I’ve been thinking about fashion trends and capsule wardrobes a lot lately.

A long time ago, I used to read a lot of fashion magazines.

I would look at them to see what celebrities were wearing or what the fashion trends of the season were going to be.

And I bought a lot of trendy clothing during that time. Like, A LOT!

But over time, I got fed up with constantly buying new things. There was always some new fashion trend that I just had to have!

It was a never ending cycle of buy and discard, buy and discard, which is the fast fashion way. Following fashion trends was exhausting, and expensive.

But then I realized how horrible fast fashion is. For both the people who make the clothes for these companies and the planet, so I stopped consuming as much clothing. I switched to purchasing mostly secondhand clothing and I changed the types of clothing that I bought.

I developed a neutral color palette so that the majority of my clothing was black, white and grey.

This meant that things were easy to mix and match.

Fashion trends were no longer a priority!

Over time, fit and material became much more important. You can read all about building a wardrobe with natural fabric clothes here.

But, over time, I started to miss pattern and color in my wardrobe. So I started adding it back in, but in such a way that any new items work with the existing items in my wardrobe.

“Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.”

Gianni Versace

I no longer care about what the latest fashion trends are. But sometimes if I come across a magazine (usually at the hair salon or dentist), I’ll read one while I’m waiting. And sometimes, there’s a section on the biggest fashion trends from the latest fashion shows.

And sometimes, I come across a trend that I want to add to my capsule wardrobe. I only choose trends that I will be happy wearing for years, which is kinda the opposite of a trend but that’s how I roll haha.

Here are a few “fashion trends” that I’ve noticed recently that I was able to add into my capsule wardrobe.

Trend 1 – Color

“Hello, yellow. The color of lemons, marigolds and butter is the shade of choice come spring. Let’s hope we all find the mood to match this sunny disposition.”

Harper’s Bazaar

How I am styling this trend using items that I already own:

Cardigan: thrifted (similar)

Cami: Ozma of California

Jeans: Agolde Jamie

Slides: Eileen Fisher

Watch: Berg & Betts

Spring Trend 2 – Animal Print

“We have already seen a lot coming through from fall 2018 but spring 2019 will be even bigger and better,” says Hsu. “Designers are getting into python and leopard prints layered on floral summer prints.” Look for the playful print on feminine blouses, wrap dresses, sling backs or pumps, advises Barrionuevo.

Elle Magazine

How I am styling this trend using items that I already own:

Sweater: thrifted

Skirt: thrifted

Mules: Swedish Hasbeens

Earrings: old

………………..

Spring Trend 3 – Neutrals

More neutrally minded? Earth tones are back in a big way—from sand to tan, cream, and khaki. It’s time to lighten up.

Harper’s Bazaar

How I am styling this trend using items that I already own:

Cardigan: Babaa

Jeans: Imogene + Willie Josette

Mules: Able

Belt: Blake Goods

Fashion trends are recycled all the time, so most of us already have similar items in our existing wardrobes.

This little experiment has made me realize that I can still add fashion trends into my wardrobe.

And you know what, it was fun! Not in an “I’m going to start buying magazines and paying attention to trends” kinda way. But in an “it’s fun to experiment with the “fashion trends” using things that I already own” kinda way!

What about you? Do you follow trends? Are you on board with any of these trends that I’ve styled? Let me what your favorite trend was!

Until next time,