Trends vs. microtrends - what’s the difference?
photo: Averie Woodard
Dear Trendy,
What’s the difference between a trend and a microtrend?
Signed,
Confused
Dear Confused,
We hear you, it can be whiplash inducing to keep up with the speed and volume of trends and microtrends coming at us today, especially with their rapid popularization and decline on social media. While both fashion trends and microtrends relate to shifts in popular styles, they differ significantly in their scale, duration, and origin.
A trend has a more lasting and widespread change in clothing styles that impacts a large portion of the fashion industry and consumers. It encompasses various clothing items, silhouettes, colors, and even fabrics, that shape the overall aesthetic for a longer period.
On the other hand, a microtrend is smaller, hence the ‘micro’. Microtrends focus more on a particular element like an accessory, color combination, or garment detail, and appeal to a niche audience within the larger trend. Think of it as specific stylistic details that emerge within a broader fashion trend.
Trends have a longer lifespan, generally lasting a few years or even a decade such as you see with the trends of the 2000s, or the 1960s. They evolve gradually, peaking in popularity before gradually fading out. Conversely, microtrends are fleeting, with a shorter lifecycle that may only last a few months or even weeks.
Microtrends tend to be driven by popular culture and social media, particularly platforms like TikTok and Instagram. They often originate from creators or influencers and gain quick online traction due to their novelty and excessive presence, but disappear just as fast. For example, the Barbiecore aesthetic microtrend gained quick popularity while the “Barbie” movie was in theaters, as creators were dressing up for spirited movie-going outings.
Trends often emerge from broader cultural shifts, societal changes, and technological advancements (for example, Y2K). They can be influenced by more macro factors like economics, demographics, and even celebrity endorsements.
To make it even simpler, here's an analogy: imagine fashion trends as seasons like summer or winter, encompassing a broad range of styles associated with the season. Fashion microtrends, on the other hand, are like fleeting weather phenomena within the season, such as a brief heatwave in summer; it’s stifling for a short period before quickly fading away.
Going all in on microtrends should be approached cautiously due to their short-lived nature. Knowing what’s a trend versus a microtrend allows you to stay updated on the overall style direction. However, basing your wardrobe solely on microtrends may lead to quickly outdated purchases and an empty bank account. Had you spent your savings on a Malibu Barbie aesthetic, for example, you may not be able to jump on board the stealth wealth aka quiet luxury trend.
Recognize these distinctions and you’ll be able to navigate the ever-changing world of fashion trends and microtrends with a more informed and strategic approach to your wardrobe.
As we say: “You wear you.”
xoxo
