What comes to your mind when talking about “statement” in the fashion context? According to the Oxford Dictionary, a “fashion statement” is something that you wear or own that is new or unusual and is meant to draw attention to you.
In the fashion industry, we have trends in different years and seasons. Trends started from political, social movements or cultural influences. Various large designer brands, trend forecasters such as WGSN (Worth Global Style Network) then forecasting the upcoming fashion trends, deciding what are the key colours and key prints for every season, followed with producing a fashion line from all kinds of apparels to accessories which includes what we called statement pieces within trends.
The Price of being Bold
Most statement pieces work as a key inspiration piece for the seasonal trend or a product highlight for visual merchandising purposes in retail stores. Nevertheless, it’s also an attractive piece to draw your attention and possibly score a transaction at the till! It could also end up in the end of season sales racks or worst, landfills. Therefore, many environmentalists are against seasonal trends culture which encouraged irresponsible or unnecessary production or overconsumption.
When I was working in the fashion industry, my quirky eye just couldn’t stop spotting statement pieces especially the key print of the season or key pieces. I know I would wear them, therefore I either buy or claim it with my company’s uniform allowance.
This trousers I’m wearing from Zara, was on sale in 2020 and I bought it in a flash especially when I found my size. It was for my 2021 Lunar New Year outfit. I love the prints, the fit, and the huge pockets that give so much detail to it! I chose to wear it on visiting Glastonbury and I’m so glad because this town is infiltrate with magical, whimsical vibes! I’m totally in the mood!
Statement pieces are just a one-hit wonder!
Some might think statement pieces are a one-off thing, not easy to style, too bold to over-wear it, therefore not sustainable. Well, it’s difficult to disagree but sometimes they are too nice to NOT having them in my wardrobe!
Although I buy less now, but my fashion radar is always on, so here are my tips on shopping statement pieces consciously:
– Wait for it to go on sale
Most statement pieces work as a key inspiration or a highlight for visual merchandising. The brand merchandisers would control the product quantity and usually categorised as flagship store item. Not many people think they could carry it nor buy it, hence if you are lucky, you get them on the end season sale rack.
If don’t, then let it go, congrats you did not buy anything! 😉
– Scout them out in vintage platforms
If you can’t get them in stores, try vintage or second-hand platforms! According to an article from The Guardian, global sales of pre-owned clothes surged by 18% last year to £156bn and the US second-hand market grew seven times faster than overall fashion retail where sales were flat in 2023 from a year earlier.
I am not encouraging consumption but if you really love it, want it, and promise me you would wear it continuously? Then, shop second-hand first, which connects to my third point!
– If you got it, NEVER LET IT GO! (laughs)
Fashion trend is always a cycle, for example the Y2K fashion is back now after 20 years; or evolve into something new, as well as inspire other micro trends to pop up in different seasons. You’d definitely wear it again in another occasion! And when you do, you’re gonna be the “Fashion statement” in that era!
– Always find a reason to wear it!
Theme parties? Travelling? Feeling in the mood? Twinning with friends? There is always a reason to flaunt your special taste, don’t be shy! Now you know statement pieces might not be a one hit wonder. It depends whether you purchase it consciously or not? So if you have one in your wardrobe, don’t hesitate to wear it, and tell the story!
Let me know whether you also shop statement pieces? How do you style them or how many times you have already worn them? 😎
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