When I first became aware of fashion trends, they were irritatingly fleeting. Back then, you needed to identify a trend, procure the item in question, wear it for the appropriate amount of time (anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months), and then discard it. The discarding step was essential to sanctioned fashion trend participation. If you continued to wear a trendy item beyond its trend window, you became the subject of much behind-the-hand snickering.

Oh, how times have changed.

And for the better! Trends still cycle in and out, but they do so on a much longer timeline. Style mavens, celebs, and fashionistas can be seen wearing trendy items years after they were introduced and marketed. Trends stick around longer, can be interpreted in many ways, and encompass a huge variety of items and styles. read more