Page 8 - ADU Voice Volume 5 Issue 1
P. 8
8 Voice | Fall 2025
The Death of Excess:
Recession’s Runway Impact
By Sanaa Rabbat
t no point in time has fashion ever been out of fashion, such as high-quality jeans,
Aconsidered as being just fabric; rather, it has white shirts, and neutral coats that can deal
always been a reflection, a mood board: a sometimes with changing seasons. This is not as simple
subtle, sometimes sparkly hint of what is to come. as altering one’s own taste; it is more so about
making economically wise decisions that allow
As economists compute and argue over inflation adaption to less-than-profitable circumstances.
rates, fashionistas have already experienced the
change: in pants, colors, and shopping preferences. Interestingly, with this change, there has been a
While the word “recession” was still out of headlines, new style gaining momentum in our streets and
it was already woven within the hem of our closets. on our social media feeds: quiet luxury. There
was this sudden move towards streamlined,
Whether it is the dramatic explosion of thrift neutral, and logo-less dressing, which felt as if
shopping or the humble emergence of the stealth the majority were dressing in reference to the
wealth style, trendy fashion today is murmuring – Roy family from the drama series Succession
and occasionally screaming – that the overall spirit (2018-2023). This tasteful simplicity was not
of the world is becoming strapped; both literally just a fashion statement but a statement about
and figuratively. Are your basic pieces and the era. When it comes to unpredictable
capsule wardrobe in neutral colors quite financial conditions, simplicity is
simply your own personal preference or a comforting. Instead of flashiness,
sign of the times? So, how did fashion beat people desire to look steadfast and
Wall Street, once again, to the punch? refined. Subdued colors, refined
materials and straight lines of quiet
As belts are tightened, both in the luxury provided precisely that.
actual and metaphorical sense,
so do our shopping tendencies. Meanwhile, second-hand
Fashion takes a distinct direction shopping and upcycling
as people start spending have become all the
conservatively; as economic rage. As prices rise with
instability sets in, the lavish inflation, thrifting has
goes out and the sensible emerged as a cheap, more
comes in. Simply said, this environmentally friendly
is what recession fashion solution. In recent years, an
is all about. Closets are eruption of users has occurred
refined, and the focus falls on on online buy-and-sell
basics that never g o platforms such as Depop and
Vinted, and videos on TikTok of
