Theories like the hemline and lipstick indexes have been long-established theories of economic indicators, but are there more contemporary fashion trends that allude to shifts in the economy?
Have you heard of the Hemline Index: the theory that as stocks rise, so do the hemlines of skirts? Theories like this, alongside the established “Lipstick Index” (amidst economic despair, consumers tend to buy a greater number of less-expensive or smaller luxury items to scratch their shopping itch without breaking the bank), may be indicators of economic flourishing—or contrarily, instability.
Although very few of such similar theories are supported by strong statistical evidence, many are based in truth: the economic boom in the Roaring Twenties coincided with the scandalous knee-length flapper dresses, which were swiftly followed by the return of the ankle- or floor-length hemlines during the Great Depression.
While fashion may be slightly more subjective in modern times, Vogue’s Andrea Zendejas breaks down Spring 2026 trends in her article “The Key Spring 2026 Trends to Add to Your Wardrobe Now,” and there are noticeably very few pieces that rise higher than midi- or knee- length. Many may wonder if these trends reflect anything about the current economy…
Such economically-driven fashion trends are unfortunately not limited to clothing: in recent years, many fashion analysts have noted the slow creep of a skinniness epidemic back onto the runway. Gone are the days of 2010s body positivity with size-inclusive models and the “body goals” of Kim Kardashian’s BBL, says Vogue’s Yomi Adegoke in “When Will We Stop Reducing Women’s Body Types to Trends?”
Many cite that “Heroin chic” is back in Vogue such as DW’s Anna Chaika in her article “Bye-bye body positivity, hello heroin chic?,” who claims that the comeback of Y2K clothing trends also includes the skinniness of the 90s and early 2000s. The increasing availability of GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Wegovy may be a factor contributing to the ideal of thinness, proposes Abby Kidwell in “The fickle nature of body trends.”
While this approval of a new weight loss drug may be an isolated incident, trends of skinniness have long coincided with periods of economic or social downturns such as the 2008 recession or even the tuberculosis epidemic of 18th and 19th-century Europe. “Research shows that thinner faces and smaller eyes are perceived as more attractive during times of recession” state MPR News’ Nikki Tundel.
Along the lines of “Heroin chic,” the TB outbreak of the 1800s, which had excessive social and economic repercussions, defined the Romantic beauty standard of “Consumption chic,” evidenced by many depictions of women of the time as “pale, slim, fragile figures confined to a bed or draped across a chaise lounge” (from “Tuberculosis and the Fatal Beauty of Romanticism).
Today, many concerned about the return of thinness claim that the unachievable beauty standards of Hollywood celebrities and runway models reflect a sickly quality reminiscent of Romantic times. Critics of the abandonment of the body positivity movement question the sustainability of such extreme and quickly-fluctuating body trends. The unpredictable nature of both the economy and the trends it generates demonstrates how you should not let them dictate the size of your body or the clothes you wear.
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Hi! I’m Hannah Planey, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.
