Some rules are meant to be broken–especially outdated decorating trends.

While one should decorate their home in any way that resonates with their tastes and desires, there are some outdated trends of which you do well to let go of. I can remember my grandmom, the wonderfully saintly lady that she was, telling me once that she was looking for a a new painting that matched her sofa. As horrified as I was with the concept of matching art to a couch, her quest stuck with me. It affirmed my lifelong commitment to freeing myself from the constraints of decorating times past. We should all shed those decorating trends that have outlived their usefulness (if they ever were useful).

Here are just a few of the decorating trends to free yourself from forever.

7 Outdated Decorating Trends to Leave Behind

1. Symmetry

Don’t get me wrong, symmetry has its place and can create a stunning effect in interiors. The problem is when you feel hampered by symmetry and don’t decorate the way you want to live or the way in which the room calls out for. Symmetry in the wrong room can be a bit like putting a square peg in a round hole.

2. Matching Wood

Don’t pass up that lovely vintage bureau, coffee table, or sideboard because it’s a different wood or stain from the other pieces in your room. There are absolutely no rules when it comes to matching, or mixing as the case may be, wood furniture, flooring, and finishes. Rooms with all the same type of wood or wood finish can look flat and rooms with mixed woods can look warm and inviting. Your eye will tell you what works or what doesn’t work.

3. Art on Every Wall

One thing that the best designers know is the blank space helps control the design. While you may think that every wall is calling out to be covered with some kind of art, think again. Leaving all other walls bare except one wall decked out with a gallery wall is a very dramatic statement. Just like you should leave mandatory symmetry behind, free yourself from the tyranny of art on every wall.

4. Sticking to Colors

While there’s nothing wrong with have color preferences, don’t be limited by what colors you choose in your room. Gone are the days where home decorators chose two main colors with splashes of accent colors. Instead, tell a story with color. Have a turquoise sofa with dark gray walls, a coral sofa, and accent pillows that are green and purple. It’s all good if you like it.

5. Curtains or Blinds Are a Must

Of course curtains and blinds really do serve a practical purpose in most cases. But if you can get away with it, leave them off. Windows without coverings are not only easier to clean, but can be quite dramatic and create a welcoming and brighter home.

6. Furniture for the Sake of furniture

Don’t think you need to stick to the traditional sofa with two armchairs combination. Go for what makes you comfortable–whether that is two love seats and ottomans for everyone, or a bank of mid-century modern chairs centered around a lovely low square coffee table.

7. Thinking Your Home is ‘Done’

Lastly, you just may never be completely finished with decorating your home. As you find pieces that you love and want to call your own–whether that’s art, collectibles, or furniture–make room for them. Your home should be a reflection of you and a warm and inviting place in which you want to spend your time.

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Sure, there’s always been popular trends in art, craft, fashion, and decor, but the rise of online shopping and the arts and crafts style has brought about a nichification that is entirely new thanks to the rise of the handmade market hipster aesthetic in the last decade or so.

Some of these popular trends we are happy to see fall by the wayside (trucker hats, anyone?), while other trends will mostly never die (owls will be around forever).

We’ve pulled together a roundup of some of the popular trends we both love and love to hate. What are your favorite or not so favorite fashion and decor popular trends? Let us know in the comments!

Popular Trends We May (Or May Not) Be Tired of Yet

1. Mustache – If we never see another fake felt mustache on a stick again, we will be very, very pleased. The same goes with the mustached tees, bags, beer glasses, and more. It’s enough already. Image: Bread and Badger

2. Faux Taxidermy – This is one decor trend that still has a tiny space in our hearts. When it works, it works–like these fantastical faux taxidermy creatures. Image: Horrible Adorables

3. Put a Bird on It – While some may think that the “Put a Bird On It” trend (that’s a “Portlandia” reference if you weren’t aware) is over, birds are still in, in our opinion. Birds just are never going to go out of style.  Image: Little Flower Designs

4. Beards – Tasteful beards on men still work for us, but the beard tees, posters, wallpaper, and cup cozies just don’t. Please stop. Image: Benton Park Prints

5. Felted Anything – Some like felted wool doodads (like jewelry, wallets, notebook covers, etc.). Others of us realize felted wool is what happens when you accidently put wool in the washer and dryer. It’s a mistake, not a fashion statement. Image: Floral Forest

6. Skulls – The skull motif, while a bit overplayed, is just never going to go out of style. Image: MiracleShine

7. Owls – Owls rock. They have been firmly in the popular category since the 1970s, and we don’t see them losing their popularity. Hipster kids and their grandmothers will forever be rocking this trend. Image: Nate Duval

8. Chevron – The Chevron has seen its popularity wane a bit from a few years ago, but we still like the boldness this pattern can offer home decor. Image: Urban Outfitters

9. Feathers – The feather trend may be played out, especially since the use of feathers can sometimes cross over into cultural appropriation territory. We would say that feather pen and ink illustration art is still in, but feather headdresses have already been out–unless you happen to be Native American. Image: Golly Bard

10. Faux Bois – In our opinion faux bois is another timeless pattern trend. The market might been oversaturated with the pattern in the past few years, but it’s like the little, black dress and will never truly go out of style. Image: Sherees Atelier

11. Pugs – How could you ever tire of pugs? Image: Buy Olympia

Related on EcoSalon

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Image: Felt Mustaches via Shutterstock

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Polka dots. You either love them or you hate them.

We happen to love them and we aren’t the only ones. 2015 has been the year of the dots–especially on the spring and summer fashion runways.

If you too love the polka dot, read on for some tips on how wear them and how to add them to your home.

Polka Dots Fashion and Home Decor Tips

Image: West Elm

1. Mix and Match

One of our favorite ways to incorporate the polka dot into you wardrobe or your home decor is to mix and match them with other patterns. Polka dots can add a bit of whimsy to stripes, gingham, plaid, damask, houndstooth, Greek Key, or really any pattern out there. The key is to match the scale or make a point to exaggerate the difference in scale between your patterns.

Image: Umberto Fratini / Indigitalimages.com

2. Go Big

For those who don’t really care for the polka dot, one solution is to choose patterns with larger dots and with more space between them. This look is more retro and less precious.

Image: Anthropologie

3. Go Small

On the other end of the size spectrum, choosing smaller dots can come off a little more polished. Small scale polka dots when seen from far away are almost invisible, it’s only when you get up close that you can see them. It works just like a small pinstripe pattern work.  Smaller dots are definitely more appropriate for more conservative settings, like the office.

Image: Pottery Barn

4. Accents

Any pattern can be just too darn much if overdone, that’s never truer than with polka dots. Instead of decking yourself, or your space, in head to toe dots, use the pattern as an accent. A scarf, a throw, gloves, or a rug would all work to give a little pop of dots!

Image: HAUSOFPROSE

5. Be Unexpected

Instead of wearing or decorating with polka dots in expected ways, like wearing a polka-dotted blouse or throwing some throw pillows on the sofa, get creative with your looks. Try polka-dotted pumps or a statement wall art piece instead, just don’t be predictable!

Image: starsandspirals

6. Own It

Do not be afraid to go all in with polka dots. If you love them, who cares if others don’t! Wear polka dots from your head to your toes and wear them proud.

Related on EcoSalon

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Fearless Home Decor: Mix and Match Patterns

Image: OhongsDesignStudio

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If you were beginning to feel swayed by all those trendy frocks and jumpers you’ve seen at H&M lately, DON’T BUY THEM.

John Oliver recently reminded us all why it’s a terrible idea to give into fast fashion. His argument against fast fashion is hilarious, and so spot on.

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The post Watch John Oliver Stick It to Fast Fashion [Video] appeared first on EcoSalon.

Don’t look now but 2015 is almost here. Are you ready? We present your 2015 mood board for the new year. Complete with trends in beauty, fashion, food, and wellness.

Must Have Hue // Pantone has announced that Marsala is the hue to have for 2015. A deep, rich mahogany red, this must-have shade is mellow yet adds zesty color. InStyle magazine suggests pairing a Marsala-hued accessory with navy, black or mustard. Yum!

New Beauty // The good news? Super natural looking skin is in. This means taking good care of your skin trumps contouring and heavy makeup. You can go for a truly natch look sans makeup, or try an all nude look using taupes, browns, and pale pinks. For you color-loving gals, don’t fret. A super saturated lip look is hot for next year too. Opt for creamy lip color and pat on with your finger. Love RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek for lips brimming with color. Glamour girls, winged out eyeliner is the go-to in glam for the new year. Go soft with pencil or intense with liquid liner. Here’s your inspo.

Current Coif // Hair for next year – think undone. Even of-the-moment braids are left a bit messy. This means you can put away your blow dryer, straightener, and curling iron. Don’t forgo the regular trip to your stylist though. Going au naturel here means hair still has to be cut to perfection and taken good care of. Use organic products that are free from harmful ingredients and go a day or two between washings to let your body’s own oils do their job. Some high performance organic haircare lines are Acure Organics, Yarok, and Rahua.

Fashion Forward // Fashion seems to have a split personality for next spring with hippie chic and girly girl both hitting the runways. Boho is still hot, with fringe and bell bottoms making an appearance. Rather than wearing together, try a fringe jacket with a dress or bell bottoms with a tailored shirt. If you are more into the feminine look, ruffles and oversized floral prints are on trend, and these can be worn together.

Fitness Fad // Yahoo reports the new trend is…no trend. That’s right, it’s back to basics where exercise is concerned. This means traditional cardio routines and body weight training. You can’t get more back to basics than running. Check out the hottest running shoes for 2015.

Hot Health Food // It is not news that kale and broccoli are healthy foods. But have you tried broccoli sprouts? How about kalettes? Broccoli sprouts hold the same cancer fighting benefits as their cruciferous cousin, but come with an extra enzymatic punch that boosts potency. Add to salad or pair with cooked broccoli. Kalettes are a kale/Brussels sprouts hybrid that deliver the health advantages and flavor of both.

Java Habit // The new year in coffee means darker is better. Push those sugary, flavored coffee drinks aside if you want to go on trend with your joe. Even Dunkin’ Donuts will roll out their new dark roast. Looks like espresso is on the menu too. If you can’t skip the sweetener, try Gloria Estefan’s Cuban Coffee recipe. Delicious!

Cleanse to a Tea // Move over Master Cleanse, there’s a new detox in town. Starvation cleanses are so, well, this year. In the new year, teatoxing is the way to go. A nutritionist friend of mine says living on liquid or very little food is stressful to the body and does not recommend this type of cleansing for anyone. With teatoxing you still get to eat and exercise healthfully, adding in a cup or three of detoxifying tea daily. No low blood sugar, insatiable hunger, diarrhea, tears (just sayin’). Teatoxing is safe, effective, and actually pleasant. Want to give it a try? Skinny Teatox has 7, 14, and 28 day kits. Plus the teas look gorgeous and tasty. Perfect post holidays.

State of Mindfulness // While meditation is at an ever increasing high in terms of popularity, mindfulness is the hot term of the moment. What’s the dif? You don’t have to sit in lotus for several minutes to achieve the peace of mind meditation offers. By being in the moment during your daily tasks you can reap the rewards of awareness. This practice even works with diet. Multitasking is over, mindfulness is the new state of mind.

Have fun creating your own mood board for 2015 with these tips. See you in your Marsala hued fringe jacket in the new year.

Related on EcoSalon

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Image: Runners by The Q Speaks at Flickr.com cc, Pantone Marsala by Eric delcroix at Flickr.com cc, messy braid by Maegan Tintari at Flickr.com cc, RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek via SpiritBeautyLounge.com, cubana by Timothy Boyd at Flickr.com cc, Skinny Teatox via skinny-teatox.com, Kjaer Weis eyeshadow via SpiritBeautyLounge.com.

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Timeless makeup looks are always in style. Get bright red lips and cat eyes with these natural beauty brands.

Here’s how to wear these always on trend makeup styles with a little help from the best brands in natural beauty.

1. Graphic Eyes

Geometric cat eyes and other bold graphic shapes take eye makeup to the next level, and while this definitely isn’t a trend for shrinking violets, it can easily be adapted to real-world wear. Think minimalist, but not boring. Take a cue from the Rag and Bone look (top photo), which accented an otherwise clean and fresh-looking face with a curved swipe of eyeliner just above the crease of the eyelid.  At Dior, all it took to make the eyes pop were a few highlights in silver; 100% Pure has a natural and vegan pearly silver eyeliner that would do the trick.

2. Wine Lips

Lips that look like you’ve been eating berries or sipping on a glass of full-bodied red wine can be all you need to add a healthy pop of color. To get this look, use a stain on well-moisturized and exfoliated lips. Check out Vapour Organic Beauty’s Aura Multi-Use Stain in ‘Lure,’ or Tarte’s Lipsurgence Matte Tint in ‘Envy.’

3. The Warm, Metallic Smoky Eye

Peach, copper, purple and mauve bring a fresh look to the smoky eye, dialing down the drama just a tad while also contributing an extra dash of color (seen here at Gucci.) The key to a beautiful smoky eye is blending, blending, blending. You could also go for a softer neutral look with a touch of shine. Try W3LL People’s Elitist 83, a loose mineral shadow in luminous copper, or Seduce by RMS Beauty, a cream shadow that’s long-lasting and easy to blend.

4. Bold Brows

Lush, natural, statement-making brows have been de rigueur for a few years now, and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere, so don’t pull out the tweezers just yet. Strong brows frame the face and add interest even when you’re not wearing any makeup. To make your brows bigger and bolder, brush them up and set them into place with brow gel like Jane Iredale’s PureBrow.

5. Oxblood and Classic Red Nails

Half-moon manicures, patterns and decals are definitely high on the list of trends for nails, but here’s one you don’t have to sit in a headache-inducing nail salon to achieve: ravishing red. The classic candy-red manicure wears well in any season, as is dark and dramatic oxblood. Try Scotch Naturals Stiletto for the former, and Priti’s Sympathy Rose for the latter. Pro tip: add a little cornstarch to some clear topcoat for a matte finish.

Images via: Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue

The post Get These 5 Timeless Looks with Natural Beauty Brands appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ten pretty little clutches that you can easily make at home.

The clutch is, without a doubt, this fall’s it-bag. Instead of dropping major dough on one, revamp one that you already have or make one yourself from scratch. Here are ten of our favorite DIY clutch projects, some which require as little as tape and spray paint.

Placemat Clutch
Sometimes you come across things that are so brilliant in their simplicity that you can’t believe you never thought of it yourself. This DIY placemat clutch by Vannalisa Scafaria is such a thing. Of course a placemat would make an excellent clutch!

Miniaudiere with Golden Horse
Sometimes elaborate parties call for desperate measures. This DIY tutorial by Trinkets in Bloom shows you how to turn a humble sunglasses case and plastic toy horse into a glamorous miniaudiere fit for the Kentucky Derby. Pretty brilliant.

Glitter Bow Clutch
Fall is all about glitter and adornment, in every which way. This tutorial by The World is My Oyster shows you how to make a glam glitter bow clutch inspired by a Betsey Johnson bag. We think it would be perfect for all those holiday parties you will soon be attending.

Gold Colorblock Clutch
Colorblocking is still going strong this fall, but try metallics to give the look a bit of an update. Transforming an old clutch into a fashion-forward statement can be as easy as spraypaint and tape. Have a look at this tutorial by I Spy DIY for some pointers on how to do it right.

Handcuff Clutch
Are you one of those people who constantly misplace your pretty little clutch wherever you go? In that case, this DIY handcuff clutch by A Matter of Style, inspired by Louis Vuitton’s fall accessory collection, may be just the thing.

Knuckle Duster Clutch
Sometimes runway style can be so easy to achieve with some patience and glue. Case in point, this knuckle duster clutch tutorial by (studs and pearls) shows you how to make your own version of that gorgeous Alexander McQueen version.

Envelope Clutch
Some time ago, I started noticing people at different fashion weeks carrying laptop cases as clutches. It was a curious trend, perhaps brought on by necessity, but then laptop cases started getting more stylish too. This DIY envelope clutch by Swellmayde works really well as an oversize clutch, but play around with the measurements and I think it could make an excellent laptop case too.

Bell Clutch
Inspired by a Christian Louboutin clutch, this little DIY number by Carry on… Carry on… really lets you attend your next party with bells on. It’s a bit time consuming, but once done, the end result is quite stunning, as not as loud as you may think.

Book Clutch
We love the nerd chic appeal of these quirky book clutches that started popping up here and there a while back. It makes you look smart and bookish and can perhaps even protect you against purse snatchers. This tutorial by Runway DIY shows you how to make your own version, using your favorite high-brow piece of literature, of course.

Woven Clutch
Woven bags just have this sophisticated air about them. This tutorial by Burda Style shows you how to weave pieces of faux leather together to create a nicely textured bag. People won’t believe you actually made it.

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Ten clever, easy DIY ways to remake your pants for fall.

I was in NYC the other day, and for the first time in what seems like forever I was actually cold. This means two things: fall is definitely on its way and shorts are once again to be replaced with pants. The good news is that there are so many great styles of pants that are on trend for fall. But, instead of buying new ones, revamp the ones you already have with these 10 easy-to-do DIY projects.

Palazzo Pants
Wide-leg, printed palazzo pants are probably one of fall’s absolute biggest trends. They are as easy-breezy to make as they are to wear. This gorgeous pair by a pair and a spare look like they came straight off the runway. I’ll be making a few pairs of these in different prints immediately.

Color-blocked Pants
Color-blocking is still going strong this fall, and you can easily turn a pair of ho-hum chinos into a cheerful fashion statement with little more than fabric paint and tape. HonestlyWTF will show you the way.

Tuxedo Pants
Suddenly, tuxedo pants are seen everywhere, and they are super simple to make at home. Check out this tutorial by Henry Happened to find out how you can make yours. We’d make them in black and white and love that they can be dressy if worn with a sheer blouse or sporty if worn with a simple T-shirt.

Lace-Embellished Jeans
Lace seemed to pop up in the collections of many designers this season, mainly used as an embellishment. When paired with unexpected materials, such as denim, it creates a contrast that feels fresh and very on trend. This pair of lace-embellished jeans by a pair and a spare were inspired by Jason Wu’s Fall 11 collection and will certainly give you the look for less.

Distressed Denim
At fashion weeks around the world, fashionistas were wearing denim that wasn’t just a little bit distressed but completely shredded to bits. If you want this look to happen naturally, it would probably take a few years. In this tutorial, Swellmaybe and UniqueLA show us a simple way to achieve the look, DIY style.

Tie-Dye Leggings
Nope, we are in no way over tie-dye just yet, and the fact that it’s such an easy and fun way to transform any kind of garment just fuels our fascination. This tutorial by designer (and tie-dye expert) Shabd Simon-Alexander for Martha Stewart gives you an almost floral print, which feels very current for fall and will work long into spring and summer.

Silk Scarf Trousers
These below the knee shorts can be made from one single scarf (which you can find tons of in almost any thrift store), and the larger the scarf the longer your trousers can be. This tutorial by Park & Cube shows you how easy this is to do, but make sure to follow their advice to measure twice, cut once.

Studded Denim
Sometimes it’s those small, simple details that can really make a garment go from something that just lingers in your closet to something you wear every day. This simple, clever tutorial by Swellmayde shows you how to revamp a pair of existing jeans using metal studs. We love that they are both tough and sweet at the same time.

Fringe Pockets
Embellishment is a huge trend this fall, and the good news is that it’s very simple to do yourself. Putting fringe on the pockets of your jeans takes them from ordinary to fun in a pinch. It also plays well with fall’s western trend. I remember doing this to a pair of jeans when I was about ten years old, so it’s very simple. Check out this tutorial by Fashionista New York Girl to find out how. Just use a pair of pants instead of shorts and it’s perfect for fall.

Pajama Pants
Who would have thought we would ever consider wearing pajama pants outside of the house, and with heels nonetheless. Luckily for all of us, this comfy bedroom-staple has made it’s runway debut and taken it to the streets. This tutorial by ducky house shows you how to make a pair from old sheets. We think they would look great in a dark silk fabric or white cotton, with contrasting neon lace for the cuffs.

SEE ALSO:

DIY: 10 Things to do With an Old T-Shirt

DIY: 10 DIY Bracelets You Can Make This Weekend

DIY: 10 Summer Shorts You Can Make At Home

DIY: 10 Statement Earrings You Can Totally Make

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Ten clever, easy-to-do DIY clothing revamp projects to update and transition your wardrobe into fall.

Labor day may have officially signaled the end of summer, but its not quite time to go out and buy fall clothing yet. Skip the store and scratch the itch to buy something new by revamping your existing clothes with these 10 easy-to-do DIY wardrobe updating projects.

Lace-up Heels
Bring your summer pumps right into fall by transforming them into lace-up heels. It’s surprisingly easy to do with just a handful of supplies, Runway DIY shows how. Wear a pair of socks underneath and you can rock these until the snow starts falling.

Givenchy Boots
The first time I saw these boots I thought they looked kind of awkward. I still sort of do, but the fashion elite seems to have taken quite a liking to the Givenchys. Instead of coughing up serious cash for the real things, take a pair of wedge heels you never use and make your own versions. Check out this tutorial by Syl and Sam to learn how.

Gladiator Lace-up Sandals
Now that summer is officially over, it’s time to retire those flip flops for the season. Instead of putting them away in a box, however, do like Glitter N Glue and wrap them in a scarf to turn them into pretty lace-up sandals, perfect to wear with ankle-length pants this early fall.

Studded Knee Cap Jeans
Inspired by one of Christopher Kane’s runway looks, this DIY tutorial by Chictopia shows you how to make a regular pair of jeans into a true statement piece. You can, of course, put the studs wherever you want on a pair of jeans, but we think the knee cap placement kind of rocks.

Stitched Open-knit Sweater
The loose, open-knit sweater was all the rage this summer, and to take it into fall all you really need is some yarn and an hour to spare. Check out this brilliant tutorial by Inspiration and Realisation and get out those stitching needles. Because you already know how to make the T-shirt Yarn.

Gold Collar
Collars are still going strong this fall, and they are a great way to instantly update any shirt. This one by A Pair and a Spare is super easy to make, and probably more wearable than the Louis Vuitton piece that inspired it.

Embellished Collar
This fall, we won’t only see more of those removable collars (see above) but also lots of embellished collars on the shirts themselves. It’s a fun update to a wardrobe staple and could really look spectacular. This tutorial by Love Maegan shows you how to transform the collar of your favorite shirt to make it seriously glamorous.

Embellished Skirt
This fall is all about embellishment, and there is almost no such thing as too much. This DIY tutorial by P.S. I Made This shows you how to take a plain skirt from ordinary to fabulous by embellishing it with lace trim.

Cut-out T-shirt
Fall is all about layering, and you can start right now with lighter weight pieces. This DIY T-shirt project by Refinery29 shows you how to quickly and easily cut up a regular tee to make it look all desiger-y. And, it’s perfect for layering.

Geometric Beaded Top
Inspired by Burberry Prorsum’s tees embellished with wood beads, Inspiration and Realisation made their own version of this hot fall trend. The beads can be painted any color and cut into any shape, so the possibilities are endless. We love that they used upcycled popsicle sticks, we all probably have some of those laying around after summer.

The post DIY: 10 Easy Wardrobe Updates For Fall appeared first on EcoSalon.

What are “fashion haul” videos saying about today’s teenager’s attitude toward consumerism, and what’s on the other side of the spectrum.

In case you haven’t heard the term, “fashion hauling” refers to an internet phenomenon that has young (mostly) girls showing off their latest shopping finds to thousands of viewers in “haul videos” on YouTube. To be able to afford a constant stream of new stuff, haulers usually shop at fast fashion chains like Forever 21, H&M, Charlotte Russe and Target, or discount retailers like Marshalls, JC Penney or TJ Maxx.

Though this may seem like an innocent way for young girls to express themselves and share shopping finds with online peers, it’s becoming a serious issue because it promotes rampant, mindless consumerism. Haulers love fast fashion retailers because everything is cheap and they can afford a lot. They buy buy buy without putting any thought in how their clothing was made and where it comes from. If you consider the entire supply chain – from the raw materials and the labor required to the shipping and marketing – it is simply not possible to make a T-shirt that costs $7.

This video, a fashion haul by bodyrock.tv has over 3,6 million views on Youtube.

Fast fashion retailers, of course, do not want you to think about this stuff, they just want you to buy it. So naturally most of them have embraced the fashion hauling phenomenon with open arms, some of them even sponsoring popular haulers by offering gift cards, video contests and other incentives. Haulers seemingly live in a world where happiness can be bought, for a single-digit price tag at Forever 21, and everything is just “OMG, so cute!” To those of us far removed from it, these girls seem to be motivated by a desperate search for meaning.

The girls in this video, which has over 2 million views, just went on a serious shopping spree at Forever 21.

While it’s troubling to watch this trend develop and grow, there is also another side to the story. At the other end of the spectrum, many of today’s youth are distancing themselves entirely from the idea of ownership, looking for simplicity and alternative solutions to things they see not working in society. Instead of buying cars, they get Zipcar memberships, instead of buying CDs and DVDs they use Spotify, Hulu and other cloud-based streaming services, and instead of seeing the purchase of a home as the ultimate achievement they appreciate the freedom of renting. The less stuff you have, the more you stick it to the man.

This one has over 900,000 views and close to 12,000 comments.

Perhaps both of these extremes are reactions to coming of age in a time of economic uncertainty and political upheaval, but what does this polarization say about our society? And, more importantly, what effect will it have on the future of consumption? Does slow, considered fashion stand a chance against this escalating fashion hauling trend? Only time will tell, but perhaps it’s time to popularize “vintage hauling” or “stuff-I-already-have-in-my-closet hauling”?

Lead image, still from this video

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