What’s in for fashion this year? Individuality is in. Sure, skinny jeans have made their comeback from the 1980’s, hitting every generic chain store in the United States, but nothing’s trendier than original thought and unconventionality. Going to Target or any mediocre mass-producing chain store offering you another crutch for self-expression, or lack-thereof is the worst thing to do, both socio-economically and in terms of self-expression. There’s nothing better than creative minds and independent thinkers. Get out of mainstream thinking and go outside of the metaphorical box. Don’t be another tool in a mindless, insipid trend set by corporate shareowners out there for sheer profit.

Right at this very moment, mass amounts of teenagers with store-dummy smiles are flocking their local Forever 21, or Wet Seal to buy their favorite sweat-shopped clothing dubbed “trendy” by society and the media. The last person I would want to be is one of those teenagers. Disregard the terms “functional” and “normal,” because after all, they’re all relative. I say, turn off your television, throw away those magazines, ignore the media, ignore the person next to you, steer clear of those malls and reinvent yourself and for a change, put some original thought in what you wear.

Environmental friendly clothing is definitely “in.” Hemp is a great fabric made from natural plant fibers. It is definitely one of nature’s underrated multi-purpose natural resources. Though it’s hard to come by, there’s nothing better than the feeling of aiding to save the environment by wearing hemp clothing.

What’s not “in” is wearing band shirts purchased from some overrated clothing store without any knowledge of the band, whatsoever. No justice is given to any band if someone wears their shirt without a clue on anything about said band. I advocate when people wear band shirts to support a band, with a percentage of the profits allocated directly to the band for the release of a new album, or to buy new gear. However, it’s absurd when somebody buys a Poison shirt from Wet Seal just for the “rocker” look. What I don’t understand is the concept of the “rocker” look, which is meaningless without the music. This mediocre trend boxes such a multifaceted genre into a horrible stereotype and annihilates everything it stands for.

The Haight- Inspired hipster look has been tried and true for Indie lovers everywhere for the past few years, but it seems as if it’s becoming more “mainstream.” This trend is beginning to appeal to a more “mainstream” audience, especially on guys who wear Stussy, Kid Robot apparel and ostentatiously colored shoes. Thankfully, jeans have gotten tighter on guys and are no longer hanging down on the knees. I am also witnessing a mullet comeback. Plain, fitted deep v-neck shirts and tight, leg-hugging pants that look torn and worn are also common.

Fashion is a very universal subject. Trends that last for a month falter in comparison to an individual style. Frankly, this all boils down to yourself. Unfortunately, our society is made of people who do judge by appearance. Nothing is more important than individuality. After all, who wants to dress like everybody else? We are life-actors, and we should finally act and present ourselves as individuals.