Julia Fox said it best: “The overarching trend is a recession is coming… [we will see] a lot more conservative looks.” In a time when our government is becoming more restrictive and conservative, clothing trends seem to be doing the same. In our daily lives and on our screens, it becomes clearer that conservatism is a new reality, but how are people responding? Is it happening through our clothes?
Although not blatantly conservative, Parker hallways are full of countless American flag sweaters, Ralph Lauren polos, and khakis. We can see a shift in conservatism with the uprising of quiet luxury and trad-wife aesthetics. We now value femininity and modesty much more than in the 2010s. Additionally, skinny is in, and heroin chic is the beauty standard. There has been an overwhelming increase in the promotion and market for weight-loss drugs and TikTok’s glorifying 90s supermodel Kate Moss. Looking at the latest Celine fashion show, you are met with extremely skinny women walking in blazers, polos, skinny-cut trousers, and The Row continuously creates simplistic, modest clothing for thousands. Conservative values are seen in our American policies, the fashion we consume, and seemingly even the ads we watch.
The newest denim campaign for American Eagle even featured Sydney Sweeney, where Sweeney says: “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.” This left many to say the campaign promotes eugenics: a racist scientific theory popular among white supremacists that the human race could be improved by breeding out less desirable traits. On top of that, people are upset about the sexualization of women and the objectification of the actress in this campaign. Nevertheless, sales went up, and the ad was seen everywhere. As upset as some were, many conservatives saw no problem and enjoyed the anger it was receiving. American Eagle stock soared 25 percent hours after the ad was released. This was seen as even more intentional when American Eagle Chief Marketing Officer Craig Brommers said, “The American Eagle Sydney Sweeney campaign was intended to be a brand and business reset, and it was.” They understood there was a market that would like the messaging and continued. It is now fashionable to be controversial.
However, through fashion, there will always be a response. Looking at young people in New York City,the epicenter of American fashion,and recent collections might hint at how we will further break away from conservatism through fashion. Many young people are embracing popular styles like 2000s emo and 1970s punk—two expressions that served as a response to the culture and politics of the time period. The emo aesthetic emerged as a counter-response to the perceived superficiality and emotional repression of mainstream culture. It provided an outlet for vulnerable self-expression, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and offering a sense of community for those who felt misunderstood by dominant societal norms. The punk style that emerged in the 1970s was popular because it rejected the conformity of mainstream 1970s culture and politics.
Additionally, the continuous attempts to shackle people to the gender binary and restrict transgender people have resulted in a response through blurring these restrictive ideals. People are playing with gender norms in a time of traditionalism coming back. Even in new collections of younger designers, like LGBTQ+ designer Christian Siriano, we see him play with gender stereotypes with bold metallic fabrics and cropped blazers for men in his newest collection or in Collina Strada’s 2025 collection which includes a dress with an entirely open chest. After examining recent collections and looking at what Gen Z is wearing in the fashion center of America, our generation might respond to conservatism by playing with gender identity. Playing with feminine silhouettes and masculinity is a massive way to respond to conformity and traditionalism.
The average Parker student might not feel comfortable bending the gender binary, but I urge students to try to use clothes as a political response. Things as simple as nail polish, bags, or graphic shirts can serve as a protest. Even if students are not comfortable dressing a bit more feminine or masculine, students should find ways to use clothes as a way to express themselves freely and even involve political opinion. A graphic tee that stands for students’ political beliefs, a pin on a t-shirt, or just being completely and utterly themselves is a protest to conservatism and restriction. There is nothing more radical than being completely you.
