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CU Boulder | Culture

My Favorite Fashion Trends: Style Doesn’t Have To Match To Make Sense

Ella Hollenbach Student Contributor, University of Colorado - Boulder
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CU Boulder chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Fashion is about more than just clothing. It is a language, a mood, and can even be a rebellion. The trends that we gravitate towards say a lot about our self-expression and how we want the world to perceive us. For some, that may be bold, bright colors; for others, maybe soft coloring with lots of layers, or just a simple tee and shorts combo for the minimalists. Lately, I’ve found that I am gravitating towards styles that are expressive and comforting. For me, that means a mix of bold colors and different textures that merge vintage charm with modern individuality. Fashion trends aren’t just about looking good; they’re about feeling confident, creative, and completely myself. 

Here is a list of my personal fashion DO’S as of late:

Mixing Patterns!

Many people avoid wearing more than one pattern in the same outfit and go for maybe one statement piece and keep the rest of their outfit minimal. Not me. There is something so daring about refusing to match perfectly. Mixing patterns turns an outfit into a visual conversation. It’s less about following rules and focuses more on trusting your instincts and letting the contrasting clothing create a balance. 

Loose/Flowing Fabric!

Loose fabric creates a freedom that structured clothing just can’t come close to replicating. Instead of hugging the body, the fabric moves and sways with one’s movement. There is something I admire about prioritizing comfort without sacrificing style. This style is relaxed but undeniably expressive. 

Long Tops!

I find longer tops to be stylish because they offer a fluid alternative to the cropped look. It offers a comforting, versatile, and grown-up approach to styling. After years of showing one’s midriff being a trend, the longer blouse lengthens the vertical line and can make you look fashionable without having your stomach on display. 

Overall, these trends all show the same thing: style doesn’t have to follow rules to be meaningful. Everyone should wear the clothes that make them feel confident in themselves. My favorite trends focus on effortless expression and comfort. You can feel confident and expressive without sacrificing ease. 

Ella Hollenbach

CU Boulder '28

Ella Hollenbach is a sophmore at the University of Colorado boulder. She mainly writes about pop culture and current events but will branch out to almost any topic if it interests her. She is an English Literature Major and hopes to go into publishing following her graduation.

Ella enjoys writing to decompress and express her opinions and burning questions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family (and her cat) and loves being outside in nature.