Who decides what you wear?

Today I was listing a perfectly good pair of skinny jeans (not my size), thinking: there are people who are trying to tell us that these are “out of style,” when not so long ago they were perfectly acceptable. It makes me think how much we are controlled by the fashion industry and other people’s opinions—the people who tell us what we should and should not wear. Can you imagine how much senseless textile waste we generate because we believe we “should not wear that anymore” because somebody said so, and we believe it? I agree there are some fashion trends that should never have seen the light of day and deserve a decent burial (pick your favorite) but for the most part, we reject our clothes when they are far from being past their best wear. I admit, I do it, too. I think 10% of our wardrobe should be fresh and new styles just to keep things fun and interesting, but for the most part, if a you have a piece you just like, it fits you well and flatters your body, why not keep wearing it? Fashion trends are arbitrary rules that influential people lay down for everyone else to follow; I think they should be followed less exclusively. How about trusting our own opinion about our clothing rather than excessive concern with other peoples’ opinion? Let’s start a new trend: let’s be a little less trendy and a little more content with what we have and what we like to buy for ourselves, even if it’s so “last year.” What do you think?