Microtrends can be fun, but your style should always come first
Scroll through TikTok or Instagram for a few minutes, and you’ll notice how quickly fashion identities change. One day it’s an aesthetic, the next day it’s something entirely new. With social media shaping what we see — and how often we see it — it’s easy to feel you’re constantly behind. This happens unless you’re keeping up. This endless cycle has pushed microtrends to the forefront of fashion culture. It’s also why so many people find themselves dressing for the moment instead of building a personal style.
Unlike regular trends, microtrends are often short-lived and extremely niche. They usually burst into popularity through social media, especially platforms like TikTok, before fizzling out almost as quickly as they began. These trends often last only weeks or months, and in rare cases, develop into a full-blown aesthetic or personal style. They also play a major role in fuelling fast fashion through swinging aesthetics.
You’ve probably heard of terms like cottage core, mob wife aesthetic, grungecore, and coral grandma. These all fall under fashion microtrends, and that’s putting it lightly — because every day, even more microtrends are born on social media.
If you’re noticing all of this, it’s time to break free while shaping a personal style that is truly yours. Microtrends can be a great form of self-expression, and they can even help you discover what you like. But if you would rather not rely on them completely — especially if you fear they will die out or you will outgrow them — take control. Start building a personal style that truly lasts.
Read also: Revisiting 2016: The era of fashion and beauty we can’t let go of
Stop to think
Exactly, you read that right. When you want to be intentional about something, the first step is to stop and think — this applies to fashion too. Over the years, you’ve seen countless looks: on your favourite celebrities, artists, role models, and from your favourite fashion brands. Let’s not even get into your Pinterest board, filled with styles you wish you could pull off.
When you take the time to reflect, it becomes clearer what kind of style you want to embody. Even when you look through your Pinterest boards, patterns start to appear. You’ll notice the silhouettes, colours, and even moods you’re drawn to the most, which is usually what your subconscious has been gravitating towards all along.
Create a mood board or vision board
You can create a fashion mood board in different ways, such as on Pinterest. If you want something more practical, you can create one through craft and journaling methods. Print out pictures of the looks you love, cut them out, and arrange them into a tangible board you can see every day.
Place it somewhere visible, so it constantly reminds you of the kind of style you’re trying to pursue. Even as your taste evolves —and that’s completely normal — your mood board helps keep you grounded and intentional about how you dress.
Curate your wardrobe
If you’re trying to create a sense of style that truly feels like you, it’s important to accept that there are pieces in your wardrobe you no longer see yourself wearing. Go through your clothes and remove items you don’t need, don’t wear, or no longer align with who you are.
Donate them to thrift stores, charities, or any sustainable disposal outlet, and keep the pieces that reflect your vision. Editing your wardrobe this way makes getting dressed easier, more intentional, and far less overwhelming.
Repeat outfits like no one is watching
One of the biggest issues with people, is over consumerism and feeling as if you always have to show off an entirely new outfit. I say no to that. When you find combinations you love, wear them again and again. Style them in different ways — people won’t even notice you’ve worn that piece before. Repeating outfits moves you away from trend-hopping and toward a recognisable, personal style.
This brings us to the 333 rule. I came across it recently, and I can honestly say it’s saved me countless times.
In simple terms, the 333 rule is a styling method that helps you focus on what you already own rather than constantly buying new clothes. It works like this: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes, and wear only those pieces for a set period (usually a week or a month). You can create countless outfit combinations from only those 9 items.
The 333 rule helps you understand a clear sense of your personal style, improves your ability to mix and match pieces, and prevents you from falling into the trap of impulse buying or chasing every new trend. It also shows you which items truly work for you, making it especially useful if you want to build a consistent wardrobe without relying on microtrends. Once you understand your personal style, following this rule becomes even easier.
Step into yours
Rather than buying into the fast fashion cycle that microtrends create, it’s far better to focus on building your own personal style. Find how to express yourself and tap into your true creative potential. That said, if you still want to tap into microtrends, by all means — just try to source your items from thrift stores or second-hand outlets, so you’re not feeding fast fashion.
Dip into trends without letting them define your entire personality. Some trend-driven pieces, like the highly adored Sambas, have earned their place for a reason — they’re worth it. Find the ones that actually do you justice, have fun experimenting, and let your style reflect you, not just what’s trending.
Read more: The biggest shoe trends we’re looking to still see everywhere in 2026
