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Alyssa Guevara

A Year in Review: Past Trends and Future Predictions

Let's ring in the new year by discussing current, future, and out-of-the-box fashion trends for 2024


A new year has finally dawned, and everyone has reinvention on their mind. Whether you plan on traveling more, hitting the gym, or achieving your long-desired glow-up, everyone hopes to change in the new year.


With change in mind, I’m looking to the future to predict some fashion trends that will be a big hit on and off the runway. But first, let’s take a brief walk down memory lane to look at 2023's biggest trends.


1. Low-rise everything (and the dreaded return of whale tails)


Delilah Belle Hamlin at Coachella 2023 | From Jezebel

From pants to skirts, the low-rise waistline was seen on every it-girl in 2023. It was only a matter of time before the Y2K-era resurgence would bring back this trend. In total opposition to the high-rise and mom jeans trend from the past decade, the low-rise waistline was back with a vengeance. This trend was seen all over the runway and on the likes of Bella Hadid, Julia Fox, and Addison Rae. With the ultra-low waistline came whale tails, or the straps of a thong/underwear poking out from under the pants or skirt. 


2. Denim Maxi Skirts (straight from the Pentecostal closet)


Bella Hadid shot from Neil Mockford

A trend I have dearly missed (and eagerly waited for its return): denim skirts have finally made their comeback. The skirt, of course, had a new twist with high slits and was embellished with buttons, belts, and patches. Although some styles of denim skirts are reminiscent of a certain religious denomination, these skirts have become a must-have addition to every cool girl’s closet. In a way, it's an updated version of the patterned maxi skirts we saw in 2020 (how was that 4 years ago?).


3. Ballet Flats and Tabis (please stop stealing them)


Margiela Tabi/Ballet flat

It seems that we couldn’t escape shoes this past year, nor could we escape theft. Ballet flats became cute again, which is ironic to dancers everywhere. Margiela Tabis were added to every girl’s shoe collection. . . until a certain Tinder date showed up and snatched them from the shoe rack. I still can’t believe that happened. Whether you indulged in the ballet core aesthetic or served camel toe realness, these shoes were a major fashion statement all around in 2023.








4. Bows, Bows, Bows! (I am a 20-year-old teenage girl)



Someone on Twitter said bows are the 2023 version of mustaches and that just about ruined the trend for me. But if you’re a cringe connoisseur and don’t care about how trends look 5-plus years from now, then bows are super cute. They’re such a fun way to add personality to your hair, clothes, and purses. I think in 2024, we’ll see this trend evolve with charms and pins to decorate our purses rather than our backpacks (like in the 2010s). 


5. Giant headphones (I am repressing my thoughts by blasting music)


Instyle Magazine | From Getty Images

I couldn’t walk across campus this year without passing someone with big over-the-ear headphones (which probably also had bows on them). TikTok played a major role in this trend, so it seems the app’s influence is here to stay. Embracing big headphones reminds me of the 2000s club scene and its DJs. This is a trend I actually liked seeing and I hadn’t considered technology to be a part of fashion like this, but it’s interesting to see this addition.


Okay, enough reminiscing. Let's look into the crystal ball and make some predictions!


1. Sequins (best believe I’m still bejeweled)


Flippo Fior | Vogue Runway

We’ve been seeing sequins on the runway and in everyone’s New Year’s Eve outfits (because we polish up real nice). It’s only a matter of time before the skinny sequin scarf makes a return to our lives. Too bad I lost the pink skinny sequin scarf from Justice that I used to love as a kid… We will definitely see this trend continue to get bigger in the new year.


2. Thigh-high boots and socks (in my school girl/villain era) 


From Getty Images

Everyone remembers where they were when that picture of Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson was splattered across social media. Couples everywhere recreated the look, and thigh-high boots quickly became a fan favorite. Being the trendsetter that she is, Grande has influenced girls everywhere to don cat ears, thigh-high boots, and platform heels over the years. In 2024, I think we’ll see thigh-high boots and socks make a big return and they will be paired with colorful and patterned tights, as well as inflated skirts/dresses.







3. Return of Business Casual (channeling my inner Spencer Hastings)


Dries Van Noten Spring 2024

With pandemic-era athleisure trends coming to an end, it only makes sense that business casual would make its long-awaited return. We have seen inklings of a business casual restoration, but in 2024, I predict it will make its way into everyday life outside of the office once again, just like in the late 2000s/early 2010s. This change will come due to the shift away from athleisure that we’re seeing in the online fashion community.


4. Big and slouchy bags (Teddy Duncan core)


Givenchy Voyou bag

Why juggle all your belongings in your hands (because we all know deep pockets are hard to find in women’s fashion) when you can carry all of your belongings in one purse? Gone will be the days of cute little accessory purses that hold no more than your phone, keys, and lip gloss (no wallet because I’m just a girl). Tote bags have done a great job of ushering in the big bag era, and I can’t wait to see how everyone’s bags will be customized to their personal style.


5. Return of ‘80s fashion (literally Back to the Future)


Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2019

The ‘80s are back, baby! Unfortunately for the haters, the 1980s style has been phased back into fashion, which can be seen through trends like oversized blazers, metallic fabrics, and bright colors. In 2024, I hope to see more asymmetrical hemlines as well as bold shoulders in a new and improved way.


Alyssa Guevara is a blog writer for Revolution. This article was edited by Meliha Ural.



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