BLOG: Let’s Talk Trends

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Every season we’re hit with a fresh wave of “must-haves” — ballet flats are back! Red is the new black! Skirts are longer, jeans are baggier, minimalism is over.
But who’s deciding this? And why do certain trends suddenly feel everywhere — on runways, on TikTok, in Zara windows — all at once?

Welcome to the layered, often invisible world of trend forecasting.
It’s not magic. It’s not random. And it’s definitely not just about what’s “cute.”
It’s a blend of psychology, sociology, politics, economics and instinct.

Trend forecasters are like fashion fortune tellers — but instead of crystal balls, they use data, cultural research, historical patterns, and global shifts to predict what styles we’ll be craving 6 months to 2 years from now.

They study:

• Street style in cities across the globe
   
• Social media trends and influencer behavior
   
• Runway shows and designer mood boards
   
• Tech innovations (like smart textiles or 3D printing)
   
• Cultural shifts — think movements like body positivity or gender fluidity
   
• Global events — from pandemics to protests
   

They translate all of this into themes and color stories that brands use to design collections, shape marketing campaigns, and even develop new products.

Fashion has always been cyclical. What goes out always comes back just with a twist. The ‘90s brought back ‘70s bell-bottoms. The 2020s brought back the Y2K butterfly tops. We’re currently watching the rise of quiet luxury and normcore 2.0 as a reaction to years of maximalist, fast fashion chaos.

Trends often repeat every 20-30 years, but they never return exactly the same.
They’re filtered through today’s lens influenced by where we are emotionally, socially, and politically.
 

Trends don’t happen in a bubble. They’re a reflection of what we’re feeling as a collective — and what we’re facing.

• Economic downturn? People often lean into neutral colors, timeless silhouettes, and investment pieces. (Think: the rise of “quiet luxury” post-COVID.)
   
• Political unrest? Expect bold statements — slogan tees, protest fashion, rebellion in the form of beauty and clothing. (See: punk in the ‘70s, or Roe v. Wade responsewear in recent years.)
   
• Cultural burnout? That’s when we crave comfort, softness, nostalgia. (Cue: Cottagecore, cozy loungewear, ‘90s minimalism.)
   

What we wear is a response — a mirror to the world we’re navigating. It’s how we assert identity, escape reality, or say what words can’t.

Trends are fascinating because they’re about so much more than clothes.
They’re about mood, identity, survival, rebellion, aspiration.
They tell the story of our time — what we’re fearing, what we’re hoping for, who we’re trying to become.

So the next time you see a trend forecast or a “hot item of the season,” remember:
Someone studied the world and sensed what we might need next — whether it’s armor, nostalgia, or a bit of sparkle in the dark.

And you get to decide what to wear in response.

— Suzie