Why I Decided To Stop Using The Word Trend
In the last year I started to question my role as blogger and how running a fashion blog has influenced my life. I gave the first sign of change when I spoke loudly in this post, which all of you loved so much. And I felt inspired by your positive comments and feedbacks. However, one thing is to write words down, another thing is to act accordingly.
I can’t deny that it was a struggle to keep up with my resolutions. I felt less guilty to wear my clothes over and over again (like if you should ever feel in this way!). But I’m not sure if I really bought less stuff. The fact is that I’ve been a shopaholic for the whole life, blogging or not blogging.
There are several reasons why I shop a lot. 1. I love clothes, I always had and I always will. 2. Shopping makes me happy. 3. I need material for my blog. Because let’s be honest girls, although I love talking about different subjects, Bonjour Chiara is mainly a fashion blog. Fashion is a huge part of this website so it can’t surprise that most of the articles rotate around this topic.
And when you talk about fashion you also write about TRENDS. I honestly like creating roundup of items that are particularly cool at the moment. And so the rest of the team do (yes, we are a TEAM now!!).
However, I recently started to feel a guilty feeling everytime I think to write a “latest-must-have” kind of articles. Because I’m totally aware that it’s impossible to keep up with the latest trends. New trends pop up every week with the consequence that your closet always seems to be outdated. YOU feel outdated. And this is the last thing that I want to promote on Bonjour Chiara.
For this reason, I started to think how to balance the fact that we talk about fashion (and so, about trends) with the fact that we never want to make you feel inadequate.
The answer came on a Tuesday morning when I was quickly getting ready for a last minute food shop run. I was looking at my closet when I realised that many of the items that go under the category “trends of the moment” are things that have been part of my wardrobe since ages.
Polka dot is a thing of the moment? I can never find a period of my life without these little dots. Last year was all about culottes pants? They have been my favorite style of pants since the moment my hips decided to get larger (!!). Straw bags are mandatory nowadays? I remember falling in love with several straw bags during a trip to Ibiza, at least 8 years ago.
So, I understood. The problem is “TREND”, a word that makes you immediately feel the need to run to the mall for a furious shopping session to update your wardrobe’s selection.
I’m starting to look at the word trend like the key to get access to the cool kids club. Without the latest trend you are OUT. But this can’t be farther than the truth. You should buy trends because they add something to your STYLE.
And here we go. STYLE. PERSONAL STYLE. This is the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to fashion. We are different, each of us has her own personal style and this is what makes us unique. Don’t follow trends that don’t suit you. Don’t underestimate your value because you don’t show the latest IT pair of shoes. Don’t feel sorry if you decide to skip the trend of season.
The only positive thing about trends is that they make things easy accessible. 8 years ago I had to go till Ibiza to find my favourite straw bag. Today you can walk in any shop to find a great selection of bags. But this is it.
Trends cannot influence the way you feel.
So, you know what? I now decide to banish the word TREND on Bonjour Chiara. I don’t want to give the feeling the you are not a cool kid if you don’t wear that specific sunglasses. But I want to bring you a selection of sunglasses that we love and we feel it perfectly goes with Bonjour Chiara Style. Some of them might be trendy others might be a classic. If you think that the sunnies might work with your style too, then we will be absolutely happy to have helped you to add something to your personal style.
Choose what works for you. Think if you really LOVE that item and if you would still wear it in a couple of year. Think if that particular style suits you.
If the answer is YES, YES, YES, then treat yourself with a bit of shopping. But do it for yourself and not because it’s the latest must have that you can’t live without. You know? Being what someone else tell you to be is boring. Being who you are is so much fun.
COS short sleeves knitwear (another option) | Polka dot skirt (similar) | Berret |Shoes (similar) | Bag
Chloe
April 16, 2018This is such a great post lovely, I've definitely always had a love-hate relationship with the concept of trends, so I see where you are coming from!
Chloe x
www.softoctobernight.com
Corina
April 16, 2018Totally love this outfit. I especially like the animal print touch, it is the surprise element that completes the styling.
xo Corina
http://unbouquetdamour.com/blogging-creativity/
Dominika
April 16, 2018I love this post. I think finding personal style is really important then you won't care about trends because you know what is the best for you
https://miss-uncover.blogspot.com/
l'ambassadrice
April 16, 2018This is such an inspiring post! Your outfit is amazing as well - the skirt is so pretty!
http://lambassadrice.com/
Daniel
April 16, 2018I really like your bag!! xx
Daniel x
The Daniel Originals | Instagram: danielpoonvignez
My lovely people
April 16, 2018First of all, I missed your day post. Where have you been? This post is amazing, what you write about trend is so real now a day, It's incredible how a single word could change your life, Don't you think?
You look gorgeous¡¡¡¡¡
I invited you to visit my blog...today I'm proposing a very different look....
Come and tell what you think about it...
Kisses from Miami
http://mylovelypeople.com/2018/04/16/flower-dress-over-denim/
allie
April 16, 2018Such a great read! I have found recently being pressured by 'trends' in other blogs and feeling like I need to have more in fear of being 'outdated'. I definitely try to work more with what I have to play around with outfits!
xo, Allie
www.champagne-tuesdays.com
Vale
April 16, 2018Non saprai mai quanto "sento" questo tuo post! Concordo al 100% e nel mio ultimo post volevo dire una cosa del genere anche se sono stata più ermetica...Adoro il tuo stile e il motivo per cui i tuoi outfit mi ispirano sempre è proprio perché hanno personalità. Proprio come te, io compro qualcosa perché mi piace e non esito a indossare anche capi degli anni passati, scelti sempre perché mi piacevano. Amo i "trend" ma amo ancora di più giocare con la moda e non amo i condizionamenti. Ci sono blogger che quando posto un look mi chiedono solo "questo abito è dell'ultima collezione?" e mi cadono le braccia...letteralmente. Un bacione e grazie per essere come sei! Vale
Fashion and Cookies - fashion and beauty blog
Chiara Amodeo
April 25, 2018Grazie Vale per le tue belle parole! Mi piacerebbe riuscire ad inspirare le persone a trovare il proprio stile. Poi ognuno sceglie se indossare solo cose all'ultima moda oppure trasformare tutte le volte il proprio guardaroba in qualcosa di nuovo! L'importante e' che ogni scelta rispecchi la propria personalità e non si indossi nulla solo perché "si deve" farlo.
xoxo, Chiara
Amy Arnold
April 16, 2018One of my favorite outfits I have seen recently!! This skirt is so good and the pairing is perfect! I like this idea too.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Rach
April 16, 2018I love your insight on the word 'trend'. I agree and when I think trend, I associate it with the latest fab but in reality some of these things have been around for awhile!
www.rdsobsessions.com
Christina
April 16, 2018Such a great outfit :) Love your style!
- www.youthofthesun.com
larisa
April 16, 2018Love the post and your bag!!!
larisalefleur.com
Nina
April 16, 2018Such a great blog post! Love the entire look btw! You look stunning!
Have a great start to your week!
Nina
xox
www.thecrispylipstick.com
Jenny Yang
April 16, 2018I am in love with this post! And i totally agree with you! also, love your outfit so much-the shoes are so cute!
xx Jen
http://lilthoughtswithjen.com/
vanessa
April 16, 2018omg this is so cute!
www.thevogueword.com
www.thevogueword.com
Deborah
April 16, 2018I feel you - I actually put myself on a two month spending ban so I can reuse what I have and stop buying unnecessary things. I think readers like outfit repeating!
Rachel
April 16, 2018This post has spoken to me on so many levels! I'm a HUGE advocate for recycling/re-wearing/and re-purposing the same clothes over and over -- does that stop me from buying NEW clothes -- never -- does it keep me from FOMO as far as 'trends' go -- hell yes!
Izikova
April 16, 2018Very chic parisian outfit! :)
http://izikova.pl
the sophia diaries
April 16, 2018this is a great reason to not use the word trend and why i also try not to even write those posts to begin with because every time i go on instagram i see another trend that's popping up... but love this outfit on you and kudos to you for being so honest!
Annaliese
April 16, 2018I like that mindset!! I try and think similarly on my blog, with a focus on developing personal style (with an affordable twist) instead of fast fashion! I do like some trends but I stay away from others!
xoxo A
www.southernbelleintraining.com
Robin @ And Then We Tried
April 16, 2018I totally understand your worry over portraying an unobtainable goal. While we're not a fashion blog, we often feel the same way with home goods or the latest thing we've tried. We try to work in pieces we already own or reworking old favorites to give it a more 'real life' feeling.
Emily Chaumont
April 16, 2018I love this idea! It's so much more satisfying to focus on adding to your personal style over focusing on following trends.
Jenny
April 17, 2018This post was spot on! I love that skirt too :)
jane
April 17, 2018Very inspiring post.
My blog is also mainly fashion before but now it's integrated.
Anyways i love this polka skirt you're wearing
Much Love,
Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
lesley kim
April 17, 2018Such a pretty Spring outfit! I love your skirt
Lesley-Kim
Instagram
Kathrin
April 17, 2018Such a great post! Trends come and go, but it's important to always be true to yourself no matter what's trendy at the moment...
Kathrin | Polar Bear Style
Kelsey Bang
April 17, 2018love the mix of prints! super cute look!
kelseybang.com
Rachel R Ritlop
April 17, 2018interesting! I never felt like this with the word trend. I generally don't keep up with them though so that pressure never really hit me. i like your perspective on ti though and if it empowers you and others, more power to you!
nat
April 17, 2018totally agree! shop for your own personal style and not a trend
gorgeous outfit
xx
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Jessica
April 17, 2018Love your heart here. And lovely skirt!!
www.jessicabroyles.com
Alix Maza
April 17, 2018Great post! You look so cute in this outfit.
Tara
April 17, 2018i'm in love with your effortless style! it's gorgeous. Trendy is what YOU make of it - not everyone else! Yes to this entire post!
Tiffany Khyla
April 17, 2018I love this perspective. I've never been able to keep up with trends. All of them come back around and back into style at some point. I just like wearing what I feel comfortable in and what makes me happy in that time.
BeingIsabella
April 17, 2018Questo post ha davvero aperto gli occhi. Non ho mai pensato prima alla parola "moda". Mi piace come l'hai collegato a "far parte dei bambini popolari". Anch'io ho articoli nel mio guardaroba che ho avuto per un po 'di tempo e solo ora stanno diventando trend! Perdona il mio italiano! Lo parlo da quando ero giovane, ma al momento sono fuori allenamento!
www.beingisabella.com
Azanique
April 18, 2018I love this skirt girl! I definitely think we as a culture focus too much on "Trends" and not enough on what styles, prints and pieces work best for us. Thanks for sharing <3
-xo, Azanique | www.lotsofsass.com
Simplement Lui
April 18, 2018Trends is a marketing concept as sales need cycles. Now I think everything is free to use this "sales pitch" or not as I think as adult we can chose what to wear or not ... trendy or not :)
Besides this your outfit is absolutely lovely and the leopard sandals awesome ;)
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/04/17/chantilly-day-2/
Sarah
April 18, 2018Loved this post! I went through a similar revelation last year... partly because I realized I felt compelled to keep buying "trendy" items for the blog. It got to a point where I wasn't asking myself, "will I wear this past a couple of blog posts?" which is where the problem lied. Once I stepped away for a while and reevaluated what styles make ME happy and suit ME, everything has been so much better... including my wallet!
x Sarah
http://www.seasonsbysarah.com
April
April 19, 2018I couldn't agree with you more! As a fashion blogger myself, I completely understand the pressure to have the latest "trend". Trends come and go, but classic and timeless is always the way I want to express myself.
Jessica
April 20, 2018I totally understand you dear, I'm guilty of being a shopaholic too! ha! Anyway, your polkadot skirt is a thing of beauty! Lovely classic.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Chiara Amodeo
April 25, 2018I'll never stop being a shopaholic, I know that! But I buy only things that really go with my style. Sometimes they are must have of the moment others they are not, but it's ok because all together they define my personal style
xoxo, Chiara
Rachel
April 23, 2018I can't get over this outfit! The combo of patterns and styles is perfection!