FASHION FAUX PAS: RECESSION WARNINGS OR JUST BAD TASTE?
Fashion trends have come and gone. Some so absurd we believed they’d already hit rock bottom. Yet somehow, fashion always finds a way to dig deeper.
But according to economists, fashion isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a reflection of the economy. When people have money, they tend to spend it on flashier, riskier styles. When money’s tight, trends often lean modest, minimal or just plain odd.
Take the ‘80s for example: perms so high they nearly brushed the ceiling, shoulder pads jutting out far enough to form personal space bubbles, and knee-high socks, because apparently, normal socks just weren’t cutting it. These over-the-top styles, abstract as they were, mirrored the decade’s economic optimism.
I’ll skip over the ‘90s because it was fashion’s heyday, and I have little criticism to offer. But just as things seemed to be on the rise, the 2000s came crashing in with even more questionable choices, and pants that took that “rise” literally in the opposite direction. Jeans were so low-waisted they defied practicality, and velour jumpsuits came in every color, each with a logo proudly plastered across the back (a necessary feature, of course).
By 2010, we somehow regressed again, with flower crowns and mustaches on everything. Seriously, mustaches showed up on clothing, accessories, tattoos, even birthday party themes. Galaxy and chevron prints dominated thanks to Tumblr, gripping an entire generation of teens.
Now, halfway through the 2020s, things are… weird. Ed Sheeran is making an unexpected comeback. The ice bucket challenge, too, is somehow back after a decade-long freeze. Coincidence? Probably. According to internet theorists, both are also signs of a looming recession. And while those cultural flashbacks make headlines, another fashion crisis is quietly brewing—one that hasn’t yet gotten the deep dive it deserves.
As a self-proclaimed fashionista—a title also bestowed upon me by family and friends, because someone has to be the style icon at public outings—I keep up with ever-evolving, fast-paced trends. Lately, though, as I scroll through social media and browse online shops, I’ve noticed a shift. Modesty and minimalism, like today’s milkmaid dresses and capris, might indicate tightening wallets and uncertain times.
Is today’s questionable fashion sense simply bad taste, or is it signaling something deeper?
Because when fashion gets strange, it might not just be a trend.
It might be a recession.
Below is a list of current fashion trends (yes, they are trends) I’ve compiled to assess the question or debunk theories regarding the current state of our economy: Is it a recession indicator or just a really bad trend?
Milkmaid dresses and drop waists
To state my case, I present you with Kendall Jenner’s most recent Coachella outfit. In theory, it’s not the worst dress to appear at a music festival, plus, the supermodel can pull off anything. But when you factor in her and other fashion icons’ past Coachella looks, along with the festival’s setting, you begin to wonder: Is this just a questionable trend, or a subtle sign of a recession?
Flash back to past Coachellas, where Jenner wore denim shorts and flowy garments with breathable holes, and you’ll notice a drastic shift. These earlier outfits made sense for a music festival held in the sweltering California desert.
Sure, you might think that during a recession, hemlines would rise, with less fabric and lower costs. So maybe this is just a fleeting trend. But some argue the current push toward modesty, with longer dresses, higher necklines and sleeves, even in the heat of summer, signals a recession. It suggests a minimalist lifestyle and a shift in priorities, with people less concerned about appearance and more focused on survival.
Of all the trends on this list, this one may reflect the clearest link between fashion and economic trends.
It even suggests that stock prices and skirt lengths are more connected than you think.
Economist George Taylor’s 1926 Hemline Index theory proposed just that: that skirt lengths reflect economic conditions. In good times, hemlines rise. In down times, they fall. Just look at the Roaring ‘20s versus the Great Depression. Or the more gender-neutral silhouettes that emerged after the Great Recession in 2008.
If history repeats itself, then fashion is no exception.
Still, it’s just a theory. This could simply be a bad trend, and one that, like all trends, shall pass.
Some say these are a trend. Others point to signs of economic stagnation. I ask: Where is the arch support? Are there no major blister consequences?
Popular in the ‘80s, the jelly sandals resurfaced in the ‘90s and early 2000s. To my knowledge, the last time I saw them was on a toddler’s foot, which is where they belong.
Putting trust into a shoe made entirely out of PVC plastic to get you around town is a bold move, and for that, I’ll give people credit. At least they’re versatile, available for everyone from toddlers to teachers.
So, if you’re over the age of 18 and feeling nostalgic for your childhood or just want to channel the ‘80s, buy a pair while they are still socially acceptable.
While fashion is cyclical, do these shoes signal tougher financial times, or are they just a trend waiting to fade, back to the toddler aisle where they came from?
Enough said.
Are we back in the 2000s—when our bank accounts were hurting, and we wore these mid-calf pants like there was no tomorrow? Or is history simply repeating itself, with the economy once again mirroring our choices?
(If it’s the latter, it’s slightly less embarrassing, because it would mean we didn’t willingly choose this as our summer staple.)
Capris are everywhere again, but fashion hasn’t forgiven them yet. It’s a pants very few can pull off (gracefully), and for most, it’s more unflattering than forgiving. Even skinny jeans are a better alternative, which, yes, is another trend among us, thanks to influencer Alix Earle, who made them cool again.
I digress. But capris are clearly trending again. Whether that’s because of the Earle sisters, Alix and Ashtin, both recently spotted in them on Instagram, or because of the economy, we may never know.
But according to the Hemline Index, capris are an economic distress signal. They might not deserve such an economic deep dive, but if we had to link them to the job market right now, we’d say they reflect its current awkward in-betweenness.
That concludes today’s game of “Is it a recession indicator or a bad trend?”
Thanks for playing, and remember, take these cultural deep dives with a grain of salt. I won't judge. But I'm not an economist—and some economists might say your outfit reflects tough times.
