If you aren't living under a rock, you are already aware of Emma Chamberlain's podcast: Anything Goes. Personally, I have been listening for over four years at this point (since the Stupid Genius days, IYKYK) and every time I see her post an episode about anything to do with fashion, I hit play immediately.
My favourite series that she has shared on the pod, is 'Trendy or Timeless', where she discusses current and past trends to decide whether she thinks they are trendy or timeless. She has shared 6 episodes under this subject at the time I'm writing this, having discussed everything from Birkins to Uggs, underwear as pants to y2k, double denim to trucker hats and everything in-between. After tuning in repeatedly - totally inspired by Emma - I decided that it is about time that I posted my first 'Trendy or Timeless' blog and shared my own thoughts on current trends.
As a little PSA before we dive in, I think it's important to mention that some of the items or styles that rise and fall in popular culture are of course pieces that certain groups use in their daily life, and perhaps they have done for centuries, so it will never be a trend to them nor will it go out of style. Think of a cowboy on a cattle ranch in midwest America, he will be using and wearing pieces that might fall under a pop culture trend that we nickname 'C*nty Country', but to him it's just his clothing, and it's practical. This is obviously a silly example, but imagine that same idea in other contexts and communities, it's important to remember that clothing/products/lifestyles are more than just a trend or something fun to participate in until they bore you; they have history, they have meaning and there is a weight (whether it is historical, financial, ethical or other) that comes with participating in said trends.
Finally, to clarify, everything I am about to say is - as always - just an opinion, so please take it with a bucket of salt (except my opinions on jorts, take them as gospel and BURN THEM) and please do send me your thoughts and opinions, as I love when people can change my mind on something I feel strongly about.
I have no doubt that this will become a regular series, so today - in Round 1 - we will specifically be discussing the top trends and micro-trends of 2024. If you want to read more about micro-trends themselves check out this recent post The Curse Of The Micro-Trend. Let's get right into it...
Mens Underwear As Shorts
So this is a great one to begin with, it's super simple to understand, as it isn't incredibly nuanced. Essentially we are talking about your typical pair of mens boxer shorts - often with a chequered pattern in red and white or blue and white - which is being worn in place of any trousers. Instead of dressing up, we're dressing down? I thought this look was very chic and very cool from the beginning and to be honest I still love it, but let's dive into it a little more.
I predicted this trend two years ago after seeing a paparazzi shot of our Queen, Bella Hadid, eating pizza in the streets of Manhattan wearing Uggs, a motorcycle jacket and you guessed it: her underwear. Of course we know at this point that if Bella wears a bin bag she'll look like a million dollars, yet we still try and replicate everything she wears, so naturally this underwear trend was bound to happen. Next, we saw a photograph - staged for Bottega Veneta - of Kendall Jenner walking around in sheer tights with a pair of black underwear layered over the top, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. Sure enough, during the FW23 season, Miu Miu took on this idea with crystal-embellished knickers over tights or on bare legs. Soon after, Lil Nas X wore a literal thong to the Met Gala and the rest is history.
Now, in mainstream fashion, it has been taken down the road of boxer briefs - rather than knickers or 'tighty whities' - which is much more accessible. I truly love any kind of short short (hello Paul Mezcal) that can help to create an illusion of a longer leg, so naturally I was already on board. I think that on women these just look like linen shorts, so they can't really go out of style, whereas on men they really do present as underwear, so I don't see them being common for much longer. I also think that the only natural progression beyond this trend - if we really are equal in 2024 - would be topless men, wearing just a women's bra (call it patriarchal reparations).
When it was seen on these celebrities and runways, the underwear trend created a sense of shock factor, as most people wouldn't even consider leaving their house with their underwear on display. To me, it's really not that shocking, especially when done in a chic way - like Kendall for Bottega - as it isn't inappropriately revealing. As I don't see the shock factor in this look that bothers some people, I don't think it is bold enough or crazy enough to get sick of or be deemed 'Out' by fashion lovers.
Although, as a concept, wearing just underwear in public is bizarre to the majority of us, so I don't see this continuing to be prevalent in mainstream fashion for much longer. Besides, on most people, they just looks like pyjamas. To conclude, I love them, but they are likely a trend and I wouldn't consider boxer shorts (at least in the way we are wearing them currently) timeless.
Buckle Boots
Moving on, we're talking specifically about those Steve Madden buckle-mania boots that seemed to appear out of nowhere onto the feet of millions of people, seemingly overnight. I have seen them in the Miu Miu store but I can't figure out which came first; I can't trace this trend nor figure out how it started or why, but I can certainly tell you what I think.
The shoes themselves are giving a bit of 'wannabe-punk' and a little 'indie-sleaze-off-Wish'. Not only are they loud and confusing visually, they aren't practical to wear nor walk around in and they don't make sense with many clothes or styles. Beyond this, every dupe or iteration of this boot I have seen has been cheap looking, seeming like they'll fall apart any minute.
The main question from me is: what is the reason for the buckles?? They don't have any function or purpose, nor are they at all appealing to look at, so I cant get behind them. For me, something needs to be at minimum, either practical or intriguing/attractive to the eye. There has been a huge surge in the sort of utilitarian style and functional garments in the last 12 months, but once again these boots don't have any useful function, it is just a stylistic choice (and an ugly one at that).
Honestly, there is no-one that can wear these everyday comfortably and seriously, or make them work with any outfit/style so I don't see them lasting. Your honour, our unanimous ruling is: TREND.
Graphic Tees
This one is simple, we are talking about a t-shirt with a graphic logo, design or image printed onto it. This can involve anything from Fortnight characters, to 'I♡NYC' merch, to a band tee, but in any and all variations there is no way they will ever be cool to me. We have seen it in a million ways over the years and still I haven't come round to the idea.
We've been through the Essentials epidemic, braved our way through the Aime Leon Dore merch, even realised that 'ironically' wearing an 'I♡NYC' tee isn't unique or cool and all of these pieces give the same vibe as wearing a Pokemon tee in elementary school. Time after time we look back on graphic tee trends and think 'what on earth were we thinking?' but we still don't learn our lesson. We still see almost anything imaginable on a t-shirt, my recent faves (not) include bows, lipstick kisses, 'I'm a brat', 'funemployed' and 'my anxiety is chronic but these tits are iconic'.
We reached an epiphany in pop culture where we admitted that logo-mania was ugly and that branding on clothing just turned you into a walking billboard - never in a good way - so we rightfully moved on from them, so why have we not reached the same conclusion with graphic tees. Having words, images or anything else printed onto a t-shirt looks like you think you're being cool, but you aren't. I don't like it but it's a trend that will unfortunately return again and again.
Tabis
So, if you are reading this blog but haven't heard of Tabi's then I am slightly concerned for you... but you are in the right place, Dear Reader, so let me enlighten you. Tabi are a style of shoe sold by high-fashion brand, Maison Margiela. The style dates back to 15th century Japan, when workers would wear 'Zori' which were essentially flip-flops; of course, being a thonged shoe, socks were needed that allowed the toes to separate and fit the sandal, hence the Tabi was adopted as a sock. Margiela, in 1989, recreated this sock as a shoe and began designing and selling Tabi's in a variety of styles - black leather, heeled boots, loafers, etc.
The Tabi has become hugely spoken about online and within the fashion community in the last few years and so they might just be trendy right now, but it's only because they finally received an influx of public attention. Due to the fact that the split toe style isn't the norm, they have a shock appeal to the masses, which creates polarity, the reason fashion pieces become incredibly loved and hated at the same time. Of course the overwhelming discourse around the Tabi that we have heard in the last year makes it seem very relevant now, more than ever, but the Tabi is just a beautiful, well-crafted shoe, with a deep, interesting history and that will never go 'Out', at least in my eyes.
I think that the Tabi will always be timeless and that they aren't just 'for those that get it'. My current favourite style is the pair below that were debuted in the Spring 24 Artisanal show (Look 28 and 29), later worn by Ariana Grande for her performance at the Met Gala (if anyone can track these down, please let me know!!!)
Office Siren
This look never seemed to go extremely viral, although it was all over my socials for a good few weeks. I say that it never really took off in the mainstream because regardless of how overwhelming it felt, you never saw it out in public on every single girl in her 20's like you typically do with these fads. I think that the nature of the trend made it inaccessible, which is why it fell flat and didn't quite become all-encompassing.
Perhaps the reason for it's popularity yet lack of takers was the fact that it seemed aimed towards a very skinny, tall, white girl and no-one else. If I think of 'Office Siren', the first example that comes up is Gisele Bündchen in The Devil Wears Prada, which is such a strong image, that it immediately stereotypes and limits the scope of possibility for this trend. I think that this micro-trend actually speaks to a much larger issue around body shapes being a trend (which is a conversation for another day).
Essentially the Office Siren look is thin, rectangular-framed glasses, a deep red lip, tight-fitted business-chic clothing with a high fashion twist. Throw on a Saint Laurent slingback kitten heel and a lacy top that shows off just enough boob for your office boss to send you home and you've nailed the look.
It's nerdy and quirky yet simultaneously sexy, so it's not 'cool' if an actual intellect or nerd - I use this word as a compliment - wears it. Neither is it practical, people starting wearing it into their office jobs, which is just ridiculous, as it looks overly costume-y, which will never be timeless. A few people, who work in fashion and who are a little nerdy, with the glasses and that specific figure can easily pull it off, but it doesn't feel very accessible.
All said, I truly love the aesthetic of this look and though it's not for everyone, the actual style is timeless to me. Yet, 'Office Siren' was undeniably just a trend.
Mob Wife
After a year old nothing but 'OLD MONEY! QUIET LUXURY! STEALTH WEALTH!' we were bound to respond by going in the complete opposite direction. The 'Mob Wife' aesthetic seemed to be one way in which people were challenging their old-money-exhaustion. Essentially, it consists of anything leopard print (which on it's own is also a big 2024 micro-trend), fur jackets, black stilettos and deep, cherry-red, glossy nails.
Beyond the clothes, there was a sense of mystery, sexiness and power that surrounded the 'Mob Wife' character, but as it feels so costume-y and character-y, I think it was bound to be just trendy. The individual elements are almost all timeless to me: that sexy, slouchy, elegant, moody energy that this look embodies is timeless, the classic fur coat is timeless and dark red nails are timeless. It is only when you add the leopard print and combine these pieces together that you get a character, not a genuine personal style.
Beyond the look itself, I believe that the Mob Wife is a great reference for the natural boomerang effect of the trend cycle; we leant into the simple, classic preppy vibes with the old money aesthetic which went so far that we were craving the opposite, something sexy, bold and dark, hence the Mob Wife.
Bow-Tastic
This one is really fun. Now I'm talking about bows, of every kind, in every way imaginable. We are seeing them printed on t-shirts, tied into our hair, sewn onto jeans and so much more.
I think the bow fad has boomed in the last year or so thanks to the rise of artists like Madison Beer and Gracie Abrams who both have a lovely, pastel-coloured, pretty, girly branding which translates onto the fans attending their concerts. I attended Madison's 'Spinnin Tour' twice this Spring and it was beautiful to see, in every direction, bows of all shapes and sizes incorporated into almost every single fan's outfit.
Although I think bows are absolutely timeless and so cute in general, they are being overused and done in ways - like the graphic tee - which are just tacky and cheap. We know that the obnoxiously oversized 'Jojo Bow' was a ghastly trend and have rightly moved on. Now we are seeing bows done in so many creative ways and I really love it. The craze has reached a point where you have clothing with dozens of 3D actual fabric bows adorned to it, which is incredibly cool, I love the effect and the look.
A few examples that really symbolise this bow-mania moment include Amari's Met Gala dress from Next In Fashion Season 2 or Simone Rocha with their literal ribbon bows used as glam, under the eyes. The whole bow-of-it-all feels almost Victorian to me, in the childlike, playful manor it creates and although I love the look, I do think the way in which bows are being styled currently, is a trend. That said, a thin, narrow piece of ribbon, loosely tied into a bow in the hair is cute and timeless, as is the literal concept of the bow.
Brat Core
Yes, summer is over, but did you have a Brat Summer?? I certainly did not - not for lack of trying - but I would still love to weigh in of the whole Brat-core of it all. The staples features of a Brat wardrobe include the white tank top, anything bright green, sheer dresses, last night's make-up, black-out sunglasses, Von Dutch caps, strappy tops, liquid leather, heavy hardware, french manicures, platform boots, y2k, eclectic 90's and anything else you would go out to get all hot and sweaty in.
I think that the entire Brat aesthetic is obviously a trend, I mean, it is literally in the name 'brat summer', it was only ever going to last the summer. The bright green is so overwhelming and bold that it could never be long term or timeless, although the club-clothing-but-chic side to it is actually really sexy and intriguing to me. This one is a trend with some timeless pieces holding it together.
Belts
Have you seen someone recently, who has a pretty cool outfit on, but when you take a closer look, they seem to have a dozen snakes wrapped around their waist?? This is the epidemic of the belt. We are seeing a craze of belts, trending in many ways.
Firstly, the layered belt: as simple as it sounds, multiple belts worn at the same time, layered over one another. This look is so loud and confusing and in no sense is it practical - of course, not all fashion needs be perfectly practical, but in the day to day street style realm, you should be able to wear your outfit without restrictions or being horribly uncomfortable - so I can't get behind these.
We then have wide, thick and chunky belts: those that seem so huge they could be a waist trainer or a corset. How much belt do you need? What are you trying to smuggle around your waist?
Then come the western belts, with a huge buckle in the centre that shouts 'I PICKED THIS UP IN A THRIFT STORE AND THINK I LOOK CULTURED', when in reality you look like the poster child for fast-fashion 'Faux-Vintage'. Finally, the ridiculously long belts that fall to the knees: they aren't functional, they hit and get caught on everything you walk past, need I continue?
Now, I must state - because I sound like no fun - that if you wander into a vintage store, find and buy some cool belts that do come under the scope of what I have already mentioned, that is okay! Buying second hand will always be cool to me, especially if you can figure out a way to style it that feels and looks genuine to you. With this trend I am simply expressing my feelings in general with the current belt overdose, which just look forced and visually abrasive.
Any belt that is non-functional, covered in logos or made in an overly trendy pattern will always be just a trend, regardless of how well you style it or whether I love it or not. As for a classic brown or black belt, you can never go wrong and they will always be timeless.
Jorts
With this trend I am specifically talking about those long, over the knee, baggy jorts. They also just happen to be styled in the same exact way every time you see them, care to have a guess?... That's right: a grossly oversized football/graphic tee, trendy mismatched shoes (anything from cowboy boots to sambas), a baseball cap and somehow a lack of deodorant. This specific shape of jean shorts has slowly risen back to popularity in the last few years and they don't seem to be going anywhere soon.
These jorts always give me unfashionable teenage boy, not in a cool or ironic way though, which is just painful to look at. Even Billie Eilish - who you'll know, if you have read anything on this blog, I absolutely adore - who seems to be wearing them 9 out of 10 times she appears in public, can't make me see them in a positive light.
Naturally, jeans will always be classic and in style. Denim shorts will almost always be classic and in style. When we start messing around with the length and shape of said denim short, that is where my issue arises. If you can't already tell, I truly hate them in 99.9% of circumstances. The only way I have ever liked these, is this sort of look below with a white crop top; that said, those shape of jorts are not the ones that we are talking about, or that are trending, so it's all irrelevant.
Jorts, in the way we wear them in 2024 are absolutely a trend, that should be abolished immediately, but I'm sure, will hang around for far too long. I truly believe that one day, sooner or later, everyone will wake up and feel even worse about Jorts than they do already about skinny jeans.
Let's Wrap Up
Whew! That was a lot! I think it's time that I spread some positivity because I think I essentially just condemned every single fashion trend in the last year... That said I would love to rant about another load of fashion trends straight away, so comment or message in with more trends and micro-trends for me to discuss in the second part of this series as well as letting me know what you thought of those we discussed today. Any favourite trends on this list? What do you think of the others? Did you agree with me?
As always, thank you so much for reading if you reached this point, you are the reason I can continue to share this content. Please drop a comment, follow us on socials and go check out another blog XOXO
Comments