STORY & PHOTO BY FREYA PINEDA
Cypress students expressed their thoughts on the viral 2023 fashion trends that have been dominating social media platforms.
Three months into 2023 and students of Cypress College as well as the rest of the world alike are seeing which route the fashion world is steering in. Runways are flooded with nostalgia and many previously loved fashion pieces that are clearly here for a comeback; with many artists fighting back against fast fashion.
Hedi Slimane’s 2023 fall fashion show Paris Syndrome embraced the rock’n’roll aesthetic (his love of the genre influences many of his designs) with the iconic 2000’s dazzle and tacky posh that many love. One notable piece that sparked the question, “Are they really back?,” skinny jeans. The infamous style fit was seen on several models on and off the catwalk. Fashion brands like Diesel also debuted skinny jeans in their recent fall fashion show Ready-To-Wear; collaborating with Durex this past week. So, are they really back?
“I think they’re pretty cute if it’s styled in a more modern way like nowadays. Not like the style that we had back in 2016. I think I’m open to it. I want to keep wearing my skinny jeans” said Cypress student Adia Jada.
Luckily, with change comes even more change and skinny jeans aren’t going to be as skin tight as they were previously. This time around, skinny jeans are going to be a bit looser (no surprise) with flexibility and comfort.
Math major Alia Shibly said, “I think everyone should just wear what they want.If you like skinny jeans and you think they flatter your body then you should wear them…I think the most important part about fashion is as long as it brings you joy, it shouldn’t matter if it is trending.”
Cypress students prove yet again that fashion is very subjective and encourage those to wear what makes them happy. The fashion industry has been doing this since the beginning; experimenting with new fabrics and different “avant garde” aesthetics while going against social principles like gender norms. In the 90s, musicians like David Bowie and Kurt Cobain were seen rocking painted nails. History indeed repeats itself as musicians of today’s time like Tyler the Creator or Harry Styles encourage staying in tuned with one’s femininity. Men’s fashion has become extremely inclusive as well as introducing a wider size range and trends that promote embracing femininity. Mens shirts are becoming more fitted and cropped, shoes chunkier with platform souls and the use of accessories are also being encouraged for men.
English major Isaac Peralta highlighted how throughout history men were seen and considered more feminine as they wore makeup, wigs, heeled shoes, etc. which as of the last centuries has been a part of men’s fashion that isn’t talked about enough and almost hidden.
“Men had to be this more masculine person…But the fact that the discussion has been opened up more and men are open to wearing crop tops, skirts, dresses and whatever else is very natural to come around,” said Peralta.
As of now, men’s fashion has been extremely limited compared to womens. Unlike women’s fashion, men have very few options to choose from in retail stores where women have a wide variety to select from. As time progresses however and with more mainstream fashion trends, mens fashion is becoming more open-minded and less subjected to.
Second year student Valerie Prado is looking forward to this shift in mens fashion when she said, “I think it’s great. It’s a good way for them (men) to express themselves. For a long time, men have been a little repressed in fashion…where women have a variety of things… I’m glad it’s coming back because I think it looks really good”.
Prado additionally highlighted the acceptance of femininity in men in early history and questioned the evolution in Men’s fashion and apparel, asking why the sudden shift from acceptance to rejection of femininity.
Fashion has impacted society and is constantly evolving alongside Cypress College students and the rest of the world. Change is inevitable and while it may be hard for some to accept, having versatility and variety in the fashion industry can create and encourage inclusivity as well as self-identity.
Trends come and go quickly and many have seen this due to the rise of microtrends these past few years making trends very unexpected. 2023 isn’t safe from those unexpected fashion trends and as of now fashion is becoming so much more about self-expression rather than fitting in with the rest of the world.
