Fashion, It’s Ever Changing
Graphics by Lexie Haupt
Fashion is something that never stays the same. There are always trends that are so in one day, but then out the next. It can be challenging to keep up with the aggressive ever changing current that is fashion. I mean, we once saw a dress over jeans and folded uggs to be all the rave, but now we look back at fashion like this and cringe. However, there are some points in fashion history where fashion doesn't just go away, but certain fashion no’s come back as the new biggest trends.
When I say fashion no’s, I mean things that as a child we were too disgusted to wear, or too embarrassed to walk down the hall in. I’m talking about crazy graphic shirts, polka dots and cheetah prints that were barf-worthy. I remember my mother buying me a polka dot shirt with multicolor rainbow dots and cheetah print shoes for formal occasions, neither of these things were ever worn. In the 80’s, these things may have been all the hype, but in 2010 I would rather drop dead. But now, polka dots and leopard print is the new trend. Fashion is like a wave; in a few years statement necklaces can be making a splash amongst teenagers in the early 2000s. Popularity for these trends may dwindle and the waves may settle. But waves never stay calm for long. Is that a good or a bad thing? It depends on how big the statement is.
This comparison to fashion as a wave can be seen through brands as well, take Champion as an example. The company was started in 1919 as knit wear but swiftly changed to athletic clothing. For centuries, the popularity of Champion grew, as it was seen as both affordable and trendy during the 70’s and 80’s especially. That all changed in the 2000s to the later 2010s when popularity dwindled for the brand, why? Competition between brands and the opinion that Champion was a discount brand. For the most part people made fun of those with Champion clothes because it could be easily bought at stores like Walmart. However, it wasn’t until 2017 where Champion started to make a resurgence with its clothing line of nostalgic 90s wear. This became a turning point for the brand, skyrocketing its demand; the brand went from Walmart to having stores in malls and on famous shopping streets around the world.
Fashion goes in and goes out. It's difficult to understand why but most reasons stem from social acceptance and nostalgia. But fashion within the Syracuse Community isn’t about that. Fashion to SU means expressing yourself and having fun with your looks. When walking around campus, there are so many people of different styles. Some may like polka dots and skinny jeans, but others may enjoy graphic tees and juicy couture. The point is, everyone has a different fashion sense. What’s considered a fashion do to someone is a fashion don’t to another. While fashion may be ever changing, it is also our differing opinions that change the fashion industry altogether.