Everyone has probably read a fashion magazine before, maybe at the doctor’s office or hair salon, or maybe you got ahold of the late 90s issues of Vogue, Elle, or Seventeen stashed at the back of your mom’s closet. Regardless, fashion magazines have always been an important guide for people wanting to keep track of society’s beauty, fashion, and lifestyle trends.
Despite the magazine’s origin being traced to “The Treasure Hidden Secrets,” published in the late 1600s, “Le Mercure Galant” was the first publication considered to have reported on the fashion industry. It was vital to spreading news about fashion, luxury goods, etiquette, and court life under Louis XIV. During this time, magazines had just started to feature illustrated sketches of fashion worn by aristocrats that would inspire and give directions to dressmakers.
“Harper’s Bazaar,” first published on Nov. 2, 1867, by Harper & Brothers, was one of the first publications dedicated to looking at women’s lives through fashion. It also covered social etiquette, politics, music, fiction, and poetry. “Harper’s Bazaar” was far beyond its time, covering articles about the importance of work and education for women and endorsing the women’s suffrage movement.6
“American Vogue” was first published on Dec. 17, 1892. The magazine targeted the New York upper class, covering their habits, leisure activities, places they frequented, and clothing. It had sections on fashion, social etiquette, and traditions of high society. It even covered sports and social affairs to attract a male audience.
Generations of women and men have used magazines like these to monitor fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trends through the ages. They continue to be an escape from our everyday lives and a guide to draw inspiration from. Have you ever considered the kinds of trends you see around school? Let’s take a closer look!
Delulu for Lulu
Meet the internet’s latest athleisure obsession: Lululemon. From leggings to jackets to headbands, this semi-luxury brand offers everything an athlete could need. Even less athletic teenagers have flocked to this store for its style, quality, and comfort.
Comfy is In
It doesn’t take much effort to come up with a cool and trendy outfit nowadays. With the rise in popularity of leggings and hoodies, you can keep your focus on school and cruise in comfort. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules to follow if you want to be on trend! Leggings can be found in two styles: flared and skin-tight. Stick with solid colors or minimal patterns—sorry millennials, galaxy leggings are never coming back! Hoodies should be oversized but not enough to drown in. You’ll usually see people in neutral or muted solid tones.
Don’t sock it ‘til you try it
Socks aren’t normally a clothing item that people think about—it’s easy to just throw on whatever pair’s available in the morning. But the new socks-over-leggings trend has thrown one particular brand into the spotlight: Nike. If you want to participate in this latest craze, just throw on some white crew length Nike socks over black leggings, and you’re good to go.
The bigger the hoop, the bigger the…fun
Everyone knows jewelry is the best way to finish off any outfit. But what kind should you wear? The internet is obsessed with the gold vs. silver argument and which one suits you best according to your skin tone, undertones, and facial features. The size of the hoop also makes a difference—do you want a subtle small hoop or a big statement piece? A thick one or a thin one? Well, the Norse Star Fashion Police are here to tell you that you can wear whichever you want! While it’s true that certain tones of gold or silver compliment certain skin tones, it has just as much to do with the outfit and vibe you’re going for. So rather than stressing about whether you’re a gold or silver girly, try them both and see what makes you feel best!
Uggs vs. Birks
Shoes are an important part of finishing any outfit. Shoe trends throughout the years have tended to focus on tennis shoes, from Air Forces to Jordans. But this year, people are loving their slippers…in the style of Uggs and Birkenstocks. Which one will you rock this season?
Owala vs. Stanley
Blurb: Water bottles have strayed in and out of style through the years. With the recent fading in popularity of HydroFlasks after the VSCO girl wave, two new brands have stepped up to the plate: Stanley and Owala. Stanley garnered a huge following due to its presence in the WaterTok community, while Owala is a more recent trend known for its fun color combinations and FreeSip feature.
“Clean Girl”
For years, makeup and hair trends have followed bold, colorful looks, from the pastel eyeshadows and hair bumps of the ‘60s, the dark grunge of the ‘90s, and the frosty eyes, bright lipsticks, and crimped hair of the 2000s. However, in the past few years, the internet (TikTok especially) has been loving a clean slate: the toned-down “clean girl” look. People have given up the in-your-face looks in favor of extensive skincare routines and neutral, minimal makeup. Hairstyles can be a breeze even on the worst of hair days with the slick-back: pull your hair tightly back into a bun or ponytail, maybe with some hair oil, and off you go!
