Fashion trends may come and go, but
some tend to linger longer than one might desire. Despite the multitude of
exciting new and revived fashion fads in 2023, there were also numerous looks
that stylists would rather consign to the past as we step into the new year.
Stylist and image consultant
Annette Harris emphasized the unequal nature of fashion trends, stating, “Not all fashion trends are equal.”
Harris, who collaborates with everyday women leading full lives, leans towards
runway fashion trends that seamlessly translate into slightly more understated
yet chic wearable pieces. This preference is in contrast to over-the-top
faddish items that languish in your closet, patiently waiting for their turn to
be worn.
Reflecting on the fashion landscape
of the past year, HuffPost sought the opinions of Harris and other stylists to
identify the trends that didn't quite resonate with them.
As we bid farewell to 2023, it's crucial to acknowledge that fashion is subjective, where personal expression reigns supreme, noted stylist Ariana Weisner. She added, While these trends may not resonate with everyone, they undoubtedly initiated conversations and challenged conventional notions of style.
Opera Gloves
Beyoncé and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales both wore opera gloves at awards shows this year
I'm not a big fan of one 2023 trend:
gloves on the red carpet, shared stylist and fashion director Zadrian Smith.
Throughout the year, opera gloves
adorned numerous celebrities, including Beyoncé, Kate Middleton, and Gigi
Hadid.
Smith further commented, This trend can certainly work on certain occasions with a very specific look, but not always in my eyes. It feels as though this trend has been overdone throughout 2023.
Jean Maxi Skirts
Léna Mahfouf wears a long denim skirt
Another unexpected comeback in 2023
was the long jean skirt, with many embracing full maxi options and taking the
length to the extreme.
"The floor-grazing, denim maxi skirt trend had a moment this year, albeit brief," observed Elizabeth Kosich, an image consultant and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling. Truth be told, pulling off the boho chic look is challenging. Denim, being a coarse, heavy, and stiff fabric, can quickly become overwhelming when there's a lot of it.
Trend of going without pants
Lori Harvey, Emma Corrin and Paige DeSorbo embraced the no-pants trend this year
Ashlyn Greer, a professional
stylist and co-founder of Fashivly, expressed her strong disapproval of the
no-pants trend, deeming it her least favorite fashion moment of 2023. She
remarked, When I consider all the trends from the past year, this one stands
out as the least wearable, the most absurd, and will likely be the trend that
future generations look back on with a 'what were we thinking?!' sentiment.
Greer wasn't alone in her
sentiment, as several stylists shared with HuffPost their willingness to bid
farewell to the no-pants look as we step into 2024.
Stylist Stephanie Stimmler pondered, “Am I witnessing a decline in the art of dressing?” She reflected on the rise of underwear as outerwear, expressing concerns about whether trend seekers had become too casual in their morning attire choices. Stimmler found the idea of wearing undergarments to work to be a bold move, but one that might raise skepticism about its appropriateness in a professional setting. She noted, “It's a daring move, but one that might not earn the right kind of attention in a professional setting.”
Micro Bags
When the micro bag trend initially
took off here in the Big Apple, I have to admit, I was captivated, remarked
Volpe. How adorable—a tiny little bag that could barely hold your... lipstick?
I bought into it and couldn't resist the desire to get my eager fashionista
hands on the Jacquemus Le Chiquito leather mini top handle bag in neon pink—a
perfect complement to the Barbiecore craze that swept over us like a tsunami!
In 2023, carrying a "ludicrously capacious" handbag was
far from fashionable. However, despite the curb appeal of these itty-bitty
bags, they proved to be impractical.
After struggling to fit even a cell phone into these charming yet highly inefficient bags, I quickly fell out of love with the trend! Volpe added.
Tabi Shoes
Pedro Pascal, Dua Lipa and Black Sherif wore Tabi shoes
The Tabi shoe emerged as one of the
more divisive footwear trends of 2023, representing a signature style of the
French luxury fashion house Maison Margiela. This unique split-toed design
draws inspiration from traditional Japanese work shoes dating back to the 15th
century.
Stylist Letam “Ley” Duson did not
mince words, stating, “There is no nice
way to say this... they’re hideous.” Duson, expressing her disapproval,
emphasized that the split-toe shoes, available in various styles and colors,
all share a commonality—they resemble a horse hoof and are a definite no in her
book.
Despite Maison Margiela's Tabi
shoes making their debut in the late 1980s, they experienced a resurgence in
2023, gaining popularity among celebrities and the general public eager to
embrace the trend. However, fashion stylist and consultant Chelsea Volpe
believes their time in the limelight has come to an end.
“Simply put, the Maison Margiela Tabis are deader than a doornail,” Volpe declared. “As a longstanding member of the New York fashion industry, let me speak for us all: ENOUGH with the Maison Margiela Tabis PLEASE! We get it, folks, there is a toe-slit in your leather boot. Adorable. Let’s keep it moving.”
Sheer Dresses
Emily Ratajkowski attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
This year witnessed the ascent of
the sheer dress trend, with many fashion-forward individuals embracing the bold
choice of revealing what's underneath, stated Weisner.
Stars such as Florence Pugh, Ciara,
Karol G, and Emily Ratajkowski have graced the red carpet in sheer dresses, and
this daring look has also found its way into the wardrobes of non-celebrity
fashionistas.
"While self-expression is a cornerstone of fashion, I believe that the bra-and-panties reveal might be a step in the wrong direction," Weisner reflected. "This trend blurs the line between tasteful and overly provocative. As we bid adieu to 2023, it's worth contemplating whether this trend truly empowers women or is just plain tacky."
Ballet Flats
Ballet flats aren't my favorite,
remarked Sharpe. I just don't resonate with that aesthetic and believe a loafer
is a far better flat option.
Despite personal preferences, 2023
witnessed a significant surge in the popularity of ballet flats, with a myriad
of options gracing store shelves—from bedazzled and tied with a bow to silky
and Mary Jane style, the choices were plentiful! Volpe shares a similar
sentiment about this style.
"Give me a block heel or wedge any day over a ballet flat—a shoe reminiscent of the beyond-basic Upper East Side Park Avenue grandma running to Butterfield Market for fro-yo or, better yet, jetting to Sant Ambroeus for Sunday Brunch," she asserted. "Leave the ballet flat where it belongs—in the 1960s on Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn."
Y2K
Sydney Sweeney, Ice Spice and Hailey Bieber rocked Y2K looks
This year brought a real Y2K
revival – dresses over jeans, oversized chunky belts, low-rise jeans, baby
tees, and more! remarked Kendra Sharpe, a wardrobe stylist, and creative
director. Of all these trends, my least favorite has to be the attempt to
resurrect low-rise jeans! Let's reserve those for Britney Spears and Britney
Spears only!
While not every Y2K revival trend
may be on the chopping block, certain looks will find little favor among
fashion professionals in 2024.
As a stylist, I'd be hiding in a
dark cave if I genuinely believed the Y2K aesthetic was fading out of style
anytime soon, commented Volpe. However, what I'm not eager to witness in the
New Fab-u-lous Year are the unappealing relics of the 2000s – causing us all to
relive those moments for yet another season.
Volpe advocates for the retention of updated cargo pants, silver studding and hardware, platform boots, and oversized sunglasses. However, she firmly dismisses Juicy Couture velour tracksuits, graphic baby tees, bedazzled trucker hats, and below-the-waist belts as far as she's concerned.
Fringe
Harry Styles performs in a fringe outfit during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards
I'm not a big fan of this year's
fringe fashion phenomenon, expressed Harris. I don't find the trend ghastly per
se. It's just that I could live without it in my closet.
From skirts and jackets to bags and
swimsuits, fringe seemed to be everywhere this year, offering a playful and
movement-friendly appeal for those who enjoy such features. However, Harris
acknowledges that it's not a trend for everyone.
Don't shoot the messenger here, but if I'm completely honest, to me, the trend is a bit 'meh,' she added. In fact, instead of fringe, I opted to incorporate the more elegant, stylish feather trend into my wardrobe.
Oversized Blazers
Julia Fox wore an oversized blazer for her appearance on the 'Drew Barrymore Show'
The trend of showcasing extra-large
blazers may seem stylish on the runway, but in reality, it elicits concerns,
expressed Stimmler. Firstly, the excessive use of fabric raises issues of
eco-friendliness in a world increasingly focused on sustainability.
Additionally, there is a practicality problem, as many find it challenging to
carry off the oversized blazer style without feeling overwhelmed by excess
material.
Stimmler believes that the big,
boxy blazer could be replaced by "the
nipped, cinched-waist blazer seen on the runways of Stella McCartney, Proenza
Schouler, Versace, and Chanel, to name a few."
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