In the ever-evolving world of fashion, Bella Hadid has undeniably been a trendsetter, shaping the sartorial preferences of young people on social media. Over the past couple of years, her eclectic fashion choices, often sourced from Depop sellers with distinct usernames, have become a blueprint for what is considered successful dressing in the realm of Y2K nostalgia. Bella’s unique relationship with clothing, characterized by a mix of camouflage pedal pushers and ’00s-era Ed Hardy T-shirts, Karen Millen blouses paired with Nike parachute pants, and various other unexpected combinations, has captivated fashion enthusiasts.
Bella Hadid’s style journey has been characterized by an audacious embrace of disparate elements, creating a fusion that’s both brilliant and berserk. While her contemporaries may seek status through established luxury brands, Bella’s approach to fashion has stood out as a rebellion against conventional norms. In her own words, “I dress like a little boy,” she declared in 2022, expressing a preference for a style that deviates from stereotypical femininity.
However, Bella Hadid’s recent reentry into the public eye, notably with a £20 handbag, suggests a shift in her approach to fashion. The audacious, high-energy ensembles have given way to a more measured and mellowed aesthetic. The transition is evident in her choice of outsized blazers, cigarette jeans, cable-knit separates, trench coats, and roll-neck sweaters—elements that exude a sense of maturity and subdued elegance.
In a recent photograph alongside a “mystery man,” Bella was spotted in cream sweatpants and a knitted cardigan, showcasing a departure from her previous style. If this were August, one might coin this as Bella’s “vanilla girl” moment, drawing comparisons to the evolving fashion choices of fellow model Kaia Gerber. However, a more nuanced interpretation suggests that Bella Hadid is navigating a soft launch into a different phase of her style evolution—a phase characterized by a desire for a quieter existence and a diminished appetite for attention.
While Bella has proven her prowess as a hit-maker, capable of going viral with a single outfit, there seems to be a perceptible shift in her relationship with fame and the attention it brings. The soft life that she appears to be embracing signifies a departure from the high-energy, attention-grabbing ensembles of the past. Bella Hadid, once the flagbearer of eclectic and bold fashion choices, is now hinting at a more subdued and matured style, suggesting that her fashion narrative is entering a new chapter—one that prioritizes tranquility over tumultuous trends.