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The Unsettling Side of Trends


A woman in New York City wearing a beret, sunglasses, and hoop earrings, looking very trendy while shopping. She embodies modern fashion with confidence
Trendy fashion can be captivating, but staying true to yourself is what really matters. Here’s why I prefer pre-owned style and avoiding conformity.

How I Avoid the Fashion Programming


Why Trends Creep Me Out

Trends can be exciting and visually appealing. It’s fun to see what’s hot in fashion, and sometimes these trends are genuinely beautiful. I was particularly drawn to this pair of glasses that seemed to be everywhere. I even added them to my Amazon cart, though I haven’t purchased them yet.


But then something unsettling happened. I visited a friend and noticed these glasses sitting on her counter. A few days later, my girlfriend showed up wearing the same pair. The fact that they were so omnipresent began to creep me out. It was like a collective trance where everyone is subtly programmed to follow the same trends without questioning them.


Below are the Sojo sunglasses I’m referring to, and yes, they’re still sitting in my Amazon cart. Before you impulse buy, consider putting items in your cart and sitting on them for at least a week. Revisit them and ask yourself if you truly need them. I like these sunglasses, but I already have plenty. Do I really need another pair? We need to shake ourselves out of these trances and become conscious consumers.


Woman wearing sojos sunglasses in a fashion trance
Sojos Sunglasses Trends

This experience made me reflect on why I prefer shopping pre-owned and avoid trendy items. I choose to buy things that I’m genuinely drawn to, rather than what’s currently popular. When I see something trendy with multiple items on the rack, it makes me wary. I want to avoid the programming that seems to influence so many others and stay true to my own path rather than becoming just another follower.


We often consume like locusts, and I’m guilty of this myself. Sometimes I look around and feel disgusted by all the excess I have, which is why I sell my stuff. If you’re interested in any pre-owned items, check out my Poshmark closet here. For reference, I’m generally a size small and wear a size 8 in shoes.




Why I Shop Pre-Owned

I started shopping pre-owned primarily for financial reasons. There were items I was drawn to that were just too expensive, so I turned to thrift stores and began revamping clothing. This journey led me to create a YouTube channel called Runway Done My Way, where I shared my passion for finding and transforming pre-owned fashion pieces. The thrill of the hunt and the creative process of customizing each piece became a true passion for me.


With the launch of Poshmark, finding pre-owned items I loved became even more accessible. Growing up with four sisters, hand-me-downs were a common part of life because my family wasn’t wealthy. I’ve never minded wearing other people’s clothes. I enjoy imagining the stories behind each piece, whether or not those stories are true.


Additionally, shopping pre-owned aligns with my commitment to environmental sustainability. Fashion is known for its significant environmental impact, and as a woman, I feel a responsibility to protect our planet, which I view as a nurturing, female entity due to its capacity to give birth to life and beauty. Choosing pre-owned fashion helps me minimize my environmental footprint and contribute positively.


At the end of the day, the choice of how you shop is yours. I wanted to share my perspective because it’s a passion of mine and because the way we’re influenced by trends can be unsettling. If we’re so easily swayed by fashion, it raises concerns about how we might be influenced by other, potentially more significant issues. It’s worth considering how we engage with trends and whether we’re truly making choices based on our own values and preferences.



From Trendy to Trance

To resist conformity and maintain your own sense of self amidst the pressure of trends, ask yourself these questions:


Do I really love this trend?

Evaluate whether your attraction to the trend is genuine or if it'd influenced by external pressures to fit in, or manipulated by the marketing experts that study sociology to learn to access your mind to make you buy.


Is this trend aligned with my personal style?

Consider if this trend truly reflects who you are and your unique preferences.


Am I following this trend because of social proof?

Reflect on whether you’re adopting the trend because everyone else is or if it’s a choice you would make independently.


How will I feel about this trend in a few months?

Think about whether this trend will still resonate with you long-term or if it’s a fleeting interest.


By take a few moments to ask yourself these questions, you can better discern whether you’re making choices based on personal preference or simply following the crowd. You must begin to stand guard on the doorway of your mind and make conscious choices about what you buy and why, otherwise you too become a product. A product of external influence.


In a world where you can be anything, be yourself - Etta Turner



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