It was only 3 years ago that we rang in 2020 with a huge bang, thinking that we were about to enter the renaissance of the roaring twenties. Alas, here we are, post Kobe Bryant having passed away, Covid, Ukraine War, Biden becoming president, recession, earthquakes, aliens, bad remakes of every movie we loved, and now the whispers of yet another covid lockdown in the winds.

These events are the true influencers of our times.

If one wants to understand fashion best, one must look at the psychological impact from social environments – this affects EVERYTHING.

Vogue UK described the affects of these times on fashion the best:

“One year on from the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the autumn collections found fashion wringing its hands a little less energetically.”

Vogue UK

Continued: “It was business as usual – and big, ballsy 1,000-capacity-fashion-show business at that. But a sense of anxiety still hung in the air. Perhaps that’s why strict black coats made their sober presence felt, along with classic white shirts styled in myriad ingenious ways (good news if you have one in your wardrobe already). Ditto corporate-infused looks blending shoulders that could fill trading floors with pinstriped suits and ties – if a financial crisis is on the cards, you may as well dress for promotion.” (Read full article here)

Based on some of the recent runway shows, fashion seems to be reaching some strange pinnacle where ingenuity has been gagged by distorted influencer/nostalgic fashion.

Similar to Film and TV studios these days, it has been shown that fashion houses have joined the trend of simply doing bare minimum ‘remakes’.

The Trends List:

The OK Fashion

The Long Black Coat

_{From left to right is Yves Saint Laurent, middle Givenchy, far right Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2023}

Yay! Long Black Coats are back…again…?

Do not get me wrong, I LOVE a striking black coat. Who doesn’t love strutting down a street looking like a mysterious main character in a movie or book? However if we are looking at it from the angle of groundbreaking fashion, fresh off the runway – I do not see this as a trend, but a style staple that has never left. This is just the beginning of examples pointing to the times we are currently in – nothing was truly fresh/original this season. Chances are you already have a long black coat in your closet now. In the off chance you are not in possession of a black coat I would definitely suggest you check thrift stores or second hand shops near you. I swear you will still make just as much a statement and no one will be the wiser if its designer or not – because fashion is simply on repeat.

Off Shoulder Tops & Dresses

Another trend that quickly became prominent on the runway was off-the-shoulder tops and dresses. I list this style as simply “OK” because I feel like that is all it is. It is not original – yet it is simple, elegant, and highlights the feminine shoulders well.

I will always love the shoulders being accentuated on women – the clavicle deserves the sexy limelight just as much as the cleavage.

I am continually disappointed by just how mainstream these massive fashion houses have become. Big names like Alexander McQueen, Dior, Chanel, have all become part of the bizarre, overly-inflated fashion nova that is “Influencer Fashion”. Where is the originality? Where are the showstoppers that sent ripples of awe and inspiration throughout the fashion world back in the day?

– B

When will the tide change?

Rich Reds

Beautiful rich reds peppered the runways this season, this beautiful color came as a lovely palette cleanser in more ways than one. This color came as refreshing air, sadly the designs past the color fell flat and stale. The overall designs of the garments leaves the viewer feeling the lack of innovation. I love reds (my favorite color) – however how it’s being used seems like we must live another season dressed as the influencer interpretation of a morbid dystopian future…again.

Dark Romance/Ode to Goth

I LOVE dark romantic styles. As a serious lover of all things classic gothic, victorian, halloween, literature, dark beauty, I am always ecstatic whenever this style resurfaces in timely season of autumn/winter.

The styles above did an interesting job showcasing this style to todays interpretations. However, though I hope they were inspired by classic art and literature, it appears that all the designers had a Netflix watch party for the hit series Wednesday where they began preparations for this seasons collection.

Of course designers are allowed to draw inspiration from anywhere. Of course.

The message I want to leave with you today is this:

Have the daring designers, those who sent incredible shockwaves throughout the fashion world in the past, taken a creative backseat and direction behind ‘influencers’ on social media, from fear of no commercial success?

Another question to consider: who are the trend setters actually?

80s Business Woman (Business Core) – The Power Shoulders are Back…again

The 80s power shoulders are back….again.

It needs to be said: this style has become so overworked.

This design no longer states ‘powerful corporate woman’ – no. Alas this repeated style (which once use to say confidence and #bossbabe) now heavily utters instead, “I am overworked”.

– B

Us women do not need to dress with the broad shoulders of a man to succeed in business – rather what we need is our feminine silhouette to not be so clownishly engulfed when our shoulders as is is enough for this society.

I love a good power suit as much as the next woman – but please, for the love of fashion, reconsider this whole over the top shoulders.

The style needs to retire.

In conclusion

Are you still enjoying this look? By all means of course, express and enjoy – but please go and support your local thrift store, for I assure you there are racks of these suit jackets waiting to be worn…again.

Which styles do you wish fashion would bring back? Which styles were your least favorite this season? Are there styles I listed that you actually really liked and disagree with my review?

Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for a style to explore this season? Check my review of ‘Old Money Fashion’ here along with the shopping guide!

You can also find me on Pinterest for all my personal style inspo!

As always thank you so much for visiting me, I look forward to our fashion journey together!

xoxoxox,

Belen

_{**I do not own any of the images above, they belong to their respective owners}