New Year, New Trends

From the revival of Juicy Couture to chunky Fila shoes, 2019 has sent the fashion industry scouring past decades for what the next major comeback will be. Throughout the past year, we’ve seen a decline in fast-fashion retailers including H&M, Urban Outfitters, even leading up to the iconic Forever21’s bankruptcy, and closing. So, if consumers aren’t purchasing from big-name retailers anymore, where are shoppers getting their clothes from?

Prior to 2019, thrifting was looked down upon, seen as nothing more than a way to get cheap, worthless clothes. Now, with the spike of resurfacing trends, teens and young adults have glorified thrift stores as a more accessible, and affordable way to stay on trend, and save money. The appeal widens further when taking into account the environmental benefits of thrifting. Recently, people have become more serious about saving the planet, and thrifting provides an easy way to upcycle clothing and create less factory waste. 

It was one of many reasons why Alexandra O’Neil, a senior film major at FSSA has decided to switch over to thrifting. 

“I love thrifting! It’s such a fun, easy way to find unique clothing that no one else has, and it also saves the environment! Go thrifting! Periodt,” she said. 

Thrifting is the cheapest way to find brands that would otherwise be costly on resale apps such as Depop, and Poshmark. 

“Thrifting is great, it helps me stay on trend while saving money because everything from the ’90s and 2000s are coming back,” Guadalupe Poncé, a senior film major from FSSA said.

Coming into 2020, we’re seeing an increase in Y2K style influenced by original socialites, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. These icons were known for wearing provocative low rise jeans, velour tracksuits, pink sparkles and bedazzling everything they own. Teens have started to take inspiration from these trends in their everyday clothing. Brands like True Religion, Babyphat, JNCO, have made major comebacks. With the return of this fashion movement, the socialites who started it all have regained their popularity. 

With that said, here are the upcoming trends of 2020, and the trends that seriously need to die. 

2020 has already been labeled as the new roaring ’20s, which goes to show how this new decade is taking inspiration from the past. Trends like matching velour tracksuits, and sequins are back-and better than ever.

The brand, “Juicy Couture” had a huge impact on the early 2000s with everyone wanting a bedazzled set of track pants, and a slightly cropped zip-up hoodie. Juicy was the first athleisure brand to successfully incorporate femininity and fashion with comfort.

And although “PR” packages, and celebrity endorsements are common techniques to a company’s popularity now, Juicy Couture was actually one of the first brands to gain their universal admiration by sending custom tracksuits to celebrities like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Mariah Carey. With this new year, many have regained their liking for the sporty, but feminine look. 

On another note, graphic clothing has also clinged onto the bodies of shoppers, with Ed Hardy being the newest old brand taking the major cities by storm. Ed Hardy’s clothing takes inspiration from tattoos, and combines their unique designs with rhinestones, a huge part of 2000s grungier style. In the same category, platform shoes received major attention in late 2019, and have continued their rising popularity for the start of this year. Previously, platform shoes were mainly seen to be gothic, and unwearable for casual, everyday use. Now platforms are being made in sneakers, heeled boots, and chelsea boots, which allows a greater range of wearability, and versatility.

Everyone can agree that jeans are the one item of clothing that will never go out of style, and in past years, skinny, distressed and ripped jeans were the most popular. However, with inspiration from the late ’90s and early 2000s, people seem to be gravitating more towards baggy and flared jeans. 

The new year has been off to a great start with new fashion, whereas 2019 had it’s fair share of questionable trends that deserve to be left there. 

First off, colored camo has got to go. High-waisted camo cargo pants have been around since 2016, and it’s time for their funeral. Continuing on a stronger note, Fila Disruptors have become almost laughable, and absolutely need to be left in 2019. In the beginning of 2019, they took over the general public, and everyone and their mother was wearing them. Thankfully, that’s over, and people are beginning to understand that wearing Filas is the equivalent of social death.

Although Ugg boots have been out of style for basically the whole decade, getting rid of them seems to be as difficult as getting rid of rats in NYC. Vans sneakers are another pair of shoes that have been seen on everyone’s feet for a couple years now. The fad started with the popular slip on checkered style shoe, and gradually evolved to their old-school original style. However, similar to Uggs, Vans are something that will hopefully be left in 2019.

Big, fuzzy teddy bear jackets created a huge roar when social media star Emma Chamberlain began wearing them. These jackets have become so over-worn, and they’re almost as obnoxious as “hypebeast” brands, another trend that needs to die. “Hypebeast” brands like Supreme, Bape, Kith, and Palace started to gain their attention in 2016, and have become too mainstream to be considered “fashionable” anymore.

As for high end items, the hype around Gucci and Balenciaga will hopefully simmer down in 2020. Similarly, these brands also became popular around 2016, and have reached a point where they’re the go-to luxury brand for many teens and young adults. This almost allows the brands to lose their “high-couture feel.” It’s not unusual to see young teenage boys wearing a Gucci belt and Balenciaga sneakers, and when a high-end brand becomes too accessible, it loses its purpose. 

All in all, trends are forever changing and evolving, so wearing what makes you feel confident and happy is what you should value the most. After all, fashion is about self expression and individuality. 2020 has a lot in store for the fashion industry and everyone is excited to see what trends we will regret or continue to love throughout the next few years.

For all we know, the 2019 trends that need to die could make a major comeback in 20 years…

– by Alicia Zamora ’20 and Vas Kambouras ’20