When To Buy Into Trends
We’ve all been witness to the cyclical nature of fashion at some point in our lives. Whether it takes a year or a decade, trends always come back around in some form or another: take 90’s sweatsuits, chunky sneakers, headbands and scrunchies, the list goes on. And if your personal style leans more towards the classic end of the spectrum, that comes with a built in protection from some of the more fleeting fads. But there’s always bound to be some “new” trend that catches your eye. So today I’ve outlined some tips for discerning when to buy in to trends and when to walk away.
The Inspiration
The inspiration behind this post is of course, this gorgeous black vinyl trenchcoat that I scoured on Ebay not long ago. It’s from the Alexa Chung x M&S collection from 2016. I, like many women my age, have been completely obsessed with anything Alexa Chung makes or wears for the good part of a decade and I remember being so in love with this coat when I first saw it. Flash forward to last year when I saw vinyl trenchcoats return in a big way and again this winter, and I knew that I had to have it. United at last! This long game approach has taught me a few things that I can now pass onto you so here we go.
Consider Personal Style
Once I realized that I love the vinyl trenchcoat look and before I even started looking for one, I had to ask myself if it’s something I really see myself wearing. Since my wardrobe consists of a lot of basic pieces and a neutral color palette, it can be easier to incorporate more bold or statement pieces. And I recognized a pattern with my personal style: lots of simple neutral pieces and then I add pattern and texture with my outerwear and dresses. Depending on your personal style, and what’ already in your wardrobe, ask yourself if this piece has wearability. Does this trend piece give you more outfit options or are there only a few things you can pair it with? Another good indication that a piece suits your personal style is when you see it crop up year after year and still love it.
Wait for the Right Piece
When buying secondhand online you should know your sizing so take your measurements and check international size conversion charts. I found this same trenchcoat secondhand a couple months earlier but it was two sizes too small (UK sizing too) and I really considered buying it! And this tends to happen a lot when buying secondhand or thrifting. We try to make things work because we think it’s too good to pass up. But the thing is, if you settle for something not quite right, you will end up not wearing it anyways! So it’s better to get it right the first time you buy, because 9 times out of 10, something better will come along. It is after all, just clothing and there will always be something else that catches your eye later on. If you love it, let it go and all that…
How to Source It
If sustainability is an important part of how you buy, and even if it’s not, then I recommend looking for your piece secondhand first. The best part of cyclical fashion? Your trend piece has probably already been created, loved and passed on, so take advantage of that and cut down on waste and cost in the process. Stuck on where to look? For a specific piece or a pricier/ more in demand item check out Ebay, The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective and even your local luxury consignment shops (especially if you live in a major city). If you’re looking for a more general style try Poshmark, Depop, ThredUP, Mercari and your local thrift and vintage stores. Know of a blogger who has the same item? Find out if they have a Depop or Poshmark account where they sell their unworn items. Oh and don’t forget to check back again and again and be patient.
So those are my tips for incorporating trend pieces into your wardrobe. Having a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to be completely averse to shopping trends. In fact, having a solid core wardrobe makes it easier to play around with trends and incorporate them seamlessly into your personal style. So go for it!
