Boom boom culture: fashion’s flashy, sleazy and sudden vibe shift

Trump is back in office, shame is seemingly out, and greed is in – with conspicuous consumerism on the catwalks and beyond. Look around and you could be back in 1987…

The ‘Boom boom culture’ is influencing fashion trends with a flashy and sleazy vibe. This cultural shift reflects changing societal attitudes, with greed and boldness becoming prominent themes in fashion. The trend is epitomized by exaggerated shoulders, thigh-high boots, and pointy bras, as seen in collections from Prada, Saint Laurent, and Miu Miu.

According to trend forecaster Sean Monahan, ‘Boom boom’ represents a pure expression of excess, with male-coded values roaring back. It’s a reaction against the casualization of fashion post-pandemic, embracing glamour and greed reminiscent of the late 80s New York aesthetic.

Already, signs of ‘Boom boom’ are trickling into culture, from Patrick Schwarzenegger’s character in The White Lotus to Rihanna’s caviar-on-chicken-nuggets moment. It’s about dressing for the income you want rather than the income you have, reflecting a broader societal shift towards conspicuous consumerism.

As Monahan notes, ‘Boom boom’ is not just a fashion trend but a cultural statement, rejecting the avoidant styles of ‘quiet luxury’ and ‘normcore.’ It’s a bold, unapologetic embrace of wealth and status, even as economic disparities widen.

For more insights, read the full article on The Guardian.