Over the years, we’ve seen dresses over jeans, puka shell necklaces, low-rise pants, high-waisted pants, cargo pants, frosted tips, brand-obvious polos, Doc Martens, athleisure, bomber jackets, and so much more. Fashion trends come and go—and sometimes come back again—and often lure individuals in with the promise of potentially being kind of cool (or at least feeling more secure while wearing what’s considered “in”).
Dallas resident Doug Mitchell said he finds fashion interesting, but because trends change so quickly, he doesn’t always feel like he’s able to keep up with what is most current. He also said he believes that many individuals often feel pressure to dress in certain ways based on what is considered hip or trendy because of what they want other people’s perceptions of them to be.
“People invest a lot in what other people think of them, and I think conforming with what everyone else is doing can be a safe choice,” he said. “If you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you’re less likely to make a mistake.”
While a person can be intrigued by fashion, that doesn’t mean that he or she adheres to what styles are and are not currently “acceptable” in terms of popularity and trendiness. Dallas resident Virginia Altick has a general interest in fashion, but she said she is rather casual in how she stays in the know on what styles are most popular at the time.
“If I need a trendy item, just like Macklemore, I prefer going to thrift shops like Uptown Cheapskate,” she said. “For wardrobe staples, I can thank my fashionable mother for giving me presents at Christmas from Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Zara, and Talbots.”
And now that she doesn’t face the social situations she did in the youth or adolescent stage, Altick said she no longer carries the same charge of pressure she once did years ago and is glad to be comfortable and confident in the outfit choices she makes.
“As an adult, I see fashion as a form of self-expression,” she said. “I do remember feeling pressure to have Cole Haan shoes and a Dooney & Bourke purse in high school, but looking back, those items are so ugly. I’ve seen trends come back from those times and wish I kept my original Birkenstocks and flare-leg jeans, though.”
Like with many pressures and expectations that exist in society, some individuals feel compelled to follow unofficial fashion rules so that they don’t stray too far from what is considered the norm. Dallas resident David Cerezo said he believes that many people concern themselves with fashion trends as a result of the fear of missing out and wanting to be part of a community with common activities and interests.
“It brings a certain ‘inclusivity happiness’ together with their friends or groups,” he said.
Cerezo, though, doesn’t concern himself with what others think are the best options to don in public.
“I still love my band shirts that made me and still make me happy to wear,” he said. “But it does go without saying that I have adapted my style over the years to make my life easier and/or to bring the confidence of my physique.”
Many people, like Cerezo, don’t mind bucking the trend. He said although there are a handful of exceptions (such as lewd attire at a religious establishment), a person should have the freedom to wear whatever he or she wants to wear. (Also, make sure to ask him about his experience in Rome, Italy, with the city’s law enforcement.)
“As long as you’re clothed, please give a generous smile and be kind to others,” Cerezo said. “Be respectful and follow requirements at all establishments if you wish to be serviced. But in public, it’s all game at one’s discretion.”
Some places have specific minimal clothing requirements (e.g., “no shoes, no shirt, no service”), while others are a bit stricter in their policies (e.g., no entry allowed if one is wearing jeans, flip-flops, etc.). Then there are general requirements that aren’t actually requirements, such as when people can wear pastels or other colors, whether or not skinny jeans should still be a thing, and others of the sort. Altick said she thinks that individuals tend to rebel against requirements, so she would opt to refrain from implementing any but prefers to present herself respectfully.
“I think the way you dress boosts self-confidence,” she said. “Oscar Wilde’s aphorism, ‘you can never be overdressed or overeducated’ has merit. You’ll never regret a healthy dose of modesty, but you might regret looking indecent or unhoused.”
Individuals and entities often have dress stipulations for gatherings they host—including events such as black-tie fundraising galas, themed parties, and formal or semi-formal banquets—which typically indicate that individuals should wear designated attire. Mitchell said he does think there should be fashion/dress code requirements or expectations in certain situations but definitely not all.
“Some expectations (like no white after Labor Day) are designed to create artificial divisions,” he said. “There are times when another person should be the focus of attention (like a bride on her wedding day), though, and if someone is inviting you to an event (like their wedding or a costume party), I think they can set the dress code.”
While there are situations when and places where certain clothing must be worn or not worn for attendance to be allowed, establishment requirements, or legal reasons, many adults are generally able to make their own fashion choices on a consistent basis and determine whether or not they want to follow what the current society suggests is “in.”
“I find it much more interesting to march to the beat of my own drum, but I don’t think that means I’m not concerned about what other people think about me,” Mitchell said.
And while Cerezo is comfortable wearing what he wants, he said he mixes his fashion up a little in terms of what is trendy and what might not be as popular currently.
“As our body tends to change over time, we can benefit from upgrading, modifying, and changing our wardrobes to enhance our lives,” he said. “We owe it to our delicate mortal shells.”
But whether you’re following what celebrities and socials tell you to sport or creating your own unique looks, it’s important to be confident and content in what you’re wearing. Altick, who likes to look nice but also prefers to be comfortable, said she is always looking for opportunities to show off some of her stylish attire.
“Since I teach fitness in the mornings and then work from home, most days I sport yoga pants,” she said. “If I have social plans, that’s when I take the time to combine a staple with a trend. I’d love to have more reasons to dress up so that I can use what’s in my wardrobe!”
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