Page 9 - ADU Voice Volume 5 Issue 1

Fall 2025 | Voice 9

thrift-flipping became a phenomenon. This movement
has proved to be practical and personal as well. Upcycling
gives individuals the opportunity to be creative and
save money while minimizing their carbon footprint.

Colors, too, began to give signals of an impending
economic downturn. Wander through just about any
part of town where fashion dominates, and you can’t
miss noticing just how beige or gray or black or white
everything is. Such neutrals do not merely mix and
match easily; they also portray a mood of caution
in unison. The bright, bold colors turn pale during
periods of economic insecurity. Perhaps unknowingly,
individuals tend to lean towards more solid, mature-
looking colors when they do not see the future so clearly.

Capsule wardrobes can also be attributed to this
urge for simplicity and efficiency. And it is not only
fashionable, but economically viable to put together
a small choice of basic clothes that all look great
together. Premium quality and a smaller quantity of
items cost less in the long run and save consumers the
burden of making decisions regarding their outfits.
It is a real solution to the problem of being violently
stuck in the middle of a recession with nothing to wear.

However, despite their generally disciplined approach to
an inconsistent budget, individuals manage to pamper
themselves. And this is where the so-called “lipstick
effect” comes into play. First described in recession-era
downturns, this phenomenon refers to the inclination to
buy minor luxuries when major ones are unachievable.
A chic pair of earrings, a new tube of lipstick, and a
cute hair clip all become variations of a small protest
against the state of financial gloom. It is a form of cheap
self-indulgence to ensure not a drop of fun is sacrificed.

In retrospect, it is apparent that fashion has had a lengthy
history of reflecting economic circumstances. Fashion
does not wait until someone has written a press release;
it responds immediately to the way people think and
feel. And often, the sentiments foreshadow the economic
realities. Ultimately, what is on our bodies is not just the
fashion of the day. It is the silent language that says it
all about what we hope, fear and live. The next time you
reach for a beige sweater from the closet or resurrect
some life in an old coat, take note: you could be trendy,
or you could just be a beat ahead of the economy.