The following piece is an opinion and does not reflect the views of The Eagle and its staff. All opinions are edited for grammar, style and argument structure and fact-checked, but the opinions are the writer’s own.
Like Andy from “The Devil Wears Prada,” many people have never questioned the way our economy influences our wardrobes.
All things considered, fashion is never just about clothes; it's a mirror of our society, a reflection of our politics and, in many cases, an economic indicator. The resurgence of minimalist, utilitarian styles, quiet luxury and nostalgic trends isn’t coincidental — it signals a response to economic uncertainty and social anxiety. These aesthetic shifts, what we wear, what we buy and what we choose to revive often precede or accompany recessions, subtly forecasting the mood of the times.
I started noticing the change not in magazines, but in my closet. Jeans got simpler. Graphic tees were swapped for plain basics. Friends started caring more about longevity than logos. Conversations shifted from “what’s trending” to “what’s worth buying.” It’s become clear that the fashion we gravitate towards isn’t just about taste; it’s about practicality and sustainability.
During the 2020 quarantine, many people dressed elaborately, especially women. They dressed in patterns and colors and played with textures. This was a form of self-expression to feel connected to society while separated during lockdown. Five years post-quarantine we are seeing a drastic change in the fashion cycle.
What used to be fun and full of self-expression is now turning into monotone looks and ideas of being modest, classy and simple. Social media has coined this trend as the “clean girl” or “old money” aesthetic. Style has become impersonal and uniform for many women.
This shift toward minimalist, polished aesthetics isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s part of a broader transformation that continues to blur the lines between personal expression and economic influence. This is best illustrated by comparing it with the 2008 stock market crash, the most recent recession in our history.
The fall of the housing market in 2008 took a toll on the overall economy; the GDP fell 4.3 percent from its high in 2007 to its lowest point in 2009, making it the worst and longest recession since World War II, which lasted just under 18 months. You may never consider how a person’s style could align with such a monumental point in history, but it does.
This cultural shift traveled from Wall Street and into our closets. As the economy contracted, so did fashion budgets. People prioritized affordable, functional and durable clothing over luxury and there was a renaissance in thrift and DIY clothes. In moments like that, style becomes less about what's trending and more about what’s multipurposed.
Trends are not random, rather they resurface in response to cultural undercurrents. We’ve gone through the baggy clothing phase, the colorful patterned phase and slowly but surely, we are making our way back around to skinny jeans, heels and slacks as club attire. This cycle suggests a shift in mood — perhaps even a nod to the structured aesthetics of past economic eras. As this evolution unfolds, the influence of the runway becomes increasingly undeniable — shaping not only what we wear but how quickly these styles trickle down into everyday wardrobes.
What models and celebrities wear can impact what average people wear. Yves Saint Laurent, for example, has been pushing the “office siren” attire since their Spring 2025 ready-to-wear debut on the runway back in the fall of 2024. The collection includes muted-toned suits and heels often paired with oversized accessories and coats. This resurgence of business attire speaks to more than just fashion trends; it reflects a broader socioeconomic shift. As economic realities grow more uncertain and job security becomes increasingly valuable, work itself is being re-centered in public consciousness. Fashion responds accordingly, emphasizing professionalism, structure and ambition. In essence, dressing for the job you want has taken on new urgency, not just as a career strategy but as a cultural mood where power dressing becomes a form of both survival and self-expression.
We have also seen well-known fast fashion lines start to rebrand. Pretty Little Thing, for example, has rebranded itself to what many describe as a conservative style. When browsing their website, you’ll find garments such as vests, business casual dresses and lots of neutral tones, such as brown, white, black and grey clothing. Maximalism is traded for minimalism, and uniqueness is traded for comfort and flexibility. Conservative style is bringing back high necklines, longer hemlines and overall less revealing silhouettes. What makes this style ‘hot’ is the tailoring and emphasis on the silhouette of pencil skirts or dresses.
Refined style has become the new aesthetic and many women — whether they work a nine-to-five job or not — dress in business casual attire. Stella McCartney, an English fashion designer who founded her brand in 2001, went on record to say that the theme of her Autumn/Winter ‘25 collection was “from laptop to lap dance,” creating a line that women can wear to work or to parties, featuring oversized blazers, knit polos and midi skirts.
In 2010 at the Econometric Institute at the Erasmus School of Economics, Marjolein van Baardwijk and Philip Hans Franses conducted a study on the correlation between the hemline of women’s skirts and the state of the economy, also known as the hemline index. It recognizes that the shorter the women’s skirts, the more stable the economy, and the longer the skirts become, the worse the economy’s shape.
This summer, you’ll see a lot of midi and maxi-length styles, whereas last year, there were various styles of miniskirts, including bubble, sequin and denim. I know that many examples I’ve provided have only consisted of high-end fashion brands, but when you look at what high-end fashion brands are doing, you will see the trickle-down effect to retailers like H&M, Zara and Abercrombie & Fitch. Online fast fashion websites such as Boohoo are following the more established brands. When you look at these websites, you’ll see a variety of tight jeans, slacks, kitten heels, vests and polos — all modest clothing.
In “The Devil Wears Prada,” Miranda Priestly told Andy, “Blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs.” Just like how Andy thought belt colors didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, she realized the only reason she bought a blue sweater was because Oscar de la Renta made blue a fashion statement. This remains relevant to high-end fashion houses and public figures who set the trends for what the average person may wear and, ultimately, what fashion means for the economy.
Recognizing fashion as a political and economic barometer matters because it allows us to be more intentional consumers, more critical observers and more prepared citizens. In moments like these, awareness is power. Ask yourself what your clothing choices say about the world you're navigating. Support ethical, sustainable fashion when possible, resist mindless consumerism and most importantly, stay informed. The clothes may change, but the systems behind them often don’t — unless we demand it.
Francis Gist is a recent graduate from the School of International Studies.
This article was edited by Quinn Volpe, Alana Parker and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Emma Brown and Ariana Kavoossi.
