People have many reasons to stay informed about the latest fashion trends. Some use it to facilitate their choice when buying clothes, while others dress stylishly to feel good about themselves and impress others.
Whatever your reasons, following the latest fashion designs is worth the effort. To help you out, this article lists eight easy ways to stay up-to-date with fashion trends. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or just looking to update your style, follow these tips to stay on-trend.
What is a fashion trend?
A fashion trend is a popular style followed by a large group of people, often changing seasonally or over time. It can encompass clothing, accessories, and hairstyles, influencing not only customers but also brands and products.
Culture, social media, celebrities, designers, and online platforms like Depositphotos all influence fashion trends. Therefore, these trends can be a fun way to express one’s personality and creativity, as well as foster a sense of community.
How to follow the latest trends
1. Buy trend reports from specialized publications
Every year or season, many professional stylists, fashion studios, and specialized publications publish trend reports. They offer an in-depth analysis of upcoming trends in clothing, accessories, colors, and patterns. Although you have to pay for such a report, in return you’ll receive a high-quality selection of trendy items, relevant fashion brands, and recommended styling tips.
WGSN is a pioneer in trend forecasting, providing insights into upcoming trends in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. The world’s leading fashion houses and designers rely on WGSN for accurate predictions and inspiration for their collections. However, you can also use free fashion color trend reports from Pantone to stay updated on the latest color trends in the fashion industry.
2. Discover the latest fashion designs from fashion weeks
Many people outside the fashion industry don’t know how trends start. The answer lies in fashion weeks. Twice a year, fashion capitals (Paris, Milan, New York, and London) hold a series of runway shows called Fashion Week. During this time, all major brands demonstrate current trends and set new ones.
If you follow Fashion Weeks closely, you can get a sneak peek at what will be popular in the upcoming seasons. From trendy clothes and styles to popular colors and patterns, you can easily stay ahead of the fashion game.
3. Follow designers and professional stylists on social media
People who make money from fashion are perhaps the most knowledgeable about current trends. Think of designers, professional stylists, and fashion influencers. All of them can share their trend insights and opinions on social media platforms. Your task is to find the ones who resonate with your personal style and follow them for updates on the latest fashion trends.
4. Read fashion-oriented blogs and newsletters
From the fashion trend definition to latest styles, fashion blogs can help you stay up-to-date on all things fashion. While commercial publications are interested in promoting certain brands, independent blogs are often written by people who have a genuine passion for the industry. Therefore, you can consume unique content that is not influenced by advertisers or sponsors.
Some of the most popular fashion-inspired blogs on the web include Who What Wear, In The Frow, Monikh, That’s Not My Age, Ape to Gentleman, and Menswear Style. However, with a little research, you can also find local blogs and newsletters for fashionistas.
5. Browse current collections online and in stores
You don’t always have to follow someone else to find out what’s trending. Take the time to explore mass market and designer stores to discover current fashion trends yourself. From Zara and H&M to Chanel and Bottega Veneta, check out trendy pieces to be in the know about what’s hot in the fashion world.
If you don’t want to spend time checking out actual stores, go to their websites. This way, you can see more styles with less time and effort. Or, sign up for the brand’s newsletters to receive easy-to-digest emails with the trendiest picks.
6. Check out top fashion magazines
The best way to keep up with trends if you’re a print lover is to buy top fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, or Harper’s Bazaar. These publications feature the latest runway looks, celebrity styles, and editorials that showcase the hottest trends of the season. In addition to trend predictions, you can use them to cut out fashion model illustrations for your vision board.
If your interests go beyond looks, you can also find interviews with designers and other industry professionals in these publications. They will give you a glimpse into the creative process and help you learn more about the inspiration behind some of the most iconic fashion collections.
7. Keep an eye on important events
Annual events like the Met Gala gather some of the biggest names in fashion, providing you with insights into the latest styles and designs. By following them, you can see what’s trending not only in clothing but also in accessories, hairstyles, and makeup.
Events like Coachella attract a more diverse group of fashionistas. As a result, photos from the event show a wide range of styles and microtrends. Be sure to follow both the high-profile and more casual events to get a well-rounded view of the current fashion landscape.
8. Follow trends using fashion design hashtags
To identify upcoming trends that aren’t on the radar, check out fashion design hashtags on social media platforms. They are often used by fashion enthusiasts and bloggers to share inspirations and get noticed.
There are many specific hashtags for fashion insights. Here are the most popular hashtags:
- #fashionista
- #styleinspo
- #fashionstyle
- #ootd
- #outfitoftheday
- #outfitgoals
- #fashiongram
- #styleinspiration
- #stylegoals
- #styletrends
- #fashionweek
- #fashion2024
- #fashionblogger
- #fashionstylist
- #fashiondesigner
- #fashiontips
- #streetstyle2024
Final thoughts
Whether you’re deeply passionate about fashion or just want to keep your look up-to-date, these strategies will help you stay effortlessly on-trend. However, be sure to give each option some thought before you decide how you want to follow the trends.
