How To Look Trendy Without Following The Latest Fashion Trends

Trends can be fun, but they're often hard to keep up with. There's ways to still be fashionable even without following trends
fashion · 3 min
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When it comes to trends, it's nearly impossible to stay in touch, especially if you're on a budget. It is important, though, to stay looking sharp. We made be in the time of online learning and virtual meetings, but people are still going to restaurants and having small weddings. 

Trends are fun but they can have some rather unforeseen repercussions. Trends work quickly, occurring and then quickly changing. They are often short-lived and pieces go out of style not long after they buy them. Trends also have a trickle-down effect, starting on the runway and working down to bargain shops. 

When trends start, manufacturers will quickly. They will often make a bunch of the same product and sell it at a moderate price. Those who keep up with trends buy the pieces. When the trend ends, the pieces are either thrown out, sold, donated, or handed down to younger siblings. This process is considered Fast Fashion.

There are, of course, ways to be considered trendy without following trends. There are two main ways to do this. Fashion is very free-thinking. There are no rules to follow but you shouldn't feel restricted to having to wear only trendy pieces.

Here are the 2 ways you can use to look trendy without following the latest fashion trends:

1. Make sure you always buy Standard Pieces

Make sure you always buy Standard Pieces to stay trendy

When you start your “real world” closet, you should own standard pieces. These include a nice pair of blue jeans, a nice pair of dress pants, a white t-shirt, a white button-down, a black turtleneck, and a little black dress. There are of course other variations of these pieces that make a closet simple.

If you are the type that likes to follow trends, owning standard pieces would mean buying trendy accessories. Not only do these tend to be cheaper than clothing, but they also tend to last longer. Some of these pieces work well under trendy pieces like jackets, earrings, headbands, shoes, or other such pieces. 

For example, some current trends are oversized jackets, sweater vests, and pastel colors. All of these things can be easily incorporated into outfits with standard pieces. This keeps you trendy but without having to buy all new pieces every season

2. Always dress Vintage/Classic

Always dress Vintage/Classic to stay in trend

This is very popular nowadays. Classic looks like long skirts, casual dresses, dress pants, and black dresses never go out of style. Vintage shopping has been popular as of late as well. From 70’s bell-bottoms to 80’s bomber jackets, these pieces can easily be found at thrift shops. This is both environmentally conscious and wallet-friendly.  

Websites like DePop and Etsy are great places to find vintage pieces, although many of them are bought from thrift stores and the prices are hoisted up. You can also learn to make some of your own pieces. 

Currently, the Y2K look is very popular. If you still have tons of old clothes that you had back then, you can even style it to fit the look of today. It’s really a way of combining 2021 with 2000.


In summary, fashion has no rules! You can be trendy or you can dress however you want. You can follow trends if you want or you can dress completely differently. There are always things like sustainability, ethics, and price to consider when you shop. How you chose to buy is entirely up to you. 

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Opinions and Perspectives

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Elaine_ShootingStar commented Elaine_ShootingStar 3 years ago

Learning to alter thrifted clothes has been a game changer for my wardrobe.

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JosephineX commented JosephineX 3 years ago

Shopping your own closet first is underrated advice.

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Norah-Webb commented Norah-Webb 3 years ago

Classic pieces might cost more initially but they save money in the long run.

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Tessa-Gibson commented Tessa-Gibson 3 years ago

Sustainable fashion doesnt have to mean boring fashion.

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AllisonJ commented AllisonJ 3 years ago

Being fashionable on a budget is possible with some creativity and patience.

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MindfulLiving commented MindfulLiving 3 years ago

The article could have mentioned more about choosing flattering cuts and styles.

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PeacefulWarrior commented PeacefulWarrior 3 years ago

Fast fashion is tempting but the quality just isnt worth it anymore.

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Wardrobe_Passion commented Wardrobe_Passion 3 years ago

Standard pieces in neutral colors are so versatile for mixing and matching.

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Faith-Manning commented Faith-Manning 3 years ago

Love mixing high and low pieces. Designer accessories with thrifted basics works great.

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FrancesX commented FrancesX 3 years ago

Second hand shopping online is convenient but prices are getting crazy.

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Active-Soul_07 commented Active-Soul_07 3 years ago

Looking trendy is overrated. Personal style and comfort matter more.

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Cheerful-Spirit_28 commented Cheerful-Spirit_28 3 years ago

Building a wardrobe slowly with quality pieces really does pay off.

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Iconic_Style_88 commented Iconic_Style_88 3 years ago

Wish the article went into more detail about choosing quality fabrics.

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The-BalancedMind_101 commented The-BalancedMind_101 3 years ago

Its true about trends moving fast. Already seeing Y2K styles being replaced.

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Superfood-Power_88 commented Superfood-Power_88 3 years ago

Local thrift stores are getting picked clean by resellers these days.

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Lilac_Dew commented Lilac_Dew 3 years ago

The key is finding pieces that make you feel confident, trendy or not.

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OliveM commented OliveM 3 years ago

Anyone else find that their style completely changed during the pandemic?

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HerbalVibes commented HerbalVibes 3 years ago

Surprised the article didnt mention shoes. A good pair can elevate any basic outfit.

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Flora_Magic commented Flora_Magic 3 years ago

Vintage shopping takes time but its worth it for unique pieces that last.

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Margo_Light commented Margo_Light 3 years ago

The tip about standard pieces under trendy jackets is brilliant. Going to try that!

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FlowState-Zen_07 commented FlowState-Zen_07 3 years ago

Been trying to shop more sustainably but its challenging in smaller towns with limited options.

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Classy-Vision commented Classy-Vision 3 years ago

Never thought about accessories being a cheaper way to stay trendy. Smart tip!

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SoulAligned_999 commented SoulAligned_999 3 years ago

Finding your personal style is more important than following trends.

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ZinniaJ commented ZinniaJ 3 years ago

Started investing in better quality basics and they really do last longer.

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Carla-MacDonald commented Carla-MacDonald 3 years ago

The article makes good points about sustainability but fast fashion is still tempting when youre on a budget.

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SacredSelf_Care_111 commented SacredSelf_Care_111 3 years ago

Interesting how fashion cycles keep returning. Maybe I should have kept my moms old clothes.

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Francesca_Skies commented Francesca_Skies 3 years ago

Anyone else struggle with keeping white shirts actually white? Need laundry advice!

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Aisha99 commented Aisha99 3 years ago

Love thrifting but it can be overwhelming. Any tips for finding good pieces?

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Chic_Horizon commented Chic_Horizon 3 years ago

Making your own clothes is rewarding but definitely requires patience and practice.

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VedaJ commented VedaJ 3 years ago

Pastel colors are mentioned as trendy but they really never go out of style in spring.

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Cassidy_Whisper commented Cassidy_Whisper 3 years ago

The advice about standard pieces is great for guys too. A well-fitting white shirt never fails.

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SelfLoveClub commented SelfLoveClub 3 years ago

Trying to build a capsule wardrobe but its hard to let go of trendy pieces I might wear someday.

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SereneSoul commented SereneSoul 3 years ago

My best outfits always come from combining basic pieces with one statement item.

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JoyfulJourney commented JoyfulJourney 3 years ago

Wonder if todays trends will be considered vintage treasures in 20 years.

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SunnySoul_Shine_77 commented SunnySoul_Shine_77 3 years ago

Just counted and I wear about 20% of my clothes 80% of the time. Maybe its time to simplify.

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Edgy_Glam_101 commented Edgy_Glam_101 3 years ago

The environmental impact of fast fashion is terrifying. We need more articles promoting sustainable choices.

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InnerGlow_Radiance_360 commented InnerGlow_Radiance_360 3 years ago

Started thrifting recently and its like a treasure hunt. Found some amazing vintage pieces.

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Fashion_Hub commented Fashion_Hub 3 years ago

Black turtleneck is definitely a must-have. Serves me well in both casual and formal settings.

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Phoebe_Soul commented Phoebe_Soul 3 years ago

Learning to mix and match standard pieces has saved me so much money and closet space.

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Trendy_Essentials commented Trendy_Essentials 3 years ago

Bell bottoms are back? Maybe I should raid my moms closet instead of shopping online!

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Darla_Soft commented Darla_Soft 4 years ago

The pandemic really changed how I view fashion. Comfort and versatility are my priorities now.

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StreetStyle_Dream commented StreetStyle_Dream 4 years ago

I work in fashion and this is exactly what I tell my clients. Build a foundation of classics first.

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Classic_Vogue_27 commented Classic_Vogue_27 4 years ago

Finding good quality standard pieces is harder than it sounds though. Any suggestions for affordable brands?

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Dapper-Aesthetic commented Dapper-Aesthetic 4 years ago

Really appreciate the practical approach this article takes. Fashion doesnt have to be complicated or expensive.

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Style_Queen_01 commented Style_Queen_01 4 years ago

Not sure I agree with everything here. Sometimes trendy pieces can become classics if you choose carefully.

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GoodVibesOnly commented GoodVibesOnly 4 years ago

The advice about trendy accessories is spot on. Changed up my whole look just by updating my jewelry and bags.

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IoneX commented IoneX 4 years ago

Been sewing my own clothes lately. It's amazing how much money you can save while creating exactly what you want.

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WholeBody_Health_2024 commented WholeBody_Health_2024 4 years ago

Interesting point about trickle-down fashion. Never thought about how trends move from runway to bargain shops.

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CharlotteBrown commented CharlotteBrown 4 years ago

Can we talk about how versatile a little black dress is? Best investment piece ever.

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SelfWorthMatters commented SelfWorthMatters 4 years ago

Totally agree about those standard pieces like the white button-down. I wear mine at least once a week.

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Glam-Guru commented Glam-Guru 4 years ago

The part about sustainable fashion really resonates. Fast fashion is destroying our planet and we need to be more mindful.

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HappyGutHappyLife commented HappyGutHappyLife 4 years ago

Sometimes I feel pressured to keep up with trends but this article reminded me its okay to stick to what works for me.

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WellnessWarrior commented WellnessWarrior 4 years ago

My grandma always said invest in good basics and she was right. Everything else can be thrifted or accessorized.

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Ava_Rose commented Ava_Rose 4 years ago

This really speaks to me as someone who wants to look good but hates following trends. Classic pieces are definitely the way to go.

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Hope99 commented Hope99 4 years ago

Love the suggestion about buying trendy accessories instead of whole outfits. Such a smart way to stay current without overspending.

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Autumn_Collins commented Autumn_Collins 4 years ago

Anyone else noticed how expensive vintage clothing has become on DePop? The markup is ridiculous compared to local thrift stores.

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AnnaGrace commented AnnaGrace 4 years ago

The Y2K revival is fascinating. I still have some pieces from back then but honestly not sure if I should wear them again!

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Luxe_Vintage commented Luxe_Vintage 4 years ago

Just started my first office job and this article is super helpful. Building a capsule wardrobe with standard pieces makes getting dressed so much easier.

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Haute_Curation commented Haute_Curation 4 years ago

Thrifting has been my go-to for years. Found amazing vintage pieces that look way better than new fast fashion items.

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Unstoppable_You_101 commented Unstoppable_You_101 4 years ago

Actually disagree about standard pieces being boring. It's all about how you style them. I've gotten so many compliments on my simple white button-down paired with different accessories.

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Haute_Fashionista commented Haute_Fashionista 4 years ago

The point about fast fashion is so important. I've stopped buying trendy pieces and focused on quality basics. My wallet thanks me!

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Beatrice_Cloud commented Beatrice_Cloud 4 years ago

Standard pieces are great but they can be so boring. I prefer mixing vintage finds with modern accessories to create my own unique style.

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Fashion_Relentless commented Fashion_Relentless 4 years ago

I love how this article emphasizes that fashion doesn't have to break the bank. Been building my wardrobe with classic pieces and it's made such a difference!

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