While I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista, I’d say clothing is a semi-important part of my life. I like to think that I have a somewhat original style.

While I wouldn’t call my attire flashy, I feel like I usually get a fair amount of compliments on the way I dress, which I like, because I think the way I dress is, in some ways, a reflection of who I am and what I like.

That said, as we started a new decade, we realized that a wardrobe change may soon be necessary. It’s no secret that the fashion industry is always on the move, and I’d hate to be left in the dust. But with that realization came a big question: what direction is fashion going in 2020?
Now I’m no expert, but to figure it out, I decided to look at trends that were popular in the past decade as a starting point. The 2010s were an interesting time to say the least with regards to fashion.

Of the most notable trends, we saw the emergence of athleisure, ’90s skater and grunge styles, the rise of streetwear in collaboration with luxury brands and more gender-neutral clothing options, among many others. However, the biggest thing to hit the world of fashion in the 2010s was not any particular piece of clothing or style; it was actually social media.

A lot of people often talk about the negative consequences of social media in the day-to-day life of the average person. But, if there is one positive takeaway from social media, it’s that it gives everyone a platform to express themselves. When it comes to fashion specifically, the result of that open discussion is a world that is much more flexible and interactive.

Prior to social media, if you wanted to know what was in style, you had to look to magazines and catwalks, which essentially left very little creative freedom in the hands of anyone outside of the industry.

What is considered “fashionable” isn’t so black and white anymore because people outside of the industry can grow a following online and promote their own idea of what stylish apparel looks like.

You can wear whatever you think is cool, showcase it to millions of other people and before you know it, you’ve started a trend, regardless of what pompous designers and fashion critics have to say. There’s just so much more subjectivity in the world now.

Recognizing all of this, it’s difficult to predict what the landscape of fashion will look like this coming decade. The current state of the industry allows for much more freedom and fluidity in apparel than the world has ever really seen. This isn’t to say that trends won’t exist, but I don’t think they will exist within as strict guidelines.

No one could have predicted the extent to which this new platform could have effected the fashion industry, but I’m grateful for it.

I have no issue with high-culture or high fashion, but I think it’s good that people can explore their options and feel free to express themselves without worrying about what some model in Paris is wearing.