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Nothing stops ongoing fashion trends while bringing new styles to the forefront like the start of a new year. On January 1st, many of us feel the rush to refresh most aspects of our lives and rethink what components we can breathe new life into as we prepare for a productive, healthy and inspiring 12 months. One aspect that is particularly susceptible to an overhaul for many is our wardrobe.
Having recently ushered in a new year and a new set of fashion trends, I know that I’m personally looking to shake things up while trying out new trends and saying goodbye to pieces and aesthetics that no longer serve me. That being said, I also like to hold on to items, styles, and aesthetics that have promise and will last until 2024.
Over the past few years, the TikTok aesthetic (in fashion and beyond) has evolved into a culture all its own. Did you ever realize how often you would read and use the term “core”? From references to the past (like “Y2K” and “Twee”) to cinematic inspirations (see “Barbiecore” and “Mermaidcore”) to the seemingly just random (although I’m a fan, Coastal Cowgirl actually comes to mind ) has brought us the fashion aesthetic with a truly fun and inspiring way to get dressed in the morning. While some may naturally find the deluge of aesthetics tiring or unnecessary (looking at you, Mob Wife), I’m personally all for it and have found that dabbling in different trends is a way to avoid styling boredom.
As time passes and new aesthetics continue to pop up in our feeds, it’s fair to say that some of those social media-driven micro-trends we know and love (or hate, depending on the circumstances) have had their day in the sun. While I don’t think mermaidcore will return this summer, this fashion aesthetic is certainly here to stay and prevail in 2024.
With an aesthetic that’s hard to ignore, Tenniscore has taken over the casual styling board over the past two years, offering those of us who love both preparedness and comfort an optimal clothing solution. With its ability to capitalize on that “best of both worlds” quality and the accessibility that comes with it (who doesn’t feel good when they slip on a pair of sneakers?), this trend is sure to stick around all year long. Hold on to your pleated skorts and V-neck sweaters, people.
Ballet and fashion go hand in hand – the art form’s influence on everyday clothing is nothing new. I still remember my own mother telling my teenage self that in the ’80s everyone and their sister wore leg warmers as a fashion accessory. I found the idea absurd until, of course, 2023 came along and changed my mind for the better. Last year was a special celebration of all things feminine and “girly.” Balletcore, in particular, enjoyed huge popularity with the masses following a collaboration between J.Crew and New York City Ballet at the end of the year. Fashion girls wearing Nutcracker-esque looks with a bow this past holiday season also helped tip the scales in the aesthetic.
The trend continues to gain momentum in early 2024: muted colors, ballet flats, cozy cashmere and hair bows dominate retailer shelves everywhere. To make it short? If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer, 2024 is the year to at least dress up as one.
If you’re an anti-trend type, then quiet luxury is the trend for you. It’s an aesthetic characterized by high-quality, minimalist pieces that never go out of style. With a hard focus on bright colors and super-trendy items, channel this trend that isn’t actually a trend by reaching for neutral, classic styles. Fashion pieces often associated with aesthetics include trousers, leather accessories, blazers and button-down shirts.
While the coastal granny aesthetic first gained popularity in 2022 (practically eons ago on the fashion timeline), it hasn’t lost ground. In fact, I would say it is increasing somewhat. As the name suggests, Coastal Grandma is an aesthetic that draws inspiration from the lifestyle we all imagine when we imagine an older, wealthy woman living by the sea. At its core, it’s the classic, put-together oneNew England style. In other words, from high-quality knitwear this winter to linen trimmings and beads this summer, it’s still here in 2024.
Although some may disagree, I personally believe that the romantic aesthetic that has emerged from Covid isolation will last until the end of the year. Infused with puff sleeves, floral prints, baskets and western boots, cottagecore embodies a peaceful, leisurely, technology-free lifestyle full of farm-fresh eggs and warm-from-the-oven sourdough bread. As retailers continue to go strong with their offerings of puff-sleeved dresses and tops, basket bags, headbands and practical boots, the romantics among us can look forward to getting lost in cottagecore for another year.
While this isn’t a “historic” (and I use that term very loosely) micro-trend, I can’t talk about the fashion aesthetic of 2024 without mentioning the newest thing on the scene: the eclectic grandpa. The eclectic grandpa aesthetic is a humorous departure from “coastal grandma” and a catch-all term for many of the trends we’ve grown fond of in recent years. Sweater vests, baseball caps, and all things retro and kitsch fall neatly (or perhaps not so neatly) into the bucket of the eclectic grandpa (also referred to online as “Grandpacore”). Scour your closet for pieces inspired by past trends to artfully (or maybe not so artfully?) dive into this latest and greatest aesthetic.
