Lake Middle High School students tackle this season’s statement fashion trends as we shift gears into the months of autumn. This September, the fashion world has seen the return of past beloved styles as well as the introduction of new and improved looks. Participating students have shared their perspectives on the shifting period of this season’s fashion trends through a public poll.
Color is an essential and often overlooked aspect of fashion styling. A collection’s palette sets the tone for design, influencing the overall aesthetic of the look. From the perspective of our contributing students, a whopping 80% favor the earthy colors of fall, conforming with large industry features of warmer tones and natural palettes.
It can be assumed that this advocacy for neutral colors reflects the natural world’s shift in shade. These seasonal palettes often transfer into the fashion world, connecting us with the environment emotionally and physically.
Beyond the basics of color coordination, students face the question of returning and departing styles of the past fall season. The downtown aesthetic, a style revolving around the romanticizing of downtown living, has gained immense popularity in the fashion world. Consisting of casual fall attire with a slight hint of grunge appearance, the downtown aesthetic has held its reign in popularity since the 2022 fall season. However, as the seasons shift, the fashionableness of the downtown girl and boy may be behind us.
Around 40% of surveyed students state that they believe the downtown aesthetic is faltering in style, slowly slipping away into the archives. However, the majority still favors the autumnal view of downtown living, hoping for the return of the New York City-inspired lifestyle.
Alongside clothing style, accessories are an important addition to individualized personality and expression within fashion. This fall, we can expect to see the return of minimalistic accessorizing, accompanying the simplicity of mainstream fall fashion.
According to selected Lake High School students, minimalism stands as the favored style of expression. Minimalism provides a pleasant sense of organization to the eye, reducing visual clutter and discomfort. On top of this, the minimalism movement promotes the importance of sustainability in waste reduction and proper consumption.
Apart from the visual features of design, the importance of comfort over style is a long-lasting and mentionable debate within the fashion community. Comfort allows for a decrease in stress and anxiety, as it can aid an individual in feeling more relaxed and focused. Around 65% of contributing Lake High School students quote that comfort is the foremost component of fashion.
Regarding a school environment, if students find themselves in a state of discomfort they may struggle to block out any distractions or negativity within their surroundings. Style is a reflection of personality, however, without comfort, an individual may lack the confidence to express themselves.
As the summer heat fades into autumn, the fashion trends of the season progress to reflect both individuality and seasonal demands. The features we embrace today will ultimately hold their significance in fashion history, temporarily in the spotlight but permanently engraved in the style of the era.
