By Em Powell, Lead Graphic Designer
In recent years, we have all been aware of the change in our political climate. We have seen the shift in not only our political leaders and how important issues are handled, but also in the subtle changes we see around us in our daily lives. If you’ve looked around while walking through the mall or your local department store, have you noticed a shift? Have you noticed a lack of color or modest cuts of fabric on the models and racks? If so, you have seen a glimpse into how the rise of conservatism is reflecting in our society.
The fashion industry has always gone through changes associated with political shifts. For example, the social acceptance of women wearing pants in the 1960s blew open an entirely new realm of fashion that was pushed again with the revealing and slim-fitting clothes that became popular in the 2000s. However, it seems like we’re regressing here recently – we’re seeing a lot of muted colors return, along with long skirts and dresses hiding the female figure. Compared to the bright colors and halter/crop tops that were presented to us just five years ago, the shift is clear when you look at what has happened socially and politically over the recent years.
In 2020, the presidential election between Democratic candidate Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump was in full force, ending in President Biden being elected in the middle of a global pandemic. The world was shut in and, here in America, we were going through what I would consider a tense year. People had more time on their hands and were able to experiment more with their interests and styles while our administration was shifting towards more progressive policies. At the same time, a seed would be planted on TikTok that would grow into one of the reasons for the recent shift in fashion, as many profiles on the platform focused on completing domestic tasks while in quarantine.
In 2022, influencers such as Nara Smith and Ballerina Farms, who pushed a homestead lifestyle known as the “trad-wife lifestyle,” began to find massive popularity. These people would be dressed in either what I like to call “Little House on the Prairie dresses” or “1950s housewife dresses” while making food from scratch or doing domestic labor. As with most trends on social media, the public would see these influencers and attempt to replicate how these women lived and dressed, reinforcing traditional values/roles surrounding gender in the household. The rise of these types of influencers, mixed with the mental effects of the pandemic, would go on to heighten the rise of conservative fashion.
In 2024, America hosted another presidential election, this time between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and, again, Republican candidate Donald Trump. The changes in fashion following the election were expected to be another swing in the pendulum, and the night of November 4, 2024 would solidify that. Now here we are in 2025, and the shift has hit what I would consider its peak. The milkmaid dresses and modest cuts have become the current norm, dark colors are more prevalent, and we see the advertising for these clothes largely geared towards the traditional white cisgender woman; it’s almost inescapable.
How can we counter this? It’s an easy solution: just be yourself. Wear the colors and styles you enjoy; don’t let societal trends and higher power take away individuality. In history, we’ve seen many subcultures arise amongst pushes towards conservatism in fashion, such as punk culture in 1970s England and gyaru/gyaruo in 1990s Japan, to counteract the social standards of their time.
In any walk of life, it’s important to continue to hold your own style that fits you and your personality. It’s beneficial not only to mental health and self-confidence, but also because it uplifts our spirit and individuality instead of going with the status quo. As politics and social media trends attempt to tell you what will look good on you, remember that the climate is always changing; what’s popular right now will almost certainly change in the months or years to come. By breaking the mold conservatism is shaping in our modern fashion, you’re making a statement not only for yourself but for the fashion culture around you.
