This fall, we’ve seen some great new trends in fashion, from bows on everything to off-the-shoulder necklines. Websites like Glamour and Vogue have been posting all the runway trends, and style influencers on TikTok have been giving their two cents on what’s “in” for autumn. But how do you know that these trends will still be relevant next year? It’s easy to read those articles and create a perfectly curated Pinterest board, but most people can’t afford to get an entirely new wardrobe every year. Especially for university and college students, staying economical is important when purchasing new clothes. Being able to identify whether a trend is a microtrend, meaning that it’s a trend that gains momentum very quickly and loses its relevance almost as quickly, is a necessary skill to possess in the age of TikTok, where many microtrends are born. Here are six 2023 fall trends dissected, to determine if they qualify for microtrend status or if you should invest in them.
One of the biggest 2023 fall trends so far is the colour red. From cherry red to burgundy hues, this colour was all over this season’s runway. Monochromatic red looks are popular, but pops of red are also very trendy. Red outerwear, especially leather jackets and boots, are big this season. So, is this a microtrend or is red for fall here to stay? In my opinion, the colour red isn’t a microtrend. Maybe monochromatic red outfits won’t be super popular next year, but the colour red is so versatile and looks great on everyone. Red also isn’t a brand-new trend, we’ve been seeing red items of clothing for fall for decades now. Its longevity of relevance demonstrates that it’s here to stay.
Another big runway trend is an off-the-shoulder neckline. This also isn’t a new trend; off-the-shoulder tops and dresses have been in and out of the trend cycle for centuries now. Off-the-shoulder dresses actually became popular back in the 1800s! It’s one of those trends that may be gone by next season, but rest assured, it’ll be back soon enough. For this reason, I wouldn’t call it a microtrend, but it’s not a good idea to spend the entire fall season with cold shoulders. Add one or two to your outfit rotation, but definitely keep full-shouldered pieces in rotation too.
Leather outerwear is a popular trend this fall, which isn’t surprising. Nineties fashion has been creeping back into style for a few years now, and leather jackets are no exception. One new aspect of this trend for 2023 is the colour of the leather. This fall, a faded, worn-looking hue of brown and black has been popular with leather jackets. The faded look definitely could be in microtrend territory, but I wouldn’t rule out leather jackets as a whole. A classic leather jacket, like something Monica would’ve worn on Friends, is something that could absolutely stand the test of time.
One of the most interesting fall trends this year has been the insurgence of bows. From being tied around pigtails to being looped around the backs of UGGs, bows are everywhere. With the rise of the “coquette” trend, which is a girly, hyper-feminine style with ties to the Victorian Regency era (and also Lana Del Rey), bows have also become popular. While this trend has historic connections, I do think it’s a microtrend, especially because of how quickly the style became popular. Overall, I wouldn’t suggest investing in a ton of bow-centric pieces, but if the style interests you, try it out! The good thing about this trend is that you don’t necessarily need to buy new clothing pieces, simply use some inexpensive ribbon to tie around your purse to fit the bill.
Continuing with the “coquette” trend, ballet flats are also in style. Like with bows, ballet flats represent a girly, soft aesthetic that’s incredibly popular right now. In my opinion, however, they’re less of a microtrend than bows. The style of ballet flat definitely influences their relevance and whether they’ll stand the test of time. A clean-looking, simple ballet flat is a shoe that could absolutely be worn time and time again. If you choose to participate in this trend, I would avoid straying too far from a basic ballet flat. One of the most popular ballet flats right now is a cherry red pair from Steve Madden. While they’re incredibly stylish, their popularity leads them closer to microtrend territory than a simple black flat.
Finally, one of the biggest footwear trends this fall has been the UGG Tazz and Tasman slippers. Everyone knows the classic UGG sheepskin boot, but this year, we’ve mostly been seeing shoe versions of this 2010s staple. While these shoes have had mixed reactions, with some people noting the physical similarities between them and horse hooves, they’ve been sold out everywhere since the summer. But are they here to stay? It’s difficult to say—they’ve had quick and extreme popularity, like most microtrends, but UGG is also a brand that’s been around for years. I do think that the Tazz seems like more of a microtrend, since it’s a newer shoe and features less of a classic UGG silhouette (a platform sole instead of UGG’s typical flat sole). However, the durability of UGG shoes could mean that it will last for a few fall seasons and escape microtrend status. For this trend, overall, I would recommend investing in the Tasman over the Tazz, or even try the mini UGG boots, for a more classic UGG look.
Overall, these trends are all cute, but identifying whether or not they’re microtrends allows you to save your money on something that you might not want to wear next fall and therefore reduce your clothing waste.