1
0
In 2024, the categorization of styles has been a consistent theme in fashion. There are specific categories and subcategories of styles, which can go as broad as “sporty” to as niche as “coastal grandmother.” Sometimes, these categories can overflow into different parts of people’s lives, for example, following a “clean girl morning routine” or having a “downtown girl study session.” These aren’t just clothes and products, they’re lifestyles.
“Clean girl” is currently the most popular style trend, as many Avonworth students interviewed mentioned its extreme rise in popularity in 2024. The fashion is focused on minimalistic pieces, staple jewelry, and neat hairstyles like slickbacks.
The most commonly mentioned styles of 2024 were preppy, clean, and downtown. A few of these have specifically risen in popularity this year, but a few have had a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
There are millions of videos and articles guiding people on how to dress in specific styles, such as which products to buy and where to shop.
Sometimes, people gravitate towards these trends to make shopping easier. But, there’s another reason that’s simply in human nature.
One student explains the mindset people might have, saying, “If I dress like this, I will have that community and I will act like this” but how “that doesn’t happen because that’s not how humans work. They wanted their lives to look different than they are.” In the halls of Avonworth, few students wear the same exact style every day, but social media promotes the idea of complete consistency in products, lifestyles, and clothing. The student noted that “it’s based on consumerism, it’s based on having these products, doing this with their hair.” It can be a way for brands to get people to buy specific clothing, but also a way for people to try to curate their styles to fit how they want to live. It’s using clothes as a way to describe a dream lifestyle.
Another student commented that “no one dresses into one specific niche, even if they try really hard.” Which is only human. It’s nearly impossible to curate a wardrobe that encapsulates every trending piece at any given time.
“A lot of people, especially online, say you have to fit into one specific category when in reality, do whatever you want. Nobody really cares that much.” Truer words have never been spoken. In reality, people can wear whatever clothing they want, and we don’t have to categorize ourselves to fit into a community that is run by brands to encourage us to buy more.
However, it’s fun to search for styles online and base our closets on them, but it’s important to be conscious of whether we truly want to buy something, or if our phone is telling us to.
