Is Trendy Stylish?

What is a trend? What is Style? Can taste be defined?

A trend is something that is very hip and "in" and everybody wants some variation of it on some part of their bodies, or in some part of their home. It connotes that one is up to date with what is currently in style, and who is one to watch. ...or so they think.

What is style? Style is timeless. It is grace; poise; perfect proportion and scale; seamless; and a rare commodity. Style does not bow to trends. Some trends are stylish, but most are not. Style is that which is so balanced and blended that it carries it's own, whether it is a scarf or a garden. Large or small: it is appealing to every taste and it blends seamlessly with different periods and aesthetics.

Can taste be defined? Yes...and no. Good scale; clean lines; nice proportions; a fluid color palette all lend themselves to cohesive design. And that is always defined as good taste. Poor taste is that which is often jarring; ill-matched; ill-fitting; or thought-provoking in a negative sense. And yet, it is often that thought provoking element that pushes something from the realm of bad taste into a trend, and then it is amended until it makes it's way into the category of style. Furthermore, taste is subjective. Sure, we have guidelines and books and role models. But Betsey Johnson and Armani are never going to fit into the same category, yet customers will tell you that they both have good taste.

In other words, beauty and design remain in the eye of the beholder. Trends will come and go. But style will always trump beauty and trends.