Style News: Are The Micro-Trend + Fashion Core Eras Over?

Over the past few years, we have been bombarded with micro-trends and every “core” imaginable—cottagecore, grandpacore, Barbiecore, coastal grandma, balletcore, Western wear, mob wife aesthetic, quiet luxury, and even mermaidcore. And that’s just the tip of the sartorial iceberg. Not only were we hit with a new “It Look” every couple of weeks, but each trend was also intensely specific. At the root of it all? Consumerism. Fast fashion brands pushed these fleeting trends, flooding their racks with cheaply made items that customers would wear fewer than seven times before discarding. Now, these once-hyped pieces are piling up in thrift shops and landfills, all while dulling our ability to truly understand our own personal style.

Social media has played a significant role in dismantling individual aesthetics in favour of outfits curated for likes. It’s not just about clothes—it’s a whole lifestyle package. Think of how many videos you’ve seen of influencers in Sambas, oversized sweatshirts, baseball caps, layered gold necklaces, sipping green juice, with headphones on. These trends quickly become rigid rules for those scrolling endlessly in search of the next “must-have” look. The algorithm floods our feeds with beautiful people, living in beautiful places, dripping in privilege, reinforcing the idea that keeping up with trends and overconsumption is the key to staying relevant.

But in the past six months, something has shifted.

Maybe it’s information overload, but micro-trends seem to be slowing down. A lot has changed in the world, and perhaps global events have given consumers some much-needed perspective. Is chasing the latest fashion fad really the best use of our energy right now? Or maybe it’s the cost of living crisis hitting home, making people rethink where their hard-earned money is going. Whatever the reason, we’re seeing a subtle but noticeable change. For Spring 2025, instead of hyper-specific trends, fashion magazines and style sites are highlighting more timeless, adaptable pieces. Case in point? “The Little White Tank” is being pushed as a seasonal trend—something most of us already own and consider a wardrobe staple. Similarly, colours like powder pink and Pantone’s Mocha Mousse are being embraced, offering easy ways to refresh an outfit without a complete style overhaul. These are small, sustainable shifts compared to past seasons’ micro skirts and sheer everything.

Historically, fashion has always reflected global events. During World War II, women entered the workforce, and their clothing followed suit—overalls and trousers became everyday essentials, replacing restrictive corsets and cumbersome dresses. After 9/11, designers leaned into muted, sombre collections, mirroring the world’s collective grief. In the 1970s, post-war counterculture embraced hippie fashion, while the women’s movement saw the rise of sportswear and soft knitwear over rigid tailoring. Today, as we navigate political instability, rising inflation, and an ongoing climate crisis, could our shopping habits be shifting to reflect the times?

If history teaches us anything, we might be on the cusp of a slow fashion revival. Along with it comes a focus on mindful consumption—valuing craftsmanship over trendiness, considering longevity over instant gratification. More and more, people are realizing the power of voting with their dollars. Whether it’s supporting Canadian-made brands or boycotting companies that don’t align with their values, consumers are recognizing that what they buy—or don’t buy—is a political act. Rejecting micro-trends could be a statement against billionaire fast fashion giants, or simply an assertion of personal style over dictated trends. Either way, our choices have impact.

Will we continue to see micro-trends and aesthetic “cores”? Probably. But if more people opt out—mending, swapping, thrifting, shopping small, and shopping less—we just might see a cultural shift from overconsumption to intentional style. —Jen Pistor