It’s really hard not to be sucked in isn’t it? We see all these wonderful new things out there this time of year. New year, new you, change because there’s a new thing, new colours to follow, new shapes to fall in love with, new, new, new...
Here’s some advice to keep your head above water. Trends don’t matter. They just don’t. They may influence us but shouldn't define our decisions.
Do trends matter? No. Here’s why.
A trend is just a label and if you look hard enough almost every trend is on trend at any one time.
Here’s the evidence. I recently googled what jeans were on trend right now feeling like I needed a refresh. My old favourites were a little... ahem… snug. In fact they have been snug ever since littlest Willis was born and I have thus far refused to update my wardrobe with new jeans until the baby weight went. Well it hasn’t gone; so, I have bravely faced facts that my skeleton has in fact grown and now I need more clothes that fit without the pain of a waistband digging in. With the help of fashionistas courtesy of google (2019 jean trends) I was presented with what I can only describe as a vast array of styles that are all in fact ‘in for 2019’: here’s some on the list: ‘Mom jeans’ (seriously? they are what I am trying not to look like), skinny low rise, high rise, mid rise, straight, flare, crop, ripped (ugly), rugged, boyfriend, embroidered bits, detachable bits (stupid), frilly bits, feathered hem (I kid you not), asymmetric…
The Jean Conclusion: they are all out there to choose from. Choose what fits, buy what flatters and spend your money on what you like. Oh’ and try and have good taste, I think asymmetric and feathers are probably ones to avoid.
Good taste is always on trend
When shopping for your home, whether it is furniture, curtains, cushions, fabrics, or lampshades; this is what you need to know.
Choose what you love.
Keep things choreographed (not matchy matchy but harmonious; colour is a good way to link pieces)
Avoid bad taste fads that will date (expensive mistakes I like to call them).
Be an individual: try not to worry what other people think, it’s your home not theirs.
Invest in key pieces: good quality shows, lasts, and usually transcends trends as they come and go.
Trends don’t matter, they are just someone else’s opinion.
Money is important, spend wisely.
I love decorating, really love it, I like changing my home, refreshing my style (of course I do, it’s my job), but I do it because I love it, not because I want to ‘keep up’ or be a show home. I’m also a working mother with a family and a size 4 foot in reality. Money is important and changing home décor to keep up with trends is just too expensive (and way too time consuming). My view is you should invest in the best quality you can afford and make sure you’ll love it for a long time. Curtains can in fact last a lifetime, you may not want that, but they can. Wallpaper isn’t something to change with the tides, love it. A new sofa will need to stand up to life, children, be comfortable and last. Go classic and loveable. When you need a change, you can swap things around, add in new highlights, buy a new piece of art, no need to throw it all out and start again.
Choose key pieces that will stand the test of time.
And that’s what everyone should do. Choose well, choose wisely, choose because you love something, go with your instincts, real homes are for living in.
As for trends, people just love to pop a label on style. So, whether your home is decorated in a ‘just because you love it sort of way’ that’s probably a trend too. So ignore the labels, do what you want to and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. It’s probably called Individualism….