Trend Report Analysis: Maximalism in Fashion

Contrasting the minimal aesthetic of the 2010s in fashion, lifestyle, and decor, the trend toward maximalism in the early 2020s exemplifies the great divide between the decades. While exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cultural shift in Western society embraces the little things in life that, bit by bit, have accumulated into the maximalism aesthetic. According to fashion commentator, Mina Le, the Gen Z Maximalism trend is "a colorful, hyper-maximalist, cluttered style that references a lot of Y2K trends, like micro-minis, plastic jewelry, fuzzy bags, etc." Similar to the spike in consumerism after 9/11, the frantic panic during and after the pandemic found solace in nostalgia. The idolization of the 2000s by Gen Z encourages comfort by looking back at the simpler times of childhood. Combined with Gen Z reaching adulthood, the maximalist trend thrives as Gen Z has the autonomy to wear the clothes they marveled at as kids.

The "cluttered" aesthetic reminds me of the styling of Disney Channel's maximalist styling of their main characters. A common theme throughout many of the characters is the use of layering: long sleeve shirts and fringy blouses and mini skirts on top of leggings and leg warmers and knee-high boots and a scarf and a headband and a chunky necklace — huh? The first season in 2007 of Wizards of Waverly Place comes top of mind, especially since the maximalist trend on TikTok resembles a combination of Harper and Alex's styling. Disney icons — Selena Gomez, Hilary Duff, Raven Simone, Miley Cyrus, and more — were what Gen Z grew up idolizing; therefore when Gen Z reached their ages the actresses were on the show, reminiscing on their fashion styles and being old enough to do it themselves led to what we see on TikTok and Pinterest today.

Elements like chunky, funky jewelry allow lighthearted, childlike elements to be incorporated into an outfit, as TikToker Sarah Camposarcone incorporates into her outfits. The stark contrast between 2010s minimalism and 2020s maximalism is important to follow because of the rapidly shifting microtrend cycles that enable maximalism to thrive. If everything is trendy, why not wear everything all at once? I believe that this trend will continue to ebb and flow over the decades. While the internet has enabled all aesthetics to thrive, especially in aesthetic communities, I think maximalism will sustain as a subcategory. The future will become more and more technologically dependent, and I think this maximalist style will be easily integrated. Just look at the Jetsons!

Major influencers that are top of mind are Sarah Camposarcone, Lady Gaga, Iris Apfel, Jennifer Oseh Okpepe, and Black Pink. The main credit for maximalism has to go to the Drag Queen community, no questions asked. A few designer brands that come to mind are Moschino and Betsy Johnson due to their fantastical inspirations. I also think that collaborations from unlikely brands would perfectly match this aesthetic, like how Pierre Cadault and Elliot Duprée collaborated in Emily in Paris. To the everyday consumer, I think maximalism would thrive from more accessible resources like thrift stores and Etsy!

Works Cited

These images are used for academic purposes. Most are retrieved from Pinterest.

Le, Mina. "Explaining the Gen Z Maximalism Trend." YouTube. Video. Published on 6 June 2022. Retrieved on 18 November 2022 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmTXqRf5V-Y&t=658s.