The abundance of fashion choices and the desire for self-expression fuel people’s interest in personal style, which can reflect both personality and cultural background. However, many also keep an eye on trends to stay relevant and feel part of a larger community.

Yet, often, following trends can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This article explains what fashion trends are, where they come from, and how to stay up to date with the latest fashion design trends. Inside, you’ll find advice for everyone: digital enthusiasts, print lovers, and real-life shoppers. Read on to learn more!

What constitutes a fashion trend

By definition, a fashion trend is a popular style adopted by a large number of people that is cyclical in nature. It can be used to indicate social status or group affiliation, or serve as a way for self-expression.

A fashion trend is shaped by a number of factors, including fashion weeks, popular culture, social media buzz, and celebrity influence. It can consist of specific clothing styles, colors, patterns, or accessories and change over time—seasonally or annually.

Platforms and media that are not directly related to fashion, such as Depositphotos, Pinterest, and Instagram, play a significant role in spreading fashion trends. However, large fashion houses remain key influencers in setting trends that spread to the masses.

Notable styles and examples of fashion trends

Here’s a list of notable styles that have gained popularity over the years:

• Minimalism combines clean lines, neutral colors, and functional pieces with a focus on simplicity;
• Bohemian or boho-chic is based on bohemian and hippie influences;
• Dopamine dressing focuses on wearing colors, patterns, and textures that boost mood and confidence;
• Punk or grunge is characterized by edgy, deconstructed pieces with a rebellious aesthetic;
• Streetwear features clothing with urban aesthetics influenced by skate culture, hip-hop, and modern art.

6 easy ways to follow the trends we see in fashion

1. Practice window shopping

If you live in a big city and get out of your home from time to time, this approach won’t take much effort. To easily discover new trends, simply walk through your local shopping district and take note of the latest styles in windows.

Fashion stores often have a visual merchandiser, a person responsible for arranging displays to highlight products and gain customers’ attention. They can plan the store layout, style mannequins, and set up window displays with the newest and trendiest items. All you have to do is pay attention and take mental notes.

2. Check out top fashion magazines

Whether you’re a print lover or a digital enthusiast, you can always get a fresh portion of the latest trends and fashion inspiration by reading fashion magazines—high-profile ones like VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, or L’Officiel. These magazines feature not only the latest designer collections but also articles on emerging trends, fashion news, and style tips.

You can access fashion news in two formats: online and in print. Digital magazines can offer you a newsletter subscription with a digest of the trendiest clothes, shoes, accessories, and even hairstyles. Print publications, on the other hand, are good for cutting out fashion model illustrations for your mood board.

3. Follow fashion influencers and celebrities online

The fast fashion sector owes its unprecedented success to fashion influencers and celebrities who share their style online. These people often promote fashion brands, show off trendy clothes, and brag about new purchases.

However, fashion influencers also inform others about new fashion trends and give advice on how to incorporate them into your wardrobe. So, if you want to keep up with trends, subscribe to fashion influencers, including fashion bloggers, designers, trendy celebrities, and professional stylists.

Pro tip: you can follow celebrity fashion not only on social media but also in fashion magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, which creates monthly compilations of the best celebrity fashion moments.

4. Discover the latest fashion designs at fashion weeks

If you’re curious about how trends start, you’ll find the answer at fashion weeks. These events happen twice a year to predict future fashion trends and dictate what will be popular in the upcoming seasons. Large fashion capitals, such as New York, Milan, Paris, and London, usually host these events, where famous designers showcase their newest collections on the runway.

Every fashion week is an important event for people related to fashion. Smaller clothing brands draw inspiration for their new collections, while professional stylists scout for new trends to use in their work.

Admission to these events is closed to the general public. However, you can find pictures and videos from most runways online. Some bloggers even prepare next season’s must-have looks based on the latest collections from Fashion Week.

5. Keep an eye on trend reports

If getting bits of information from different sources is not for you, you can switch your focus to trend reports. A trend report is a specialized publication from an industry expert/s with an in-depth analysis and detailed information about each trend. They are often released annually; however, some of them may be published seasonally.

You can start with color trends. For example, each season, Depositphotos releases a free color trend report that outlines four key hues for the coming months. Pantone, on the other hand, releases its famous Color of the Year, which sets the tone for the entire fashion industry.

To get the scoop on all fashion trends, not just colors, check out Pinterest Predicts for 2025. This is a comprehensive trend report that allows people to see next year’s fashion trends and aesthetics. If you need information from professional stylists, get the Trend Book 2025 from MODEISME, a fashion education project from Ukraine.

6. Use fashion design hashtags

While some people consider hashtags outdated, others use them to their full potential to discover new fashion trends and styles. That’s because hashtags are great for seeing posts from different people on the same topic.

There are about ten hashtags that are wildly popular among fashion accounts. These include:

• #ootd
• #fashionista
• #stylegoals
• #fashiontrends
• #streetstyle
• #styleinspo
• #fashioninspo
• #styletrends
• #vintagefashion
• #luxuryfashion

However, you can always come up with a combination of words that you would choose to reflect your style or aesthetic. Check them out on your favorite social media platforms to find like-minded fashionistas.

Summing up

With much desire and a little research, every fashion lover can find a convenient way to follow trends. Yet, it’s important to give each approach a chance to determine the best one without bias. Follow the tips outlined in this article to find your preferred way of staying up to date with the latest fashion trends.