Thinking Weekly

Every August, without fail, trend forecasters flood our feeds with predictions for fall fashion. But when do these trends stop being new and simply become a modernized take on our annual fall wardrobe?

While scrolling through my feed this week, I saw at least ten self-proclaimed trend forecasters on TikTok claiming that sweaters, boots, and ‘pumpkin spice colors’ will be making a comeback this fall—but I can’t think of a time (in my lifetime, at least) when these weren’t autumn classics. Trend forecasters are just repeating themselves every year, recycling the same seasonal staples and calling them ‘trends’ to keep up the illusion of something new.

Saying that ‘earth tones’ will be in this fall is like saying a fork will be found in the utensils drawer of a kitchen. And claiming that suede will be in this season isn’t as revolutionary as it sounds—suede has been a staple in colder months’ fashion for decades.

The TikTokification of the word ‘trend’ is becoming increasingly frustrating. With styles like ‘clean girl’ followed immediately by ‘brat girl,’ it’s clear that the plot has been lost a long time ago. This constant rebranding of what it means to be a ‘cool girl’ has led to a loss of the most important element of style: originality.

Rather than obsessing over the exact Pantone shade of orange that’s supposedly in this fall, it’s time to focus on the timeless pieces we already own and how we can elevate them to fit the current fashion climate. Embracing what we have, adding personal touches, and reinventing our style will always be more impactful than buying into the latest slideshow on TikTok telling us what’s ‘in’ this season.