T is for trend

A year ago yesterday, about a week into GGYJ's infancy, I posted this monkey dress, which, improbably enough, still (sort of) fits my daughter (she is not what you'd call an ambitious grower). I loved that dress and was pleased to see that H&M has a new version out this spring, and will be all heartbroken next year when she finally sizes out of their cutest stuff. But if I really want monkeys for next summer, all I have to do is go in anywhere-- Baby Gap, Gymboree, fancy online boutiques, The Children's Place-- honestly, anywhere, and there will be monkey things galore in next year's sizes. I can outfit them in monkeywear enough to see them into middle school, although they would hate me for it. 

So, monkeys, monkeys everywhere. Can it be a coincidence? Of course not. If there is a not-so-secret color cabal that decided over a year ago that there would be altogether too much yellow on the market this summer, and there is, what makes you think that all these monkeys were not entirely premeditated? 

There are trend houses galore out there, all eager to sell you a very expensive report detailing exactly what will be replacing those monkeys on next year's racks, but why buy into the dominant paradigm, especially at those prices? Let's do it ourselves! I'll start. Let's see... this year there were butterflies, surfers, Earth-loving naturals, zebra stripes, rockers, monkeys, and a pop-y late 60s vibe, so next year? More organics, lions and tigers, reptiles but not dinosaurs, and a step back a decade or so from this year's Carnaby Street, to gingham and embroidered daisies and Li'l Davy Crocket, but minus the BB gun. 

What say you? And don't forget to come back in a year to see how we did.

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