This is something I wish I’d understood years ago, back when I was chasing every trend and wondering why my apartment and closet felt so chaotic. Style and trendiness are not the same thing, and learning the difference has completely changed how I approach both fashion and decorating. Let me break down what I’ve learned.
Style is personal and lasting. It’s your consistent aesthetic preferences that show up again and again regardless of what’s currently popular. When I look back at photos from five years ago, I can see my style was always there—clean lines, neutral colors, natural materials—even when I was trying to force trendy elements that didn’t fit. Style is about knowing yourself. Trends are about following everyone else.
Trends are temporary by definition. They’re what’s popular right now, but they’ll be replaced by something else next season or next year. That doesn’t make trends bad—they’re fun and they keep things fresh. But building your entire wardrobe or home around trends means constantly starting over. I spent so much money replacing trendy pieces that quickly looked dated.
Style solves your real needs. My style evolved from figuring out what actually works for my life. I need comfortable clothes that look put-together because I work from home but still take video calls. I need a home that’s cozy but not cluttered because small space. Style comes from practical considerations plus personal taste. Trends often ignore practicality entirely—remember those jeans with the cold-shoulder cutouts? Who needed that?
You can incorporate trends without losing your style. This is the sweet spot I’ve found. My style is neutral and minimal, but I’ll add a trendy color through throw pillows or accessories. The base stays consistent—my classic furniture, my wardrobe basics—but I sprinkle in trends through easily changeable elements. This way I feel current without constantly overhauling everything.
Style is consistent across contexts. My aesthetic shows up in how I dress, how I decorate, even how I set a table or wrap a gift. There’s a coherent thread. If your wardrobe is bohemian but your apartment is ultra-modern, one of them probably isn’t really you. When your style is authentic, it naturally shows up everywhere.
Trends require you to keep buying. That’s literally the point from a commercial perspective—to keep you shopping. New trends mean your current stuff is “outdated.” But style doesn’t require constant purchasing. Once you’ve built a wardrobe or decorated a home that reflects your actual style, you’re just maintaining and occasionally adding, not constantly replacing.
Style makes you feel like yourself. Trends can make you feel like you’re wearing a costume or living in someone else’s space. I remember trying farmhouse decor because it was everywhere, and I felt weird in my own apartment. It wasn’t me. When I stripped that away and went back to my actual aesthetic, I felt at home again. That’s the difference.
You can identify your style by looking backwards. What have you consistently been drawn to over the years? What pieces have you kept and worn repeatedly? What rooms have you felt most comfortable in? Those patterns reveal your style. Trends are what you bought on impulse that you never actually wore or used.
Style ages well. Classic pieces in your actual style still look good in photos years later. Trendy pieces often make you cringe when you look back. I have outfits from three years ago I’d still wear today because they’re my style. The trendy stuff from three years ago? Can’t believe I bought it.
Confidence comes from style, not trends. When you’re wearing your actual style, you feel like yourself. When you’re following trends, you’re often second-guessing whether you look ridiculous or if this is even flattering. Same with your home—when it reflects your style, you feel comfortable having people over. When it’s just trendy, you’re wondering if it’s already outdated.
Here’s how I think about it now: style is the foundation, trends are optional toppings. Build the foundation first—figure out your actual aesthetic, invest in classic pieces that reflect it, create a base that feels authentically you. Then, if you want, play with trends in small, temporary ways. But never let trends dictate your foundation. That foundation should be timeless and personal, not whatever everyone else is doing this season.
Leave a Reply