Fashion trends evolve, leading many once-coveted luxury items to be re-evaluated as unfashionable and even tacky, according to fashion experts. Items that were previously exclusive and chic are now being re-examined by consumers and style professionals alike.
Accessories designer Kari Dowiak stated that an item's status as a luxury symbol is compromised once it becomes instantly recognizable to the masses and readily available, whether in authentic or replica form, often through platforms like TikTok shops. "Once something is instantly recognizable by the masses and available on TikTok shop (real or dupe), it's ruined," Dowiak told the Daily Mail.
She identifies specific items such as Van Cleef Alhambra motif jewelry, Cartier Love bangles, and Gucci slides as examples of accessories whose status has been diminished by widespread popularity. Dowiak suggests that opting for archival runway pieces, like those from the Tom Ford era at Gucci, is now a more sophisticated choice recognized by other fashion enthusiasts.
Other formerly high-status items now facing criticism include Labubus, Birkin bags, Rolex watches, and the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch, in particular, has become a point of contention, with many finding its presence jarring, especially when paired with formal attire. "Please take your Apple Watch off if you are wearing a dress or formal attire. You look like a spy kid," one user commented on X.
On Reddit, discussions reveal similar sentiments, with some questioning the appropriateness of wearing an Apple Watch on a wedding day. While exceptions are made for medical reasons, many find it looks "clunky" otherwise. Dowiak compared wearing an Apple Watch to a formal event to wearing Crocs with a black tie gown, deeming the choice "practical but in poor taste."
Stylist Sasha Hlavinka cautioned that Rolex watches can become tacky if excessively adorned with diamonds. She expressed a preference for smaller, vintage Rolex models for women and classic timepieces for men.
Hermes Birkin bags, despite their notoriously difficult procurement process, are no longer automatically considered a status symbol. Fashion enthusiasts have voiced dismay when owners carry these large bags to evening events, where smaller clutches are more conventional. Dowiak noted that a decade ago, a Birkin signified belonging to a group with style, money, and power, but now it can be seen as an overt display of wanting to project those qualities. Hlavinka suggested that a Birkin can retain its chic appeal if worn casually and appearing somewhat worn, aligning with its original design intent.
Bag charms have also evolved in their status. At one point, the kitschy Labubu toy was highly sought after by Gen Z fashion fans, with some paying thousands of dollars for the collectible. Dowiak dismissed Labubus as never being chic and merely a fleeting trend. While Labubus have fallen out of favor, Hlavinka believes that certain designer bag charms can still be acceptable if they are not excessively curated.
