With the advent of ecommerce, today’s fashion trends are moving faster than ever. It seems that just as soon as high-fashion appears on the catwalk, celebrities are wearing it on the red carpet and clothing manufacturers are re-interpreting it for the everyday woman to wear. From matching floral prints to a camouflage wedding dress, 2013 has already been an iconic year for fashion trends. As trends come and go, one thing remains certain; like history, fashion repeats itself.
It has been theorized that fashion trends take about 50-150 years to come back into fashion. James Laver, a fashion theorist and historian attempted to explain the lifecycle of fashion trends in a theory he called “Laver’s Law.” The law said that when apparel is worn before coming into fashion, it is perceived as indecent; 5 years before, shameless; 1 year before, daring; and is not considered charming until 50 years after its height. Laver claimed that it takes a full 150 years before a trend is considered beautiful again.
Whether this is true, it cannot be denied that fashion trends do come back full circle after a while. For example, take shoulder pads, which were introduced by designer Christian Dior in the 1940s. They were swept away by simpler and more feminine silhouettes of the 1940s-1960s and did not make a comeback until the 1980s when they became the trademark of 80s “power-dressing.” Now in the 2010s, we are starting to see designers warm up to shoulder embellishments and stronger shapes. While there has not been a full on shoulder-pad resurgence yet, if the theory holds true, it may be well on its way. However, this year we did see fashion trends that were popular in the 1960s and 1970s come back in style. From striped knits to high-waist tap pants and lady-like dresses and handbags, we saw the old make a comeback in 2012. We have also seen a big trend in jewelry and accessories, seeing statement necklaces and vintage-style pieces becoming all the rage. Some women now consider what they are wearing on their neck, arms, and ears more important that what’s covering their bodies, opting for more streamlined and classic clothing pieces.
Whatever your style, inspiration can be found by taking a look into the past. If the timing is right, you may be well on your way to predicting the next big fashion trend of the season. If you’re in the market for unique, fashionable styles, one place to check out is Peacock Plume, an Austin jewelry boutique that carries trendy jewelry and accessories that pair perfectly with all the latest fashion trends.