Fashion Trends in New Smoke

Summary

Fashion Trends in New Smoke is the evolving style culture observed in the city's marketplace during Session 8 of the campaign. The trends center on animal-themed headwear, with different accessories moving in and out of popularity. Cat demonstrates expertise in tracking what's currently fashionable, noting that wolf heads were the previous trend but goat horns have become the current must-have accessory. The fashion scene is serious enough that "goat people" carefully control their image, and merchants fear selling counterfeits.

The trends appear to influence social acceptance and formal dress codes in New Smoke. Top hats and canes are recognized as formal wear, with specific etiquette around their pairing. The demand for genuine goat horns has become so intense that they've sold out across The Aftermarket at New Smoke, creating opportunities for both legitimate trade and potential scams.

Details

The fashion cycle in New Smoke moves through distinct phases of animal-themed headwear. During an earlier period, wolf heads were the fashionable accessory. By Session 8, Cat confirms that goat horns have replaced them as the current trend, stating "That wasn't what was in style then. Now it's goat horns."

Genuine goat horns command such demand that the entire market supply has been exhausted. This scarcity has created a secondary market for counterfeit versions. Sucks Benedict previously purchased what turned out to be counterfeit horns—actually antlers—for 20 coins in an earlier session, demonstrating both the trend's economic impact and the vulnerabilities it creates for fashion-conscious buyers. The 20-coin price point for the counterfeit goods suggests that authentic goat horns command significant value in New Smoke's economy.

The fashion culture includes specific rules about formal attire. Top hats are recognized formal wear, and there's an established convention that "if you're gonna wear a top hat, you should go with pants." Canes also factor into formal dress. However, Cat suggests that strict adherence to trends isn't absolute, noting "I think you might even be able to get away without the goat horns if you brought a pie," indicating that social contributions might substitute for fashion compliance.

The "goat people" maintain control over the image associated with goat horns, suggesting either a faction or cultural group with stakes in how their signature accessory is represented in the broader fashion landscape.

History

Session 8

Fashion trends became relevant during preparations for Sucks Benedict's date. When Sucks announces wearing "goat horns and a top hat," Cat validates the choice by noting that wolf heads were what was in style at an earlier time, but "now it's goat horns." This established the cyclical nature of the city's fashion culture.

The trend drove marketplace activity during the session, with genuine goat horns sold out everywhere in The Aftermarket at New Smoke. Sucks Benedict and others navigated shopping decisions based on what was currently in style. The scarcity connects to Sucks's earlier experience being scammed into purchasing counterfeit horns for 20 coins, revealing both the intensity of demand and the risks associated with fashion counterfeiting.

Discussion of formal wear conventions, including the proper pairing of top hats with pants and the role of canes, provided additional context for New Smoke's dress codes beyond the animal-themed headwear trends.