Heidi April 24, 2018 Outfits

When to Buy into a Trend

dress || similar jacket here and here || bag, love this and this || wedges || sunglasses

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The Instafamous Ruched Dress

I’m pretty much 100% sure that you gals have seen this ruched dress time and again on blogs and the interwebs in general. I’ve posted versions of it here and here. Bloggers high and low have been raving about this little number and it’s with good reason. It really is that incredible. Who would think that a body conscious mini dress could flatter all figures and even work for maternity. Nah, not a chance. But you guys, it does. Yet its mass appeal, was nearly a turn off for me. Which brings me to this question:

How do you know when to buy into a trend?

Some trends, like distressed denim, have become so ubiquitous, that you can no longer consider them a trend. But other fashion trends or even specific pieces feel less safe. So how do we know when a trend is right for us? I’ve put together a few thought starters to help you decide when to buy into a trend.

1. Does it work with existing pieces in your existing wardrobe? If adapting a new trend involves making lots of additional purchases to incorporate it into my existing wardrobe, I take a pass.
2. Does it make me feel great? Sometimes I put something on (like this dress) and it just makes me feel like a million bucks. Those are frequently the purchases that leave me with zero regret, because I know I’ll end up wearing the hell out of it.
3. On the other hand, I also ask myself, if the trend works with my lifestyle? Things are usually pretty casual over here so if I find a great piece that I’m in love with but know I won’t actually get to wear it, then I usually skip it.
4. Know what works for me. As a mom and someone who is far removed from her 20’s I generally try to stick with things that not only work for my lifestyle but also my stage in life. The good news is, most trends are easily modified to work no matter your age or life stage!
5. Finally, know your budget. Gucci bags are all the rage, but most of us can’t justify the hefty price tag. Look for dupes, or if that’s not your thing, designer influenced pieces from retailers like Zara, Express, or my personal favorite, Amazon.