Can You Follow Fashion Trends and Still Shop Sustainably?
I champion slow fashion, secondhand style, and the beauty of a curated, conscious wardrobe. But let’s be honest, trends can be fun. A new silhouette, colour palette, or styling trick can reignite your love for fashion and spark fresh inspiration. So, is it ever okay to embrace trends when you're trying to shop more sustainably?
The short answer? Absolutely. Following fashion trends and embracing ethical fashion habits aren’t mutually exclusive, as long as you approach them with intention.
What Are Fashion Trends, Really?
Trends are essentially shifts in collective taste, patterns that shape what we wear and how we style ourselves. Some are fleeting (hello, fast fashion micro-trends), while others become timeless staples (think blazers, white shirts, or the little black dress).
The key to navigating trends as a conscious consumer is understanding which ones truly resonate with your personal style, and which are just passing distractions.
Can You Be Trend-Led and Still Be Sustainable?
Yes…but it starts with mindset.
Sustainable fashion doesn't mean never evolving. In fact, it’s healthy to respond to what inspires you, as long as you’re not falling into the trap of fashion overconsumption. The trick is to engage with trends without buying new for the sake of newness.
Here are a few ways to do it:
Shop your wardrobe first: You’d be surprised how many trends come back around. That '90s slip dress or oversized blazer you’ve had for years? Bang on trend again.
Buy preloved or vintage: There are so many re-sellers that make it easy to find trend-inspired pieces that are already in circulation.
Borrow, swap or rent: For short-term interest or a one-off event, borrowing from a friend or renting can scratch the trend itch without adding to landfill.
Upcycle: Reinvent old pieces by tailoring, dyeing, or restyling them in fresh ways. It’s fashion-forward and uniquely yours.
Timeless Trends vs. Fads
Some trends are worth investing in, especially when they align with a minimalist wardrobe or have long-term styling potential. These "slow trends" evolve gradually and feel relevant season after season.
Examples include:
Quiet luxury and elevated basics
Tailored silhouettes
All-black everything (forever a Little Black Look classic)
High-quality knitwear
Chunky loafers or structured bags
On the flip side, avoid the pull of fast fashion micro-trends that rise and fall within weeks. They often rely on synthetic materials, low-wage labour, and create unnecessary waste.
When Trends Can Actually Be Useful
Here’s the good news: trends can be a tool for creativity. They can encourage you to restyle pieces in new ways, discover fresh silhouettes, or even reignite your love for items you’d forgotten about.
Fashion should be fun, but not mindless. Use trends to refresh, not replace.
The Slow Fashion Approach to Trends
Here’s how to stay trend-aware without compromising your values:
Ask why you like a trend: Is it your style, or just your feed talking?
Pause before you buy: Could you recreate it with what you already own?
Set personal style goals: Align trends with your wardrobe vision.
Curate, don’t collect: One great piece > five forgettable ones.
You can be fashion-forward and still be a conscious consumer. The key is to engage with trends mindfully, support ethical fashion platforms, and always, always shop your wardrobe first.
I believe that true style isn’t about chasing the next thing, it’s about dressing with intention, confidence, and care for the planet. So yes, enjoy trends. Just make sure you wear them…don’t let them wear you.