victorian-style bloomer shorts that were everywhere a few months ago, nowhere to be seen. Or remember when bows showed up as appliqués on just about everything? All those pieces are now on clearance racks.
The turnover is so quick that it can feel nearly impossible to keep up, making it easy to impulse-buy just to stay current.
But this summer, I’ve got some advice that’ll help your wallet and your wardrobe—while building a sense of personal style that actually lasts.
First off, let’s be real: you can’t avoid the presence of fast fashion. It’ll show up on your TikTok feed, in targeted Facebook ads, or on someone walking past you on the street.
But what can change is how you respond to it. Start to notice the pace of the trend cycle. In the ’90s, low-rise jeans were everything. In the early 2010s, we ditched them for high-waisted everything. Now, low-rise is back. Same story for skinny jeans vs. wide-leg. Fashion is cyclical—mark my words. What’s out today is waiting for its comeback.
That’s why it’s worth investing in quality pieces, either from sustainable brands or secondhand. Even if something sits untouched in your closet for a while, if it’s well-made and true to your taste, chances are you’ll wear it again when its moment comes back around.
One of my favourite ways to think about fashion is this: if my closet could talk, what would it say?
Would it say I’m loyal and creative, sticking with pieces that reflect who I am and styling them in new ways? Or would it say I’m restless and reactive, ditching items before the season’s even done?
Your closet can either be a revolving door, or a curated collection that tells your story. I say: let it speak well of you. Happy dressing!
We’d love to hear from you! Please send us your suggestions for future articles. And if you’re a writer, please see our writer’s submissions page for details.
