5 Fashion Trends I Skipped – and Why

I read a lot of fashion writing. Fashion blogs, online magazines, real life magazines, fashion or lifestyle supplements of newspapers, fashion columns and articles in newspapers – ok, lets just say a lot. But I can’t ever remember reading about the fashion trends people skip.

I don’t mean those articles about how the Juicy Couture tracksuit is a cringe worthy trend and so on. I am pretty sure there are about a hundred on Buzzfeed (as a favour to everyone reading I haven’t put a link to Buzzfeed since I know you want do other stuff today and not get sucked into the black hole that is Buzzfeed lists).

But of course, being the incentous business fashion is, people rarely talk about the current trends they have decided to skip. And why. Why do people skip some of the trends most other people are wearing, people at work, their friends and sometime even their co-bloggers (some passive aggressive stuff here)?

I thought it was about time we talked about them.

1. Peplum

I don’t know why but I took an immediate dislike to peplum. Maybe its because I instinctively knew it would not work for me. Yes, maybe it could look nice. But it definitely would not make me look my best. Its definitely a better look say, for a Kim Kardashian than a stick figure.

Also, it was fussy (I am not a fan of ruffles). It looked a little too prim and proper and honestly, for the longest time I didn’t find anything in peplum that was my style. All the peplum around me was white and pink to be worn with proper pencil skirts and I knew I would totally feel like a fraud in that! Till I found this gorgeous black leather peplum top that could work.

But of course, better sense prevailed and now I am glad I did not end up buying a leather peplum top of all things!

Tip: instead of the peplum top, try a white peplum button down.

2. Suede Clothing

I have the fondest memory of suede. I know it sounds strange but let me explain.

As a kid, I ended up buying a suede dress with a matching suede jacket. However, that is also the cause of my current aversion to trying the suede trend this time around!

I also think that by the time the trend trickled down from the runways to the high street stores, winter was almost over. People were looking to summer clothing and the marketing just couldn’t manage to convince real people that suede in summer is cool (athough it appears they are still trying). And thank god for that. And THAT suede skirt became too overdone, too obvious, too much of a cliche. And last, like everyone else, I am tired of festival fashion without even going for one myself or indulging in the trend!

Tip: skip the suede clothing and get some suede accessories instead. You could try bags or even bracelets. If you must try suede, please steer clear of the camel colour. Although I love the oxblood and army green in suede, its still too obvious. Try some unexpected suede colours like these bright or baby blues or even purple. So much better for summer.

However, since winter is almost here, suede might not be such a bad plan later in the year.

3. Flared Jeans and Trousers

Aka, the new and improved bell bottoms.

Flared jeans were supposed to be the answer to the skinny jeans. I guess skinny jeans needed a break after everyone started hating on them and decided its only good for supermodels. Flared jeans were the ‘normcore’ to the skinny jeans.

Except that its a myth. No one with non-supermodel legs (supermodel legs, e.g. thin, lean, toned, long – its annoying me just writing this!) looks good in flared jeans. (Although I have to admit, one of my favourite bloggers Helena, the Brooklyn Blonde, does make them look pretty good!) And I can bet you one thing – unlike the skinnies, they are not going to stay around for too long. Swipe left.

Tip: I am going back to the boyfriend jeans. Comfier than the skinny jeans, looks better than the flared.

4. Neon

No. Before neon could even begin to tempt me, it was a ‘talk to the hand – I don’t do neon’. Bidisha will hate me for being this judgemental and Satarupa actually pulled off neon quite well. But I am not a fan – your clothes should not hurt other peoples’ eyes! I think thats a basic fashion rule. This is the most neon I can do!

When I told Bidisha I was saying neon is a trend to skip, she sent me this picture. It did hurt my head a bit – the flowery pink bedspread background didn’t help. But I can also see it looking great with an all black outfit. So maybe there is hope.

Tip: if you must do neon a strip of neon between neutral colours is good. A whole neon top or worse, bottoms? Sorry – not even in the gym.

5. Tie-up Sandals and Shoes

I actually did a post on the tie up and gladiator shoe trend. But there is a subtle difference between gladiators and the tie ups. Most tie-ups are gladiators but most gladiators are not tie-ups. Boggles the mind.

So I am not against the whole gladiator trend as such. I actually even like the idea of the tie-up sandals and they seem to look great for summer. Till I decided to try one on. I was exhausted even before I finished tying one sandal. Not a pair – one sandal. The gaps have to be the same, the crosses perfectly spaced and then you have to deal with the second one. No can do – I want to eat dinner sometime today.

Its impossible for me to believe anyone has the patience for this, let alone me. When something is already a short-lived trend, if you are unable to commit to it even during its short shelf life, skip.

Tip: if you want summer shoes/ sandals, these work well. But if you are insistent on trying the gladiator trend, get manageable one. No tie-ups – zips were invented for a reason you know.

In my book, the best summer shoes are still barefeet!

And if you want to know about the fashion trends we did try, read here.

I would be really interested to know other trends you skipped. Or even if you decided to skip some of the trends I skipped! Or if you want to say ‘What is wrong with you Anisha, [insert skipped trend here] is awesome and I looked great in it and you missed out!’  🙂

– Anisha