Do I actually like it or is it just a trend?

J Crew’s Giant Chino which went viral a few seasons ago.

On Black Friday, I went to my local J.Crew as I heard they were having a sale on their chinos, one of my wardrobe gaps. I tried their Classic Fit and liked it—but when I tried the Giant Fit, I loved it. This was my only cop on Black Friday.

Last year, I wrote a piece critiquing the oversized clothing trend. While I appreciated the style, I preferred slimmer silhouettes. This is one take I’ve since changed my mind on. Through experimentation, I’ve learned that I actually prefer straight and loose-fit pants. They’re more versatile, pairing well with both slim and loose tops, whereas slim pants only really work with slim tops.

This shift raises an interesting question: Do I genuinely like oversized clothing, or am I just influenced by the trend? Trends, after all, have a way of warping our perceptions, often through the halo effect and clever marketing.

What I appreciate about trends, though, is how they encourage experimentation. The oversized trend pushed me to explore new silhouettes, leading me to realize how much I enjoy wider pants. And honestly, any garment —okay, maybe not skinny jeans — can look great if styled correctly.