Fashion Trends from Around the World ^__^

Converse sneakers are popular in Paris? Who would have thought. Locals and world travelers from nine different countries gave us the lowdown on what’s really hot (and not) on the international stage. See if any of your favorite pieces are popular somewhere else. (Then if others don’t understand your style, you can always justify it as being worldly.)



Barcelona, Spain
Trend: Vibrant Hues
Women in Barcelona love to wear vibrant colors and mix and match bold patterns typically shied away from in the United States, says Anastasia Savvina, 21. The liberal mixing can be seen in the collections of two of their most popular designers—Custo Barcelona and Desigual.



Trend: Mullets
Mullets are incredibly popular in Spain, and not just for men! The “business in the front, party in the back” style has become a hit among young Spaniards, especially in populous cities like Madrid and Barcelona. “It's funny, because when some of my Spanish friends asked about style differences, they were surprised to hear that mullets are definitely not hip [in America],” says Sarah West, 22.


Zambia, Africa
Trend: Chitenges
Bamaayos [women] generally wear a chitenge (or colorfully printed wrap) on the bottom, and a western style T-Shirt or blouse on the top, juxtaposing American imports with traditional Zambian attire, says resident Virginia Tedrow, 24.



Beijing, China
Trend: Adornments
“Beijing is an international city with a ridiculous nightlife. I think fashion tends to accompany the mentality of going somewhere to see and be seen,” says Kimberly Kyan, 24. So what do women wear to be seen? “There is something very distinct about the little added features, like dangly things from their t-shirts, or that extra line of beads sewed into their jeans.”



Cuzco, Peru
Trend: Alpaca wool
“Walking around in Cuzco, Peru is like being in a time warp,” says Minna Tran, 26. Cuzco has yet to be influenced by outside trends, which means the locals wear alpaca wool clothing still popular from the Incan days, dyed in bright red, blue and green.


Singapore, Singapore
Trend: Crocs
“I think Singapore is really about eating, shopping and clubbing. We mirror the worldwide trends. I wouldn't say we are clueless, but don't remind me about the time ‘Crocs’ shoes became popular ... and still are!” says resident Juliana Chan, 26.




Paris, France
Trend: Patent Leather Flats
“One accessory becomes really hot and everyone buys it. Last year it was Chuck Tailor sneakers. Every well dressed French woman would wear them for running around in the day, and have them in many colors ... These days patent leather flats are seen quite often,” says French fashion photographer Sara White Wilson, 28. So why the major shift in shoe style? “The French are very conformist people, and very concerned with good taste in every aspect of life. For these reasons, fashion is more an opportunity for them to display their social class, and most importantly fit in with that class.”