Look, Let’s Be Honest
I’ve been in this industry for 22 years. That’s 22 years of fashion weeks, trend reports, and listening to people tell me what I should and shouldn’t wear. And you know what? I’m over it.
It was last Tuesday, at a café in Brooklyn, when I finally had enough. I was flipping through the latest issue of some glossy magazine, and it hit me. I was tired of the cycle. The endless cycle of trends coming and going, of being told what was ‘in’ and what was ‘out’.
So, I did something radical. I stopped. I stopped caring about what some designer in Paris thought I should wear. I stopped stressing over what some influencer in LA was promoting. I stopped.
My Wake-Up Call
It all started about three months ago. I was at a conference in Austin, and I met this woman, let’s call her Marcus. She was a buyer for a major department store, and she was telling me about the latest trends for the upcoming season.
She said, ‘You know, Sarah, the big thing this season is pastels. But not just any pastels. It’s all about the pastel neon color blocking.’
I looked at her, then looked down at my all-black outfit, and thought, ‘Yeah, no thanks.’
And that’s when it clicked. I didn’t want to dress like a walking highlighter. I didn’t want to commit to a trend that would be over in six months. I didn’t want to play the game anymore.
The Illusion of Choice
Here’s the thing about fashion trends. They’re not about choice. They’re about control. They’re about convincing you that you need to buy more stuff to keep up. It’s a cycle that’s completley unsustainable, both for the planet and for our wallets.
I remember talking to my friend Dave about this. He’s a menswear designer, and he was telling me about how the industry pushes trends to drive sales. He said, ‘It’s all about creating a sense of urgency. Making people think that if they don’t buy now, they’ll be left behind.’
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But that doesn’t mean I have to play along.
Finding My Own Style
So, I decided to find my own style. To dress for myself, not for some trend report. And let me tell you, it’s been a journey.
I started by going through my closet and pulling out the pieces that made me feel good. The pieces that I reached for again and again. And I realized that most of them were classic, timeless pieces. They weren’t trendy, they weren’t flashy, but they were me.
I also started paying attention to how I felt in different clothes. I noticed that I felt more confident in certain colors, in certain cuts. And I realized that this was more important than any trend.
I also started looking at product reviews recommendation guide to find pieces that were both stylish and sustainable. Because, honestly, if I’m gonna invest in my wardrobe, I want it to last.
A Digression: The Great Jeans Debate
Now, I know what you’re thinking. ‘But Sarah, what about jeans? What about the endless debate over the perfect fit?’
Look, I’m not gonna lie. Jeans are hard. They’re hard to find, they’re hard to fit, and they’re hard to love. But I’ve found that the key is to find a cut that works for your body and stick with it. And no, I’m not gonna tell you what that cut is. Because it’s different for everyone.
But here’s what I will say. If you find a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly, that make you feel amazing, buy them in every color. Because they’re gonna be your go-to for years to come.
Embracing Imperfection
And you know what? I’ve embraced the imperfections. The wrinkles, the stains, the wear and tear. Because they tell a story. They tell the story of my life, of where I’ve been and what I’ve done.
I remember my mom telling me this once. She said, ‘Sarah, clothes are like people. They get better with age.’ And she was right. The more you wear something, the more it becomes a part of you. And the more you love it.
So, I’ve stopped chasing perfection. I’ve stopped chasing trends. And I’ve never felt better.
The Backlash
But here’s the thing. When you stop playing the game, people notice. And they’re not always happy about it.
I remember going to a party last month, and this woman, let’s call her Lisa, looked at me and said, ‘Sarah, what are you wearing?’
I looked down at my outfit, which was a simple black dress and a denim jacket, and said, ‘A dress and a jacket.’
She looked at me like I had two heads. ‘But it’s not on trend,’ she said.
And I said, ‘I know. And I don’t care.’
And you know what? It felt amazing.
Because at the end of the day, fashion should be about expressing yourself. It should be about feeling good. And if that means ignoring the trends, then so be it.
So, here’s my challenge to you. Stop chasing trends. Stop letting other people tell you what to wear. Find your own style, and embrace it. Because you’re gonna feel amazing.
And if anyone gives you a hard time, just tell them Sarah said it’s okay.
About the Author: Sarah Thompson is a senior magazine editor with over 22 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s worked for major publications and has seen it all. She’s here to tell you that fashion doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be expensive. And it doesn’t have to be mean. It’s just clothes. Wear what makes you happy.
