Season’s greetings! For the trends are upon us.
Paris, Milan, New York, London, and – newest to the line-up – Copenhagen, are wrapping up the shows for the fall/winter collection of 2024. More than a month of fashion and street styles in abundance.
The only question that remains is what trends and aesthetics to expect for 2024 and which ones that are worth getting into without buying an entirely new wardrobe and without breaking the earth.
How to shop smart
It goes without saying that when shopping for clothes the best thing you can do for yourself and the planet is to buy things that you’ll wear and love for a long time. Micro-trends and mini seasonal collections are not sustainable. It should take time to build a wardrobe filled with pieces that can be styled together in multiple ways and exactly to your liking.
But what do you do when a seasonal trend or new aesthetic takes off on TikTok and you simply must be that person? It’s fun to reinvent your style and buy what’s trending, but consider how new pieces can be worn across different aesthetics so that you can wear it more. While I don’t want to endorse reckless spending and unrealistic justification, girl math is actually a helpful way to think about the investment you are about to make: break down the cost per wear and maximise the number of ways you can wear your expensive garments.
If, however, you’re not entirely sure if you want or can afford to go all-in on a new trend, I suggest you just dip your toe in. You most likely already have basic pieces in your wardrobe that can be dressed up to match what’s trending. Here are some of the aesthetics and trends that are worth getting into and tips on how to accomplish the look:
Coquette
Very much in fashion right now and perfect for spring/summer, coquette is an ultra-feminine style that is defined by soft colours and silhouettes, skirts, patent leather platforms and decorative accessories. This style is probably difficult to get into without buying all new garments. It is perhaps also an intimidating style if it is not already a part of your personal aesthetic.
That said, it is easy to copy some of the defining features without fully committing to the price tag of a Selkie dress. Bows and ribbons are the most recognisable accessory to the coquette style and this is as easy to get into as making a visit to your local craft/sewing shop and buying a length of ribbon. Tie them in your hair, or sew them onto a plain top or dress of a contrasting colour so they really stand out. Pearls and dainty jewellery are also easy ways to tune into the coquette style.
Colours
Every season has a distinct colour palette. And just in time for the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory at the Super Bowl, red is the victorious colour of 2024. (I’m not saying they go hand in hand, but it’s a fun coincidence.)
The colours seen so far on the runway are muted and classic shades of creamy shells, buttery yellows and soft, earthy pinks (Peach Fuzz is the official Pantone colour of 2024). But sparks of brighter colours are always welcome. Deep reds and saturated blues are what to look out for, they will be the ones to elevate your wardrobe.
Colour is easy to shop for if it is something you do not already have and some charity shops will even do you the favour of organising the racks by colour. But don’t worry about the exact shades of the big fashion houses, it will make it immensely harder to find anything and no one will inspect or try to colour match your clothes.
Red is a timeless and classy colour. This is something that is worth investing in if you find a pair of shoes, a dress or bag that simply grabs your eye. A red lip will also accomplish the look.
Eclectic Grandpa
We love a good trending aesthetic and eclectic grandpa will accompany the coastal grandmas of last year. This style is retro, vintage, and you guessed it, eclectic. Anything goes, from sweater vests to wrist watches and loafers.
Think Princess Diana’s street style and Pedro Pascal (God bless his stylist!). It is also very akin to the street style seen in Copenhagen.
To complete this aesthetic a lot of patience is required. The best pieces are those that have been worn and bear a certain patina that style-copied clothes do not. Second-hand clothes and accessories are the way to go if you want to get in touch with your inner grandpa. For that reason, this is perhaps one of the more sustainable trends if shopped correctly.
Tomato Girl
Maybe a passé of last season, but there’s a chance of revival come summertime, and it crosses over with the deep red from this year’s colour palette.
Tomato girl summer is all about the sweet life. It has its focus on the Mediterranean lifestyle with sunny weather and comfortable fruit and floral-patterned dresses. More of a vibe than a trend, tomato girls are laid-back, enjoyable and wrapped in silk scarfs with a pair of sunnies.
Once again, being able to wear items across trends and aesthetics is most welcome and preferable. Silk scarves and fun dresses can easily be found in charity shops or on second-hand apps, such as Depop and Vinted.
Featured Image Credit: Pinterest / Canva. Collage by Julie Brinking
Fourth year English and Journalism student and Comment editor. Talk to me about fashion, culture, language and media.
