Friday, 29 July
10 Jul
TRENDING
The world of fashion can be rather difficult, especially with so many aesthetics to choose from and different trends making an impression on social media every day.
Even the era of the Kardashians’ Brazilian butt lift is over, with the socialite family reversing the surgeries that gave them their juicy derrieres.
The first half of the year was all about the Y2K comeback, with Gen Z at the head of the fashion pack. The second half of the year is proving to be quite interesting as fashion is shifting away from the Y2K aesthetic.
READ: Goodbye Y2K: Say hello to the future of fashion
Here are a few trends we can look forward to for the rest of the year, and this time, hopefully, they’ll carry us into next year.
The maximalist revival:
After minimalism completely bored us and flooded our timelines for years, maximalism seems to be making a comeback, and it’s all about the beauty of excess.
After maximalism’s downfall during the early 2010s, it seems as if people are finally ready to move on from the mundane minimalist look. Maximalist fashion is the only place where more is more, and colour is your best friend.
Pairing big collars, colourful make-up looks, trousers and dresses with one another might seem clownish, but maximalist fashion places an emphasis on statement pieces and a loud expression of self. Maximalist fashion might just be the next trend that lasts well into the decade.
Shoulder padded to the gods:
If you told me that the shoulder pads from the 1930s would become popular again, I would have laughed at you. And yet, here we are. The bigger the shoulder pad, the better. It’s common for fashion trends to fall away and become popular again.
The first time we saw the rise of the shoulder pads for women was in the 1930s, then again in the 1990s when celebrities, musicians and artists would sport large shoulder pads in photos and videos.
The new-age shoulder pads are different due to their emphasis on the angular shape this time around. There’s no longer such a thing as having shoulder pads that are too big.
READ: Photos | Durban July brings back the glitz and glam
The shoulder pad trend doesn’t seem like it will last too long, but it is definitely the perfect fashion statement for the cold winter months. It can also be paired with a bralette when it gets a bit warmer.
Hypertexture:
When it comes to a good outfit, you can never have too many textures.
This look is perfect for people who might feel like maximalism is too much, but still want to stand out in a crowd.
The best part about hypertexture looks is that they don’t need to be bright and loud and, even if they are, they pair well with subtle colours and shapes such as a bright shaggy jacket with a pair of skinny jeans and a crop top.
For the bolder looks, hypertextures such as knitwear, feathers and fringes can also be paired well, and will definitely ensure you’re the talk of any event.
Corset madness:
Corsets have been an extremely popular item of clothing for centuries, and their uses have also changed. What was officially created in the 15th century as a means to make women’s bodies narrower in appearance has become quite the cultural reset this year.
One thing is certain, you can never go wrong with a good corset. Although they were previously worn as undergarments, corsets can still be found as undergarments, but they are more popular as tops that come in different shapes and colours.
These include the crop, the harness, the metallic or the Elizabethan corset. What makes this trend great is that there is a corset for almost every aesthetic, and it gives the appearance of a cinched waist.
Skin is your best friend:
The body positivity movement has become increasingly popular over the years. And it has given people the opportunity to express themselves unapologetically through fashion that they might have never worn without that vote of confidence.
READ: Watch | The many faces of Mary Twala
Now is the time to show some skin and, of course, feel like the true baddie that you are. Less is more with mesh tops and dresses. This look works for all seasons because of its versatility. In summer, be brave and go out in your lace, and in winter pair it with a big, warm trench coat with a surprise underneath.
While the idea that Y2K fashion may be phasing out soon is sad, fashion is always evolving. Although there is nothing new under the sun, it feels like a futurist fashion moment might just be on the shoreline.
26 Jul
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