Modest Is Hottest: Why Is Conservatism Taking Over?

Demure and mindful, the resurgence of skinny and the behemoth of fast fashion. What is going on with these trends and why is fashion becoming conservative? With the rise of costs in the US and the stagnancy in wages, and how the oval office shapes our culture. 

This weekend I was doing whatever the equivalent to doom scrolling is with YouTube video essays and came across a woman saying “people don’t have class” and that mini shorts should be unacceptable for wearing in public. I swapped to online shopping and was bombarded with aprés ski apparel. The new French forward trend literally meaning “after ski” I couldn’t help but wonder, what is this obsession with looking rich?

Political Movements & Fashion

In Vogue’s “Why Is Everything in Fashion Suddenly a Recession Indicator?” They chalk the resurgence of skinny jeans and slim silhouettes up to the fashion cycle. But are the fashion cycle and political cycle not one in the same? Throughout history we can see the political leanings of a population dictating popular fashion and aesthetics.

 Like London’s Iconic Punk scene of the late 60s early 70s. The younger generation was on the wave of ‘Anti-Fashion.’ Some of the most notable trends were unconventional piercings, deconstructed garments patched together , and most notably the loud hairstyles. Liberty spikes and mohawks ran this scene. These weren’t just fashion movements, It was political. In “Anti-Thatcherism and Punk Rock in 1970s and 1980s Britain” She states“Privatization, deregulation, and cuts to social services led to widespread unemployment, deeper inequalities and the erosion of working-class communities. Against this, punk rock emerged as an unapologetic voice of resistance to represent a generation left behind by Thatcherism. “ These fashion statements were in reaction to the push of conservatism of the UK. 

In the late quarantine, now deemed the ‘woke’ era, some of the biggest trends included: color blocking, bold collars, customizing sneakers, and dramatic eyeliner. Right alongside this were some of the biggest political movements in modern history. For example, the 2020 election was record breaking for voters. According to the Pew Research Center there was a historical 66% voter turnout with Joe Biden (D) receiving more votes than any other U.S presidential candidate in history, taking home a total of 81.2 million votes. It was an era of inclusivity and expression so, of course, fashion followed. So what happened?

The Rise Of Conservatism

Over the past couple years there has been an undeniable shift in the American political landscape. Ranging from pushback on the LGBTQ+ community such as Floridas very own ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill or the more recent attempt to appeal the 2015 Supreme Court ruling of Obergefell v Hodges, a landmark decision legalizing same sex marriage. In Maya Bassim’s “The Rise of Conservatism and the Decline of Liberalism: A Global Shift?” She words it perfectly saying, “Economically, rising income inequality and a sense of marginalization among working-class populations have fueled a backlash against established liberal policies.”

Just like in 2020, we can see the latest fads mirror this shift. Some of the biggest trends in the last couple years have been things like quiet luxury, quarter zips, and the Apres Ski attire lining the walls of popular retail. These are all beacon calls of perceived wealth. It is a want to look wealthy even when your pocket can’t sustain the lifestyle.The American people are in an economic crisis. According to the World Population Review, the average cost of rent alone per month in Texas is $1,449. This accompanied with the average income of Texans being approximately $52,000 this leaves less than 3,000 a month to go towards necessities like insurance, groceries, and transportation. Leaving little room for spending on quality apparel. 

Fast Fashion Is Killing Us

This leads us down the rabbit hole of fast fashion. Have you ever wondered why some prefer thrifting now, even though the prices are tenfold what they used to be? The clothes were genuinely better. The United States began heavily outsourcing clothing around the 80s with a jarring 2% of clothing made in the states today, according to CNBC. So while prices on items have stayed the same or increased, quality has plummeted. The rapid production of some of today’s top brands like Nike, Adidas, or the GAP inc. has plagued our wardrobes.

Some of the most notable differences include zippers, and even buttons on garments are much more delicate. Less than 10% of production cost goes towards these detailing items, according to NBC. They don’t just stop at detailing; it is literally the fabric of these pieces. Changing Markets 2024 report states, “Synthetic fibres derived from fossil fuels and have become the dominant choice for both the fashion and wider textile industries. They account for over two-thirds (69%) of textile production, a figure projected to rise to 73% by 2030.”  When brands are willing to cut corners on these the overall lifetime and quality of an item depreciates quickly.