For the past few years, the fashion world held us in a chokehold of slicked-back buns, beige trench coats, and “quiet luxury.” We saw brands like Skims and Alo take over the landscape, introducing contoured neutrals and basics worn outside of the home and gym. Weâve been told that looking good meant dressing like Kim Kardashianâs house, and that more than two colors, various jewelry placements, and mindless layering were âtoo muchâ. But if recent fashion runways prove anything, it is that the fashion pendulum is swinging backâright into chaotic, bright maximalism.
It seems the nostalgia of the 2010sânotably 2016âis being followed by the fashion statements and revolutionary runways we saw a decade ago. Everything was loud and expressive and was its own unnamed aesthetic before we all started using the term more frequently. We see more expressive, chic, and embellished clothing, an ode to some of my personal favorite eras in fashion.
For those who are general fashion enjoyers, less of a runway nerd (like me), Iâd like to introduce one of the most iconic, high-octane runways that makes me live for the return of chaos in garments. Christophe Decarnin revolutionized Balmain with his unabashed rock -and-roll clothing lines that imprinted the era of âgothic chicâ in fashion. The epitome of âdoing too muchâ, every jacket was embellished and every jean was tight as hell. Probably a fashion nightmare to some, but the kind of edge I enjoy. One that overlooks modesty.
Look at what houses like Burberry and Valentino did on the recent runways. We saw an explosion of tactile textures; plush furs, rich jacquards, and heavy fringe… all at once. Instead of dainty, invisible jewelry, we’re seeing more statement jewelry, 80s-inspired cuffs, decorated belts, and giant brooches pinned to coats. Even the color palettes are letting go of neutral colors, swapping plain black for metallic finishes and pops of neon colors. The best part about this? You don’t need a designer budget to participate in maximalism. In fact, maximalism is cheaper to style than minimalism. Quiet luxury forces you to rely on expensive, perfectly tailored garments to look good. As for the fur, floor sweeping coats that I introduce in this article, your local flea market, vintage seller, or even close relative may have one collecting dust in their closet.
Maximalism is a path to out the dullness of the same aesthetics we see repeat throughout the years. There are only so many ways to deliver the same product that serves one character. Personality and quirk are timeless and unpredictable, so this your official announcement to loosen up from the boring basics this winter and stand out amongst your peers.