Today we talk about fashion, like a lot and this applies to practically everyone. It’s about more than being a fashion student, or a seasoned sewing expert. Fashion is all around us, and fashion means something different to everyone, but what does being fashion-forward have to do with anything? It’s surely just a cliche term, right?
Some say they don’t care about fashion, that fashion-forward is an “empty phrase,” and that personal style is much more important. Those comments make sense, but who’s to say that their style is or isn’t fashion-forward? After all, wouldn’t you agree that your style is inspired by something you saw somewhere else?
If we were to put a literal definition to the term “fashion-forward”, we’d likely mean clothing that is current and up-to-date.
To dig deeper into it, being fashion-forward is to be knowledgeable about the latest styles and conform to the current fashion trends. If something is fashion-forward it is thought to be chic, stylish, elegant, fashionable, etc. Fashion has become a very taboo topic for some, but fashion is a big part of the world we live in. It has evolved since the phrase fashion-forward came to be in 1937, but it still has a significant meaning.
Fashion is influenced by everyday life and the things that happen in it. Designers are at the forefront of the fashion industry, so many look to them for inspiration and guidance for the upcoming seasons’ silhouettes, colors, and newest styles. If you dissect the phrase fashion-forward, it makes the most sense that it would mean stylish in the future, so your interpretation of the phrase is just as good as anyone else’s. I look to experts who use technology to forecast upcoming trends.
As a lover of style and design, I don’t take the phrase too seriously. I look to the runways to see the newest trends and styles. Fashion runways serve as walking artwork. From there, the highstreets create their version and find the middle ground, tweaking designs to make them wearable for consumers.
Understanding what fashion-forward means is only part of the equation. Developing your style is still an experience that each person needs to do for themselves, but having sources of inspiration to draw from certainly helps. With the next roundup of fashion month in full swing, I’m excited to see new collections. To admire the work of the fashion-forward while still loving and evolving my style. That’s the beauty of fashion.
Looking for more style content? Check out the styles reports and trends below!
What does fashion-forward mean to you? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
