Hey Rat Pack,
So I’ve been eyeballing this year’s fashion trends, and I’m torn. Part of me is nodding along, going “Oh yeah, that’s kind of fire,” and another part is raising an eyebrow, like “Do we really need this?” Isn’t that always how it works? Trends show up, you get excited, then you wonder if they’ll still look good next fall. But here’s what’s catching my eye — and what I’m not sure about.
What’s Hot Right Now
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Rich-Lady Leather is everywhere. Long leather coats, bombers, leather skirts. It’s moody. It feels kind of badass. Glamour+2Marie Claire UK+2
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Preppy Academia / modern prep is making a comeback: think serious collars, neat blazers, loafers paired with socks, polished but not uptight. Glamour+1
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Animal Prints still refuse to leave. Zebra, snakeskin, even cow-print (yes, cow-print). Loud, bold, hard to ignore. Cosmopolitan+1
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Meaningful Minimalism – clean lines, less fuss, fewer frills. Nice when you want to feel put-together without feeling like you need to battle your outfit. Vogue+1
But Do I Really Like It? (The Wishy-Washy Part)
Here’s the part where I go back and forth:
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Leather looks amazing—especially vintage leather pieces. That rich, lived-in texture, the smell, the weight. Yes, yes, yes. But then I see some leather items that look brand new, stiff, shiny, almost plastic-y, and I go, “Nah, not for me.”
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I dig preppy academia looks when the pieces are vintage and have character—scuffed loafers, slightly worn cords, wool sweaters peeking under a blazer. But when it gets too polished or sterile, I feel like we left what makes vintage alive.
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Animal prints are bold and fun. They force someone to notice you. But overuse? Toss in clashing prints and suddenly you look like a walking zoo. I’m all for attention, but there’s a line.
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Minimalism is peaceful. Clean. Elegant. Good to rest your eyes on. But sometimes it feels like everyone’s dressing so safe, so neutral, so quiet. And I wonder: where’s the personality, the weirdness, the texture?
My Favorite Trend: Vintage Wool and Jackets
Okay, here’s my bias: nothing beats a good wool sweater or vintage jacket. The kind that smells faintly of mothballs and memories, the kind with worn-in cuffs, faded color, maybe a snag or two. Jackets that hug right, that you can throw over everything. Wool pieces that are soft but strong. That’s the trend I will always ride.
If trends are waves, vintage wool is the tide—steady, reliable, with depth. Even when leather is loud, or animal prints stomp around, a wool sweater or a jacket stays real. It has stories. It carries presence. It doesn’t need to shout.
Final Thought
So is the current trend totally my vibe? Some of it, for sure. But I don’t want to be a slave to what’s “in.” I want to pick what feels good, what feels honest. Leather? Yes. Animal prints? Sometimes. Minimalism? When it suits. But vintage wool and jackets? Always.
Maybe inconsistency is just part of style. The wishy-washy part, the side-eye, the “maybe I’ll try it” — that’s what makes fashion fun.
— Damien Joseph
