HONG
KONG TRENDS
t ab le o f c o n t e n t s
S T N E contents T N O C LE OF
A BLLE E OT AFB C O N TENTS OF CON
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OTFA B L E T A B OT F C CO NNT E N TLS E O AB T LE EN OF T A B L E O FC OCNO N T ET N TSS TEN TEN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TT TABLE OF CON SE N T S
TS TT AAB LBE LO FEC O NOT EF NTS table of S T N E T C O N TF EC ONN T S
O E T AABBL LE O F T
CONTENTS
S
S
fS
mini bags utility dad shoes sling back backpacks on the prowl bucket hats go with the flow check mate large & in charge neon flare
mini bags
Crossbody
bags
have
become
somewhat of a closet staple in
recent years, and that’s for good reason.
Pockets sometimes just
aren’t enough to hold all of the little things we need throughout the day, and that’s where the mini bag comes in. In many cases, mini bags
can take on the Mary Poppins effect
and hold a lot more than meets the eye.
Especially in the spring/
summer months when Hong Kong heat makes you want to wear as few clothes as possible, the mini bag is absolutely essential.
Designer
brands are definitely entertaining the mini crossbody style now.
My
favorite high-end bag I saw was the little yellow barrel-shaped Goyard
with tiny handles. It was classic, yet
had just enough pop to spice up an
outfit. The most intriguing mini bag I saw on the streets was a DIY Ikea
bag worn by a middle aged man. I
know that DIY Ikea bag fashion has been somewhat of a trend in itself
over the past few years, so it was quite fun to see in person. I use mini bags very often myself, so I loved
seeing the variations of this style on the street.
UT
I must admit, I don’t to fall into the “trend trap” often, and if I do I’m typically pretty skeptical first. I used to wear mom jeans religiously, but when the first pair of cargo pants came into the retail store I used to work at, I was an instant fan. Cargo pants are insanely comfortable, and incredibly useful—especially with all of the pockets. The thing I love most is that the utility of cargo pants was quickly recognized and translated into other types of garments. Crossbody bags, boiler suits, dresses, and jeans have all been adopting aspects of utility.
ILITY
People are finally getting over the “tighter is better” mentality of skinny jeans and leggings, and letting stylish comfort take over. It’s also easy to make cargo style clothing unique; you can add different pocket styles, zippers, or straps, and it will spice up any outfit. I saw a variety of different utility styles on the streets of Hong Kong, most of which were pants, but I wanted to represent all of the styles I saw here to show the diversity. My favorite was the man waiting for the MTR in an all black, even down to the backpack, but it was decked out in utility style accents. Cargo pants, a strappy backpack, a jacket with extra pockets, and funky ties on the bottom of the pants took his outfit from boring to edgy real quick.
DAD
sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a sports shoe with a pliable rubber sole | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a soft shoe worn for sports or casual occasions; a trainer | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | A soft shoe worn for sports or casual occasions; a trainer | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a type of shoe, normally light weight and having a rubber sole, designed for casual athletic activity | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a sports shoe with a pliable rubber sole | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a soft shoe worn for sports or casual occasions; a trainer | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | A soft shoe worn for sports or casual occasions; a trainer | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a type of shoe, normally light weight and having a rubber sole, designed for casual athletic activity | sneak· er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a sports shoe with a pliable rubber sole | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a soft shoe worn for sports or casual occasions; a trainer | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | A soft shoe worn for sports or casual occasions; a trainer | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a type of shoe, normally light weight and having a rubber sole, designed for casual athletic activity | sneak·er | \ ˈsnē-kər | a type of shoe, normally light weight
SHO ES
Who thought bulky, funky dad
sneakers were going to EVER come back in fashion? I did not, that’s
for sure. But, I have to say, now that the trend has recirculated
into our daily lives, I’m not mad about it.
In fact, I have never
appreciated
dad
shoes
more.
I’ve always been a proponent of
prioritizing comfort in fashion, and reimagining the traditional
sneaker is a fantastic way to do it.
The majority of the “dad shoes” I saw out on the streets of Hong Kong were ~unshockingly~ the Balenciaga Triple S Trainers,
which have become increasingly popular since they launched in
late 2017. I saw this dad shoe styled in many different ways, but
mostly with casual outfits. My favorite variation was the white/ off white Triple S with an all white utilitarian yet classic outfit.
This trend is fun yet functional, and really embodies the 90s re-
vival that’s at the forefront of fashion right now. The best thing about this trend is that it is widely accepted to wear during many
different occasions. You can wear them to work, on a night out,
to a concert, or even on a date, and they’ll give any outfit an spunky casualness. Say yes to comfort!
fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
backpack? fannypack or backpack?
S L I NG BA C K BACKP
fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or backpack? fannypack or
backpack?
fannypack
or
ACKS
A few years ago, the fanny pack came back into style. At first, I hated this trend, and was extremely confused by its comeback. I still don’t own a fanny pack, but I have to say, the trend is not as devastatingly awful as it used to be. My earliest remembrance of its revival dates back to 2014 music festivals when fanny packs were neon colored, as tiny as possible, and still worn around the waist. Fast forward a few years, and they started becoming real, well-made accessories. They actually complement an everyday outfit quite well.
Today, fanny packs come in many sizes, and the bigger ones can be referred to as “sling backs”. These bags can range in size, but most of them are similar to a backpack size. People love them because not only are they comfortable and spacious, but you can effortlessly swing it around your body to take out whatever’s inside. My one qualm with backpacks is that when you need to grab something quickly it is hard to access what’s in the back without putting the bag down or contorting your body, so the sling back is an excellent solution to that problem.
on the
PR
e When I was 8 years old and The Cheetah Girls movie came out, I was certifiably obsessed. I created a fan group with my friends, decorated my room in cheetah print, and watched the movie probably twice a week, at least. Since then, my obsession has subsided, but cheetah print has always held a special place in my heart. So, when leopard print started coming back in style, I was anything but mad about it. It’s a print you can jazz up any outfit with, and although it can look cheesy at times, it can also look very classic and elegant.
ROWL
I rarely wear prints, but this is one that has definitely found its way back into my closet. In the last few months, the leopard print midi skirt has become a wildly trendy item in luxury and fast fashion stores, so it’s hard to wander the streets of Central without seeing at least one woman per day in that style. In my case, I saw three. They were at least all different variations of the print, so that brings back some originality, right?
Since being in Hong Kong, I’ve noticed that the oversized flowy look is extremely popular. It’s not a style I see as much over in the States, so it’s become fun for me to notice the differences in street style from place to place. This overly flowy style is mostly something I’ve seen on women. Most of the styles I saw were tiered skirts or dresses, but one of the skirts was not tiered, instead it had gathered fabric from the waist to create the billowy effect. This trend seems like it would be comfortable and functional, especially for the in between months of spring when the Hong Kong weather is becoming hot and humid as ever.
I don’t wear skirts or long dresses much, so this is not a trend I’ve partaken in, but it is something I’ve been observing for a while now.
I’ve noticed that people like to accessorize their outfits in unique ways when wearing the flowy skirt or dress, typically by wearing a scarf, fun belt, or cute bag.
BU C K E T
H AT S
When I think of bucket hats, I think of myself as a 2 year old back in 1999 trying to avoid the sun at the beach. So, since practically everything from the 90s is recirculating back into our wardrobes, it is no surprise to me that bucket hats are back too. This is yet another trend that I used to be very skeptical of, especially when I saw it infiltrating the retail store I used to work in. Now the trend is wildly popular, and is yet another trend that is cherished more for its functionality than its “cuteness�. Typically, I saw the bucket hat worn with a more casual outfit out on the streets, but it’s becoming an accessory that can be worn with more classic outfits also.
My favorite was the orange checked bucket hat that had slightly more of a tulip shape. It shows how the trend is evolving and taking on new forms. I am used to seeing branded bucket hats, such as the Champion hat pictured left, since sportswear brands have really embraced the reemergence of this style. Now, brands such as Y-3, Rick Owens, and Burberry are embracing the trend as well.
CHE MAT If there’s any trend I’ve taken part in recently, it’s this one. Whether it’s on a flannel, pants, a jacket, shirt, or anything else for that matter, it’s safe to say I’ll love it. Checks are the perfect way to spice up any outfit, and they are now a staple in my wardrobe. This trend Is definitely at the height of its popularity right now, and many people on the streets were wearing checks in one variation or another.
CK E
My favorite look I saw was a pair of red and grey checked pants that had been cut and sewn onto the waist part of a pair of jeans. I love vintage and thrifted items, and these pants had a very DIY effect which made them even better. I really don’t see checks phasing out of modern trends, or at least any time soon, because they can be so classic. Most of the checks I saw out on the street were the traditional black and white checkerboard check, but I also saw a decent amount of plaid checks.
LAR
GE
&
in charge
Similar to the flowy, oversized skirt trend I mentioned earlier, oversized shirts are the other biggest trend I’ve noticed since coming to Hong Kong. Typically, I’ll see the two trends combined together into an oversized fit, but it’s also common to see them worn separately. I’ve always been a fan of oversized shirts for the comfort factor, but the other great thing about them is they go with almost any outfit.
Almost all of the oversized shirts I saw on the streets were plain white, which makes sense because it’s extremely classic. I did see a couple wearing blue striped oversized shirts, and that got me wondering if it was planned or not. Is twinning also becoming a new trend? Regardless, I think the oversized shirt is here to stay for a while. It’s easy to dress up or down, is a super classic look, and can be worn over a cute tank top for an easy day to night transition. My favorite variation of this trend was actually a lace set worn by my friend Megan. She wore a cream colored oversized lace shirt with matching basketball style lace shorts.
NEON fla
re
Since watching some of the recent runway shows, and just being up to date with pop culture, I’ve become aware that neon is definitely infiltrating the fashion scene once again.
Seeing it out on the streets of Hong Kong surprised me a bit, because I expected to see neon worn mostly by young millennials in cute accessories or accent pieces. Instead, I found it worn by a wide range of people.
Most of what I saw was actually neon t-shirts, and I even saw a middle aged woman in a head to toe neon pink outfit. I’ve never worn neon myself, besides maybe to a middle school rave themed dance, so I was impressed by the amount of people in Hong Kong boldly wearing neon as part of their day to day outfits. The common theme I saw was that most of the neon shirts I saw were pretty plain, and lacked any specific detailing or accent. It was interesting to see a luxury trend trickle down to items such as plain t-shirts and raincoats.