Last year, I wrote an article for the 10 Top Trend Predictions for 2023. From the sheer pieces we've been seeing to kitten heels, I'd like to humbly say that I killed it. In the spirit of new styles and experimental fashion, I thought I write another article, this time, for 2024. I've used my Vogue subscription for the good of the world and cultivated the themes that we'll be seeing next year.
Before I start my list, I want to clarify that I don't believe in solely following trends. I am a strong advocate for personal style and hope that you can be the same. However, that isn't to say that trends are evil.
Popular items can contribute to the growth of a brand or finding what you identify with, or don't. Just make sure you shop sustainably and only buy what you love!
Cut Outs
Who doesn't love to show a little skin?
Cutouts were the first thing that jumped out at me on this year's runways. From Victoria Beckham to Rokh, fabric was cut away for an interesting look. Dresses had plunging, geometric outlines, or the ever-popular waist cutouts. No matter who, what, when, or where, skin was shown in unconventional places, and this is surely going to hit our streets very soon.
I initially predicted this with Sabrina Carpenter's Era's Tour outfits, with a heart cutout on her chest (made by the incredible Frolov Heart). As Sabrina got bigger as an artist, her outfits attracted more attention, and the masses began to play copycat.
Concert costumes and runway looks aren't suitable for the day-to-day, however, so let me tell you how we'll be seeing cutouts in our normal lives.
In dresses, think Olivia Rodrigo's ‘You’re So Vain' performance at the 2022 Rock Hall of Fame Induction (or any of ShuShu Tong's other dresses). We've been seeing a lot of upper back, but this is going to get lower and more daring.
For casual outfits, take inspiration from Julia Child in Pretty Woman. Yes, it was made in 1990, but the bold waist cut-outs will be perfect as the weather gets warmer.
Short Shorts
Fashion is as reactionary as politics. We just had jorts; now we have tiny shorts. If you still love the massive jorts, keep wearing them, but that trend was just waiting to die out. Short shorts are the new thing.
Tiny shorts over tights, tiny shorts under skirts, tiny shorts by themselves. Everywhere you look, you see hot pants.
In the winter, the most practical way to wear this is probably with layers. If you want to layer them under, check out Olivia Rodrigo on Jimmy Fallon (can you tell I'm a fan?). She wore bloomers under another ShuShu Tong dress, which made the outfit a little more fun and youthful.
On the other hand, you can wear them on top of other tights. I know it's very 2010s, but it's coming back. Trust me.
Black and White and Brown
I have two different ideas behind this one.
Black and white dominated the runways. Everyone from Schiaparelli to Chanel was showing off their grayscale outfits. In the past year or two, we saw sage green and Barbie pink as the ‘it’ colors. It's time to mute these down.
Black boots, white collars, black blazers, white buttons. Everything is going to be shrouded in these contrasting colors. Luckily for us, there is no right or wrong way to do black and white.
Brown stems from reading other people's predictions (check out the New York Times article here), and I couldn't agree more. Think of the warm caramel browns from the 70s. That's what we'll be seeing this year.
My guess is that it will show itself mostly in leather (jackets, bags, belts), but it will probably also be seen as pants and skirts. Brown accessories are some of my favorite to work with, so have fun with this one!
Bright colors will still appear throughout the year (I'm guessing purple is a big one). This is an ongoing reaction to the pastel epidemic of the late 2010s, so don't feel a need to throw out your color.
Structure
Gone is the bagginess of the past 6 years; it's now time for structure and quality. A large part of the SS Runways was the professionalism. Tailored suits, altered to flare and cinch in specific places, held a spot in nearly every designer's collection.
Think buttoned-up blazers with dramatic waist definition. Think stiffer trousers that hold their shape when walking. Think thicker materials with shape.
This trend is interesting to me, as it doesn't follow my personal style at all. It makes sense that the world would be moving towards a new style after the trends following Billie Eilish's stardom.
Honestly, I can't comment too much on this, as it's fairly new to our generations, but I'm excited to see where it goes!
Some people are calling it the 90s, I'm saying it's ‘90s does 60s.’
Over the past decade, we've seen trends related to the 1970s (bell bottoms and sleeves), the 1980s (mom jeans and leg warmers), the 1990s (pretty much everything), and the 2000s (low-rise jeans and juicy couture). 2024 will be the year of the 1960s.
The structure I discussed a minute ago will play a major role in the revitalization of this decade. Think about the box dresses we've been seeing for the last month. Thicker mini skirts for a more defined silhouette, a shift from baggy flares to constructed flares, and jackets that hang straight down instead of being form-fitting.
Makeup will likely follow this pattern, too. We'll see lower-lid makeup become huge, and we'll see tips and tricks to give the eyes that 'Twiggy look.' Lips will get simpler and pinker as makeup primarily focuses on the eyes.
Look for patterns, short skirts, and eyeliner. That's when you'll know the trend has come into full focus.
This is one of my favorite predictions, as 60s fashion has gone underappreciated for so long!
Maximalist Jewelry
This section is truly my time to shine.
Before I start, I have to say that minimalism and maximalism can never be ‘out’ because so many people will naturally gravitate towards both. Therefore, if you're freaking out because you only own dainty pieces, don't.
It is finally time for chunky bracelets, earring stacks, and a whole lot of rings. If you knew me in real life, you would know that this is my entire brand.
The best part about this prediction is that it's completely personal. You don't need one specific perfect piece; you can have collections of things you have found throughout your life. The best places to look for jewelry like this are thrift stores and markets.
As I'm writing this, I am wearing three rings (all from flea markets), four charm bracelets (two from Etsy, one from a thrift store, one from Pandora), one bangle (flea market), one watch (Spanish market), two random bracelets (hand-me-down and flea market), twelve random earrings (Lovisa), a nose stud (piercing place), and my comfort necklace (Tiffany & Co). As you can see, I don't solely buy from one place.
Accessories are essential, and jewelry is a great, easy way to do it!
I know I'm not original, but how can I make a 2024 predictions article without talking about indie sleaze?
Let me give you a quick insight into fashion predictions; it's a reaction, a revitalization, or both. In this case, it's both.
The whole clean girl moment was bound to come to an end eventually. If you still like it, wear it, but a style shrouded in wealth and expectations can't stay forever. Similarly, in the 1980s, the goal was perfection.
Lagerfeld Chanel suits and 5'10 models were all the rage. Like then, these impossible goals move from admired to resented, and the tone shifts.
We're bound to see a focus on scandalous clothing and risky behavior. Smudged makeup, messy hair, and edgy clothes are about to be everything.
This messy look is easily achievable; you don't have to try. Throw on some messy black eyeliner and some faux fur (or vintage fur), and you're there. For inspiration, check out any of Kate Moss's street-style outfits from the 90s. Find a good going-out boot, a few short skirts and dresses, and some shirts that will disappoint your grandparents.
If you want any more ideas for this style, wait for the first edition of The Messy Girl Magazine (it's a self-plug, I'm sorry).
Maxi Bags
I am so, so, so excited for this one.
We've slowly seen the fall of microbags, the tiny purses that used to dominate the runways and red carpets. The impracticality was set to fail, and finally, we're seeing the flip. Big, Jane Birkin-esque bags will be everywhere. Purses that you can carry your laptop, headphones, and expectations will be everywhere.
I love this trend, both for the look and for the functionality. Aesthetically, I'm a big fan of heavy accessorizing (read the jewelry section if you need more proof), and handbags are a core part of an outfit. Practically, I'm an AP student who has to lug my textbooks everywhere; tiny bags just don't fit the bill.
There isn't really a wrong way to go about this, but I'll give some bag recommendations for every price range, starting with the most expensive:
A girl in my English class has this bag, and just being near it brings me joy. It's beyond gorgeous, it's practical, and it's so expensive. Please buy this bag if you have an extra chunk of change to spare, for my sake.
This is my bag of choice, so I might be slightly biased. However, she's stunning and has more than enough room to fit everything. If you need more than just my word, a commerce producer for Vogue, Kylie McGuigan, said the same thing here.
Okay, I wasn't going to add this bag because it isn't my personal favorite. That being said, I live near London, so the Longchamp epidemic cannot go unnoticed. I have several friends with this bag, and they swear by it.
You can also find cheaper bags, but most of those won't be of great quality. If that's all you can afford, go nuts! But if you have a little more money to spend, don't waste it on fast fashion.
I don't even want to discuss the so-called ‘preppy’ scene we've been seeing in the tween population USA. The bright colors and Nirvana sweatshirts are not what Blair Waldorf stood for.
However, a rise in the edgy fashion I discussed above means a rise in the complete opposite, and after everyone went through a simultaneous Gossip Girl rewatch, it makes sense that true preppy is back.
The ‘old money’ trend we've been seeing will soften a little into this tried-and-true look. Plaid skirts, button-ups, and Mary Jane will be all the rage in the coming months. Emulate a school uniform, but make it hotter. Pair this look with blown-out hair, some pearls, and a latte, and you have it down.
Overall, 2024 will be a big year for action and reaction. We'll see looks all across the board, and there's a lot of room to play in the middle. Have fun with the style we'll see, but don't feel forced into anything. The best part of fashion is finding and expressing yourself.
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Nora Wagner is a 16-year-old American international student based in England. At a young age, she developed a passion for music and fashion and, since then, has loved reading and writing about them. Nora enjoys playing instruments, reading, and shopping with her friends in her free time.
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