Trends: The Good, The Bad, and The Legendary

Trends. They don’t always end well, but when you hop on the right one, it can be iconic. On the flip side, if you hop on the wrong one… well, it can be a total disaster. So how do you know which trends are worth riding and which ones are better left alone? By definition, a trend is something that’s popular for a time but eventually fades. That means every trend comes with a risk: Do you ride the wave or let it pass you by?

Back in my day, trends included lower back tattoos, skinny eyebrows, and low-rise jeans. Two of the three we’re still trying to forget—and the third (low-rise jeans) is back with a vengeance. Apparently, our ’90s whale-tail dreams are alive and well.

But here’s the thing: if you love a trend long enough, it’ll come back around. Holding onto something you love is a totally valid strategy. We know people who have been wearing biker shorts since the ’90s and never stopped. Now that they’re back in style? These people are legendary. They knew what they liked, didn’t care what was trending, and eventually everyone caught up.

At the end of the day, you need to feel good about yourself. If you’re only wearing a trend to fit in but you hate how it looks on you, that’s a hard pass. But if you’re rocking a trend and feel like a total 12, then go all in.

To help you decide whether to jump on a trend or not, here are a few pros and cons:

The Positives of Trends:

1. It’s fun to feel like you’re part of something.
2. Being inspired by others means you don’t always have to start from scratch (also see #5 under Negatives).
3. Trends can come from different cultures and places—you can find global inspiration.
4. You can start your own trend or personalize one to make it yours.
5. They push you out of your comfort zone.

The Negatives of Trends:

1. If it’s permanent (hello, tattoos), you could be stuck with regret.
2. They can take away from your uniqueness.
3. There’s a high chance you’ll look back and cringe.
4. You’re buying into the idea that we all need to look and act the same.
5. Following trends can mean you stop being creative (see #2 in Positives).
6. It can be a waste of money—trendy doesn’t usually mean timeless. Hello, donation bin.

Here’s the truth: some trends will be for you, and some just won’t. Don’t be afraid to take risks and have fun with it. Not every trend is for everybody or every body. If it’s flattering, then it’s a good trend! When in doubt, you can never go wrong with just being yourself.