A Reflection of 2024 Fashion Trends: The Good, The Bad, And The Concerning.
Dear Diary,
What. A. Year. 12 months has just whipped past, making it feel like 2024 was both only yesterday and set in time 10 years ago. Perhaps it was the resurrection of fashion from the noughties (to the horror of Millennials far and wide) or the fact that we saw 10 years worth of trends in such a short space of time (thank you TikTok!). If anything, this past year made it clear that the realm of fashion as we know it is ever evolving at a record setting pace - which to some may feel utterly thrilling and to others totally overwhelming. While recovering from the whiplash I received while witnessing low rise jeans back in full force, I was given time to reflect on how 2024 fashion made me feel. So, as requested by nobody, here are my takeaways:
I feel smug. S-M-U-G. Smug.
OOOkay this may seem like a an odd comment, but being a vintage seller (and all round lover of old things) I feel delighted to see so many vintage trends come back into fashion - my smugness emanating from the knowledge and certainty that vintage clothing truly never goes out of style! In 2024 we saw cowboy boots make a huge comeback, the last time they were so popular was in the 1980’s - This goes for leopard print too. We saw Brat summer help 2000’s trends come back, we’re talking low rise, cargo pants, and dresses over jeans. While I wasn’t entirely thrilled about it, it’s reassuring (and a little terrifying) to know no fashion trend is truly dead.
Individuality above all else.
While we all seem to agree to disagree about the popularity of certain trends cough Tabbi Shoes cough. I have loved the to see joy come back into getting dressed, and that not one trend was ever perched at the top for long. We saw whimsy and sporty and shiny and grungy and a strong blend of all at times. There was a fashion niche for everyone to feel at home in their clothes and people wearing items simply because it’s fun. Because they feel good. Because it makes them feel most themselves. It’s true that a trend is only a trending because a certain amount of people are wearing the same thing, but it’s nice to see individuality is on the up and up.
Let us....not.
Now, that doesn’t go without saying that there wasn’t a fashion trend (or few) that didn't quite sit right with me. While I try to keep my opinions aside (as controversy is what keeps it fashion fresh, after all) I think there were a few looks that missed their mark. Shall we start with camel-toe undies? Did you see that one? No? Well, I won't be the one to haunt you further with that imagery (sorry). How about undies as pants? seen on the runway, red carpet, and mixed into street style. Now I’m one to love a mini moment, yet those awkward nappy-looking bottoms just did not cut the mustard.
That sort of feeling of impending doom?
I can’t talk about last year without taking about that sneaking feeling of impending doom when it comes to fashion. In 2024 the rates of frivolous online spending had gone through the roof with the rise of fast fashion brands, social media, and influencers. Did you know Shein has 88.8 million active shoppers who make roughly 880,000 orders per day? yes, PER DAY. Only for these items to be worn less that 7 times before they’re thrown away - adding to the pile of 92 million tonnes on textile waste that is generated yearly. It can be hard to see joy in new clothing when we see the ongoing cycle of so much unsustainable and unethical clothing manufacturing.
2025 dream forecast.
I thought I’d finish off with my hopes for 2025 fashion, which is that we see more conscious shopping and a higher demand for sustainable and ethical options, ahem, such as vintage. I believe Y2K has had it’s moment in the sun and I would love to see more retro silhouettes come back into fashion, mini dresses, some fun frills, sheer statement sleeves, and MEGA flares please!
As always, trends will come as fast as they go and they can be fun to follow - whether you’re participating or merely observing. However, what matters most (and I will die on this hill) is how clothing makes you feel. So If you have one takeaway going into 2025 please let it be this - life is too short to wear clothing that doesn’t allow you to feel entirely like yourself.
Until next time, Fashion lovers xx
