How to Keep up With Fashion Trends

Co-authored by Ashley Kahn and Amber Crain

Last Updated: September 23, 2023 Approved

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Keeping up with new trends is a fun way to dress fashionably and express yourself. Fashion trends change so quickly, though, and it can be tough to keep up with that fast-paced world. To help you out, we've put together a list of useful tips for staying ahead of the most important trends in fashion. With these tricks, you'll always be the most informed and stylish person in the room!

1

Tune in to fashion week for upcoming trends.

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Fashion week happens twice a year in New York, Milan, Paris, and London. Since these cities are the fashion capitals of the world, they're the main hubs for runway shows during fashion week. Fashion week previews styles for the upcoming season every February and September—for instance, in September, the runways showcase fashions for the next spring/summer.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} If you want to stay ahead of trends, fashion week is one of the best sources out there!
- Don’t worry, the dates are staggered so each city gets its own week and upcoming dates are posted online far in advance.^{[2]
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- Some shows are open to the public and others can be live-streamed. Fashion magazines and bloggers will cover the shows extensively, as well, so you'll have plenty of ways to tap in.^{[3]
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- Up-and-coming new designers often make their debuts during fashion week.^{[4]
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2

Pay attention to current runway collections.

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Check out what’s happening in haute couture and ready-to-wear. Haute couture features one-of-a-kind designer items that you can’t buy in stores. Ready-to-wear features more wearable items from designers that are mass-produced and available in stores. Both are important when it comes to trend spotting!
- Designers often loan haute couture items to celebrities to wear on the red carpet, where so many trends begin.^{[5]
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- Haute couture is an art form; designers often use these shows to make social, political, and environmental statements.
- Some designers combine haute couture and ready-to-wear in a single show; others do separate shows for each collection.
- Big designer names include Saint Laurent, Gucci, Valentino, Dior, Tom Ford, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Hermès, Givenchy, Armani, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Versace, and Louis Vuitton.^{[6]
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3

Subscribe to the best fashion magazines.

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Most of the top fashion magazines also offer free content online. Magazines and websites are great for keeping up with trends since new content is published monthly. Designers always publish ads featuring their newest designs and products, and you also get special content, like interviews with top designers and big spreads of the newest runway collections.^{[7]
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Research source} A few of the most respected publications include:
- Vogue
- InStyle
- Harper’s BAZAAR
- ELLE
- Who What Wear (online only)^{[8]
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  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}

4

Follow your favorite designers online.

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Many fashion designers have personal Instagram and Twitter accounts where you can pick up great information, exclusive content, and announcements before anyone else. You also get cool stuff like behind-the-scenes images, sneak-peeks of collections, inspirational posts, selfies with friends, and glimpses into their private homes.^{[9]
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5

Use hashtags to explore trends on social media.

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Specific hash tags are a quick path to the content you want to see! If you want to navigate fashion on social media without wasting any time, hashtags are the way to go. There are specific hashtags for fashion trends, events, designers, bloggers, photography, types of clothing and accessories, and much more. Here are a few options to get you started:
- General: #fashion, #fashionista, #fashionstyle, #fashiongram, #fashionaddict, #fashionpost, #fashionlover, #fashiondaily, #styletrends
- Blogs, publications, and influencers: #fashionblogger, #fashionblog, #fashiondiaries, #fashionmagazine, #styleblogger, #fashioninfluencer
- Events: #fashionweek, #fashionshow, #fashionweekstyle, #fashionweekend, #fashionshows, #runwayfashion
- Designers and professionals: #fashiondesigner, #fashionstylist, #fashionphotographer, #fashionbrand, #fashioneditor

6

Keep up with celebrity trends.

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Popular celebrities have a lot of influence over fashion trends. Many stylish celebrities, like Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce, have become powerful fashion influencers through their social media profiles and online platforms. Since there are tons of celebrities out there, start by following actors and musicians you already admire, especially if you’ve seen them rocking killer styles in the past.^{[10]
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- A few celebrities that are big in fashion right now: the Hadid sisters, the Jenner sisters, Hailey Baldwin, Rihanna, and Victoria Beckham.
- The Zoe Report is a great online source run by famous stylist and blogger Rachel Zoe.
- Fashion websites and magazines cover celebrity trends, too. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out the celebrity style sections on sites like The Trend Spotter and Who What Wear.^{[11]
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7

Pay attention to styles at important events.

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Annual events like Coachella and award ceremonies are key resources. Events that are connected to movies and music are usually the best options for spotting fashion trends. You can check out live footage, news coverage, and photo spreads from these events to stay ahead of new trends and coveted red carpet looks.^{[12]
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Research source} A few essential events to follow every year:
- The Grammy’s
- The Met Gala
- Coachella Music Festival
- The Billboard Music Awards
- The Oscars

8

Read fashion blogs.

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Fashion bloggers cover all the newest trends and best designers. Designers often ask influential bloggers to promote and wear their newest pieces. They also get invited to exclusive fashion events and write extensively about them, which is awesome. Plus, bloggers include personal thoughts and opinions in their posts, which really sets their content apart from corporate fashion publications.^{[13]
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- Start by searching phrases like “best fashion bloggers,” “blogs about fashion designers,” and “fashion trend blogs” and get to reading!
- YouTube vloggers create frequent content that you can check out.

9

Scope out trends in the streets.

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Street-style trends are looks worn by stylish folks in the real world. Street-style fashion can be extremely influential and has inspired many designers and trends over the years. The next time you’re out and about, especially in a big city or metropolitan area, pay attention to what people are wearing as they walk past you.^{[14]
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- If you see any interesting looks or common themes, make a mental note to look into the trend online.

10

Go window shopping regularly.

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Retail stores usually get new styles at the start of each season. One easy way to stay informed about fashion trends is by paying attention to what merchandise stores are selling.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Shelley Golden
Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist

Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.} Head to your local mall or drop into your favorite department stores at least once a season to see what styles are trending on the racks.
- Don’t forget to check the mannequins! They usually sport collection highlights.
- Branch out and explore new stores, too. You may think a certain brand just isn't your style, but you still might learn something valuable about new trends.
- You can “window shop” online, too.

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Keep up With Fashion Trends

Expert Q&A

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Question

Where can I get fashion inspiration?

Shelley Golden
Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist
Shelley Golden is the founder of Shelley Golden Style based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of fashion and visual arts experience, Shelley has worked for The International Academy of Merchandise and Design in Chicago, the Wellesley Historical Society, and at Bloom formerly: Image For Success. Shelley is a certified Color Consultant from The Image and Color Institute International and a Color Specialist Member of Color Designers International (CDI). Shelley holds a BS in Textile and Business from Arizona State University and was rated a Top Pro of 2018 by Thumbtack.

Shelley Golden

Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist

Expert Answer

Try keeping up with what's coming out on the runways. You can also read magazines and newspapers to keep up with different trends. Also, many bloggers, models, and designers use Twitter and Instagram to share information about their favorite trends and sources of inspiration.

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Question

How do I keep up with what the next big trend will be?

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist
Ashley Kahn is a Wardrobe Stylist based in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Ashley styles women both in-person and virtually and is passionate about empowering women through the art of personal style. She believes every woman deserves to feel comfortable, classy, and confident every single day. Ashley holds a business degree from Sam Houston State University. She has been featured on KPRC's Channel 2 Houston Life and ABC 13's Check This Out Houston and in the Houstonia magazine. Ashley has also hosted Macy’s “The Wardrobe Edit” and the “It List” fashion shows.

Ashley Kahn

Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Answer

Pay attention to Fashion Week. In the fall, the runways will show the styles that will be sold for the next spring and summer, and in the spring, you'll have the fall shows. When you look over the styles from the shows, you'll be able to spot trends that will be big for the next season.

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I'm 11 years old. How can I follow fashion trends?

Community Answer

When you're following fashion trends, it can be frustrating if you don't have the time, money and opportunity to try out the latest fashions for yourself. Think of it this way - you have a great opportunity now to try out creative fashion options that older people with jobs and other commitments often can't! Using your favorite designers for inspiration, consider looking into thrift stores in your area to create unique looks. Remember, the style blogger Tavi Gevinson was about your age when she started her hit blog chronicling her fashion adventures. Good luck!

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