Being a college student without a current source of income has forced me to love fashion trends from afar. In the past I have been guilty of buying things when they’re trendy and hating them when they go ‘out of style,’ so my (somewhat spotty) shopping ban has taught me to discover my own style and prioritize buying things that I truly love. With that being said, there are some current fashion trends that I am in huge support of, and I hope they stick around long enough for me to participate in them.
I usually feel like I have two different styles—one for the spring/summer and one for the fall/winter. My closet during the summer is full of white clothes, florals, and ideally anything cottage-core, but the minute the weather drops into the 50s, the colors and patterns disappear. After a while, layering different variations of the same basics becomes boring, so I’ve had my eye on a lot of the latest fashion trends. I think the general trend for the end of the year’s fashion is elegant and sophisticated, and I’m loving it!
- Red
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When media outlets began calling red the color of the season, I wasn’t sure that I saw the vision. The key to my understanding came from seeing the red accessories that are trending this fall—wine-colored boots, bags, and leather jackets; the third of which fits perfectly into the ‘Downtown girl’ style that is also trending.
- Lace
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Different variations of lace seem to be always in style, but the current trend is sheer lace tops. I hope this trend sticks around because I love the versatility of this piece, depending on how you style it. You get to choose what to wear both under and over it, making it appropriate for daytime but especially nighttime looks. Lace sheer tops are a must-have for going out as the days get shorter.
- Ruffles
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I usually find that ruffles look tacky, but the latest trend incorporating this texture are cardigans trimmed with ruffles down the front and around the sleeves. The biggest thing that makes this style a hit for me is the drapery—the extra fabric giving it more movement. This breezy style emerged this past spring, but it continues into the fall (with thicker material, of course).
- Off-the-Shoulder Tops
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It seems like just yesterday I was wearing off-the-shoulder and cold-shoulder tops, but only the former is making its fashion comeback. I love the simplicity of off-the-shoulder sweaters and sweater dresses (as long as they’re not bodycon; as a society, we’re not ready for that). This style puts the focus on the neck and collarbones, a staple of the classic, timeless neckline that was coined the “Bardot”, after Brigitte Bardot, in the 1960s.
- Long Denim Skirts
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This seems to be a controversial style, but one that I think makes perfect sense. The incorporation of denim into the trendy midi/maxi skirt can look frumpy, but it doesn’t have to. I prefer the denim midi skirts with the symmetrical split front, but this style in general seems perfect for all-year round.
- Kitten Heels
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Moving onto footwear, kitten heels are a classic style that radiate Old Hollywood. The style was first popularized by Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s, but it is now making a comeback. I love the practicality of the short heel. Since there’s usually an abundance of kitten heels at thrift stores, be on the lookout for a pair! I especially love the ones with the little bows on the front.
- Uggs
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I am probably the person most glad that Uggs are making a comeback, if only because I bought my first pair just as they were going out of style. The current trends are the short ones or the slippers, but I will be digging my tall Uggs out of the back of my closet anyways. These are the perfect shoes for a snow day—they’re soft, warm, and the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever owned.
- Black Cowboy Boots
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This is a trend that I’ve seen a few times around campus that I surprisingly love. I have never been one for cowboy boots, but there’s something about a black pair styled with a dress that works so well. I definitely don’t need more black boots, but I love these nonetheless.
- Small Shoulder Bags
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I thought I was above wanting designer brands and celebrated the fact that I was saving myself money, but alas, here we are—my dream bag is a small black Prada shoulder bag. The good thing is that certain bags never go out of style, so maybe one day, many years post-college, I’ll have one of my own. One can dream.
- Hair Bows
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The last trend that I’m currently loving may seem simple, but it can be the best part of an outfit. Hair ribbons have been around since the Middle Ages but starting in the 19th century became a symbol for femininity. The history behind this fashion staple ensures that it will never completely go out of style.
As opposed to fashion trends of the recent past (ahem, 2020 fashion), the trends of 2023 have been dominated by simple and timeless styles. With the upsurge of easily accessible fast-fashion brands like Shein, overconsumption and microtrends have been on the rise, so hopefully this season will be a good one for fashion, and the planet.