# Stylish Excess Returning to exaggerated aristocratic and courtly fashions and themes. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Jun 25, 2012 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/stylish-excess ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.7/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Stylish Excess trend? **Stylish Excess:** Consumers love to live in excess, and there's no icon more symbolic of this than the 18th century Queen of France Marie Antoinette. Designers are turning to this historical and cultural figure for inspiration, infusing clothing, accessories and fashion editorials with an aristocratic and courtly flair. Sky-high hair, over-the-top makeup, big and embellished gowns and extravagant jewelry lay the groundwork for this fashion directive, which gives indulgent fashionistas license to dress up and exaggerate their own looks. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Nov 16, 2011 to Jun 25, 2012 - Published: Jun 25, 2012 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Stylish Excess trend ### Exaggerated Aristocratic and Courtly Fashions Designers are turning to historical and cultural figures for inspiration, infusing clothing, accessories and fashion editorials with an aristocratic and courtly flair. ### Vintage-Inspired Fashion Highly glamorous, visually striking series that fuses art, architecture and high fashion to pay homage to classical art and fashion ### Alternative Endings to Classic Stories Brands are creating modern takes on classic literature that provide satisfying alternatives for contemporary audiences. ## What the Stylish Excess trend means for industry ### For Fashion Exaggerated, vintage-inspired and alternative fashion looks and collections inspired by classic literature ### For Artificial Intelligence Models who have passed away, such as James Dean, or literary characters such as Romeo and Juliet, are employed as spokespeople in AI-generated ads, paving the way for newer technology in the fashion industry ### For Advertising and Marketing Brands are utilizing reimagined, famous literary characters that provide them with an instantly recognizable brand of entertainment ## Trend signals for Stylish Excess Trend score 5.7 out of 10, from popularity 78%, activity 85%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 78% - Activity: 85% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Stylish Excess trend 7 featured examples from Nov 16, 2011 to Jun 25, 2012. - [Modern Monarchy Editorials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visioni-amica-magazine): The Visioni Amica Magazine Shoot has a Vintage Aesthetic (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Opportunity to create new lines of fashion that embrace the vintage aesthetic and incorporate intricate details. - [Aristocratic Collar Editorials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michelle-lowe-holder-ss-2012): The Michelle Lowe-Holder SS 2012 Lookbook is Pink-Hued (Category: Fashion) Implication: The exaggerated regal appeal of the Michelle Lowe-Holder SS 2012 lookbook presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the luxury fashion industry. - [Victorian Era Editorials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/how-to-spend-it2): The How to Spend It June 2012 Kliveckaite Photoshoot is High Society (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Fashion designers could explore Victorian-inspired collections and tap into consumer interest in historic fashion. - [Modern Marie Antoinette Photoshoots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-embodied-thought): 'The Emodied Thought' AnOther Magazine Editorial is Historic (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Fashion brands can tap into the demand for modern Marie Antoinette-inspired fashion, Victorian motifs, and innovative designs. - [Modern Shakespearean Lookbooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wildfox-fall-2012): The Wildfox Fall 2012 Catalog is Inspired by 'Romeo and Juliet' (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion industry professionals can explore new ways to market their products by adding a fresh twist to classic stories, infusing retro designs with modern styles and tapping into… - [Reimagined Renaissance Photoshoots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cexn-accessories): The 'CEXN Accessories' Series is Dark and Graceful (Category: Fashion) Implication: The 'CEXN Accessories' series opens up possibilities for fashion designers to experiment with dark and graceful fashion, incorporating unique and edgy elements into their collecti… - [Bare Baroque-Inspired Shoots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/annie-mcginty): The Annie McGinty by Jeff Tse Shots are Classically Provocative (Category: Naughty) Implication: Fashion brands can create Baroque-inspired clothing and accessories. ## Recent trend clusters - [Smile Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smile-cosmetics) (Fashion) - [Athletic Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-timepieces) (Fashion) - [Engineered Layers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/engineered-layers) (Fashion) - [Utility Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/utility-refinement) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Elegant Bookbinding-Inspired Shoulder Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boky-bag) - [Commemorative Tennis Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-roger-centre-court) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)