Deluded followers of fashion

Whether you follow fashion with the dedication of Victoria Beckham during Paris Fashion Week or occasionally flick through style magazines while you're at the hairdresser's, most of us are vaguely aware of what's trendy and what's not.
On an impulse

When boho was a hit five years ago, you couldn't move for brown floaty skirts on the high street or photos of Sienna Miller in hippy ensembles and the word gillet suddenly became part of our everyday vocabulary.

It was an epidemic and its remnants are still present — those of us who can't afford a new wardrobe every six months are forced to remodel the garments that seemed as if they were essentials at the time — ponchos, 8-inch-wide studded belts and cheesecloth gypsy tops.

Impulse buys always feel right at the time. When that “got to have it'' feeling comes over you, it seems as though nothing has felt more right in your life — that bag, jacket or pair of golden boots were just meant to be yours.

Most impulse buys are awful and at the root of many such ill-thought out purchases are “trends''.

Trends are not a girl's friend. They are for bored teens who want to emulate the latest pop sensation or for Jumeirah Janes who have too much time and money on their hands.

As a rule, trends are not for the everyday woman — they don't translate to everyday situations, the average budget or real-life figures.

“Before jumping into the latest must-haves in fashion, be realistic about your body type, not how you would like to be,'' says Dubai-based international fashion stylist Derek Khan.

“Extra tummy fat, large thighs and plump legs are things we all hate but must face.''

Consider the biggest trends of the past few years. Body con was a cruel joke on the average-sized woman.

Shoulder pads are another tricky trend. When the likes of Jennifer Connelly and Gwen Stefani have trouble nailing the look, it's something that is best avoided.

Baggy pants are the latest trend that have women all over the world vying to make fools of themselves. These droopy-bottomed trousers might be fashion-forward only if you can pull them off.

“Short legs? Don't even think about baggy pants,'' Khan says.

“Shoulder pads with broad shoulders? Use common sense. If you must, look to übertrendy divas for their style but tone down the looks.

"Wear superhigh heels with your baggy pants or jumpsuits and avoid wearing shoulder pads with a cinched-in waist as it enhances those pads.''

Trends are the fashion industry's joke — they bring in the big bucks and separate the stylish from the try-hard.

Look at the most enduring fashion icons — Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O — and you'll see that theirs is a classic style that never dates. You would never have caught Katherine Hepburn wearing leopard-print leggings.

Like the weather

Trends pass like fads — what is up-to-the-minute one week can make you look like fashion roadkill the next. Nothing dates faster than a trend.

“There is a reason why certain items or styles are referred to as a classic — it's because they don't go out of style,'' says Khan. “But don't just wear head-to-toe classic pieces.

"That's boring. Combine them with trendy pieces just to give a little flare. Invest in classic pieces and buy affordable items regularly.''

Low shelf life

Trends are the wilting, garage-bought flowers of fashion — the moment you buy them; their appeal diminishes.

Soon afterwards, they'll have to be dropped off at your local charity shop under cover of darkness and all photographic evidence of their existence burnt to avoid any Facebook-tagging shame.

Another downside is that everybody else will be wearing your trendy purchase, too. Whether you bought the real thing or the high street knock-off, you'll spot it in shop windows and even on three other girls in Barasti.

Although hard to resist, fashion impulses can result in a wardrobe full of mismatched oddities.

“Shop sensibly. Before you get started, go through your wardrobe. There are always items you love, such as a little black dress, a pair of Louboutin pumps, a great belt, wonderful trousers,'' Khan says.

“These items may not be the latest trend but you still love them. Stick to what fits well and what could be paired with a trendy item, whether it's a garment with the latest cut and colour or the latest “it'' bag. Think minimal purchase, yet maximum fashion sense.''