11 Nov Why Do Trends Last Such a Short Time, and What Happens to the Environment?
Have you ever seen a piece of clothing everywhere, thought it was amazing, and then, by the time you finally decided to buy it, a new trend had already taken over? Welcome to the fast-paced world of fashion today. What used to last an entire season can now become “out of style” in a matter of weeks.
Social media has a lot to do with it. TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms can make an aesthetic, garment, or accessory go viral practically overnight. The problem is that this same speed makes trends increasingly short-lived. When something new appears, what came before can suddenly feel outdated, even if the clothes are still in perfect condition.
This cycle also has environmental consequences. The fashion industry uses large amounts of water, energy, and raw materials to produce clothing. And when we buy more clothes than we actually need, the amount of garments that end up being discarded increases. Some pieces are even worn only a few times before being replaced by the next trend.
On top of this, there is the impact of constantly producing, transporting, and distributing new collections. The faster trends change, the greater the pressure can be to manufacture and consume at an accelerated pace. So, what can we do? There’s no need to stop enjoying fashion. One option is to buy pieces we genuinely like, style them in different ways, repair what is still usable, and give a second life to clothes we no longer wear.
Because following a trend can be fun, but we don’t have to debut a new style every two weeks. Fashion can also be enjoyed at a slightly slower pace!
