The end of the year approaches and so the hot or not lists pop up in the same tone as Kanye West’s own horn. We fashionistas couldn’t care less because we’re perfectly able to think for ourselves what we like or not, but you’ve got to admit: it’s quite entertaining.

In all these years I’ve been writing about fashion, people always ask me that one question. Why do you think fashion is important? The most obvious answer – because we’ve got to wear clothes – isn’t quite satisfying enough, and so I always try to explain that fashion is so much more than that. For the one it’s a form of art, the other thinks it’s religion. For the most it’s a way to show your personality by using accessories, hair, clothing, makeup, etc. Fashion empowers and can transform or affirm an image, it can seduce or make a social statement.“Even if you say you don’t care about fashion and don’t dress to make a statement, you are making a statement” is a well-known statement with which I heartily agree. That’s why I choose to use fashion to present the ‘most me’ to the world. Can’t hurt, right?

“Even if you say you don’t care about FASHION and don’t DRESS to make a statement, you are making a statement”

To understand those do and don’t lists we should understand how trends surface. It starts with designers. The clothing, hair and makeup that we spot on the runway during fashion weeks are often over the top. It serves you well to realise that these shows are part of a complete marketing strategy. Media and consumers have got to be stimulated and so everything, entourage – location – music, is used in this creative struggle to draw your attention. Consequently, fashion journalists and bloggers report what they see, and de clothing (which are called runway pieces) are then used for fashion productions in certain magazines. Besides this, buyers at (department) stores place their orders and with this decide what will be available in stores.

Celebrities (on the red carpet) and influential fashionistas are forerunners (street style) when it comes to new trends. And we, the bigger audience, gets used to what is to come. Designers are very easy with lending out their clothing if it’ll generate a bit of attention. Think of the Oscar awards. But it’s mostly you and I (the consumers) that determine what succeeds. I’ll do a personal what’s hot top 5 for 2014

• Word play 2013 was the year of the logos. Statements on clothing will only increase, and with it, it becomes fashionable to show what you stand for.
• Button up sounds incredibly posh, but it’s actually very sexy. Buy a preppy blouse, button up the top button and… leave the rest open. So unfortunately, the abs are in sight.
• Cowgirl chic. I think it’s a divine trend. Think of Guess campaigns and add a good pinch of Tommy Hilfiger preppiness.
• Fringes. It matches the cowgirl chic trend perfectly, but you can also use it to give a bit of an edge to a nonchalant chic look. Think of Frida Giannini’s latest collection for Gucci.
• Calf-length skirts, a difficult length but with the right fabric, perfect shoes and a simple top you’ll be the 2014 interpretation of Audrey Hepburn. More on this is soon to come.