If you instinctively avoid these 7 trends, you have more refined taste than 95% of people

Ever noticed how some people just seem to have an eye for quality? They walk into a room and you can immediately tell they operate on a different wavelength when it comes to style and aesthetics.

Here's what I've realized: refined taste isn't about being snobbish or exclusive. It's about knowing what actually works, what holds up over time, and what brings genuine value to your life. It's an instinct you develop when you stop following every trend that comes your way.

After years of observing patterns in design, fashion, and lifestyle choices, I've noticed that people with truly refined taste tend to avoid certain trends that the masses chase after. If you find yourself naturally steering clear of these seven things, congratulations. You're in rare company.

Let's get into it.

1. Fast fashion microtrends

Remember when everyone was wearing those tiny sunglasses? Or when every single person owned the same Shein haul items?

If you instinctively rolled your eyes at these moments, you're onto something. Fast fashion microtrends are designed to grab attention for about three weeks before they become embarrassing to look back on.

People with refined taste understand that real style is about building a wardrobe of pieces that work for years, not weeks. They invest in quality basics and classic cuts that transcend whatever TikTok is pushing this month.

I learned this the hard way during my financial analyst days. I used to chase every new trend, thinking it would help me look more put together. My closet was bursting with stuff I wore once or twice. When I finally switched to investing in fewer, better pieces, everything changed. Getting dressed became easier, and honestly, I looked better too.

The difference between trendy and timeless is that one makes you look dated within months, while the other makes you look effortlessly chic for years.

2. Maximalist everything

Walk into certain homes and your eyes don't know where to land. Every surface is covered, every wall is busy, and the overall effect is sensory overload rather than stylish abundance.

There's a big difference between a curated collection and clutter disguised as decor. If you find yourself cringing at spaces that try to incorporate every design trend at once, your taste radar is working perfectly.

As designer William Morris famously advised, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." This principle has stood the test of time because it's fundamentally true.

Refined taste means understanding that less is often more. It's about choosing pieces that matter rather than filling space because you can. When I'm out at farmers' markets, I see this principle in action constantly. The best vendors aren't the ones with fifty different products crammed onto their tables. They're the ones who've carefully selected their finest offerings and displayed them with intention.

3. Logo mania

You know what I'm talking about. Those items where the brand name is plastered across the front in letters so large they might as well be billboards.

Here's the thing about true luxury and quality: it doesn't need to scream. People with refined taste understand that wearing a designer label is fine, but turning yourself into a walking advertisement for that label? That's a different story entirely.

The quiet luxury movement has gained traction precisely because people are tired of conspicuous consumption. Real elegance lies in quality materials, impeccable construction, and subtle details that only those in the know will recognize.

I've noticed this shift even in casual settings. The people who command respect and admiration aren't usually the ones covered in logos. They're the ones wearing well-made pieces that speak for themselves.

4. Influencer-driven aesthetics

Every few months, a new aesthetic takes over social media. Cottagecore, clean girl, coastal grandmother, mob wife. The list goes on and on.

If you find these labels exhausting rather than inspiring, you're probably someone who's developed their own sense of style rather than adopting whatever Instagram is selling this week.

Authenticity is crucial for wellbeing, and this extends to aesthetic choices too. When you're constantly adopting trending aesthetics, you're essentially wearing a costume rather than expressing who you actually are.

The most stylish people I know? They pull inspiration from various sources but filter everything through their own lens. They might love elements of several trends but they don't wholesale adopt any single one. That's the difference between having taste and being trendy.

5. Disposable decor

Those seasonal home goods that flood stores every few months? The Halloween decorations in August, the Christmas items in September, the spring refresh collections that suggest you need to redecorate your entire home four times a year?

People with refined taste see right through this. They understand that constantly changing your decor with the seasons isn't sophistication. It's marketing.

Real style in a home comes from pieces that work year-round. Furniture that's well-made enough to last decades. Art that speaks to you personally rather than matching a seasonal color palette. Plants that you actually care for rather than fake stems that get swapped out with the calendar.

During my trail running adventures, I pass by all sorts of homes. The ones that catch my eye aren't the ones with wreaths that change monthly. They're the ones with thoughtful landscaping, quality materials, and a sense of permanence and care.

6. Food fads and viral recipes

Remember the baked feta pasta that broke the internet? Or the endless parade of "nature's cereal" and butter boards?

If you scroll past these viral food moments without feeling compelled to participate, you likely have a more refined palate than you realize.

Here's what I've learned from volunteering at farmers' markets: the best food isn't complicated or trendy. It's fresh, seasonal, and prepared with care. The vendors who've been there for years aren't chasing TikTok trends. They're focused on quality ingredients and time-tested preparation methods.

Truly good cooking comes from understanding fundamentals rather than following viral recipes. People with refined taste in food understand this instinctively. They'd rather master a simple technique than chase after whatever bizarre food combination is trending this week.

7. Hustle culture aesthetics

You've seen it. The "rise and grind" merchandise. The productivity porn. The aesthetic that glorifies being perpetually busy and treats rest as weakness.

If this makes you uncomfortable rather than inspired, your instincts are protecting you from something genuinely harmful. True sophistication understands that constant hustling isn't success. It's burnout waiting to happen.

People with refined taste in how they live their lives know that quality of life matters more than the appearance of productivity. They value rest, meaningful work, and balance over performing busyness for social media.

This shift in my own thinking happened after I left my analyst job and started writing. I realized that my best work came from periods of rest and reflection, not from grinding away at all hours. The most accomplished people I know now are often the ones who've learned to set boundaries and prioritize wellbeing.

Final thoughts

So, did any of these resonate with you?

The truth is that refined taste isn't about being better than anyone else. It's about knowing yourself well enough to recognize what's genuine versus what's just noise. It's about making choices that reflect your actual values rather than whatever's trending on your feed.

If you find yourself naturally avoiding these trends, you've likely developed something valuable. A filter that helps you separate signal from noise, quality from quantity, substance from style.

Keep trusting those instincts. In a world that's constantly trying to sell you the next big thing, the ability to say "no thanks" is a superpower. Your future self will thank you for it.