I have started this newsletter no less than 4 times over the last two weeks. I am desperate to walk a line of intrigue without judgement. I also feel compelled to say something unique as many other newsletters are writing on similar subjects. The truth is, this newsletter is acting a little like a diary; journaling through my thoughts/feelings. There aren’t a lot of answers here, but taste/trends/etc. prove rich ground!
I want to start this newsletter with a video that I hope can provide us all with a good chuckle (even the woman who posted it recognizes the humor in it!) because it also perfectly captures this idea of algorithmic dressing.
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So we all heard THE Ezra Klein interview heard ‘round the internet and so many of us are ready to really find and OWN our very own PERSONAL style. It could just be the corner of the internet that I operate in talking about making our style more personal. But, then again, Instagram released their 2024 Trend Talk which is mostly looking at Gen Z’s take on trends (Gen Z, I am not) and I was struck by these two findings;
Gen Z, they are just like me, they want to find their own aesthetic and they will be driven there by comfort. (Let’s be sure to note the difference between comfort being a synonym with lounge wear and comfort being an overarching feeling of enjoying the clothes we inhabit).
And the interview with Klein/Chayka made it clear that it’s difficult to find your own aesthetic when you are someone who is “on-line” because the algorithm can create a friction-less view of what is cool.
Am I the only person who sees red jumpers everywhere? And I won’t lie; I want one!1 I think that following trends makes us feel like we are part of the larger fashion “tribe” and makes us in on the IYKYK idea (which sort of feels like a cousin to FOMO).
But trends move at an incredible pace so the only way to participate is constant consumption.
did an incredible job unpacking trends (and sameness) in fashion, architecture, music in this newsletter. And Beth said;Algorithms encourage us to consume things other people think are interesting.
In fact, it’s not JUST what other people think are interesting but more like,
Algorithms encourage us to consume things companies put major money behind to promote.
It reminds me of a less romantic version of the well-known scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda Priestly schools Andy on how trends trickle down from the Runways to the layperson.
Only now things move much faster because social media creates a space where the trend-cycle is heightened (everything has a name; Eclectic Grandpa, Mob Wife) and shortened (Barbie-Core was a trend shorter than the Barbie movie was in the box office).
In many ways it’s easy to feel judged for both participating in trends and not participating in trends. I remember when Adidas Sambas started to crop up and I had a visceral YES for them because they fit my lifestyle and I thought they looked dang cool. And then I saw something online from an individual saying that everyone who jumped on the Samba trend was unoriginal.
Similarly, we have this over-sized blazer trend going on and while I genuinely love seeing it on people, a slim blazer looks SO much better on me. However, when I put on my slim-cut blazer I get the tiniest bit self-conscious that I’ll look dated or uncool.
It’s a real minefield, friends.
As Kyle Chayka said in his interview with Ezra Klein;
…being self-conscious about what other people are consuming, how they are consuming it, how they are judging you for your taste. We don’t want to be seen as having bad taste…
But my encouragement this week is for us to start thinking about the difference between embodiment and emulation.
When we EMBODY something; we are allowing the inspiration (trends, etc.) to intersect with our own unique creativity. You know who crushes at this?
I love the way that woman will see a look and allow her mind to run wild with possibilities (see her recent post on shirt sandwiches). Leandra’s closet is much more vast than mine, but I can see a look that she puts together and try to embody it’s spirit. By embodying a trend, we are more likely to utilize our own clothes rather than feeling like our closet is inadequate.
What is emulation? Well, as a self-proclaimed style TRY-HARD, this is something I battle daily. Emulation sounds a lot like it’s synonym IMITATE. It’s the thought that I need the exact shirt/pants/shoes/bag off a certain person. But when we try to take the outfit that our favorite influencer is wearing and copy it piece-for-piece we will find ourselves with nothing to wear in our closet, because it ultimately doesn’t feel like US.
Trends often make us feel like we need to imitate everyone else we are seeing rather than embody the feeling the trend is giving. An example for me was the mico-mini the Miu Miu came out with. It felt like the internet loved it but I was not about to imitate it (I have three kids and this certainly would have exposed too much for me). What could I embody from it? Showing a bit more skin in skirts.
I do not have an answer on how to embody not emulate. I don’t have an answer on how to participate in trends because ultimately I love being part of the fashion community and I feel a sense of belonging when I do so by following trends that work for me. ALSO…I think; fashion is undeniably a creative endeavor and I want us all to be encouraged to follow our own creative pursuits (especially when it comes to getting dressed).
Go shop in-person again. Trust me, I live in Denver, CO, where most shopping is done at GAP or J.Crew (not to knock!) so I don’t often choose to shop in-person because I don’t have access to brands that interest me. However, there is something to be said for walking into a store and allowing your eye to tell you what you like. You might find yourself drawn to a certain fabric or color. In-person shopping can equal DISCOVERY. Then, take that inspiration home and scroll your favorite sites for THAT feeling.
The alternative of on-line shopping can be so overwhelming with the VAST options that we often go towards the path of least resistance and just click on that sweater that is linked on the ShopMy page of someone.
My preferred way to look at trends is to allow runways be your filter- rather than just influencers. As noted in the aforementioned Devil Wears Prada scene, most trends originate on runways. If you look through a runway show you can be inspired to find YOUR version of what strikes you. For example, Toteme presented their Ready to Wear Fall 24 collection during couture week in Paris recently and I spied a number of skinny belts. As a belt lover myself, this is certainly something I took note of and I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for a skinny belt (that feels like ME) to incorporate in my closet seeing as this may be where the trend pendulum is swinging!
I am as guilty as anyone of taking the road more traveled when it comes to style and that is, in part, why I want to wrestle with these things.
Loved reading your thoughts on this and how you’ve connected the dots between our relationship with trends and the feelings that come up. “In many ways, it’s easy to feel judged for both participating in trends and not participating in trends.” To me, the judgement for participating in a trend always feels harsher than that of sitting one out. That’s why when I’m writing about a trend I’m loving, I sometimes feel compelled to preface it with “I know it may be overdone, but…” Seems so silly to feel the need to defend something I love to wear, trend or not.
You also brought up some good points on embodiment vs. emulation. I love shopping and clothes but am no way a stylist, so it helps to look to others for inspiration on how to put things together. I’ve definitely bought into trends that didn’t feel like me (parachute pants!) but I think going through that trial and error has helped me be more reflective of my choices. While I still look to others for ideas and recommendations, I feel like I’m now starting to get a better grasp of what trends would actually work for me and how to make them my own.
You articulate this so well, Kelly! I feel a constant pull of desiring belonging (and also often being quite inspired by ladies who have great takes on trends) and the push of not want to “succumb” to trends. I can’t stop myself from feeling both, so I have to get better at picking what makes sense for me/my style/budget/life/etc. and that’s a little bit science and a little bit art (because some of this is highly emotional!) love reading this one!!!