3 trends in one: red, slick backed pony, and crew socks!
My wardrobe stands on classic, timeless pieces. However, I'm not immune to trends. I like to try them here and there and am certainly influenced by everything just as you are!
I'm interested in seeing where some of these brands go in the next several years. Many retail brands are struggling right now. Their physical retail spaces are costing them too much, so I'll be anxious to follow these brands as they struggle to resolve their physical retail footprints... if they can. Many are being or have already been acquired by private equity, Club Monaco being one of them. I'm closely watching the brand because it's changed quite a bit since the sale (Ralph Lauren used to own it), and in my opinion, not in a good way. Just a good thing to note and observe as a consumer!
I was looking back at some of my favorite outfits of 2023, and in turn, it inspired this post! I definitely tried some of the trends this year! That's rare for me, but I can't pat myself on the back too much because the trends I did try were innocuous or already things I love but just happen to be more in style this year!
Also, this is worth mentioning: you should wear what you love and feel is best for you. I'm here to share what I like, not tell you what you must wear or like. Life is more fun when you wear what you truly love and do not concern yourself with the opinions of others! Fashion and style are meant to be FUN.
Red
A vibrant, saturated cherry red was very popular this year. While I don't particularly find myself looking incredible in red and think of it as a 4th of July or holiday color, I really warmed up to red. I also found that I love red shoes. I will note, I love red nails. I wear red nails year round! OPI Big Apple Red is the best color! I have also always loved small pops of red in outfits and even in decor!
Tweed + Lady Jacket/Cardigan
I feel like this is a trend that was made for me because tweed is a timeless classic, and I love the lady cardigan/jacket styles that have been so popular with so many brands from Celine down to Gap! I stocked up on these styles now so I'll have lots to wear even when this trend is gone and much more challenging to find. I personally think tweed is timeless.
Metallics
This was everything from bold jewelry to shoes, handbags, and even clothing. In a way, it gives a Zenon vibe. Do you all remember her metallic outfits? I feel like the last time I saw everyone wearing silver pants was in 2000! I can vividly remember wanting a pair from the Children's Place store during the holiday season in 1999. LOL. But, done in small doses, I love it. I loved wearing gold ballet flats, Princess Diana-inspired chunky earrings, and more. Metallics are not necessarily a trend when you do them in small doses but I do think something like silver pants are definitely a trend!
I didn't love the crew sock trend at first. It felt a little costumey and contrived as if I was dressing like I was in a 1980s/early '90s music video or about to head to a step aerobics classic in 1994. I realized that was because I hadn't found a pair of socks that were more subtle than that ruched leg warmer look. Once I found these socks, I was sold. They're comfortable and low enough to give you the crew sock look without feeling over the top. It's like dipping your toe into the trend without heavily committing. Low risk, decently high reward. You get 6 pair for under $20! I will say, I think these will date outfits. Just as you see that iconic photo of Princess Diana in her bike shorts and crew socks and it looks dated, photos of us in that get-up will look dated in a few years because bike shorts and sock styles go in and out quickly. Not necessarily a good or bad thing, just something to note.
I have tried many different pant silhouettes over the past year or two. I still think skinny jeans have a place in my wardrobe, but I also think it's great to try different styles. I really loved wider-leg jeans. They feel trouser-ish and are so comfortable. While I don't know that they're the most flattering silhouettes on my body, I enjoy wearing them. My favorite pair was a white pair from Old Navy! I wore them so much this summer! I felt good about spending Old Navy prices on something like this, as you can never predict the next 'in' denim silhouette that comes at you so far!
Ballet Flats
When I saw articles coming out a year or so ago saying ballet flats were 'in,' I was so confused. Ballet flats are one of the most classic shoe silhouettes I can think of. They work for women of any age. They're comfortable and just so simple. I will never get rid of my ballerinas or stop wearing them, but they were very popular this year, especially among people who, I guess, don't usually favor them.
Tight/Slick Ponytail
Whenever I wear my hair like this, it updates whatever I wear to feel more current especially if it is a more classic/modest outfit. I prefer the look of my hair down, but I also like it out of my face, and it's hard to have both. I like this hairstyle with collars or sportier things, and it's clean and tidy looking. I have yet to go as far as to use a wax stick or anything to truly slick it back. I do love this inexpensive product to tame flyaways, though. Anyway, I don't think a super slicked-back hairstyle looks great on me, and I also don't want to put a lot of product in my hair, so I have to wash it sooner.
Things I selfishly *hope* are 'in' for 2024:
- Preppy style! It's me, and whenever it is 'in,' I love it because I can find things I love everywhere! I feel like we are due for a preppy renaissance, as it hasn't been 'in' for almost 10 years now. I also think the Lady jacket style is the foray to preppy which is what makes me think it's coming!
- A-line dresses! I doubt we will see this, but a-line and fit and flare silhouettes are what I dream of. I think they are so flattering on my body and are SO hard to find outside of high-end designers like Oscar De La Renta. I think we might have to wait until 2026ish for this. A trend cycle is said to be about 20 years, but with social media expediting things, I think it's more like 10 years. 2014-2016ish was a-line filled, so I think we see it soon, just maybe not this year!
- Lots of color! I think the whole 'quiet' luxury thing dampened many brand's output of colorful things. I Love gray and black and all of those neutral colors, but I hope we see more vibrant hues this year! Pantone's color of the year is 'peach fuzz,' like a pastel orange. I don't particularly care for it, but at least it's not gray like in 2021!
- Side Parts! Ok, this is purely selfish. I am not a middle part girly. I'm just not. It doesn't look good on me. Even my hair stylist agrees with me on this. It's just not for me. I think hair trends are odd because everyone has different hair, and what looks great on you may look so different on me. It seems exhausting following hair trends!
- Dressing up! 2020 was the year of sweats and loungewear, and I feel we have all clung to that for a long time. I love a sweat set as much as the next person, but I hope to see people dressing for occasions again in 2024! I think I started to see that creeping back in the last few months of 2023. I can't be sure if it was just because people were dressing up for the holidays or if that is here to stay.
- Less inflated prices. Remember when you used to be able to find a gorgeous sweater for $150, and now those same sweaters are like $398? I *highly* doubt we will see this, but I'd love to see more beautiful pieces around the $150-$200 price point. I honestly think J.Crew is one of the few brands that haven't run entirely haywire with their pricing.
And again, be yourself. I think that's the most 'in' thing you can be. Truly.
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1 comment:
"- Less inflated prices. Remember when you used to be able to find a gorgeous sweater for $150, and now those same sweaters are like $398?" - - -I totally get this and loved the quote you shared from Naval Ravikant
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