Three Big Changes In Fashion

If you're scratching your head more and more when it comes to fashion it's because the global "pause" lead to a seismic shift in how we dress to impress.

The old rules that once felt comfortable, now feel obsolete and a new set of considerations come into play. Denim, hemlines and price vs quality are hot topics of the day.

Re-Thinking Denim

The new denim styles account for a variety of body types and that's when styling acumen comes into play.

Skinny jeans were not best fit for muscular, rectangle body types (46% of consumers), they were unfriendly to inverted triangle body types by drawing far too much emphasis to the lower body and pear shape shoppers are better suited to less hip hugging denim options.

Straight leg styles suit triangle, rectangle body shapes best while a straight slim or flare is most flattering to hourglass and pear body types.

Hemlines may confuse shoppers by baffling them about the right footwear. To elongate the leg and give the appearance of looking taller, wear full length flare or straight leg with a wedge or heel. To balance heavy upper body, wear kick flare or crop with heavy boot.

Next consideration is the rise. New high-rise cuts are trending for practicality as consumers reach for tummy control however, a swing back to mid-rise is building in demand especially with petite and shorter torso figures. Consider which rise looks best on you according to your height and body type.

New denim is far more forgiving with high content of elastin allowing for fit in the waist while stretch in the thighs. Look for jeans with at least 5% elastin and avoid 100% cotton as these styles do contain any elastin and therefore no stretch.

The Bottom Hemline

The crop top scared consumers in a way no other fashion trend did over the past decades.

A crop sweater or top cuts the body into thirds with 2/3 lower body and 1/3 upper creating the illusion of longer legs and shorter torso. This does not mean you have to bare your mid-drift (ack... says every mom over 30), but it does flatter to choose tops where the hemline drops 2-3 inches under the waistband of the pants or jeans.

The French tuck or the half tuck became popular as stylists attempted to re-purpose longer tops and tunics with the rule of thirds in mind. If you have a cute top with a longer hemline try the French tuck to bring up the hemline. To avoid bulk in the tummy, crossover the hem before tucking in.

Less Is More

What many shoppers are now saying is that when possible, they see the value in investing in good quality fashion staples that will stand the test of time and not have to be replaced season after season. This happens to fall in line with their environmental values against fast fashion waste.

The key to this shopping mind-set is to consider the price-quality ratio. Is $10 for a dress I wear once and then donate good sense (environmentally and financially) or does it make more sense to buy quality I can wear again and again?

The top five catagories to invest in your closet are denim, basics, outerwear, footwear & bras.

A good pair of jeans will last for years... literally so don't cheap out here considering denim with high elastin, dark denim will stand the test of time longer than lighter washes and considering spending approximately $60-75 a pair.

Good basics such as tank tops, t-shirts, long sleeve layering tops and turtle necks will give you endless outfit possibilities and elevate your look for less. Cheap basics can downgrade a look faster than any one clothing item. Consider modal, bamboo, cotton and weight rayon blends.

Outerwear styles are best classic including peacoats, moto jackets, trench coats and down filled puffers depending on your climate. Choose neutrals colors such as black, charcoal, oatmeal and olive to avoid fatigue and get best longivity.

While you can find synthetic leather footwear for a 1/3 of the price of leather, most synthetics will only last one to two seasons and won't allow you to restore with a leather conditioner/cleaner for long term wear if scuffed or worn. Footwear is also a category of fashion that can have long term health fall out if not investing in good soles for a lifetime. You'll pay now or you'll pay later so why not invest now.

Lastly, as a fashion stylist I've seen so many shoppers downgrade their outfits by giving a poor shape to the body because her bra was cheap and unsupportive. Invest in a supportive, well-fitting bra with appropriate straps and shelf for your breast size. Doing this will make you look slimmer in your clothing and look better put together. Most people are wearing the wrong cup size... usually too small and they are spilling out or the wrong shelf size creating a drop in the bust line.