Saw this topic on instagram and made me reflect deeper, so here is my take:
Fashion is a powerful language. It speaks without words, reveals character, and reflects the time we live in. Within this expressive world lies a persistent tension between two influential forces: personal taste and trends. While both shape the way we dress, they represent fundamentally different approaches to style. Taste is about individuality; trends are about mass appeal. As fashion becomes increasingly fast-paced and social media-driven, the contrast between taste and trend becomes even more critical to understand—and more difficult to navigate.
Defining Taste and Trend
To begin, it’s important to define what we mean by "taste" and "trend" in the context of fashion.
Taste is deeply personal. Is often shaped by a mix of factors—cultural background, lifestyle, personal values, body image, and even emotional experiences. Someone with strong personal taste knows what works for them and doesn't feel pressured to follow the crowd. Their wardrobe is a reflection of self-awareness and intention.
In contrast, trend is a popular style or movement that emerges, peaks, and eventually fades. They are often adopted quickly and widely, but just as quickly discarded.While trends can be fun and innovative, they are often short-lived and susceptible to external influence.
The Influence of Trends in Modern Fashion
Trends have always been part of fashion’s ecosystem. In the past, they were largely dictated by elite designers and fashion houses, trickling down through magazines and seasonal collections. Today, however, the internet—especially platforms like TikTok—has radically changed how trends emerge and spread. A single influencer's outfit can spark a global phenomenon overnight.
This accelerated cycle has led to what critics call "fast fashion" where clothing is produced cheaply and rapidly to keep up with fleeting trends. But while this gives consumers access to current styles at a low price, it often comes at the cost of originality, quality, and sustainability.
On the other hand, is not only trending clothing. We can see on videos, mannerisms that people are repeatedly doing (faces, voices, etc). Or in pictures, certain poses, ways of portraying yourself in a weird way so it can boost views.
The pressure to stay "on trend" can also dilute personal expression. Many people buy/act what is popular not because they love it, but because they fear being seen as outdated.
Why Personal Taste Matters
Personal taste, in contrast, is rooted in authenticity. It involves thoughtful choices—clothes that resonate with your personality, lifestyle, and aesthetic vision. While taste can evolve over time, it is less reactive and more deliberate than trend-following. I think people forget that taste requires time, its a process!
Having good taste in fashion means understanding what complements your body type, choosing colors and silhouettes that make you feel confident, and investing in quality over quantity. Taste is not about being flashy or always different—it’s about being true to yourself.
The Big Question: Can Taste and Trend Coexist?
Despite their differences, taste and trend are not always opposing forces. In fact, they often intersect. Someone with strong taste might occasionally adopt elements of a trend that align with their style. For example, a minimalist dresser, like me, might incorporate a trending color or accessory in a subtle way, without abandoning their core aesthetic. Conversely, following a trend can sometimes help people discover their personal taste by exposing them to new styles they hadn't considered before.
The key is intentionality. If you embrace a trend because it genuinely excites or flatters you—not because it's popular—then it becomes part of your taste. It’s when we adopt trends blindly or compulsively that we lose our sense of self in the process.
Cultural and Social Considerations
I would say, Fashion doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Our tastes and the trends we follow are often shaped by broader cultural, social, and economic forces. In some communities, wearing trendy clothes is a form of social capital, a way of signaling belonging, wealth, or awareness. For others, resisting trends is a political act—an assertion of individuality, cultural pride, or resistance to consumerism.
It’s also important to acknowledge that not everyone has equal access to fashion. Personal taste can sometimes be limited by budget, body inclusivity, or geographic location. In such cases, trends might offer a rare sense of connection or aspiration. Understanding these nuances helps us appreciate the complex roles fashion plays in different lives.
Sooooooo: Choosing with Purpose
I think, cultivating personal taste is a form of resistance—and empowerment. While trends can be playful and inspiring, relying on them too heavily can lead to waste, disconnection, and a loss of identity. Developing your own taste takes time and reflection, but the reward is a wardrobe—and a sense of self—that feels truly yours.
In the end, fashion is most powerful when it becomes a tool of expression, not imitation. Whether you follow the trend or trust your taste, the question to ask is not "Is this popular?" but "Is this me?"
xx