“Why Personal Style is More Powerful Than Trends”
“People who blindly follow trends have no personality whatsoever.”
It might sound harsh, but so did Coco Chanel — and fashion has always had room for bold opinions. In a world that changes wardrobes by the scroll, we’ve almost forgotten the beauty of dressing with intention. Not because an algorithm told us to, but because we chose to. Because it made us feel iconic.
Let’s begin with what trends actually are.
They’re not just whims. They’re created through deep data analysis — platforms like WGSN pull insights from global behavior, cultural shifts, and buying patterns. Designers study these to decide what silhouettes, colors, and motifs might resonate in a certain season. That part is valid, even fascinating. But what happens after is where the problem begins.
Too many people adopt trends without asking the one question that matters: Does this truly reflect who I am?
Following trends isn’t wrong. What’s wrong is doing so blindly — without thought, without styling, without even understanding what works for your body or your identity. I’ve seen people throw on garments they’re clearly not comfortable in, chasing relevance at the cost of individuality. Fashion should amplify you, not drown you.
And no, I don’t believe that certain body types can’t wear certain silhouettes. Anyone can wear anything — but what matters is how they wear it. There’s a difference between experimenting with confidence and borrowing someone else’s style just to fit in. One expresses identity. The other hides it.
Take a recent example — the Labubu craze. Cute? Sure. But ask someone why they’re carrying it, and most won’t even know what it represents. It became a status symbol, not a statement. That, to me, is the death of fashion as self-expression.
Same with trend cycles like cow print or capris. When animal print resurfaced in 2020, I saw it styled with soft beiges and browns — a clash of tones that did neither trend nor wearer any favors. The issue isn’t with the trend. It’s with the unthinking adaptation of it.
When you walk into a room, before you speak, you are already being read. People notice how you carry yourself, what you’re wearing, and the energy you exude. You leave a mark. So why not make it intentional? Why not present the strongest, most thought-through version of yourself?
Fashion should define you before you define it. And real style — personal style — is about understanding your body, your mood, your context, and your power. That’s not seasonal. That’s timeless.
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– Srishti Suri
Founder, Don’t tell mama
